The Old Boys'
Association
The Old Boys'
Association
The object of the association shall be to develop and encourage mutual good fellowship, and give all possible support to worthwhile causes.
On returning from the War in 1946 Denis
Hooton, with help from Jim Smith, set to work preparing a list of ex-members and
compiling addresses, with a view to holding a special meeting to celebrate the
Company's Golden Anniversary, which fell due on January 13th 1946.
This was a mammoth undertaking, with many Old Boys having since married and
moved away during the war. However, a list was duly compiled and details
circulated to over 100 ex-members.
On March 13th 1947 a Celebration Dinner was held at Bridge House Restaurant
London Bridge. Over 100 ex- members plus four Senior Boys were in attendance.
All the surviving Captains were present, Roberts, Wigney, Rowbottom and Hooton.
with Aubrey Roberts in the Chair.
It was such a resounding success that the assembled gathering suggested that
another be held the following year ". This was agreed, and a second Dinner
was held at the Bridge House Restaurant on March 4th 1948. In the
general discussions after the Toast and Speeches the Old Boys' Association was
formed. Dennis Alderson was "press ganged" into being Secretary
in order to get the Association off the ground. After one year, however Company
commitments forced him to pass the post onto Jim Smith.
We have now held a Reunion Dinner every year since 1948.
At the outset of its formation the rules laid down the Post of a President
appointed for life, and a Chairman who would serve only one year having spent
the previous year as Vice Chairman. Priority was given to past Captains, then
past Officers and then current Officers. Following this a choice was made from
older and then younger Old Boys in alternate years. We have been fortunate in
our choice of Chairmen, only one has died in office and that was back in the
fifties.
Nowadays we hold a Reunion Bible Class each year in October, lay a wreath, in
memory of past members at St. James’ Church on Remembrance Sunday and in
January 2008 we will organize our 50th and last Christmas party for sixty or so Old Folk.