Old Theocsbrians.........
I spent most of my working life away from Tewkesbury and although I returned often enough to keep in touch with some good old school friends, I lost contactwith many fellow scholars. There were many advantages to travelling as I did over four decades, but I came to rather envy those who had stayed in the area,had pursued their careers and interests here, raised families here, grown oldertogether here. They knew, or knew of each other in a way that is impossible for those of us who left the area.
It was always my intention to return to Tewkesbury and I achieved that about fifteen years ago and since then have immersed myself in “things Tewkesbury”! I started attending the OTC dinners again, renewing old acquaintances. So when the committee via their eloquent ambassador, Steve Yeates, asked me to be President, I thought “Why not?” I was under no illusions, there is a diminishing number of old boys who have not yet done the job or have not declared that they never will, so the pool is ever smaller! Anyway, it was an opportunity to get to know better a few more Old Boys, and the duties were very light!
Duties were really only a couple of parades, The Mayor’s Service last October and Remembrance Day in November, the weather was kind on both occasions. I missed the Mayor Making sadly. These parades, particularly Remembrance Day with multiple bands playing, transported me to my youth when as a bugle player then a side-drummer in the Sea Cadet band I marched up that same High Street on many occasions!
One thing agreed by the committee during my tenure was to place a plaque upon the Red Brick Building opposite the Abbey that used to house the School prior to its removal to Southwick Park. This was where I started with the School although have no fear, that fact will not be recorded! OTS will fund the plaque but it will be organised by the Civic Society as part of their programme of placing plaques on interesting buildings or those with interesting associations, about Tewkesbury.
We continue to be beholden to Simon Thompson for our website and for the instruction he gives from time to time about keeping it updated. The website is there for all to access; however the committee has noticed how little the communications pages get used so we may well drop those. However, it would be nice to expand the photographic section and we would welcome input to that. This letter, the Dinner menu, Golf details etc will all be posted on the site shortly.
Each year we hear stories of one Old Boy or another who has made the news, achieved something remarkable or been recognised in some way. We would like to include these on the website and also publish them as attachments to this letter. There are three here, do let us know of others.
The only remarkable thing that has occurred over the period of my Presidency has been the continued leave of absence of our Secretary, Steve Yeates. It isn't until someone has to absent themselves like this that you realize how much you depend on them! Steve is hoping to resume his normal duties later this year but meanwhile Norman Hunt has continued deputizing for him. I would like both to thank Norman for stepping into the breach and to wish Steve well on his sabbatical, whilst looking forward to his return.
Committee members met on Tuesday 5th July to discuss the Annual Dinner, theAGM and the Golf competition. The Dinner is scheduled on Saturday October 1st once again at the Gupshill Manor. They have done us proud in the past and we felt there was no reason to change the location. Tables of ten will once again be available with seats bookable in advance so avoiding the scrambles of the past! Details are attached to this letter as are those for the AGM and Golf competition. Wehope a large number of members will come to the Dinner, attend the AGM andparticipate in the Golf this year.
After the dinner, a collection will be made for a staff gratuity; if you were pleased with your meal and service we hope you will be generous.
The Annual Dinner completed, my duties will be finished and John Hannant, your Vice President, will take up the Chain of Office.
So, I very much look forward to meeting many of you on the 1st October.
Alan Purkiss July 2011