SOSA at 100

Reunion 1904 Report

As published in The Friend, 10 June 1904

Sibford Old Scholars Assocation, First Whitsuntide Gathering

About six o’clock on Saturday evening, May 21st, the rumble of wheels was heard, carrying a score of old scholars down the familiar Banbury Road. The first gathering of the Sibford Old Scholars had begun.

After tea in the gymnasium the present scholars, in the dining-room, welcomed us back to old scenes with an inspiriting song written for the occasion by Arthur B.Oddie. The delightful entertainment by children was specially enjoyed by some who had recollections of the dark ages when boys were punished for singing on the playground. After supper each night we held an informal reunion, enlivened by music and recitations; then to bed in sweet country cottages, or accommodated by the kind helpfulness of local Friends.

Sunday was a happy, restful day. In the afternoon old friends revisited the haunts of childhood – Swacliffe Common, Traitor’s Ford, and even Compton Wynyates.

At the evening meeting Alfred H.Bayes of Birmingham, was present by special invitation, and gave us a helpful address. This was followed by other voices urging us to the duty “which the true man owes his time.” Later, we assembled with the children for hymns and sacred music, and to hear interesting reminiscences sent by Margaret Clark, of Constantinople, long known here as a scholar, teacher, and housekeeper.

Whit-Monday was the day, and, dawning bright and sunny, brought us an increase in numbers, making a total of sixty-nine old scholars present, besides many visitors. The first event was a cricket match – past versus present – easily won by the old scholars. Then came the business meeting of the Association, at which the secretaries reported membership of 186, as an outcome of the inaugural work of the year; the officers for the coming year were elected, Dr.Routh¹ being appointed President, and Edward Percy Kaye² B.Sc., continuing as secretary and treasurer. A strong feeling was expressed that Sibford should retain its position, and be further developed as a secondary school, imparting a sound education and high moral training.

After dinner, the sports in the playing field were well contested. The reception by Mr and Mrs Oddie³ followed, then a lively game of terza, and at last Joseph Spence Hodgson’s Presidential Address, which gave us a short history of kindred associations and prophesied our success and usefulness in the future. The old scholars gave a capital entertainment, with several of J.Spence Hodgson’s inimitable recitations, and an original song of SOSA by E.P.Kaye, the gathering closing with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Oddie and “Old Lang Syne.”

E.Percy Kaye, Elizabeth Foster Brown: Secretaries

Notes:

¹ Dr Richard Laycock Routh was the local G.P. and was the son of Sibford’s first Head, Richard Routh (1842-1880)
² Edward Percy Kaye’s brother was Arnold Kaye, a much revered old scholar who became the unofficial Rocket Master at the traditional Rockets at the Elm, between the 1920’s until 1950’s)
³ Mr and Mrs Oddie were Robert and Elizabeth Oddie. Robert Oddie succeeded Richard Routh to become Sibford’s second Head (1880-1906)

See other SOSA Reunions.