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The Centenary Service. 2 March 1996
by Henry Teed
Lex could have chosen a better time of year to found Clayesmore. March 2nd was a dark lowering day with rain in the wind; yet the event packed them in. Salisbury Cathedral is said to have taken in a thousand souls that morning. Porch and nave were buzzing with old friends recognised. Came 11.30 and we were down to a whisper.
"Without faith there is no hope. Without music no mystery". We were to have plenty of music. For faith: everyman for himself! Joseph Lovelock OC composed the Intrada and the school brass a fluent delivery. I liked it.
Opening hymn "Praise to the Lord the Almighty". The congregation sang themselves in. Then followed Canon Durston’s welcome and the Chaplain’s Bidding prayer and we were into the morning’s business. Although the Lord’s prayer in boardroom English was simple and direct, it lacked the majesty of the Authorised Version.
We sat for a commissioned setting of Psalm 100 by Richard Lloyd (who used to conduct the SMS in the days when HJM and EPH took some lucky Clayesmorians to Salisbury each week - what a drive! ED). Although a natural "Baroque bloke" I liked it too!
First reading: Deuteronomy 8:1-10. Read by Brig. John Elderkin OC who spoke of "keeping the commandments" in v.6 and "the good land" in v.10.
The hymn "Ye that know the Lord is gracious" had me ready for the stately measured tune of Hyfrodol. A moment later and I was ambushed by the clattering crotchets of Abbots Leigh which left a number of casualties among us oldies in the nave. NZ is the great encephalon in matters of church music; he was much in favour of the new tune.
The second reading from Ephesians 3:14-21 by the Headmaster: "For this cause I bow the knees unto the Father That he would grant you according to the riches of His glory" secula et in seculorum. S. Paul knows how to give comfort.
Pupils led the thanksgiving prayers; faultlessly, it seemed to me. Couldn’t have done it half as well at their age. Parry’s setting of Psalm 122 "I was glad" was up to coronation standard. A great favourite any time.
Intercession followed for poets, artists, musicians. The next prayer gathered in the healers and their charges, plus those who learn and those who teach. Nothing for the graduate plumbers who keep the Planet on its feet!
"O God our help in ages past" to S. Anne and sung with gusto followed by the address. Side-stepping holy writ the Bishop of Sarum took his text from the Highway Code. "Changed priorities ahead". Altogether relevant in an age where the rate of social change is exponential. We live in stirring times where every value is turned on it’s head by way of testing however pointless. If I am to ask the devil for an exeat for the bicentenary we need more certainties in life than death and taxes. We need Clayesmore.
More prayers followed by the Bishop’s blessing. Final Hymn: "Thy hand o God has guided" to Thornbury. "All sing" - All sang.
As a recessional Dukas fanfare from La Peri ably executed by the school brass and organ.
Out into the weather again to find more friends and forget the rain. At the Choir School, a group of pre-war OCs were lunched. Moreover, John Grant sent them all home with a copy of Spinney’s History of Clayesmore to their evident delight and pleasure. "The captain and the kings depart" leaving Senex to find his car and pick his way home up the A303.
Writing this on 23rd May with gales and sheeting rain lashing the house, Lex could after all have chosen any day to found Clayesmore. The important thing is that he did.