A golden evening: 100 attend annual OE dinner

A golden evening: 100 attend annual OE dinner

The 117th Old Elizabethans’ Association Annual Dinner saw a group who joined QE in 1962 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 celebrated the golden anniversary of their joining the School at the dinner in the main School Hall.

The 12 were brought together following extensive research by one of their number, OE Rob Walsh, with assistance from Martyn Bradish, the Chairman of the Association. Rob said: “Of the 90 joiners in that year, I was able to track down 64, using various websites. Of these 64, four had sadly died and seven lived overseas. I sent e-mails and letters to all others, inviting them to the Anniversary Dinner, and had many replies apologising that they were unable to attend the evening.

“For most of us who did attend, 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.”

In addition to the 12, as is usual all who left the School ten years ago were sent invitations. Of course, all OEs were welcome and there was a good spread of old boys from across the generations.

The evening began 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. The dress code was black tie or lounge suit.

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 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 – also made a speech and proposed a toast to the School. 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.”