Events 400

Welcome

To commemorate the 400th Anniversary of Monmouth School for Boys and the William Jones’s Schools Foundation, an exciting programme of events was put together across the Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools in 2014. Monmouth School has the great distinction of having educated boys on the same site since 1614, when King James I was on the throne, and the school has remained on the banks of the River Wye at the forefront of boys’ education despite the English Civil War, First and Second World Wars and, less dramatically, changes from Grammar School to Direct Grant to Independent School status.  The whole school community, including Old Monmothians, former staff, governors and our Trustees, the Haberdashers, were brought together to celebrate this key year in Monmouth School’s history.

January – Launch

March

Sunday 2nd 5.30pm
400th Anniversary Concert was held at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.  Musicians of Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools were joined by St John’s-on-the-Hill and The Elms Prep Schools for an evening of choral and orchestral music celebrating the 400th Anniversary of Monmouth School for Boys and the William Jones’ Schools Foundation at this prestigious venue.

Thursday 6th
Fraser Bird Sevens
Monmouth School for Boys hosted and competed in the Fraser Bird Haberdashers’ Schools Rugby Sevens Tournament.

Monday 17th
Formal Opening of the William Jones Building
The Headmaster welcomed the Haberdashers’ deputation, Governors and local dignitaries to the official opening of the William Jones Building.

Monday 17th 5.30pm
Evensong at Newland Parish Church
To commemorate the William Jones Legacy underpinning the Almshouses and schools, the Evensong Service was open to all members of the community as well as parents, pupils and staff. 

Wednesday 19th March 2.30pm
A Service of Thanksgiving was held at St Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate the founding of Monmouth School and the beginning of the William Jones’s Schools Foundation. Golden Lecture was given by The Right Reverend Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark. Pupils from Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools joined VIP guests, governors, parents, staff and Haberdashers.

April

Sunday 27th Midday – 4.00pm
OM Reunion was held for those with a ‘Class of’ on or before 1969 Calling all Old Monmothians who left Monmouth School for Boys before 1969, this was a chance to return to Monmouth for a tour of the school; discover what had changed and what remained the same; and catch up with not only those from your year but also those in years immediately above and below you.

June

Friday 20th 6.00pm
Monmouth School, The First 400 Years – Book Launch at Shire Hall, Monmouth
This was the first opportunity to see the published book and meet the author, Stephen Edwards. former Head of Modern Foreign Languages. Copies are available for sale.

Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd 10.00am – 5.00pm
Monday 23rd & Tuesday 24th 1.00pm – 6.00pm

Exhibition – Monmouth School for Boys, yesterday, today, tomorrow…
An exhibition on the history of the schools and memorabilia was held at The Shire Hall, Monmouth. Open to the public.

Saturday 21st 11.00am – 3.00pm
Old Monmothian Day was rather special this year and gave the opportunity to return to School for a second time.

Sunday 29th Midday – 4.00pm
OM Reunion for those with a ‘Class of’ between 1990 and 2013
Calling all Old Monmothians who left Monmouth School for Boys between 1990 and 2013. This was a chance to return to Monmouth for a tour of the school; discover what had changed and what remained the same; and catch up with not only those from your year but also those in years immediately above and below you.

July

Saturday 5th 9.30am – 12.30pm
Speech Day at Monmouth School for Boys
Commemoration Service, Prize-Giving and special guest speaker, Old Monmothian, The Lord Moynihan, former Chairman of the British Olympic Association.

Saturday 5th 7.00pm
Commemorative Summer Ball
The Headmaster and Headmistress cordially invited current and former parents, staff, pupils and governors to celebrate 400 years of Monmouth School for Boys’ history at a Summer Ball held in the boys’ school marquee.

September

Saturday 6th September
Henley Dinner, not just for rowers.
A wonderful evening at the famous Leander Club, Henley on Thames where you could enjoy breath-taking river views, impressive surroundings, good company and a fabulous meal. The annual dinner was a popular event attracting Old Monmothians and their guests. Black Tie.

Monday 8th September – AUTUMN LECTURE SERIES
Professor Ben Quash, King’s College, London:
Is God in the Picture? Christianity in Art

Sunday 14th September: Midday – 4.00pm
Reunion for ‘Class of’ between 1970 and 1989:  
Calling all Old Monmothians who left Monmouth School for Boys between 1970 and 1989. This was a chance to return to Monmouth for a tour of the school, discover what had changed and what remained the same, and catch up with not only those from your year but also those in years immediately above and below you.

Friday 19th September – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
London Book Launch:  
at Haberdasher’s Hall. All Old Monmothians, London-based parents and their guests were invited to join Stephen Edwards and Keith Moseley as ‘Monmouth School – The First 400 Years’ was launched in London.

Saturday 27th Arrival in Monmouth
Sunday 28th Sealed Knot Re-enactment – Events from 12.00, battle commenced at 3.00pm

A Civil War re-enactment on the Monmouth School for Boys’ Sports Ground. The Society was founded by the late Brigadier Peter Young, Old Monmothian, who was a military historian and World War II veteran. The idea of the Sealed Knot re-enactment group started at a dinner party with a small group of friends on 28 February 1968 following the publication of “Edgehill 1642 – the Campaign and the Battle”. Within a few months, it had 200 members and today has a membership of over 4,000, making it the largest re-enactment society in Europe. The group is a registered charity and has its own coat of arms. This event was free of charge and open to pupils, parents, OMs and members of the public.

FOMS provided a hog roast stand.

October

Friday 10th October
OM London Dinner: 
at Haberdasher’s Hall 7pm.  Black Tie etc.

Friday 24th October
400th Anniversary OM HONG KONG Reunion:  
at the Intercontinental, Kowloon Waterfront, Hong Kong at 8pm for all Old Monmothians living and working in Hong Kong.  A drinks reception with Dr Steven Connors, Headmaster of Monmouth School for Boys, to celebrate 400 years of Monmouth School.

Wednesday 15th October – AUTUMN LECTURE SERIES
Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Bristol:
When exactly did the Reformation in Britain take place?

November

Friday 14th November – AUTUMN LECTURE SERIES
Dr Linda Kirk, University of Shefield:
When did the French Revolution go wrong?

Tuesday 18th November – AUTUMN LECTURE SERIES
Dr Anna Marmodoro, Corpus Christi College, Oxford:
Some Problems in Medical Ethics

Monday 24th November
OM Noel Manns interviews OM Warren East CBE at Haberdashers’ Hall, London.

All Old Monmothians, parents, Governors, Haberdashers and their guests were invited to hear one of our successful recent business leaders, OM Warren East CBE, in conversation with Noel Manns.

Doors opened at 6pm for 6.30pm start. There was a chance to ask Warren questions about the world of engineering.

Friday 28th November – AUTUMN LECTURE SERIES
Dr Paul Roberts, British Museum:
Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum

December

Thursday 11th
Fireworks 6.30pm
This remarkable year was rounded off with a joint dchools’ firework display hosted by Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls.
Open to the whole school community, admission by ticket in advance.

Friday 12th
Service, Lessons and Carols
The Priory Church of St Mary the Virgin 10.45am. The end of term and the 400th Anniversary year was marked by the annual end of term Service.