GYMNNASTICS AT BISHOPS

JA Reid recalled a "parallel bars, single bars and trapeze out in the open".  This gave gymnasts the ideal opportunity to exhibit their strength and agility. According to HR de Smidt, remeniscing in 1930, the apparatus stood where the Brooke Chapel now stands.  It was subsequently moved, to a place near where the San is today.  However, it all fell into a state of disrepair: reported thus in the 1895 school magazine: "Our Old Gymnasium - or what was left of it - has at last fallen down and with it all excuses for not putting up a new one.  I (the ed) sincerely hope that the matter will be taken in hand properly and that a gymnasium - not two trees with a crossbar and a pair of rings hanging from it - will be put up".

There followed a long campaign for a proper gymnasium.

Then came along the Cadet Corps which raised funds which initiated the building of a drill hall in 1904. 

Today this is the Old Gym. It's name at the time was "The Drill Hall".  It was designed as part of the Founders House buildings, by Architects, Baker and Masey, built by RH Morris at a cost of British Pounds Sterling 1499 (today R14,674,375.61).  

Bishops students down the ages will remember staff members, JT Pratt, HD Jackson, HL Woodhouse and CF Wanstall; as well as Sergeant-Major J Hallas ('Sarmy'), Seargent-Major W Britton (also 'Sarmy'), DC Alletson, AN Jennings, AL Stewart, Dennis Cooper, and then Andy Robinson (1954-76) and Ken Wilson (1977-95).  Kenny Williams a qualified gymnast took over from Ken 'Crazy' Wilson in 1995.

The space has been used for so many school activities, such as Judo, shooting, plays, concerts, exams, and many more.

It houses the boards for International sporting achievement and the Rhodes Scholarships. 

It has now come full circle; today it's a fully fitted out gym, to serve Bishops boys well in their prepping and conditioning for their sport.

As they say in the Classics: Mens sana in corpore sano - a healthy mind in a healthy body. 

Anyone wishing to send in related stories and experiences, please send them to Paul Murray the school historian at pmurray@bishops.org.za -  it is always great to update the record.  

Photograph of the New Gym taken today, situtaed in The Old Gym.