Old Grovians' Day, November 2007
On a crisp November morning a goodly number of Old Grovians joined with the present boarders and filled the Chapel to remember and pay homage to those who had fallen in battle.
The Chaplain conducted the service and the laying of wreaths was carried out by the Chairman, Dr Helen Mollard and Chairman-elect, John Tunstall.
The solemnities over, many gathered in the Greenwood Building for a welcome hot drink. With many familiar faces present and some who had not returned to the Grove for several years the room was soon abuzz with happy conversation.
New OGA Chairperson, Dr Helen Mollard
In spite of many opting for a conducted school tour, the AGM was well attended and moved on briskly. Retiring Chairman, Richard Thornton, expressed his enjoyment of all the reunions he had attended and thanked the convenors for their hard work.
Trevor Bailey reported on the awards and funding of the Southerns and thanked Nick Driver who had resigned as a Trustee due to personal commitments. He welcomed David Littlefair on board.
Richard then inducted Dr Helen Mollard as Chairman for the coming year, saying how delighted he was that a young member of the Association was taking over. In her response Helen thanked the OGA for giving her the privilege of being the first female past pupil to hold the position and told of her hopes to attract more recent leavers back to reunions and events.
OGs enjoy a whole new dining experience!
After a splendid lunch in the newly refurbished Dining Hall - Mrs Belinda Frost helping us with the intricacies of the drinks dispenser and enjoying our amusement as trays with empty dishes disappeared on the conveyor belt - the rest of the day proceeded as usual.
The younger, energetic ones involved themselves outside whilst the others decided on a more restful time in the Hastings-Long Gallery catching up with news.
A truly splendid day for the many Old Grovians of all ages who attended. Read reports of OG Rugby and Netball matches here>>
Scottish Reunion, January 2008
It may be you would take the view that having a weekend away in (almost) the highlands of Scotland, in remote countryside and in the depths of winter might be weather-wise a disaster waiting to happen!
Not so for the 50+ intrepid Old Grovians and friends who this year drove through driving rain and high winds to reach Culcreuch Castle.
Only has the weather curtailed events once in fifteen years. That was in the early days when snow blocked everyone inside the Castle as it fell incessantly on the Saturday morning.
This year as Saturday morning came round again, as if by magic, the rain and wind had gone and although the main outdoor event, a boat cruise on Loch Lomond was cancelled due to water levels flooding the jetties, various walks were enjoyed.
The most challenging was a 7 mile walk along part of the West Highland Way by the side of the Loch, under the misty gaze of Ben Lomond. Others stepped into yesteryear exploring the Ardness Hidden History Trail whilst a further group trail blazed unchartered walking at the north end of the Loch. Some even thought they had given the Scottish Secretary the slip and headed for a walk around the shops in Aberfoyle!
OGs sing 'Xaipete' and address the haggis
In the evening, a sherry reception was followed by a delightful meal complete with a hearty rendering of Xaipete and the formal addressing of the haggis. OGA Chairman, Dr Helen Mollard, warmly welcomed everyone present.
Her toast to Woodhouse Grove School was responded to by David Humphreys, OGA President and Headmaster, who, in an illuminating report, updated dinner guests on the school's academic, sporting and arts achievements, gave news on the building development progress- including detailed reference to the new dining hall and kitchen refurbishment and the imminent start on the building of the new Music and Drama Facility.
'Auld Lang Syne' followed by a well-deserved nightcap
Hugh Knowles kindly gave a vote of thanks to Scottish Secretary David Littlefair, the Castle's new General Manager Robert Reynolds and the Castle staff.
The evening then moved into Ceilidlh mode and with everyone well oiled, well fed, well exhausted, the evening concluded with Auld Lang Syne and a few, just a few, managed to find the Castle Bar for a nightcap or two!
On Sunday morning after a relaxed breakfast one group donned walking gear to take a lengthy walk around the Culcreuch Estate, others called in for a 90 minute organised tour of the nearby Glengoyne Distillery.
After farewells in the bar (some lasting 24 hours and more) the reunion came to a close with the date of the Sixteenth, 23rd - 25th Jan 2009 - firmly pencilled in everyone's diaries.
London Reunion, Royal Hospital Chelsea, 29th February 2008
The London Reunion this year was held in the State Apartments of the Royal Hospital Chelsea with the kind permission of The Governor, The Lord Walker of Aldringham, GCB, CMG, CBE, DL.
The reception was held in two magnificent rooms within Christopher Wren's masterpiece. The Royal Hospital was founded by Charles the Second and opened in 1692 and the reception rooms were handsomely decorated and furnished with several oil paintings.
The largest, almost floor to ceiling, was a Van Dyke of King Charles, the original of which hangs in Buckingham Palace. Over one fireplace was a fine piece of wood carving by Emmett.
The host, Lord Walker and his wife Tori, welcomed some 60 Old Grovians (covering every year from 1937 to present day) and gave a brief history and logistics lesson. Today's hospital has rooms, now enlarged to 9'0" x 9'0", for 320 In-Pensioners.
305 live here at present, aged between 67 and 102, and all are 'unencumbered by impediments' (unmarried!). They are very well looked after in sickness and in health for the rest of their lives.
This was confirmed by Staff Sergeant 'Paddy' Fox, an incumbent (unencumbered!) of 6 years, who had a wealth of stories to tell.
2009 London reunion - at the Athenaeum Club
Time passed quickly, and all too soon OGA President, Headmaster David Humphreys, was thanking the host for a very enjoyable event, and his staff for keeping the party refreshed at regular intervals throughout the evening.
Next years London reunion will be held at the Athenaeum Club.
South Pacific Reunion, 1st March 2008
The First South Pacific Gathering of Old Grovians, held in Auckland, New Zealand on March 1st 2008 was a great success.
Ken Read hosted a 'meet and greet' gathering at his home in Kohimarama followed by an excellent dinner at the Lava Restaurant, Mission Bay.
To give an idea of the distances travelled by the 'out-of-towners'- Ted Bell's flight across the Tasman Sea from Sydney took about three hours. Brian and Vera Robson had a two hour drive from Cambridge, Simon Davy flew from Wellington to Auckland (a one hour flight) and Gordon and Rosemary Fox made their nine hour drive from Wellington in two stages, visiting friends en route.
Memories going back to the days of 'Pop' Towlson
There was much reminiscing, going back to the time when 'Pop' Towlson was Headmaster. Ted and Ken were in the same form but there were a number of years spread over the time the others had been at school.
One notable point that emerged was the longevity of service of many of the staff at the Grove -several of whom are well remembered by many of us.
Next year's reunion will be held in Sydney
Ted Bell has offered to coordinate next year's South Pacific Dinner, which will be held in Sydney on a date yet to be decided. This should give Australia based OG's better opportunity to attend. Ted would welcome offers of assistance. His e-mail address is tedrob70@bigpond.net.au.
We hope that future South Pacific gatherings will build on the success of this one. Old Grovians present were: Ken Read (1934-1940), Ted Bell (1934-1942), David Hartley (1946-1951), Brian Robson (1948-1952), Gordon Fox (1951-1958), Simon Davy (1977-1987).
Canada Reunion
In Oakville, Ontario Don Bowder, Ken Mitchell and John Caird continue to keep in touch and have met up for a second reunion taking their wives Marian, Joan and Betty along. Both the Cairds and the Bowders spend winter in Florida.
Living about two hours drive away from each other they manage the occasional visit during this time and enjoy their usual battles at the bridge table. Ken at 91, is one of the oldest OG's. He is well and at home in Canada, coping with the worst winter weather in several years.