Page 55 - The Old Ratcliffian 2012

The Old Ratclifan 2012 | Nostalgia The Old Ratclifan 2012 | Introductionhe Old Ratclifan 2012 | Introduction T to allow for taller pilots. The final allowing us to build to a high degree Bursary, a grant system bequeathed version, the full bubble canopy with of accuracy. Our tolerance is +-1mm to the Society by Leonard Stillwell, bubble sides as well, was brought - any more than that will result in a former Spitfire Pilot. I have been into service not long after, but it is the visually perceptible inaccuracies, introduced to, and made contact with, middle one we need for our Spitfire. particularly in the fuselage frames. a number of extremely helpful and Unfortunately, detailed information for We are building the vast majority of generous people recently. the flat-sided bubble-topped canopy the aircraft from wood - either MDF or It is humbling to know that there are has not yet become available to us, plywood. Some aluminium parts will so many people who are willing to and even so, we have no means to be constructed to give an authenticity support this project. I would love to be able to make such a large blown- to the cockpit area and we will hear from you if you are able to offer perspex unit. I have spoken to George make our own dummy instruments any help, be it through financial or Handley, who makes Spitfire canopies, and other small components. We material support. Please contact me, but he also does not have information anticipate covering the entire finished Mr Dominic Berry, Head of Art and for this particular style. Off-the- airframe in a coat of fibreglass tissue Design: dberry@ratcliffe.leics.sch.uk shelf later canopies are available for before applying paint. Our project has or 01509 817000. £2500, but that is nearly three times received the backing of The Spitfire our total budget for the build. Working Society through the Leonard Stillwell Dominic Berry from the blueprints and the book is Head of Art & Design Ratcliffe College Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations 22nd June 1897 In June 2012, Ratcliffe celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Readers may be interested to read how times have changed since the last Diamond Jubilee at Ratcliffe College. Excerpts taken from The Ratcliffian, Midsummer 1897: “Spite of gloomy predictions and contrary to the expectations of a great part of the people who are inhabitants of these islands under the rule of our Most Gracious Sovereign, Tuesday, 22nd June was one of the brightest and most enviable days we have had for some time past. A group of Masters & boys celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee After breakfast, both divisions were marched in fours on to the terrace Towards the end of the meal more Our fireworks and balloons with where Barnby’s ‘Victoria our Queen’ balloons were sent up and with better magnesium lights were let off near the and ‘Rule Britannia’ were sung by effect than in the more glaring light of bonfire, and a large crowd of people a hundred loyal, though youthful, the afternoon. had assembled on the road from subjects of Her Majesty. Then the flag A move was later made towards the Ratcliffe, Sileby, Syston and other was hoisted as the national anthem field at the back of the farm, on the villages to witness the pyrotechnic burst forth from the hearts of all slope towards Sileby. Here for about a display. present. week proceeding, Father Davies had A tar barrel had also been lighted deposited waggon loads of faggots and on the First Division football field on In the afternoon after a launching a few air balloons there followed bathing other materials suitable for a bonfire the side of the old ash tree and was to freshen us up for what was to which was some twenty feet high. Our still burning on Friday morning. Were follow. name had been forwarded to Colonel any proof needed of the success of Milward and inserted in the printed the outdoor display at night, it would Then at tables laid out of doors in the list of over two thousand bonfires that be sufficient to add that two Sileby shade in a line parallel to the refectory were lit in the British Isles on June councillors attended on the farm a sumptuous repast was attacked. 22nd. Procurator next day and offered their congratulations.” 55 Register online at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uknline at www.ratclifanassociation.co.uk Register o 55