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1722 Society goes online Determined not to let COVID disrupt all our plans, the 1722 Society enjoyed a ‘virtual Christmas gathering’ this year...
With lockdown #2 scuttling all plans for Churcher’s to host a Christmas lunch for 1722 Society members, we decided to take Churcher’s to them by taking the event online. Prior to the meeting all members were sent a minihamper of locally made mince pies and brandy butter in lieu of the lunch everyone would have ordinarily experienced. “Churcher’s in the time of COVID” was the theme for the event to give attendees a snippet of the experiences pupils have been having during the pandemic. Simon Williams, Headmaster, welcomed and thanked the 1722 Society membership, highlighting the importance of community and
the Richard Churcher Foundation during challenging times like these. History teacher, Hannah Swindells, took everyone through an example of a remote sixth form enrichment lesson before the Very Reverend Canon Will Hughes, School Chaplain, Vicar of St Peter’s Parish Church in Petersfield and current parent followed with an interesting take on Advent and the Christmas message. The afternoon ended with a mini concert from our pupils demonstrating how, despite the many restrictions in place, music has continued to flourish at Churcher’s.
“What a wonderful surprise! I certainly hadn’t been expecting a parcel and then to find it was from Churcher’s and laden with brandy butter and mince pies was just splendid!” Bill Evershed (55) “A quick note to thank you for entertaining us 1722ers yesterday. Certainly everything seems to be buzzing at Churcher’s. I found a lot of interest in the history lesson – it was different from our ‘read the chapter, make notes, learn the notes for a test’.” Nigel Belchamber (64)
