91ÇÑ×Ó

Arriving in Oxford by coach, the afternoon began with the third instalment of Tonks Tours, an exclusive service of guided Oxonian perambulations, under our eponymous leader. We began our ramble outside St John’s College, founded by Sir Thomas White. From 1567 until the mid-Twentieth century there existed closed scholarships between 91ÇÑ×Ó’ and St John’s (as well as at Pembroke College, Cambridge). Mr Tonks alluded to the fact that just the day before was St Barnabas’ Day, upon which scholars were historically elected from 91ÇÑ×Ó’ to places at St John’s.

From St John’s we proceeded towards the Broad, past the Martyrs’ Memorial, our destination being an old cobblestone cross set amongst the municipal tarmac. The cross marks the approximate location whereat three Protestant martyrs died for their faith, Bishops Latimer and Ridley, and Archbishop Cranmer. These brutal martyrdoms were conducted under the authority of the Romish Bloody Mary. From this sombre spot we moved to a shaded spot outside the Sheldonian Theatre, the site of graduations and other important university events, as well as numerous concerts. From there our guide took us to the Bodleian and Radcliffe Camera, before telling of the curious All Souls’ College. No peregrinations of the City of Dreaming Spires would be complete without mention of C. S. Lewis, and we paused outside the University Church to see the carvings supposed to have inspired Mr Tumnus, and the lamppost alleged to have inspired that which appears in the Chronicles of Narnia. The University Church itself was of course also the location of Keble’s Assizes Sermon in 1833, one of the key moments in the Oxford Movement.

Our final two stops on the tour were co-existent, being Tom Tower at Christ Church, and an ice cream van opposite. In spite of the appeal of the former, the latter was well-patronised, save by those who felt the prices exorbitant or who by cause of being desirous to transact in cash were prevented from doing so. We then retired to our destination, University College, alma mater of Mrs Monteiro, who kindly facilitated our visit to the college. She showed us the Shelley memorial before we arrived at the Chapel, an elegant seventeenth century edifice with a rather unusually sited organ. The console is perched in the usual place on the north wall above the choir, but the case is attached to the west wall in quite a large gallery.

The service was conducted by the school chaplain, and was accompanied by the Graduate Musician, Mr Collins. The canticles were sung to the setting in C by Charles Villiers Stanford; the responses were those by Richard Ayleward, and the anthem was Herbert Howells’ setting of the first few verses of the forty-second psalm, Like as the hart desireth the waterbrooks. The ninety-first psalm was chanted to music by the Rev. Canon W. H. Havergal, Old Merchant Taylor. The congregation, most if not all of whom were friends of family of the choristers, largely sang lustily in the three hymns, all of which by chance happened to be in the key of B-flat. Being the eve of the feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, the lessons were chosen from Isaiah 40 and John 1. The chaplain drew on these passages in the intercessions.

As readers of this publication will no doubt be aware, the Music Department is wont to patronise Italian restaurants on its various sojourns through the shires. The recipient of our munificence on this occasion was Franco Manca. After a few alterations to the order we dined in comfort and were filled. Having been made aware that this day was auspicious in regards to the celebration of a birthday for one of our choristers, three cakes were procured and adorned with candles. A tuneful rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ rang out across the restaurant before the cake was devoured by all present.

The return to school by coach was fortunately uneventful. Thanks to all involved.