West of England OF Supper 2024

Chris Essex (K69-75) writes : The West of England Supper met again at the Lamb Inn at Hindon, Wiltshire on Sunday 29 September 2024. The Lamb Inn has been a public house since the 12th century and the dining room was again a lovely setting for 13 of us to meet for our meal and much conversation.

We came from a wide geographical area covering Bath & North East Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, and even Essex in the form of former SOF President Simon Dougherty and his wife Maggie.

We were also delighted to welcome Andrew Cook who only joined the College as Director of Development a few weeks ago and had travelled all the way from the College to attend his first ever OF event.

Some of those present had not attended a West of England gathering before or in fact any OF gathering for more years than they cared to remember.  I believe local gatherings around the UK and abroad are so important to enable those of us not within easy reach of the College to get together and reminisce.

After the meal I gave a brief talk about a few items. Firstly I was delighted that all except one attendee had already subscribed to the new website and I described why this was important. Secondly I updated on the area of communications with members and how we were going ahead with the annual OF Newspaper and proving regular News Digests taken from the website.

Lastly I mentioned the Distinguished OF section of the website and that there were some fascinating characters to be found, including some of those in the room!  I added that one of the sections is about iconic families and none more so than the Simpsons who were at the College on day one in 1864. I showed a copy of an amazing book written by OF Charles Simpson on his family.

I read a message from our President Nick Whitehead who was unable to attend and then we raised a toast to the College and Brandeston.

Andrew Cook then spoke about the College and what’s happening there and challenges they face and his new role.  Andrew already had his children at Brandeston (FCPS) before taking up his role as Director of Development. He ended by toasting the Society.

In terms of next year, we all agreed to stick with a Sunday night but in late October and to stick with the superb Shooters Menu.

Those present were left to right : Andrew Cook, Ian Vicary (K58-62) , Julian Stapleton (G58-63), Carol (Alan Limer’s partner), David Lowe (S66-68), Alan Limer (S56-65), me, Simon Chaplin-Rogers (S68-73), Barry Prewett (S70-78),  Maggie Dougherty, Simon  Dougherty (G60-67), Sue Kestin and Tim Kestin (R60-69).

As you can see Tim Kestin was brilliantly resplendent in his late father’s OF blazer.