Sixteen members of the Probus Club of Basingstoke met up in Winchester for a busy full day’s excursion. The itinerary included a backstage visit to the Theatre Royal in the morning followed by a conducted tour of Winchester College after lunch.
We were hosted by two extremely knowledgeable guides and given an extensive insight into the theatre’s history whilst comfortably seated in the front stalls of the auditorium.
From its initial conversion from a Market Hotel in the 1850s, they appraised us of the many subsequent developments that took place, from the days of cine-variety, live theatre and through to modern day ‘live streaming’ technology of films or other national performances.
Afterwards we were split into two parties and given a tour that explored all levels of the theatre, from the stage, 400-seat auditorium and dressing rooms to climbing the ‘fly tower’ used to hang lighting, scenery and stage effects during a show.
As arranged we were then met after lunch by our experienced and professional guide at the Porter’s Lodge of Winchester College, the alma mater of Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. Founded in 1382 by the Bishop of Winchester, William of Wykeham, as a feeder school to New College, Oxford it set vigorous academic standards which are being upheld today. Previous pupils are known as “Old Wykehamists” and only in 2022 were girls admitted but then only in the sixth form.
In the decade up to the academic year 2022/23 they had impressive results in ‘A’ levels with 33% gaining a place at Oxford or Cambridge. There are over 300 staff with only 740 pupils.
The tour focussed on College’s historic architecture. With extensive grounds of over 250 acres there are 94 listed buildings with the first, the Chamber Court being completed in 1384. There are eleven boarding houses each with a housemaster who sometimes set their own entrance examinations. The guided tour included visiting the 1394 Gothic chapel, the College Hall refectory, the Cloisters and the 17th century red brick Schoolroom.
Probus Club of Basingstoke 
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