Cumbria Dinner - Fri 9th Feb 2024, Armathwaite Hall, Bassenthwaite Another successful evening was held at Armathwaite Hall, Bassenthwaite on February 9th, 2024 for the West Cumbria Branch Dinner. Once again over sixty people were in attendance. I say this every time, but I should like to extend my thanks once again to Simon Steele (FS 85-89), the Manager at Armathwaite Hall, and also to Leeann Lennox-Burrough, Sales and Marketing Executive, for once more making this dinner possible and for all the hard work they have put in so that this evening runs safely and smoothly. Also, our MC for the evening, Richard Sidaway, deserves a special mention for his help and meticulous attention to detail. Many thanks also to all the staff who work so tirelessly behind the scenes. I am indebted to Pam Rumney, Secretary of the Society, who has been a great help to me in organising this dinner and who works amazingly hard throughout the year for the benefit of the Society. Pam also set up a table of memorabilia, supplied by the school archivist Tony Reeve, to display school magazines and photographs which corresponded to the years of those who were present. Once again, the magazines seemed very popular.
The evening began with a champagne reception in the Broadwater suite prior to the meal. Thanks to Miss Dee (aka Victoria Davies) (L 94-99)), for providing the music and entertaining us at the champagne reception. After the reception we took our seats for the meal, which was of excellent quality. We were given a varied choice of starter, main course and sweet with a vegetarian option, and the presentation was superb. The excellent staff and service made it another memorable occasion.
	Unfortunately, Mr Robin Silk, the Headmaster, was involved in a cycling accident and was unable to attend. This would have been Robin’s last Cumbria dinner as he has taken up an appointment at King’s School Vattanacville in Cambodia, where he will serve as Founding Principal. Mr Silk, who joined the school in the summer of 2021, will be remembered for his significant contributions to the school’s substantial growth, seeing student numbers 'rise exponentially'.
Andrew Keep, current Deputy Head and Head of Sixth Form, will step into the role of interim Headmaster until his own retirement in August 2025. In Mr. Silk’s absence, we were delighted that Andrew was able to step into the breach and give a very comprehensive account of what’s going on at the school. We also welcomed our President, Carter Croft (FN 60-65). This is Carter’s final year as President of the Society, and I should like to thank him for the work he has put in.
Attendees: Guest – Andrew Keep (Deputy Head). Officials of the Society – Carter Croft (FN 60-65) (President) and Linda Croft, Fred Lord (SH 60-65) (Treasurer) and Fiona Lord (Staff 93-07), Darryl Davies (FS 62-68) (Cumbria Branch Secretary). Alumni - Lawrance Park (SH 48-51), James Brindle (G 49-53), Tim Brown (G 53-58), Rob Collin (FN 56-62) and Mercy Collin, Michael Pemberton (SH 57-62), Tom Lowrey (57-62), Richard Lockwood (FS 59-64), Sally Hopkinson, Tim Melville (F 59-64), Paul Haywood (SH 60-65), David Ward (FN 60-65), Nick Curry (SH 60-66) and Viv Curry, Anthony Dearden (FS 62-66), Peter Whipp (G 62-68), David Rowlands (G 62-68), Tim Mackay (FS 68-73), David Paul (FN/AC 71-76) and Vashti Ragoonanan and Nancie Stone, Richard Ward (FN 74-77), Ken Rangecroft (FN 74-78), Dougal Reed (FN 75-80) and Shirley Valentine, Andy Haile (SH 76-83) and Jane Dyer (Former Staff), Roy Calvin (SH 79-83) and Sara Calvin (nee Gough) (L/G 77-84), Rob Stewart (SH 79-83) and Dympna Stewart, Rosheen Ryan (L/G 80-82), Jonathan Steele (FS 82-87), Paul Mawson (FS 83-90), Jon Milburn (FS 83-90), Andrew Miller (SH 83-90) and Leanne Miller, Simon Steele (FS 85-89), Richard de la Riviere (AC 88-95), Amelia Warne (G/L  88-95), Alastair Lord (SH 90-95), Laurence Gribble (SH 02-09), Oscar Hendry Pickup (SH 08-15), Tom Wright (G 11-15). Current members of staff and partners - David Norbury, Chloe Small and Rob Small, Corrine Alexander and Nick Gribble, Helen Bertram, Jamie Bertram, Brad Simpson and Sarah Simpson, Emma Stott. We look forward to seeing you all again next year when the dinner will take place on February 28th, 2025, at Armathwaite Hall. To book a place, contact Darryl at darryl.davies1@btopenworld.com.
Further Photos from the Cumbria 2024 Dinner may be seen here. (Thank you to David Paul (FN 71-76) for taking the photographs)

 

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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