Soham Grammarian Summer 1965
SIXTH FORM TRIP TO LONDON, JULY 26TH, 1965
This day out, organised by Mr Royal-Dawson, was not just an ordinary sight-seeing occasion. It had the special object of a tour of the Houses of Parliament, conducted by the M.P. for the Isle of Ely, Sir Harry Legge-Bourke. Sir Harry has been in the House for many years, and he spoke fluently and knowledgeably about all aspects of Parliament.
We saw St. Stephen's Chapel, Westminster Hall, the Division and Members' lobbies, and the Commons itself (which was not in session at the time, which is just as well since the place was full of tourists). We could not go into the House of Lords, as it was still in session, debating upon the abolition of the death penalty. All this was very interesting, and has served to make us very much more interested in the affairs of Parliament, because one can, for example, visualise the exact situation when the Prime Minister makes a speech. It gives such matters a tie to reality that they formerly lacked. This visit also confirmed my suspicion, however, that the rulers of our country live without breathing as I did not see an open window in the whole place.
In the afternoon, after a torrential thunderstorm, nicely timed to catch us as we left Parliament, the party split up into groups and disappeared into the heart of London to indulge in all sorts of unmentionable activities.
I myself, having eaten my lunch, under an archway on the Victoria Embankment, went to the National Gallery. To my great surprise, it was only just up the road at Trafalgar Square, which I had no idea I was anywhere near. The trouble with the National Gallery and the Tate, which I visited later in the afternoon, was that there were so many paintings, all different and all, I suppose, good, that I could not appreciate any of them really. When, in the Tate, I foolishly peered too closely at an incredibly garish, eye-twisting example of "op-art", it was all I could do to retain consciousness and stagger on to the comfort of an amicably splodgy Jackson Pollock. My feet ached too. You try walking round the Houses of Parliament (seven miles of corridor), two art galleries, and Westminster Abbey in one day. Luckily I was with Pauley, whose artistic eye and comments enabled me to appreciate the right things and so conserve my aesthetic energy a little.
Westminster Abbey was a disappointment - it was full of people, turnstiles, pews, and clusters of tombs, most of which resembled sundials or birdbaths. And we did not see one clergyman! Perhaps they charge extra for weekday appearances. (Really this is most unjust - the thought of my feet makes me cynical. If you had feet like mine .... )
Like all coach journeys home, ours was bawdy especially since it was the last school outing many of the Upper Sixth would be going on together. However, all returned safely, apart from those who had not got there or those who did not intend to return.
Our thanks go to Mr. Royal-Dawson, and to Mr. Ades, and of course, to Sir Harry Legge-Bourke.
C. H. SHAW, U.VI Arts.
| SGS Sixth Form trip to
London, 1965? - to the Science Museum and other
places of interest (so may not be the same trip as
described above). Riding the Thames are L-R: Dick Turnill, Brian Ashton, Andy Benson and a little bit of Willum Wilding. source: Dannie Nicholas |
 |
page last updated 9 July 2008