Please try to become an active OSB. Phone a friend, attend a function, try to bring along a friend or two, include partners. We need to attract the involvement of younger members, and not all the events are formal ones. There are friendships to be renewed and new ones to be made for all ages. I assure you that networking, as it is now called, is well worthwhile.
My tenure commenced in June 2022 at the OSB weekend, made memorable by the Black Tie Dinner. This was a huge success, attended by 100 guests, a lovely well-priced meal from Julie, the pupils acting as waiters, Foundation Dining Room buzzing. It was preceded by a drinks' reception and followed by a discotheque. Howard fronted the evening, Darryl was on the microphone; master of ceremonies, Stuart Lancaster, treated us to a presentation, beautifully constructed, of how the school had contributed to make him the person he is. I should like to extend my thanks to Stuart and wish him every success with his new appointment at Racing 92 in Paris. We will expect future speeches in perfect French - bonne chance!
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the London Social, ably organised as ever by Nic Shannon and was represented by David Lord; numbers were a little down but I am informed that the evening was a great success. My thanks to Nic., and I do feel that this is a format that we could try with more of the branches.
I attended the North East Branch Dinner, held at the Northumberland Golf Club, excellently organised by Bill Dove. It was a really happy occasion and next year an OSB Lunch has already been booked at the same venue on the 8th November 2023; I hope to see many of you there.
Now we are looking forward to Darryl’s Cumbrian Branch Dinner to be held on the 3rd February 2023 at Armathwaite Hall Hotel. He is aiming for the magical 100 guests, so do please make contact with Darryl and reserve tables and places; it is a great venue as well as a good value meal. We hope to see more younger OSBs there.
Unfortunately, gatherings at Manchester, Yorkshire and Bristol have not taken place for the last few years and the Edinburgh Dinner had to be cancelled in 2022 owing to a lack of support. I would welcome any OSBs who feel they could offer any suggestions or support in ideas for the future for these events.
Another OSB weekend will soon be upon us, with Founder's Day on the 16th June and OSB Day on the 17th June 2023. George Robson has publicised the pleasure he received from attending Founder's Day in 2022 and we must remember that this day, which appeals to all age groups, supports the school, Headmaster, staff and pupils, as well as the OSBs.
For OSB Day on the 17th June we have organised four interesting speakers, all OSBs and with distinguished flying careers. The theme is 'The Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines'. So please plan ahead, bring a friend, make new and old acquaintances, reserve a table or a place, make a weekend of it. Let's make it a celebration to remember.
Carter Croft (FN 60-65).
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