The Old Elizabethan Association

Another great evening in the College Hall, celebrating the 148th Old Elizabethan Association Dinner on Friday 2nd July 2010 was enjoyed by 116 Old Elizabethans.

The President, Mike Eades, welcomed all diners and congratulated them on the fantastic response to become subscribers to the book The History of Elizabeth College. Currently over £30,000 has been raised towards the production cost. He urged anyone who would still like to become a subscriber to contact the Foundation office at College for further details.

The Guest of Honour was Rex Body (4776), who has just been made Chairman of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club. An interesting speech on how English cricket is progressing and many amusing stories of life at College in the fifties, including how Vernon Collenette tied his legs to a chair to stop him wandering off!

The Senior Prefect James Jurkiewicz (10152) then rose to his feet. Considering that he confessed to me earlier on that public speaking was not his favourite pass time and that he was slightly apprehensive he made a fine speech of good content with excellent delivery.

George Hartley, making his first address at the Guernsey Dinner as Principal, recalled the fine achievements both academic and sporting of the previous year. He brought the assembled OEs up to date with the Foundation projects and reminded them all how important their support will be in the next large project, namely the building of a refectory above the Geography Block, or as they will remember it, the Gymnasium!

Floreat Collegium was meaningfully proposed by Mark Heylar (7170) and I take this opportunity of thanking him for the loan of a PA system that he kindly sets up for the Dinner.

Carmen, robust as ever, accompanied by Ray Lowe on the piano and sung from the bottom of every heart of every OE present, brought the formal part of the Dinner to a close. Off to the Bar for a swift half!

Pictures of the 2010 Dinner