Richard Sayer (S56-61) writes : The thought that some older OFs might prefer a lunch to a supper and that the presence of spouses and partners would enhance the event, was behind the decision to hold a ‘Seniors’ lunch on November 6 at the Plough and Sail, “the OF pub in Suffolk”.
62 diners signed up. A few had to drop out but 55 made it, 33 men and 22 ladies – who of course greatly improved the overall ambiance, and stopped us men from the customary over the top reminiscing.
It was pleasing that the lunch attracted many from outside Suffolk and Norfolk – James and Christine Ruddock-Broyd came from Oxfordshire, others from Southern counties, with the most intrepid probably being Andrew and Pat Freemantle from Dorset.
Special guests were Trish Mayhew (Ken’s widow and sister in law of Jimmy Mayhew whose 105th birthday takes place on November 22nd), ex-Headmaster Paul Taylor, former Chairman of Governors Andrew Fane, and Andrew Cook, the new Director of Development at the College who worked the room well to chat to a large number of the OFs present.
Full list OF attendees was Anderton Robin, Bellamy Chris, Cook Andrew, Cooksey Clive, Dodd Norman, Dougherty Simon, Edwards Ted, Ellerby John, Fane Andrew, Ford Jon, Freemantle Andrew, Holden Michael, Holland Dudley, Horton John, Howard Ian, Howard-Dobson Peter, Keeble Chris, Lillie Andrew, , Martin Tony, Mayhew Norman, Mayhew Trish, Mayhew Andy, Moore Andrew, Porter Norman, Powlesland Ross, Ruddock-Broyd, Sayer Richard, Sharman Michael, Smy Michael, Sneath Chris, Taylor Paul, Tipping Malvern, Wigg Colin and Youngs Peter.
It proved to be an ideal venue. Alex Burnside, husband of Chris Sneath’s grand-daughter, runs the pub and did us proud: The food was excellent, chosen by each diner in advance (we could not have done it without email) from a choice of three mains and three puds, and was accompanied by the very palatable house wine. We had our own section of the restaurant area, with seven tables of eight, adjacent to the bar, and were very well-looked after by the staff.
A repeat event will take place on Thursday November 6th (avoiding Bonfire Day) at the same venue. OFs are requested to put that date in their diaries now, which would greatly help the organiser in reducing his email count from less than this year’s 400 odd.
Addendum Report by James Ruddock-Broyd (G46-52) :
I had earlier said to Richard that the reason we were here today is given in an Oxon “Friends “ report. The writer was referring to the old school societies of her husband and herself “which are now suffering drop-off in interest from recent school leavers because millennials just do not ‘do’ AGMs and committees and minutes and agendas and procedures and points of order.” Their response is “Why do you need all that stuff when you can communicate by smart phones and WhatsApps inter alia?”
In my 120 seconds allotted by Richard I said a John Bird had appeared in our retirement village in Oxfordshire who farmed at Westerfield and went to school at Uppingham. I referred this to Tony Martin (G47-55) who no one will know as he is quiet and unassuming (laughter) but does know the College history back to front and guided me to Entry no 89 in the Green Register where Frederick Bird is recorded as farmer at Westerfield and in the College first entry in 1865. It turned he was John’s great great grandfather.
John had been Cattle Steward at the Suffolk Show and shot regularly with David Hodge (S44-50) and his three sisters went to East Anglian School for Girls where my sister went through whom I met the late John Edward’s sister, Sally, who has worked for the College.
I then introduced my wife Christine’s first book “A Fairy Wedding” with her own illustrations on all 50 pages for 5 to 11 year-olds. She has self-published it with the expert graphic design services of Chris Keeble (S53-59) – see website for further interest.
Richard and his team are to be congratulated on putting together such an excellent occasion. There was a trio of Seniors present who all reach 90 in the following nine months – Holland, Dodd and myself.
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