A golden night: class of ‘62 reunite for annual OE dinner

The Old Elizabethans’ Association Annual Dinner saw a cohort of 1962 joiners celebrate together 50 years on, with many reunited for the first time since they left the School. Attendance at the formal dinner reached 100 – a significant increase on last year.

Twelve former pupils who had joined QE in 1962 (pictured below) celebrated the golden anniversary of their joining the School at the dinner. They were brought together following extensive research by OE Rob Walsh: “Of the 90 joiners in that year, I was able to track down 64, using various websites,” he said. “For most of us, it was the first time we had met since leaving School and the evening was filled with endless chat, reminiscing and swapping pictures. I only wish we had got together 20 years ago.”

The MC for the evening was the President of the Association, David Farrer.  Nigethan Sathiyalingam, the School Captain, proposed a toast to the Association and the Chairman, Martyn Bradish, replied with a speech. John Keeley, who was part of the historic QE trip to Russia in 1962 – and therefore was celebrating another golden anniversary – proposed a toast. The Headmaster, Neil Enright, responded.

“It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening,” said Mr Enright. “It was particularly pleasing to note the increase in attendance and to witness how much enjoyment the Old Elizabethans gained from meeting once again, often after a break of nearly half a century.”

The evening commenced with a sherry reception at 7.15pm and was followed by dinner at 8pm at which salmon mousse, braised lamb shank and crème brûlée were served.