The Old Elizabethan Association

The RAF Club in Piccadilly, as usual, played host to the London Dinner on 8 October 2010. A cacophony of laughter, hoots, cheers and shouts emanated from the Victoria Bar before Dinner as 54 OEs lit the fuse for the annual reunion.

Sadly some of the contingent travelling from Guernsey on the afternoon flight were indefinitely delayed with aircraft technical problems, which prevented them getting to the RAF Club. This included the Principal George Hartley, Max Barber the Second Head Prefect and James Ovenden.

Guest of Honour was W M Walden (7906) who is currently News Editor of the BBC's Political Unit at Westminster. His enlightening and amusing speech clearly portrayed the hectic and exciting world of politics, especially at election time and other ‘big news events’ such as minister’s expenses! Delivered in fine professional BBC manner (we expected nothing less) it was an excellent after dinner speech, clearly enjoyed by all OEs present.

Earlier from Guernsey Airport the Principal regretted not being able to attend but he and his delayed attendees offered to raise a glass to the good health of the OEA - and to threaten Aurigny staff with a verse or two of the Carmen if they could not fix their aircraft!!

George relayed the flowing notes to the Bursar (J M Willis 6212) who willingly stepped into the breach at the last minute. 'Gone technical', was a weak excuse for a 'No Show' in the Bursar's opinion! He went on to read the Principal's notes.

College had lost against Victoria at football during the year, but had made a clean sweep in the hockey. Elizabeth College had also won the Home Cricket Fixture and retained the Haines Shield at Bisley, where Max Barber won the Aggregate Trophy for the highest individual combined score, a unique distinction in the history of College shooting for which he was heartily congratulated by those at the Dinner.

College had achieved the best ever GCSE results and 'best in the Channel Islands', with 63% of pupils gaining A/A*. The Principal had been pleased to note that Elizabeth College had been rated 57 places higher than Ladies' College in the Daily Telegraph Exam GCSE League Table, a point much appreciated by the diners.

College had been saddened to bid farewell to the Vice Principal, Stewart Morris after more than 25 years of sterling service in that post. Mr. Jonathan Shaw had been welcomed from Ardingly as the new Vice Principal (Pastoral) and he and his family were settling well into Island life”.

The Bursar informed the diners that whilst it had been disappointing to receive a planning refusal for the swimming pool cover (a Foundation project), much exciting work continued to be done on getting the Refectory Project, originally intended to be the Foundation's flag ship project, ready for early completion.

The Bursar closed on a serious note by opining that College was heading into the some of the choppiest waters it had navigated for perhaps a generation or more, though he felt the OEA could take heart in the knowledge that in the Principal, George Hartley, College had the 'man for the moment' ably supported as he was by his academic staff throughout all levels of College.

In closing John Willis was pleased to have the opportunity to make a minor piece of OEA history as both father (Willis 6212) and son (Willis 9027) spoke on the same night.

The Bursar then handed over to Bruce Parker who informed the diners that the Dead Donkey Club now had 25 members and a number of excellent social events had been held, culminating in a magnificent garden luncheon at the President's house. He was then delighted to present a Dead Donkey tie to Lt. Col. James Porter (5482), its newest member.

The Secretary then called on S E G Willis (9027) who finished off the proceedings with a superb ‘Floreat Collegium” recalling bewildering experiences of his early days at College in a precise and light-hearted manner. Well done Sam!

Good food, good wine and naturally excellent company was enjoyed by all.

Pictures of the dinner
List of diners