Christ’s Hospital, one the country’s oldest boarding schools, is steeped in tradition – and marching is one of them!
Every year, the Christ’s Hospital sixth form accompany the school band and choir to march through the City of London, from a St Matthew’s Day church service held in the City to Guildhall, to have lunch with the Lord Mayor and receive commemorative coins.
It is a magnificent sight – to get the full flavour of the spectacle just watch the Instagram Reel below.
The Worshipful Company of Cooks has had an association with Christ’s Hospital for well over 400 years; we present and sponsor two students and maintain a representative governor.
This year’s St Matthew’s Day service, held at St Andrew’s Church in Holborn, was particularly special as both our students were present – Nathan Lee in the upper sixth (Grecian/ Year 13) and Oscar Leto in the lower sixth (Deputy Grecian/ Year 12). Our current representative governor, the Late Master Virginia Bond, also had an active role in the service, joining the other governors in holding a ‘wand’ up to line the nave as the Lord Mayor and other dignitaries walked past to take their seats.
Christ’s Hospital was founded by King Edward VI in 1552 as a charitable initiative, and most of the school’s traditions date back to around 1557 when the names of the Governors of the Royal hospitals of St Bartholomew’s, Christ’s, Bridewell, Bethlem and St Thomas were given to the Lord Mayor for ceremonial approval. The school has enjoyed Royal and City patronage ever since.
22 September 2023
