The 122nd Old Cranleighan Dinner, which had been sold out for months, proved to be a huge success.
The 70-odd OCs who had got in early made the most of being able to sleep in West (ladies) and Loveday (gentlemen). It was the first time in more than five decades that OCs had been allowed to stay overnight at the School and the night passed off without incident.
The formalities started with a champagne reception in the Emms Centre before everyone moved across to Hall for the dinner itself. The old room looked superb and the catering was first-class. Nick Meyer (2&3 South 1962), the first man in 120 years to be the dinner chairman for a second time, gave an amusing speech in which he recollected his own days as well as highlighting the modern success of both School and OCs.
After dancing and much catching up, the dinner ended at midnight. Most were reluctant to leave, but they were eventually dispatched into the night (including three who were unable to get a cab and were kindly driven home in the School minibus!). Those staying returned to their houses but continued to party until 5am.
Breakfast was served the following morning – remarkably most were up bright and early – and many then took advantage of the glorious sunshine to look round the School.
All in all, a resounding success and an evening to remember. We must thank all those at the School who worked hard to ensure the event passed without a hitch, especially Jackie Batchelor and Vickie Ingle, our OC coordinator who worked tirelessly for months to make sure everything passed off without a hitch.
More photographs from the evening can be found here.
To complement the superb OC Dinner, Mike Payne (Common Room, 1967-96) organised for the following day a reunion of past members of common room. There was a magnificent response, and over 70 past members came, many with their partners. The oldest was John Crathorne, who joined the staff in 1953. Some present members joined us for a reception in the Emms Centre and then a delicious lunch in Hall, followed for those who chose by a tour of the School beginning with a look at the beautiful Chapel restoration where the new organ was demonstrated to fine effect. A glorious sun shone throughout.
At the end of lunch, Mike and Martin Reader spoke. Martin made a special impression by illuminating the spirit of Cranleigh in all its ways. As he wrote afterwards: “It was a super occasion and said so much about the place Cranleigh maintains in people’s hearts. I do not know of any other school which has done this.”
So – what a weekend … and, as always, Cranleigh’s support staff was unsurpassed.
