Recollections of an Old (but young at heart) Oswestrian, circa 1952 - EPISODE 30, THE DAY A PRINCESS CAME TO TOWN (Part 1)

When David Holbache founded Oswestry School in 1407, little could he imagine that 550 years later his establishment would be visited by a tobacco smoking Duchess, who had arrived to celebrate the progress of a school that was slowly going from strength to strength following two disastrous world conflicts.

The Duchess of Kent smoking as she chatted casually with Prefects J Eastwood, P Manford, A E Williams, P Ashworth, J R Turner and G D Lester

Contractors erecting the canopy

It had been 50 years since the last anniversary celebrations so it was time to party, and the whole school was buzzing with excitement in anticipation of a fun time, as early morning preparations began for the big day. There would be seating for more than one thousand on the quadrangle, and a canopy was erected on the grassy area overlooking the playground for the principles in case of rain.

By noon a large marquee was in place on the Lower Paddock to acccommodate about 500 parents and friends for lunch, and it was also used later in the evening to hold the Old Boys' Dinner. A similar one occupied the tennis courts alongside the Prep Department and part of it can be seen in the photograph below. The Duchess and all the officials were due to have lunch in the Memorial Hall prior to the start of afternoon proceedings and my friend, John Robbie, who was Head Boy at the time, was charged with helping to entertain HRH and sat to her right, later confiding in me that she was more than fond of her cigarettes.

Marquee on the tennis courts

It seemed that everybody and his dog in Oswestry had turned out to greet the Princess as she made her way to the school on a particularly sunny day, and the streets of the town were lined with flag waving, cheering adults and children, all of whom were suitably in partying mood.

Just one person at School House was not in a happy frame of mind on this celebratory occasion, and during the morning he was mooching about with a scowl on his face like a bulldog chewing a wasp. The irascible Stoker hated Speech Days, parents and royalty in equal measure, but not necessarily in that order, so all his pet hates arrived together in a neat little package on that special day in 1957. He was also heard to grunt disparagingly that there was such a superfluity of crosses, robes, and dog-collars in the ensemble of so-called dignitaries, that it was more akin to a vicars' tea party! 

I thought to myself, "Oh dear, the old sea dog has got it in for THEM as well... he is definitely not having a good day, and given half the chance he would probably make some of them walk the plank".

As the afternoon proceeded he did cheer up somewhat, and he can be seen here keeping order amongst the boys, with a fairly contented look on his face.

Stoker in a sunnier mood

After lunch the seats on the quadrangle filled up pretty quickly and there was a buzz of animated conversation in the air as we all awaited the start of the speeches, following which would be the awarding of prizes. Boys who had been chosen to receive a prize were seated strategically alongside the open corridor that led up to the canopied area.

The prize winners 'catwalk'

I had never seen so many people on the school playground, and the magnificent horse chestnut trees provided a perfect setting for this most memorable occasion.

View from under the trees

View from the canopy

This was to be Mr Williamson's swan song before retiring after 38 demanding years as Headmaster and, naturally, he needed everything to go like clockwork on this important day as he played host to HRH The Duchess of Kent. His three trusted lieutenants would play a central part in the success of the afternoon's events.

The Duchess of Kent with Lt. Col. Kenyon and R Williamson (Headmaster, 1920-58)