Exeter Christmas Dinner 2009

Saturday, 12th December 2009

A record number of 56 OQ and Guests sat down to this years dinner held as usual at The Exeter Golf and Country Club.

Our President Chris Bradnock accompanied by Jennifer was in the chair and Stephen Lawson acted as Master of Ceremonies. We were delighted to welcome and entertain retiring teachers Justin Backhouse, Terry Stirzaker and John Chidgey together with their wives.

Our Alumni Relations Manager Kim Boalch was present with her husband Tim together with Geoff Bisson (the schools Development Manager) and deputy head Marcus Paul with Elaine. We were delighted that Wendy Harding was also able to be with us.

The younger generation of Queenian's were represented by the Head Boy Alex Greenhalgh and Deputy Head Girl Amy Alger-Green.

Many of the "usual suspects" were again present including Rodney Baker, Peter Skinner, Brian Rowe, Roger Westoby, Mike and Sheila Platt, Robert Blackhall (the school Chaplin), Colin Graham, Stephen Lawson and of course our irreplaceable Hon. Sec. John Elford. Indeed the dinner took place on Mike Platt's 70th birthday.

We were delighted that Jean Putt was with us again. It was of course Frank Putt who initiated this dinner many years ago. We were also very pleased that Diane Rowe was able to attend. Stuart who died recently was a very regular attender.

In a sense, pride of place went to Tom Roseveare, now 93, and probably one of our oldest if not the oldest OQ. It was also great to have Anne Broadley (nee Ostime) attending for the first time.

It was a pleasure to see Don Ribeiro and Graham Tenbroeke in attendance again together with Paul Palmer, Peter and Mark Thomas, Edward Foale, Robert Yates and Tony Bell.

Of course no Exeter Christmas dinner would be complete without our Head Chris Alcock and his wife Linda. As usual Chris entertained us with his wit but, probably rather more importantly, gave us a very encouraging account of life at Queens and how things are going. Great to hear that the Civil Service ground has at long last been acquired though Lawson rather spoilt the news by announcing that was where he used to go to "have a fag".

So a very good time was had by all. It was generally agreed that the meal was probably the best ever. The Club always do us proud.

The provisional date for 2010 is Friday 3rd December. Kim Boalch will now be taking over organising the event so please give her the support that you have given me over these last 20 years or so.

Stephen Lawson

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