Figure 1.--Many private schools have beautiful grounds for the children. This is especially the case of the well-endowed senior schools, but many prep schools also have marvelous grounds. |
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Many prep schools have lovely grounds. As many were founded in old manor houses, there are in many cases beautiful formal gardens which in many cases are lovingly maintained by dedicated gardners that have been with the schools for years. There are normally extensive games fields. Of particular interest to the younger children are undeveloped, often wooded areas where they can play. The boys in particular like to build forts and secret hideaways in their free time. Other schools, especially city schools are much less well indowed. Quite a few city schools have to rely on public facilities and parks for major outdoor and sports activities. Land is so expensive in cities that unless the school had land when it was originally founded, there is np way that it can be purchased today. While they may have play areas around the schools, games fields are a very different matter.
Many prep schools are very well endiwed with lovely grounds. This is generally the schools located in rural areas or city schools founded some time ago when land was less expensive. Some schools are located in suburban areas where urban sprawl has engulphed their once rural camouses. As many were founded in old manor houses, there are in many cases beautiful formal gardens which in many cases are lovingly maintained by dedicated gardners that have been with the schools for years. There are normally extensive games fields. Of particular interest to the younger children are undeveloped, often wooded areas where they can play. The boys in particular like to build forts and secret hideaways in their free time.
We are most grateful to Mr A.A. Dams for his generous present of the trees mentioned below which have been given in the hope that others whoremember Beaucborough with affection may like to use this way of commemorating their time here. The Neachborough estate has some magnificent trees, but they are no longer young and for the last fifty years or more none have been planted. Elm disease has caused losses and there are gaps to be filled. The cricket field offers scope for planting and, of course, there are endless varieties which could add interest as well as beauty to the scene. Nationa; Tree-planting Year has come and gone without, regretably, any contribution from us. We ought, belatedly, to do, something about it. Why not a Beachborough Arboretum? Conemur Tenues grandia!
The School Record (Beachborough School), September 1979.
'There are cows outside' the small voice said in my ear.
'Cowes, Cowes, lee o ready about' I murmured to myself and turned iver happily to slee again. What had they said at midnight? 'Portland, force 5', but the small voice persisted. There are COWS on the playing field and the 'e' was palpably missing. I woke up with a start. There were indeed cows, and that was the understatement of all time. About a couple hundred of the hungriest Friesians in Berkshire were swishing, slapping, and lurching their way in the direction of the 1st XI wicket in the half light of the summer morning. Donning as jersey, trousers, and bedroom slippers with thoughts more of speed than sartorial elegance I raced downstairs and across the utting green. The black and white swollen mass was heaving and puffing at the gate of Westfield deciding in conference which wicket to demolish first.
Heading them off to the lush patch on the far side of estfield presented few problems. The greass was damp and juicy for them they were pastures new. They trotted up and down lazily ruining any chance we had of a later crop of hay. ....
Lambrook Chronicle, 1980.
Those big leafy trees around the school are just naked giants swaying in the wind. Just another spring term. As I went down to the music school on a Sunday, what could I have expected but rain pouring down on my head? The end of the Autumn Term and the Spring Term seem to be the coldest ad most dull terms.
Richard Barnes, Great Walstead Magazine 1987.
Although the summer term was much wetter than 1977, those boys interested in plant life had many outings on the Monday evenings when the Botany Society met. The members asked lots of questions of the owners of gardens to which we had been invited. We learned much from Mr. Falconer about Npmsai trees and their growth; anf also about plants and trees , whose usual habitat was the Himalayas, from Professor Gwynn in whose gardens these rarities are flourishing. Last winter's gales caused a fair amount of damage to local trees, particularly the beech; almost all the elms have now gone and so re-planting is being encouraged throughout the neighbourhood. Finally the school supported Princess Anne when in May she planted an oak tree on Minchinhampton Commons.
Beaudesert Park Magazine, Autumn 1978.
Other schools, especially city schools are much less well indowed. Quite a few city schools have to rely on public facilities and parks for major outdoor and sports activities. Land is so expensive in cities that unless the school had land when it was originally founded, there is np way that it can be purchased today. While they may have play areas around the schools, games fields are a very different matter. Thus the schools find it very difficult to expand. Some schools address this problem by maintaining different locations for the students of different ages. But finding the grounds needed for sport by the older student is a problem. Some schools can use publicic facikities.
