From the Secretary

Report of the Society’s Committee -

‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times’ - this quotation from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities

is not perhaps the most appropriate description of the past eighteen months or so, or is it?

Certainly, we have experienced a period that has seen the full spectrum of the good, the bad and the unquestionably tragic but the way many individuals, organisations and communities have responded has been inspiring and uplifting in a variety of ways but occasionally disappointing and saddening in equal measures.

At the time of writing just before the AGM, we are sweltering under a mini heatwave and today, July 19th, is the so called ‘freedom day’; sadly, the infection rate is rising exponentially and there will obviously be some way to go before we have completely accustomed ourselves to co-existing with Covid which we will inevitably have to do.

So, what of the Society during these uncertain and challenging times?

Our Timetable

Not surprisingly our usual timetable of meetings and events has been disrupted to say the least! Our last committee meeting in person took place in January 2020. Our 2020 AGM was moved to June and every committee meeting since that time has been held courtesy of Zoom. There is little doubt that such virtual means of conducting business have been a godsend.

Nevertheless, there is undoubtedly a hunger to meet again in person and I’m sure that in future many meetings will be ‘hybrids’ where some participants attend in person and others join by Zoom, MS Teams or similar. This does make sense particularly if some people remain cautious about close contact in locations that may or may not be as Covid secure as required.

Hopefully, our timetable will be completely back on track with forthcoming committee meetings to be held in October and January and the 2022 AGM next March, always assuming the ceiling doesn’t fall in in the meantime…….

President

The AGM should see the election of the President for the ensuing year. Rich Berry officially took over from John Sisman in June 2020, John having served an extra three months in that office.

It was agreed by the Committee that both Rich Berry and the President Elect, Kate Redshaw, should be permitted to stay in office until the 2022 AGM as their ability to fulfil completely their roles had been somewhat diminished by the pandemic.

Finance

We are now well on the way finally to unravelling some of the idiosyncrasies of the past and look forward to more simple times from an accounts perspective. Our investment portfolio has performed well and enjoyed an increase of + 16.72%. As you know, Nick Fitzpatrick wishes to stand down as Treasurer and the search is on to find an OB to take up the post. Nick has done sterling work in bringing the accounts up to date and we owe him our gratitude for taking on the task.

Membership

With an annual membership fee removed and all OBs automatically members of the Society, the whole basis of membership has shifted. This has made administration considerably less onerous and being an OB much more inclusive.

OBs’ Sports Club

It goes without saying that the activities of all three sections and the management of the facility itself have been hugely disrupted by the events of the last year or more. In the face of such adversity, the club has risen to the challenge and done everything possible to keep things afloat. Grants and financial support have been secured where appropriate and everybody has mucked in to keep things going and to ensure that the building and its various facilities would be available when team games could resume.

With organised sport once again up and running, the three sections are looking forward to enjoying their sport to the full once more.

It should also be noted that the OBSC received an award in the Gloucestershire RFU Awards in Adversity programme for a project to organise and supply meals to the less fortunate. The award was presented by HRH Princess Anne and was one small example of something good coming out of these trying times.

Failand is also now hosting an Alternative Provider – a smallscale education project seeking to support young adults. Not only an extremely worthwhile enterprise, but also one that provides an additional income for the site.

Inevitably, matters such as the development of the club house and the process of incorporation have taken a back seat during these times but as some degree of normality begins to settle in, these subjects will no doubt once again come to the fore.

School

The impact on all school children and students of the pandemic will only become fully clear as the months and years roll by. In the meantime, schools, colleges and universities have had to confront the massive challenges of trying to provide pupils and students with the best possible opportunities to remain engaged with their education.

BGS has performed remarkably well and the staff and the pupils must be congratulated on how magnificently they have coped. The longer-term fall-out will no doubt be seen in a number of ways but for now we must all recognise the resilience displayed by all concerned.

Earlier in the year the school appointed Nadine Latte as Development Director. At the April committee meeting, she set out her outline for her role and we look forward to seeing the fruits of her labours over the coming months.

Bristolienses

Our magazine goes from strength to strength under our Chairman’s editorship ably supported by Caitlin and Tony.

More material from OBs of all vintages would be gratefully received!

Obituaries

In July of last year, we lost a stalwart of the Society and its committee, Jack Prowting. President in 1998 and great supporter of the Sports Club, Jack was a thoroughly nice man, a true gentleman and his advice and knowledge are greatly missed.

Social

Social events over the last year or so have, unsurprisingly, proved somewhat difficult to arrange. Nevertheless, a bit of ingenuity and technology and hey presto Marcus succeeded in organising a virtual Annual Dinner which was enjoyed by all able to Zoom in! The success of this event notwithstanding, I am sure we are all looking forward to gathering in the Great Hall in March 2022!

Lunch club by Zoom continues and Mike Burmester has been able to attract a rather high calibre of speaker to entertain those joining these virtual events. Not least in May, Sarah Crew, OB and Deputy Chief Constable (now Acting Chief Constable) of Avon and Somerset Police and, somewhat of a coup, in July, OB Simon Case, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service. Simon arrived late for the Zoom, apologising that he had been delayed by the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, joining a Boris Johnson Cabinet meeting; if you’re going to name drop, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of Germany are as good as any!

The Committee

As we seek a new Treasurer and at least one if not two new Trustees, the Committee will be undergoing some changes over the coming months. It would be great to meet again in person and hopefully we will revert to that more pleasant of experiences as the year progresses. Caitlin is a great asset to the committee and her support and administrative abilities are much appreciated. She also works within Nadine’s department as well as having now taken on a support role with AROPS.

Ian Southcott

(1964 – 1971) Secretary