This year’s London dinner, the 53rd, was held in the eclectic surroundings of The City University Club in the City of London.
We are grateful to Ken Holmes (Athens, 1945 - 1950, unofficial OSA Benelux Representative & President Designate 2012) for again providing us with the introduction to a venue to which we would not usually have access.
The Club, situated in Cornhill in the heart of the City in the former Prescott’s Bank building, was originally formed as a luncheon club for Oxbridge graduates although in recent years it has widened its membership.
Pre-dinner drinks (for those who didn’t gather at The Lamb in Leadenhall Market) were held in the Old Smoking Room where a full house of eighty Old Boys eventually convened to renew acquaintances and catch-up with one another once again.
Dinner was served upstairs in the Dining Room where we sat down to a fine meal of smoked haddock mousse, roast rump of lamb and apple & blackberry crumble with custard.
During our meal we were regularly interrupted by our MC, Chris Sorrell (Sparta, 1975 - 1982), for the obligatory round of toasts including the oldest member present, Maurice Dumbell (Sparta, 1936 - 1942) and the three youngest, Dave Masson (Tuscany, 2004 - 2011), Owen Lucas (Sparta, 2004 - 2011) and Alex Dean (Sparta, 2009 - 2011) all of whom had left school that Summer after completing their A2 exams.
Our Hon. President, Paul Johnson (Troy, 1966 - 1973), spoke briefly and was followed by one of his principal guests, Peter Butler (Troy, 1960 - 1967) who regaled us with his reminiscences and told us about his ongoing local cricketing initiatives.
The evening was unfortunately ended a little early by a false fire alarm evacuation but it was roughly the time for the coach to return to Southend and for the younger members to seek a further night-cap.
The list of members attending the Dinner can be found here.