In Focus/OB Bulletin Summer 2011
Page 46
As previously mentioned in these columns, a group of Old Birkonians meet each Wednesday at The Wheatsheaf Inn, Raby. ‗Founded‘ by Neil Gracey and Eric Roberts nearly 20 years ago, this gathering has grown steadily and between 6 to10, out of a group of over 20, regularly attend each week. We arrive at 6.30pm, enjoy great fellowship for an hour or so, and always leave by 8.00pm. Over a quiet drink (some are teetotal!), stories are told of OBs and School events, past and present, as well as generally putting the world to rights! In August, a Summer Supper was held in the Cowshed Restaurant at the Wheatsheaf which was attended by 16 members who enjoyed a splendid evening. Regulars and occasional visitors to The Wheatsheaf include: David (DW) Allan, Peter (PJ) Ascroft, Brian (BK) Boumphrey, Eric (EA) Roberts, Tom (TJ) Minnis, Alan (AJ) Hanson, Peter Crook, Ted (EF) Clarke, Len (LO) Kirkham, Nick Abakhan, Tony (AH) Evans, Roger (WR) Ewing, Brian (BN) Jones, Brian (BE) Jones, John (JMT) Rogers, Peter (PS) Rogers, David (RD) Cockram, Michael (MAH) Taylor, Peter (PL) Canevali, Michael (MP) Burrell, Rod (RJM) Delf, Malcolm (DM) Kaye, Mike (MR) Toon, Bob (RR) Treasurer and sundry others. Mostly we are leavers from the 50‘s and 60‘s but any OB will be made welcome. If you would like to meet up with any of the above, just turn up any Wednesday or for more info, call Len Kirkham 652 8118 (email 7lok@prenton.freeserve.co.uk) Len Kirkham
During the School‘s 150th year, the Headmaster has hosted a series of ten Welcome Back Dinners for the Leavers of the last 20 years. Although some dinners attracted smaller groups than others, there have been glowing reports from everyone who went. The tours of the School brought back ‗fond‘ memories and ‗The Way We Were‘ displays of old photos and comments from report cards were the focus of much laughter - or groaning. The gourmet meal and a bar, provided by Keith Watson and his catering staff, was enjoyed by all and created the convivial atmosphere where Old Birkonians, staff and former staff could relax and catch up on the intervening years. Despite the many changes which the School has undergone in recent times, many commented that it still felt the same that indefinable ‗something‘ which is Birkenhead School. Welcome Back Dinners will become a regular feature on the School calendar, so keep an eye on the School and Old Birkonian website to make sure you don‘t miss yours. The Headmaster will be sending a letter to invite you to your Dinner and, if you are reading this, you will no doubt receive your invitation. Sadly, however, we don‘t have current contact details for a great number of our former pupils. We will be relying on you to let others from your Year, with whom you are still in contact, know about your Dinner. We look forward to welcoming you back in the not too distant future!
We were all at School during the period 1949-1960 and ‘boys’ in the photo include: John Rogers, Eric Roberts, Brian E Jones, Bob Treasurer, Tom Minnis, Pete Ascroft, Malcolm Kaye, Peter Rogers, David Cockram, Tony Evans, Brian N Jones, Alan Hanson, Roger Ewing, Brian Boumphrey and David Allan (Len Kirkham took the photo)
OFFICERS OF THE OLD BIRKONIAN SOCIETY PRESIDENT: Andreas Whittam Smith COUNCIL: Chairman: Mark Feeny MEMBERS: John Elliott
John Cushing Brian Boumphrey Phil Rees-Roberts Nick Tappin Alan Hanson William Nute Graham Hurton Russ Oakden Anthony Birley Hon. Treasurer: Trevor Mathew-Jones
Independent Examiner: D.S.Griffin