OA Society Annual Dinner - 19th November 2010

The Annual OA Dinner held at the School on Friday 19th November was a well attended and enjoyable occasion. The recently elected OA Society President, Neil Sutherland (B66-70), introduced a new element to the dinner this year and invited Major Russell Lewis MC (SH86-91) to give a pre-dinner talk. Major Lewis was awarded his MC for service in Afghanistan and spoke about his experiences serving on the front line there.

We were also privileged that Field Marshal Lord Vincent GBE KCB DSO (SHE45-50) was present this year, and before guests sat down to dinner he unveiled a copy of a portrait of himself which will be hung in the School. The original hangs in the Royal Artillery Officers Mess at Thorney Island Barracks, in Hampshire.

After the traditional School Grace, OAs and guests sat down to a delicious dinner, beautifully cooked and served by Brookwoods, the School's caterer.

For more photos click here

Northamptonshire Regional Lunch – 27 October 2010
OAs enjoyed another in the series of regional lunches, this time in Northamptonshire, at the lovely Benefield Wheatsheaf, co-owned by David Reynolds (SHO54-58). 15 OAs, several accompanied by their wife or partner, joined the Headmaster, James Fowler, and the Development Manager, Molly Barton for an excellent lunch. Old friends met again, some for the first time since school, caught up on news and swapped reminiscences.

Guests were Chris Brown (SHE46-51), Tony Engel (P56-59), Douglas Forrester (B56-60), Robert Handley (B52-57), John Kentish (SHE47-51), Andrew Marchant (M38-40), Mike McNeill (P55-60), John Mustoe (SHO52-57), David Reynolds (SHO54-58), Frank Rogers (SHE53-58), Guy Thomas (P69-74), Richard Thwaites (SHO44-49), Mark Weatherhead (M54-57), John Witter (SHO49-52) and Brian Woodrow (B51-56).

Watch the website for details of the next lunch. Would you like the Development Office to arrange one in your area? Do you know a good venue? Get in touch with the Development Office and we will see if we can help. development@aldenham.com

The John Dewes Match 2010 – Wednesday 7^th July
The inaugural match playing for the John Dewes Trophy was contested by the School 1^st XI and an invitation team, ‘The Headmaster's Select XI', which included ex England players John Emburey and Paul Weekes. Old Aldenhamian John Dewes (B40-45) is to-date, Aldenham's only Test Cricketer and he and his wife, Mrs Shirley Dewes, made the trip from Bath to watch the match and afterwards to present the trophy, which they had generously donated to the School, to the winning team, which this year was the Headmaster's Select XI.

The School took the opportunity of John's visit to present him with his England Sweater which had been framed especially for the occasion, and he also planted a tree which had been presented to the School by keen cricketing parents, Peter and Anita Gibbins. Spectators for the day included several OAs, two of whom, Michael Espir (SHE39-44) and Robin Wilmott (SHO40-44), had not seen John since leaving School 66 years ago.

School Choir and OAs at Winchester Cathedral – 30 June 2010
OAs attended Evensong in Winchester Cathedral sung by the Aldenham Chapel Choir, and afterwards were invited to a reception in the Cathedral Visitor Centre. Andrew Wyatt OA (P2000-07) played the organ and Evensong was conducted by his father, the Director of Music, John Wyatt.

The Chapel Choir visit to a prestigious venue to sing Evensong has become an annual occasion and a very popular event for OAs to attend. OAs who live in a broad circle around the venue are invited to attend, but everyone is welcome wherever you live. Please keep an eye on the OA calendar on the website for the date and venue of next year's evensong and contact the Development/OA Office if you would like to attend.

OA Day – Sunday 27^th June 2010
OAs certainly bring the sun with them and last Sunday's OA Day was no exception. 130 OAs, former staff and guests joined the Headmaster to celebrate OA Day. There was a special Gaudy Reunion for Beevor's and the day started in Beevor's House with coffee hosted by the Housemaster, Stuart Mainwaring. With a big thanks to everyone who sent in or brought material, Stuart and his deputy, Rev Dan Bond, arranged a fantastic display of Beevor's photos and memorabilia. Coffee was followed by Chapel, a reception in School House Garden and a splendid lunch.

Jackie Wilkie Jackie@aldenham.com from the OA Office was on hand to take lots of pictures. Look out for them in the next edition of Aldenhamiana.

Click on the pictures for a larger image.

Spanish Lunch – 23 May 2010
Robin Danvers-Glasson (P55-59) suggested an OA Lunch in Spain and with some assistance from the Development Office, who supplied contact details, Robin invited all OAs living in Spain to a Lunch on Saturday 22nd May. The location was the historic town of Elche – famous for its Palm Tree Forest - near Alicante, and home of Gary Bokobza (B90-94). Gary’s restaurant recommendation was excellent and four OAs and their wives, joined by the Development Manager, Molly Barton, and her OA husband, enjoyed a wonderful meal. Being Spain the lunch lingered and everyone had plenty of time to get to know each other and make plans for the next gathering nearer Robin’s home in North East Spain. Other OAs who attended were John Griffith (M57-61), Tim Carr (M78-83) and Trevor Barton (K71-75).