Back: Former President Cyril Trust
Middle (LtoR): Former OFA President Michael Horner, Vice-President Ian Sargeant, Director of Farnham College Fred Carter, Former OFA President John Crotty

Front (LtoR): Special Guest Rt Rev Bishop Christopher Herbert, OFA President Bryan Bone, OFA Secretary Roger Edgell

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Once again, the former pupils of the Farnham Grammar School gathered at Farnham Castle for their annual celebration, and this time it was decided to have the meal at lunchtime instead of the usual evening dinner. The change still attracted almost one hundred Old Boys, with Bill Bodkin coming from Portugal, Dick Kenward from Virginia, USA and Mick Barham from South Australia. Many of the other guests travelled from across the country to be with their old classmates for an afternoon down memory lane.

To begin the proceedings Bryan Bone, the current President, read out a list of Old Boys who had died in the past year, while all present stood in silence as a mark of respect. This was followed by grace, given by the Guest of Honour The Rt. Rev. Bishop Christopher Herbert who was former rector of St Thomas on the Bourne and Bishop of St Albans. This was then followed by a first class meal prepared and served by Farnham Castle catering staff, under the direction of Teresa Clue.

After the meal and a profitable raffle, the Guest of Honour rose to give a thought provoking speech. He had learned of the history of the school, which began in the town in the 1500s and tried to imagine what school life was like over the years. He felt that as well as offering academic lessons the schools and the teachers looked after the pupil’s wellbeing both physically and spiritually. He wondered if the modern education system achieved this and the pupils lacked the attention to their other needs and not just teaching them by the book. It was the responsibility of the modern teacher to work more closely with the student. This was a first class speech and the Bishop sat down to loud applause

The President was next to speak, and as usual he dipped into his memories of his time at Morley Road and the guests could empathise with his words. He felt honoured to have attended such a good school and proposed a Toast to Farnham Grammar School. Following was a Toast to the Association by Ian Sargeant, who said that those present had been lucky to have the opportunity to attend such a fine school, and with such fine traditions. He well recalls one of the teachers telling his class how lucky they were to be attending the school and many years on he fully agrees with that sentiment.

The President replied to both Toasts, and at the same time advised the guests of the forthcoming events. On 23rd June there will be a Garden Party at Farnham College for Old Boys and Old Girls which starts at 2.00 pm and all former pupils are welcome. On 17th October is the Southampton Luncheon, which over the years has been very popular and offers a charming lunch with old pals in a New Forest hotel.

There then followed a special series of presentations for services to the Old Farnhamians’ Association, which were presented by the Bishop. Firstly to John Crotty for many years of service to the Association, secondly to Cyril Trust for almost 20 years editing the magazine and overseeing many events over the years. The third award went to Ian Sargeant for his excellent website and for his work as link governor with the college and work for the Leaving Scholarship Trust, and finally an award to Treasurer, Stephen Pritchard, for his overseeing of the finances of the Association over many years. The service of these four was recognised with a cut glass decanter engraved with the old school badge.

The Roll Call began with Peter Huntingford, who started at the school in 1935 and ended with a number of Old Boys who started just prior to the school closing in 1973. The afternoon ended with the School Song and the National Anthem. It had been a great success, and no doubt on 11th May 2013 many of those present will gather again for another celebration of a part of the history of Farnham. The new style President’s Luncheon is here to stay. The room was full of grey hair and thinning locks, but the spirit lives on in these indestructible Old Boys.

Cyril Trust
Wednesday, 16 May, 2012

Photographs can be enlarged by clicking on them. Press key F11 for full screen, repeat to return

Photos taken by Jamie Bush

Toast to The Association (m4a file) – Click here

Attending

M.J.Barham: H.Batchelor: J.Bateman: C.Beal: R.Bennett: P.Blowfield: W.A.Bodkin: B.E. Bone: D.Bowtell: R.Bowtell: D.Buckell: F.Carter: A.G.Chuter: R.S.Cleminson: J.Cooke: M.J.Cox: P.Cranswick: J.H.Crotty: D.Cutler:B.J.Daniels: D.J.Edgell: R.G.Edgell: K.Elkins: B.N.Elson: C.Fairclough: R.A.Frampton: A.Gatfield: G.R.Glazier: A.Harding: Rt.Rev. Bishop. C.Herbert: J.Herbert: R.H.Hewes: J.Hirst: G.H.Honey: G.L.Hooker: M.J.Horner: P.Huntingford: Rev.J.Innes: R.G.Kenward: J.B.Kite: R.J.Kite: D.E.Lampard: M.Little: R.A.Lord: G.W.Martin: J.R.Matthews: E.P.Maynes: D.G.McManaman: K.E.Mentzel: R.C.Moorcroft: C.Mullins: C.Nash: R.A.Parker: J.Peace: I.H.Pearson: J.E.Pesterfield: D.Phillips: B.Philpott: D.Poleglaze: S.G.Pritchard: M.Purslow: P.C.Read: M.Rochefort: D.Roe: W.Roffey: I.Sargeant: L.Scard: M.D.Seignot: A,R.Spink: M.E.H.Sturt: C.S.Slyfield: J.Terrill: H.Torode: J.Travers: C.D.Trust: M.Tucker: H.Upfold: W.P.Walsh: R.Welland-Jones: J.R.Wilkinson: B.R.Williams.

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