Qs running through Cloister circa 2000
50th Anniversary of Quiristers at Pilgrims’
Written by Tom Burden, Headmaster, The Pilgrims’ School
Quiristers have always had their own
slightly different traditions. They wear
their characteristic blue jerseys and are both
noticeable and blended into the sea of red
and green jerseys of the other boys. They kept
their caps for five years after other Pilgrims
lost theirs in the late 1980s – and still wear
duffle coats that were introduced during their
1986 tour to Vienna: one boy, it is said, kept
on wearing his and a tradition was started!
This year marks the 50th anniversary of
Quiristers joining The Pilgrims’ School.
The Foundation dates back to 1382, when
William of Wykeham made provision for 16
boys to sing services. For nearly 600 years
they were educated as part of Winchester
College in various places: in the nineteenth
century, William Whiting (who wrote Eternal
Father Strong to Save) taught them in Cheyney
Court, where I now live. Then, in 1966,
the Qs joined Pilgrims’. In addition to the
introduction of excellent boys, this move had
other benefits: for example, they brought
with them a previously unused piece of land
– New Piece, which is now important for the
provision of games and matches at Pilgrims’.
The old Quirister School on Kingsgate Street
was turned into a boarding house and 14
non-Quiristers joined the new additions.
Also, as they were taught in classrooms next
to P&G Wells, a very useful passageway was
built out of the Yard into College Street.
Qs in circa 1940
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