Manchester Dinner

A social was held in Manchester on 10th May and what a belter! The Manchester Dinner continues to go from strength to strength, ably organised by Mark Rocca and John Boag.

The evening began at Level 12 in Manchester House just off Deansgate. After a rapid ascent in the lift we were escorted to what I can only describe as ‘pods’, with magnificent views over Manchester. The beer and wine were flowing and the yarns were beginning to be spun. Once established, nobody wanted to leave, but leave we did and managed the rapid ascent in reverse. We were escorted to the Restaurant Bar and Grill (to give it its full title) for dinner. This was the same restaurant as last year and one or two of the staff recognised us. Upon arrival we were treated to slides of our younger days, painstakingly assembled by Boag and Rocca. Only Darryl Davies had kept his boyish good looks.

I think the food was good, but I was so engrossed in conversations with Hayward, Rocca, Uncle Tom Rice, Crummey and Fox that I can’t remember. The wine flowed and more reminiscences were exchanged. Bang, Bang, Bang, went Mr Rocca’s spoon. Time for the speeches. The Headmaster was eloquent, factual and inspiring. Matthew Rigby was motivational and Darryl Davies was just, well Darryl Davies. The team photographs were taken and the banter continued. People started to drift away and your correspondent was eventually tucked up in bed by 3 a.m. Early bird some would say. The ‘last person standing’ award went to Peter Harper, who managed 3.50 a.m., although there is a rumour that the Rigby party may have beaten it in the shape of Richard Crummey.

If any OSBs are living in the Manchester area, get along to the 2015 dinner.
It really is a night to remember.

Present: John Boag (FS 74-81), Mark Rocca (FS 75-80), Roy Calvin (SH 79-83), Sara Calvin (G 77-84), Peter Harper (FS 78-82), Andrew Haile (F/SH 76-83), Torquil Macleod (FN 74-81), Matthew Rigby (FS 73-78), Howard Batey (F 73-79),
Rosie Lewis (nee Larkin) (L 77-79), Steve Croasdale (FS 74-80), Andrew Maybury (FS 73-78), Roy Lindop (FS 74-81),
Mike Hayward (FS 74-78), Richard Crummy (FS 71-78), Stephen Mansfield (FS 73-78), RichardCopsy (FS 71-78),
Peter Dalzell (FN 76-84), Anthony Wilton-Steer (FS 74-79), David Wilkinson (FN 76-83), Jo Clarke (Nee Fox) (L 76-78),
Tom Rice (M 65-95), Andrew Rice (FN 79-87), Lindsey Clay (L/G 77-84), Guy Rigby (FS 73-78), Miles Brierley (FS 76-79),
Mr Nigel Halfpenny (School Bursar/FN 62-67), James Davies (School Headmaster) and
Darryl Davies (Governor/Fundraising Co-ordinator/FS 62-68).

Please click here to see photographs.

 

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St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

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