Friday May 16th 2003
Inspecting Officer : Mr Doug Corbett
We welcome back Mr Doug Corbett as our Inspecting Officer. Doug was himself an officer in the Company for a spell during the 1980's.
The evening started as normal with the opening fall-in and parade. The Company Colours were brought on and our Chaplain opened with a Hymn and prayer.
While everyone got changed the Rev. Anderson introduced our special guests then it was time for the first ite, Kids Capers I. This was a game called 'Fruit Basket'. A few kids from the audience joined in with the younger boys.Next was the gymnastic display from the Horse Team. We had introduced a few new vaults in this display. It went off without a hitch and was very impressive.
The short interval was a chance to take a collection towards Company funds.
After it was the turn of the Barmen. Not to pour drinks but to demonstrate their skills on the parallel bars. Again they excelled and put on a great display.Next was our drama item a short play called 'Tunnel Vision'. Its a comedy sketch using modern characters based on SherlockHolmes and Watson. In this case Inspector Thinkalot & Whitsun. They had a robbery to solve.
Finially it was the turn of the older boys to take part in Kids Capers II. This was a demonstration of one og our most popular games. Its a token exchange relay race where 2 teams battle to move 3 from 5 tokens to their base 1 at a time. Its not as easy as it sounds as you can steal a token from your opponents base.Tactics are important in winning in this game as well as speed.
As the boys got changed the Captain gave his report for the year. You can read the internet version by clicking here. The Company and Colours went on parade again to hear the Inspecting Officers report. He gave a glowing review of the evenings entertainment and made reference to his own time in the Company. His wife was then invited down to present the prizes. As well as our usual trophies we presented 3 boys with 100% attendance certificates and £20 record tokens. This year we had 3 Presidents badges to award and 2 of those Senior boys have decided to work on towards becoming Queen's Men.
Finially we had the usual vote of thanks and then the Rev. Anderson pronounced the Benediction followed by the National Anthem. The Company were dismissed and parents, guests, boys & staff mingled over tea, coffee, juice, sandwiches and cake.
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Opening Parade
Inspecting Colours
Horsing Around
Barmen!
Tunnel Vision
President's Men
Programme cover
 
For full size photo's click here |
| Programme |
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Fall-in |
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Inspection |
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Hymn & Prayer |
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Introductions |
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Kids Capers I |
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Horsing Around! |
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Interval |
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Barmen ! |
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Tunnel Vision |
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Kids Capers II |
| • |
Captains Report |
| • |
Fall-in |
| • |
Inspecting Officer |
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Presentation of Prizes |
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Vote of Thanks |
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Benediction, The Queen and Dismiss |
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| Highlights |
Fruit Basket
Some of the forfeits for this game were hilarious. One of the best ones was someone doing bunnyhops for the length of the hall. Mind you they were all worried they might have to sing ! |
Horse
One of the new vaults was particularily impressive. Its a high roll where hte boys jump on the trampette directly to the top of the horse then do a giant dive roll into the crash mat. It looks very impressive from the ground although is quite easy to do. |
Bars
Always difficult is the Chinese walk and severalof the boys manged to carry out this tricky 'walk' along the bars.It takes good technique and agility to move you weight and legs around in the right way to pull it off. Its very easy to get legs tangled in this one. |
Tunnel Vision
We always do a drama sketch and thisone follows in the series of Holmes/Watson skits. Best laugh came when the 2 detectives come to a choice of doors. Yellow or Blue. Loud coughing from a plant in the audience gave away which to choose. This was just after the Millionaire fraud case had finished and was fresh in everyones mind. |
Captains Report
The best bit about the Captains report is that he kept it short !! No, seriously this is a good chance to dosome positive PR and tell people what we are doing right and to highlight some of theyears sucess storys. |
Prizes
Always a highlight for the boys and with the boys knowing the recepiant of only 1 of the 5 trophies to award the suspence can be built up. Some never expect to win and the surprise on the face of the lad who won the Martin Lawrie trophy for Enthusiasm and Endeavour could hardly believe it - his face was a picture.Its also nice to see the top awards being presented - these represent 5 years of work in the Company are are always well deserved. |
Refreshments
Not strictly part of the Open Night but all the same a highlight. Time to relax, the work is over and everyone can mingle and chat informally to boys, parents and guests. |
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Annual Parents Open Night