Branch Activities - Cumbria Dinner

Cumbria Dinner – Friday 2nd July 2021

The Cumbria Dinner took place on Friday, 2nd July 2021 at Armathwaite Hall, Bassenthwaite Lake, near Keswick.

Armathwaite Hall is a wonderful place to hold a dinner and 52 people were present, despite Covid issues. It was a pity that some people were unable to make it from foreign climes due to travel restrictions.

The weather was fantastic and the evening began with a champagne reception on the terrace prior to the meal, where we were entertained by accomplished pianist Miss Dee (aka Vicky Davies L 96-99).

After the reception we moved to the Broadwater Suite, our private room for the evening, where dinner was served. The meal was of excellent quality and great value for money and included wine! We were given a varied choice of starter, main course and sweet with a vegetarian option and the presentation was superb. Even the fussy/plain eaters amongst us found something to their liking. We all really enjoyed the whole experience. Prior to our sweets, the whole company went outside for a team photograph. The excellent staff and service made it the most memorable meal I have organised since taking over as Secretary of the West Coast Branch. We enjoyed it so much we have booked again for next year (May 13th 2022)!

Many thanks to Simon Steele (FS 85-89), the Manager at Armathwaite Hall, for coming to the dinner, hosting the event and being part of the evening and making it all possible, and also to Leeann Lennox-Burrough, Sales & Marketing Executive, for all her hard work in ensuring that the evening ran smoothly.

Your correspondent managed to get to bed about 2a.m, but there were whispers of 5 a.m!

Those who were present:

Guests - Roger Sinnett (Headmaster).

Officials of the Society - Howard Graham (FS 80-87 (President of the Society); David Lord (SH 60-65)(Treasurer of the Society) and Mrs Fiona Lord (Staff 93-07); Darryl Davies (FS 62-68)(Secretary of West Cumbria Branch) and Pat Davies (Staff 91-01); Pam Rumney (Secretary of the Society).

Alumni - Steve Crossley-Smith (SH 47-52) and Pat Crossley Smith; Edward Thompson (F 54-59); Carter Croft (FN 60-65); Nick Curry (SH 60-66) and Viv Curry; Anthony Wills (FN 60-64) and Joanna Wills; Peter Lever (G 62-66) and Jane Lever; Anthony Dearden (FS 62-68) and Helen Rhodes; David Rowlands (G 62-68); Tony Lamb (FN 63-67); John Braithwaite (G 65-69) and Priscille Braithwaite; David Elston (FS 65-70); Neal Thompson (SH 66-71) and Moira Thompson; Tim Mackay (FS 68-73); Tim Crossley-Smith (SH 73-78); Mike Reay (SH 73-80) and Claire Binnington; John Boag (FS 74-81); Dougal Reed (FN 74-80) and Sarah Whaldon; Ken Rangecroft (FN 74-78), Donald Jackson (SH 75-80) and Sabina Jackson; Peter Harper (FS 78-82); Elspeth Moss (nee Mackenzie)(L 79-86); Rachel Mitchell (nee Wade)(L 79-87); Jonathon Steele (FS 82-87); Siobhan Mulrooney (nee Parker)(L 83-86); Chris Johnston (SH 85-92) and Anne-Louise Johnston (nee Crookdake)(L 86-93); Simon Steele (FS 85-89); Richard Postlethwaite (AC 87-92) and Negin Postlethwaite; Thomas Crowe (F 91-96) and Anna Crowe; Victoria Davies (L 96-99); Laurence Gribble (SH 02-09); Dave Postlethwaite (Parent); Marianne Postlethwaite (Parent).

Formalities

Welcome and Introduction

Mr Darryl Davies, Branch Secretary

Update on St Bees School

Mr Roger Sinnett, Headmaster

Toast to the St Beghian Society

Mr Howard Graham, President of the Society

Many of those who attended the dinner stayed over-night at a reduced rate which included breakfast and full use of the facilities.

We are now taking bookings for next year. Anyone interested should contact me at darryl.davies1@btopenworld.com.

Date: Friday 13th May 2022, 7 for 7.30pm.

Darryl W. Davies,
Branch Secretary, West Cumbria Branch.

Photos of the evening may be see by clicking here.