The South West Spring Lunch was held on 30th March 2017 at Dillington House, Ilminster, Somerset in a lovely rural location just off the A303.
This beautiful old house was once owned by Lord North, and is now run by the Somerset County Council . Judging by the emails received by the OC SW Secretary it proved to be a very popular venue and they provided a good lunch and friendly service.
19 Old Cranleighans attended, representing a period of four decades; starting with Michael Stockton and Ian Price both 2 North 45. We welcomed for the first time Nigel Bladon 2 North 57, David Chadwick 1&4 South 69, John Pereira Cubitt 66, Richard Pearson West 71 and Jonathon Prideaux 2 North 72.
As usual Mike Payne gave an update on School News and it was good to see two other members of the MCR, John Vallins and Chris Mann who were made very welcome.
The Raffle raised £128.00 thanks to the generous donation by OCs attending of nearly a dozen bottles of rather good wine. The money raised will be shared between The Children’s Hospice South West and the Devon Air Ambulance Trust in equal amounts.
Thanks go to Tony Strachan, OC Society Hon Treasurer, for the Dillington House photograph.
Apologies were received from 24 OCs and in future, following their requests, both the Spring Lunch and the Cornwall and West Devon Autumn Lunch will now be held on Fridays as more will be able to attend.
The Secretary’s comment: “Judging by the level of conversation in the bar and at lunch I think it all went quite well.”
Garth Goodwin (1&4 South, 1953-1956)