North East Branch
The 2013 North-East Branch Dinner was held in the plush rooms of the Northumberland Golf Club, Gosforth Park.
Present: G.C. Robson (FN 57-64, Acting Chairman), J. Davies (Headmaster), N.A. Halfpenny (FN 62-67, Bursar), W.E. Dove (FN 57-60, Sec. of the NE Branch), T. George (Head Boy), Miss J. Thompson (Head Girl), Miss A. Taylor (Deputy Head), G.E.R. Heslop (SH 41-43), J.F. Bullock (FN 44-48), W.B. Jameson (FN 46-51), F.O. Messenger (SH 50-55), I.D. Nimmo (FN 52-57), S.J. Edwards (FN 52-57),W.M.H. Dix (FN 55-58), A.M. Carstairs (FN 57-52), J.M. McBryde (G 58-61), G.M. Burn (G 58-61), J. Musgrove (SH 60-63), G.L. Spencer (G 61-64), D. Davies (FS 62-68/Retired Staff/Fundraising Coordinator), Mrs F.E. Lord (Retired staff), D.F. Lord (SH 60-65/Retired Staff/OSB Sec & Treasurer), D.H. Williams (FN 61-64), Mrs H. Miller (Retired Staff), M.P. Windle (FS 68-71), Mrs R.V. Lewis (L 77-79), R.T. Fowler (FN 77-80), D.J. Pitchford (G 95-02), D. Busby (SH 95-02), P.J. Drysdale (SH 95- 02), A. Murray (SH 97-03), B. Wilson (SH 97-04), R.I. Littler (SH 98-05), K.A. Marshall (SH 98-05), J.R.A. Woodhouse (SH 99-02), I. Moore (SH 04-11), D. Rhodes (SH 04-11), A. Littler (SH 04-11), R. Carlill (SH 05-11).
After assembling in the bar, Branch members and guests moved into the dining room and took their places around four tables. George Robson explained that in the enforced absence of the Chairman Mark Cottam, he had agreed to be acting Chairman for the evening.
A period of silence was held in respect of the deaths of past Branch members Peter Hopley and John Bell.
Following Grace, the meal commenced and after the Loyal Toast a ten minute break was announced.
After this the acting Chairman welcomed the large contingent from the school, Old St Beghians visiting from other parts of the country, the usual group of The Pitchford Boys - twelve this year - and the Branch members.
He pointed out that this year was the fortieth Dinner that Secretary Bill had organised and, following prolonged applause, said that whilst Bill was soon to move out of the area he was willing to continue as Branch Secretary, travelling up to Newcastle for the Dinners. Mention was also made that the school and the Branch officers were to mark Bill’s impressive work with a special event, details to be announced in due course.
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