11th November 20
To end all wars; Glen Scrivener
If I should die think only this
… A bullet flew by that did not miss…
What story of the war is told?
Romance bright or horror cold?
Triumph’s tale or tragic loss,
The iron or the wooden cross?
Lost lament or victor’s boast?
Full brass band or lone last post?
Heroes, villains, cowards, kings?
It’s war… it’s all these things.
It’s us unleashed for good and ill,
The gallant heart, the savage will.
A tyrant’s pride, a nation’s fear,
A global greed, it’s all in here.
What causes war, the old book asks?
Beyond then history, beneath the masks,
There grows a want, becomes a will,
Demands our way, prepares to kill.
The war we mark as long ago,
Is close to home, it’s all we know.
What ceases war? The pressing question.
What can halt inborn aggression?
To end all wars and retribution –
War itself is no solution.
Can terror end all terror now?
Brute force subdue itself and bow?
Can darkness drive out darkened dread?
Or death extinguish death instead?
We need to interrupt the spiral.
A healing antiretroviral.
The story’s told of an anti-Zeus –
A God of peace turned Human Truce.
Into our world. Into our midst –
A walking, talking armistice.
A King made meek, a power made weak,
To stand and turn the other cheek,
To take the blow, absorb disgrace,
And rise to give again his face.
In grace undimmed and arms unfurled,
To bless and pacify the world…
…and you – to sweet surrender brought,
Forgiveness for your battles fought,
A peace to pass to every soul,
Then warfare ceased from pole to pole
Dean Close Pre-Preparatory School, fondly known as the ‘Squirrels’, is set in the beautiful grounds of Dean Close School, in a modern, purpose-built building. We have excellent facilities and resources and also benefit from being able to share in the outstanding Preparatory and Senior School facilities on site. We understand that a child’s first experience of school is a vital step in their learning journey, developing the knowledge, skills and self-confidence which lay the foundations for their lives.
Dean Close Preparatory School is a co-educational day and boarding school for children age 7 – 13. The school is set in 50 acres of private land near the centre of Cheltenham. With 310 pupils, the Preparatory School is small enough to allow everyone to know one another and get fully involved in the life of the School.
Set in 50 beautiful acres, Dean Close is a long-standing co-educational day and boarding school for 13-18 year olds, where visitors regularly comment on the atmosphere, saying how warm and friendly they find it.