The AGM of the OC Society took place at the OC Club, Thames Ditton on January 10, 2017. We thought it may be of interest to members to read the Hon. Secretary’s report on what had been happening in the previous 12 months.
1. MEETINGS AND PERSONALIA
The Executive Committee of the Society met on 4 occasions during the year, on 12 January, 23 March, 28 June and 18 October 2016. Martin Williamson was reappointed as Chairman at the first of these meetings. Julia Herbert resigned from Excom with effect from 18 October 2016.
2. CRANLEIGH SCHOOL
The School continued to celebrate the 150 th anniversary of its opening during 2016. Events held to commemorate the milestone included the unveiling of the new war memorial on 1 July 2016, the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme. The School had also kindly hosted the OC Dinner on the weekend of 16-17 April 2016, which proved to be very popular and a hugely enjoyable occasion. Thanks were expressed to the School for accommodating the Society and also to Tosh Meyer, the former Chairman of the Society, who kindly spoke at the dinner, and to Vickie Ingle, the OC Coordinator, who was responsible for organising the weekend. In all,
over 400 OCs had returned to the School for one event or another during the year.
3. CRANLEIGH ABU DHABI
Following on from the Society’s offer to afford pupils of Cranleigh Abu Dhabi the same right to membership of the Society as pupils of the School, the steps necessary to implement the necessary arrangements in this regard are in hand and the Society is looking forward potentially to enrolling as members the first Cranleigh Abu Dhabi leavers in the summer of 2017.
4. THAMES DITTON MANAGEMENT & FACILITIES
A number of improvements had been to the clubhouse and facilities at Thames Ditton over the course of the year, including in particular the restoration of the memorial gates, which the School had generously paid for, as well as the renovation of the grandstand, the construction of a patio to the front of the clubhouse, which had been formally opened by Tony Price, and substantial further work to the drainage on the site.
5. OC COORDINATOR
Vickie Ingle has, again, been excellent in her capacity as OC Coordinator, providing full-time support for the Society and its activities. The Executive Committee expressed its thanks to her for all she has done and continues to do.
6. SOCIETY EVENTS
A large number of Society events were held throughout the year, the success of which reflects well on the strength of the Society.
7. CONSTITUENT CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
The Society’s constituent Clubs and Societies continue to thrive. Of particular note is the success being achieved by the OC Rugby and OC Hockey Clubs with their ‘minis’ initiatives.