Mike Payne writes: Our Dinner this year was held at the Winchester House Club in Putney, and was hugely enjoyed by the 100 OCs who attended. Particularly pleasing was the considerable number of comparatively recent leavers who came, and a great atmosphere pervaded.
An excellent meal was capped by the speeches of our joint Chairmen for the day, Mike Wilson (Headmaster of the Prep School) and Brendan Law (Headmaster of Cranleigh Abu Dhabi). Mike, with Sam Watkinson and Richard Johnson, who were both present too, was vitally instrumental in the setting up of our Abu Dhabi link, and Brendan paid them suitable tribute.
Mike’s speech was a tour de force which he made entertainingly relevant to all the age groups and interests of us all, and Brendan gave us an inspiring illustrated talk of his School as it has developed so far. He wrote to me afterwards: “I am delighted that Cranleigh Abu Dhabi is now an addition to the family and we look forward to a long, happy partnership.” No Head of an affiliated school could be warmer in his desire to keep the links close and meaningful, and when the secondary school there is under way from this autumn it will not be long before its leavers will, if they choose, become members of our Society.
Particular thanks to our committed OC Co-ordinator, Vickie Ingle, for the many hours she put in to find the venue and to ensure such a happy evening.