Association Annual Dinner

Friday 1 April 2011

This years Annual Reunion Dinner, held at the Harrow District Masonic Centre was, as ever, very well attended with almost 100 Gaytonians, their partners and family sitting down to a very enjoyable meal. This occasion is the highlight of the Gayts calendar for many, and it was refreshing to see several new faces during the evening. Several of our regular attendees were however missing, for a variety of reasons, including George Cowan, former deputy Head of Harrow County and Gayton High who was due to attend but had to withdraw late on.

After initially meeting in the bar (where else?!) we adjourned for dinner at 7.00 pm which began with grace given by Gordon Williams, leading on to the meal, which was again of a high standard. Served first was Stilton and broccoli soup, with a main course of steak and onion pie and a desert of poached pear with chocolate franzipan and chocolate sauce, followed by cheese and biscuits, and coffee. General chatter was punctuated by our Chairman wishing to take drinks with various sections, including those who were attending the dinner for the first time, and also fathers and sons.

The £5.00 draw was made after an interval, and the lucky winners received £100.00 and £50.00 respectively. For anyone not familiar with this, those wishing to take part sign a £5.00 note, which is then put into a hat and the proceeds split between two winners with the remainder (this time £165.00) going to the Association. Having won one of the prizes at my first dinner, it is amusing to read the names of those people whose money you’ve just collected. Unfortunately in my case I suddenly became everyone’s friend, being told it was my turn at the bar! The Annual Draw (previously the Christmas Draw) was made next, with prizes of £300.00 (1st), £200.00 (2nd) £100.00 (3rd) on offer. Tickets are sent to members in the New Year mail-out, so remember, you have to be in it to win it!

Our Old Gaytonian Awards for Overall Achievement were presented this year to Misbah Khan and Adrian Felaar. I was fortunate enough to be sitting with them and the other Harrow High School students for the evening, including the Year 11 Head Girl and Boy, Monique Bailey and Shakeel Muhammad, who I had met briefly at the January Centenary Day celebration. They really were great company, and I sincerely hope that we will see them all again at future dinners. I must apologise to Misbah though, in trying to convince her that a speech was obligatory when collecting her award. The look of terror on her face precluded me from keeping up the pretence for long! Adrian need no such encouragement however, and spoke with great confidence about his pride in, and thanks to the school.

A slightly sad note however was the absence of George Cowan. It had been proposed by the Executive Committee that he be elected an Honorary Member of the Association, which he has been pleased to accept, and we had hoped to present a certificate to him at the dinner. After a fall and slight injury however, George wrote to say he was unable to attend. We wish you well for a speedy recovery sir, and look forward to seeing you next year at our Centenary Reunion Dinner.

Our speaker this year was Frank Kirkham, who was a pupil at Harrow County between 1961 and 1969. Some may recall him as Cricket Captain and a member of the C.C.F., within which he reached the rank of Under Officer, before going on to join the Territorial Army. In 2003, Frank was awarded an M.B.E. for 33 years service, and finally retired as a Major in the Royal Signals (T.A.) in 2006. In his ‘day job’, he teaches maths and I.C.T. at independent boys school close to his home in Sheffield, and also cricket, his U11’s team becoming Yorkshire Champions in 2009. In such a cricket-rich county I’d think that was no mean feat!

Frank is a warm and witty person, although I had been warned that his speech would highlight deeds of some of those present that evening. Thankfully he was kind on us all (well most!), and gave us a very humorous trip down memory lane, particularly about events on the cricket pitch. With Frank proposing the toast to the three school’s, the reply by Paul Gamble, current Head of Harrow High School and our President, to the Association was welcome and he gave us an insight to the current school and their plans for the immediate future, which all sounds exciting. We look forward to news over the coming year.

The roll call is always a source of some amusement, and once again Di Campbell, our School Liaison took the honours (this her 32nd year at the school although she might not thank me for reminding everyone!). A lusty rendition of ‘Virtus non Stemma’, accompanied by Ian McLuckie on piano completed the evening, with even the Harrow High students entering into the spirit and not doing half bad.

Thanks from all those present must go to Hans Stuart our Social Secretary, who largely organised the evening (his first in that role) and also acted as a very competent M.C. He did a super job! Thanks Hans, you can do it again next year if you like? Can I ask all members to bear in mind that 2012 is our own Association Centenary Dinner. Please see the Chairman’s report where mention is made of this, and do try and come along to make it one to remember!