From Our Previous President

Carter Croft (FN 60-65)

My two years in office have flown by and what a privilege it has been to serve the Society, a role I never expected. I was a dormant OSB member until I returned to live in the UK in 2017. I noted an OSB lunch organised by Steve Crossley Smith (SH 47-52), then Secretary of the Yorkshire Branch, and went to the Cumbria Dinner at Armathwaite Hall, where I was hooked by David Lord (SH 60-65).

During my tenure I have tried hard to kindle enthusiasm from the OSBs of my era. That seems to have worked, since I have reconnected with many old friends, which is what old school friends are, and the passage of time makes those friendships stronger.

I had an idea, or was it a dream, to create a South Lakeland and Furness Branch. The first meet was an informal social, attracting over forty guests; this year I am going to repeat it at the Grange over Sands Golf Club on the 27th September at 6.00pm - an OSB Paul Haywood (SH 60-65) is the Chairman of the Golf Club.

I wish to thank all the Branch Secretaries for the hard work they put in to keep the regions going; you all do a great job, trying to persuade members of the benefits of school friendships and keeping in touch. One of those Secretaries was Bill Dove (FN 57-60), he was with the North East Branch for 49 years, what a brilliant job he did, unfortunately we lost him in May this year.

A host of OSBs attended the funeral of Peter John Dixon (FS 56-63) held in Embleton, along with a large number of former international rugby players; a wonderful eulogy was given by Roger Uttley.

There have been highs; firstly, the Dinners organised by Darryl Davies (FS 62-68) at Armathwaite Hall. He also runs the 200 Club raffle. Darryl has done a fantastic job, producing a meal of fine dining with wine at a minimal cost. Each year a hard core of supporters returns plus a different group which helps to increase the numbers. Indeed, our President-Elect is Darryl Davies. Over fish and chips on Flamborough Head I persuaded his wife Pat that he should be our next President and I am pleased to say he has accepted. As a former teacher at St Bees for some years, his contacts are enormous, which is so important as we need to find young people to become interested in their old school. Darryl also lives locally, which will be an advantage. I urge all OSBs to support him.

I lamented the demise of the Yorkshire Branch when Steve Crossley Smith decided to finish after so many years of service, and I asked Dick Lockwood (FS 59-64) if he would organise a small gathering at Huddersfield RUFC when they played against my old club Fylde. We were entertained to a reception, a wholesome lunch and a very good close match. He had booked two tables of six, including a number of guests that I had not seen for years as well as new friends. These small hubs are an excellent idea, I hope we can repeat this as well as adding another one of these at Sale Sharks, where I think David Cade (FS 59-64) is biting to organise one next season. I must also thank Tim McKay (FS 68-73) for organising a bespoke get together in Scotland, which David Lord attended. In addition, Cambridge sees John Braithwaite’s (G 65-69) group of OSBs meeting every two months at various hostelries.

There have also been a number of lows during my tenure, namely the cancellation of a dinner to be held at the school on St Beghians' Day 2023. We organised an interesting group of speakers from our aviators, Dacre Watson (SH 56-62) ex BA and Singapore Airlines Captain, Graeme Bagnall (SH 85-91) ex Red Arrows, Clive Milburn (F 58-63) ex private jet Pilot and Simon Curry (SH 95-01) ex RAF Tornado navigator and now BA Pilot, who were prepared to give their wisdom for nothing. But few tickets were sold, so unfortunately the function had to be cancelled.

Nicola Shannon Metcalfe (L/G 78-85) does a splendid job organising our London Social in October at the Samuel Pepys pub. We have been unlucky in that once, in 2023, this had to be postponed at short notice due to industrial action on the railways. I do hope it can go ahead this year in October. The London Branch Dinner had to be postponed, often it is a well-attended affair and I hope it can get off the ground this year.

We live in difficult times, there has been Covid as well as a cost of living crisis, but in spite of all this we must try to keep our proud Society going.

I asked David Paul (FN 71-76), a former solicitor, if he would help to produce a leaflet to explain the uses of legacies and how they could benefit the Society. Our office team has produced a leaflet, which I hope will interest former pupils who may wish to leave something to the St Beghian Society. Please do contact the office for more details.

As President I had the pleasure to work with our now ex-Headmaster, Robin Silk. He has worked hard to promote the school all over the world and has seen numbers rise. I wish him and Mrs Silk the very best and much success in his new venture in Cambodia.

I also welcome Andy Keep to the interim position of Headmaster, wishing him every success. With his extensive experience, the school will be in safe hands.

I now depart as President of the Society, and I wish to thank those who have supported me throughout my term of office. George Robson (FN 57-64) has been a particularly loyal OSB who gives his time and suggestions and ideas unstintingly, as shown by his organisation of the Priory walk and playing of the chapel organ.

And finally, the team of Pam Rumney, Tony Reeve, and of course my friend David Lord, who have all held my hand.

Carter Croft (FN 60-65).
cartertusm1946@icloud.com.
07743 700 986.

 

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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