BBBF Reunion in Somerset
22-24 May 2024
The three “Invincibles”
Together again
Montacute
Curious Tony
Tony and Alan
Table at Cadbury Court
An Honorary Freedom Conveyed by Waltham Abbey
The Legend of the Montacute ‘Holy Cross’
The 11th century church and manor of Waltham, Essex (on the foundations of a 7th century wooden church) was held by ‘Tovi the Proud’. The ‘Waltham Chronicle’ relates that at another estate belonging to Tovi, at Montacute near Glastonbury, a blacksmith, following a dream found a large crucifix of black marble buried at the top of a hill. The cross was carried by oxcart to Waltham and installed to become a subject of pilgrimage.
On Tovi’s death, the estate came into the hands of Harold Godwinson. In around 1090 the building was replaced in fine stonework from Caen, Normandy. In 1177 the abbey was re-founded as an Augustine priory. The whole building became larger than Winchester Cathedral. The ‘Holy Cross’ attracted many pilgrims.
Harold, newly crowned king, stopped to pray at Waltham on his way south from the Battle of Stamford Bridge. It is reputed, that following his death at Hastings he was carried to Waltham and buried under the site of the High Altar.
Cadbury Court 2024
Advertising the BBBF Scheme
BBBF Boys with Paul 1955
Reunion Lunch 2024
BBBF Old Boys from Wilderwick House, East Grinstead
Looking out over the Parkland of Cadbury Court, Spring 2024