North East Branch Dinner 2017

 

The St Beghian Society North-East Branch Dinner,
November 8^th 2017 at the Northumberland Golf Club.

Present: D.H. Williams, Chairman (FN 61-64), D.F. Lord, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer OSB (SH 60-65), Mrs P. Rumney, Secretary OSB, W.E. Dove, Secretary N.E. Branch (FN 57-60), J. Hallows, Headmaster, Mrs H. Miller, Former Staff,
J.F. Bullock (FN 44-48), F.O. Messenger (SH 50-55), I.D. Nimmo (FN 52-57), J.D.S. Brown (G 52-59), N.D. Clothier (FN 53-57), C.R. Kennedy (FN 55-59), A.M. Carstairs (FN 57-62), G.C. Robson (FN 57-64), N.W. Adams (FN 68-71), D.G.W. Reed (FN 75-78), Mrs R.V. Lewis (nee Larkin) (L 77-79), D.J. Pitchford (G 95-02), D. Bushby (SH 95-02), P.J. Drysdale (SH 95-02),
B. Wilson (SH 97-04), A. Littler (SH 04-11), R.I. Littler (SH 98-05), M.T. Garstang (SH 98-05), K.A. Marshall (SH 98-05),
J. Woodhouse (SH 99-02) and D. Rhodes (SH 04-11).

With the attendance of North East OSBs unavoidably lower than normal, twenty-seven former pupils and staff congregated in the plush bar of the Northumberland Golf Club for greeting and socialising before moving into the dining room. Before the dinner, which proved to be of the usual excellent quality, Chairman Don Williams spoke words of welcome before asking all to stand for one minute’s silence to remember Branch Members Alan Dobson and Joanna Colbeck, who sadly died this year. Grace was then offered.

After the meal, the Chairman again rose to propose toasts: firstly, to Her Majesty, then to the school. Following the toasts, he invited the new Headmaster, Jeremy Hallows, to give an address. Jeremy delivered an upbeat account of the current state of the school and of the progress towards the planned September 2018 re-opening. He concluded by proposing a toast to the Society.

David Lord, the Society Secretary, then rose to present apologies for the absence of the Society President, Peter Lever. Peter, however, had furnished some notes to be the basis of David’s address, which reinforced the positive remarks from the Headmaster. He then explained that in January 2018 Mrs Pam Rumney would be taking over as the Society’s Secretary whilst he would remain as Treasurer. After David proposed a toast to the N.E. Branch, the Chairman said how pleased we all were to have the attendance of Pam and Mrs Helen Miller, both of whom had already given sterling service to the school and continued to be key people in ensuring a bright future for both it and the Society.

During these proceedings the Chairman presented a St Bees School OTC swagger stick (World War 1 era) to the Headmaster as a tangible token of goodwill from the Branch. He also presented him with a book about some of the great people and events that have influenced and shaped the North East of England. The large hardback book ‘A Portrait of Achievement’was written by N.E. branch Chairman, Don Williams. Another N.E. presentation was made to the Secretary, David Lord, to mark the gratitude of the Branch for the many years of sterling service he had given to the school. This was a personal and inscribed paper-weight, kiln blown in multi-coloured glass, and produced by Tyneside’s Specialist Studio Glass Artist, Jane Charles.

Last but not least, George Robson was introduced to give a visual presentation about St Bees village and the school during the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Buildings, monuments and past staff featured with, perhaps, too many Priory gravestones highlighted!

Following George’s presentation everyone returned to the bar where chatting continued until 10.45pm when taxis arrived to convey ‘The Pitchford Contingent’to taste the delights of Newcastle’s Quayside’s nightlife. Others returned home and to their beds. It was a most enjoyable evening for all.

George Robson.

Please click here to see photos.

 

Home

The St Beghian Society    
St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

         Tel: (01946) 828093      Email: osb@stbeesschool.co.uk      Web: www.st-beghian-society.co.uk