Ampleforth Society Events Roundup 2021-22

As we gradually moved out of the pandemic, we were delighted to start planning for an exciting year of events – and what a year it’s been! The first in-person event since Covid hit was the sold-out Northern Counties Dinner in Newcastle, kindly supported by Ben Gibson (C86) and Jonathan Brown (J80). Fr Richard, the Society Chaplain, led Mass before guests enjoyed supper with Head, Robin Dyer and his wife Penny. One week later we were down in the City for the ever-popular Brompton Oratory Mass and Pizza with a record 152 guests joining Fr Edward for Mass in the Little Oratory followed by drinks and pizza in St Wilfrid’s Hall upstairs.

Heading north, 55 members of the Society joined Robin and Fr Ambrose, the Dean of the College, for drinks and canapés in Edinburgh while Fr Chad hosted the inaugural Young OAs Sunday Lunch back in London. The following week, the College hosted the annual London Carol Concert in Covent Garden with the Schola treating a packed church to a moving repertoire.

Branching out into more regional events, former SLET Trustee, Richard Tams (J86) and Fr Richard hosted a very successful Sussex and Kent dinner in Tunbridge Wells before the Lent term was rounded off with a Christmas Hog Roast and Quiz in The Windmill back in the Ampleforth Valley.

The much-delayed Old Amplefordian Military Dinner launched the spring season of events for 2022, with over 78 in attendance. This spectacular evening at the Cavalry & Guards Club saw speeches from Robin Dyer, Major General Chris Ghika (E88), Fr Richard, and Fr Edward as we were joined by many other high-ranking officers from all three services. It was a very special evening indeed with many calls for it to happen more regularly. The London Committee held their first pub night in Battersea with over 40 attending. The 2020 Leavers returned to Ampleforth for their goodbye graduation weekend and had a black-tie ball. In May 2022, we were back at the Brompton Oratory for Mass and Drinks again with Fr Edward leading Mass and Society Trustee, Patrick Tolhurst (C99) and Director of Admissions, Marketing & Communications, Harriet Langdale, making welcome speeches. Another good evening was had by all.

The St Thomas’ 75 Year House celebration had a fantastic turn out with 104 OAs of all ages from 1959 to 2021. The Walker and Dunn families had entire families in attendance! The Thomas’ old boys flew in from every corner of the world to attend and there was much rejoicing at being with each other again. Former Housemasters Paul Brennan and Jon Mutton were there as well as Fr Henry, Fr Alexander, and Fr Richard who concelebrated Mass before an excellent dinner and speeches. The sharing of memories went on until the early hours. In June, the 1997 leavers got together at the Cavalry & Guards Club with over 55 of them flying in from Moldova, Dubai, Spain, Poland and Austria in order to attend. The next and final Ampleforth Society event of the year was another pub social in Mayfair which saw numbers rise again to over 61 in attendance followed by a thank you Chinese meal for the London committee and ambassadors – phew! Now onto 2022/23...