Arguably the highlight of the O.C. Calendar, the Annual Dinner never fails to deliver an immensely enjoyable evening, and this year was no exception.
 
The initial Drinks Reception in the Chatterton Hall is an ideal forum to meet up with many old friends, and contemporaries, before transferring to the Dining Hall for the main event.


Members of staff Nick Yaxley and Nic Drew enjoy catching up with Karen Blackburn (née Mulhall) and her sister Alice.

O.C. Secretary Doug Lodge, admirably doubling as both M.C. and official photographer, introduced our guests – Tim Ross (Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers), Jeremy McCullough (Headmaster), John Perry O.C. (Guest Speaker), Chris Green (President, London O.C. Society), Denise Currie (Hon. Life Member and recently retired Head of Modern Languages at the school), plus David Perkins (Old Bristolians Society), Keith Beauchamp (President, Cathedralian Society), Aubrey Matthews (Q.E.H. Old Boys Society), and our host for the evening O.C. President, Bob Jennings.  Grace was said by Head Girl Francesca James, whose father, OC Chris James, was also at the dinner.
 

OC president Bob Jennings with Aubrey Matthews (president of the QEH Old Boys), Keith Beauchamp (president of The Cathedralian Society) with Headmaster Jeremy McCullough.

There was a good diversity of representation.  Len Collacott and John Hall heading a group from the OCRFC, former Head Girl Karen Blackburn (née Mulhall) and a party of young ladies celebrating their 20^th Anniversary since leaving Colston’s, John Pritchard, Lee Mears (whose wife Danielle was also at the dinner) and a table of rugby colleagues, parent/sibling combinations of Kate Edwards and son Sam, Alan Burge and son Tim.  There was a large contingent from the O.C. Golf Society, and we were very pleased to welcome eminent past and present members of the staff, Judy Brighton, Dave Mason, Nick Yaxley and Nic Drew.  As usual a number of O.C.s had travelled from many parts of the country to participate in, and enjoy the evening.


 Alan Hale, Chris Green (president of thr London OC Society), Dave Shaw and Dave Evans

An excellent menu of prawn cocktail, sirloin of beef, or Wye salmon, and chocolate cheesecake, were presented by the school catering department, and our thanks are due to Claire, Head Chef Andy, and their team for ensuring the food and service were all to perfection.

 
President Bob Jennings addressing the dinner

After proposing the loyal toast, President Bob Jennings reported that the O.C. Society was in very good health, and the O..C.R.F.C. had won four matches out of four so far this season.  The Golf Society had just completed another excellent year, and a variety of O.C. events had been most successful.  Bob paid tribute to Tracy Mace, whose hard work and capabilities had been a key to these and other O.C. activities.  A toast to absent friends concluded the address, Bob mentioning particularly the sad passing of George Moore, and Brian Smith, who had both immensely contributed to the society over many years.

 
Headmaster Jeremy McCullough

The Headmaster Jeremy McCullough advised that the school continued to flourish, in both academic achievement, and the diverse extended qualities which are the hallmark of a Colston’s education.  The toast of ‘Floreat Colstona’ was most appropriate.
 

Guest speaker OC John Perry

Our guest was O.C. and successful home counties businessman John Perry, who had been a leading light in the O.C.’s rugby and cricket teams of the 70s and 80s, and is still a current star member of the O.C. Golf Society weekends at Carlyon Bay.  John humorously entertained with anecdotes of his time at the school, cricket coaching, and a graphic description of the daunting fire practice.  On a serious note John praised the personal qualities and confidence he attributed to his time at Colston’s, and the gratitude we owed our parents for their vision and commitment in giving us a Colston’s education.

 
A party of OCs celebrating 20 years since they joined the school

A good number of the O.C.s rounded off the evening, socialising and enjoying the odd drink in the O.C.s Pavilion, with mine host Derek Barnett, Helen, and her daughter dispensing their customary top service.
 
The combination and flow from the Chatterton Hall, Dining Hall, and OCs Pavilion always works exceedingly well.  The move to hold the Dinner at the School (made at a guess 25 years ago or more) was a master stroke.  Enjoying the ambience, honours board, memories of meals on long oak tables and benches, the staple diet of “oats and grease”, creates a special and personal atmosphere, allied to today’s superb cuisine.  We are most grateful to the School for their continued hospitality, a testament to the very close ties which exist between Colston’s and the O.C. Society.
 
Details of forthcoming O.C. events were circulated – Senior’s Christmas Lunch, Carol Service, Wine Tasting, London Reunion, Sports Day, Open Day/Cricket Match and following the great success of previous nights, the Summer Ball will be held on 1^st July 2017.
 
Full information is available on the O.C. website, and we look forward to seeing as many O.C.s as possible at these unfailingly enjoyable functions.

 
David Tooze