OC EVENTS

BY RICHARD ROSSER (1955-1962) & MALCOLM ROGERS (1950-1959)

The OC Wednesday Luncheon Club got back into stride after difficulties of the last two years. July’s lunch at school was attended by more than fifty members, to say a fond farewell to Michael and Gill Punt and wish them well on their new venture in Bromsgrove.

Lunches are very informal occasions, mostly attended by between thirty and forty OCs of varying ages, and take place, with only a few exceptions, on the first Wednesday of each month at the Clubhouse in Roding Lane. There are no speeches and no demands for money, other than the £15 for an excellent two-course lunch, provided by Chartwells, the School Caterers. To attend, please send an e-mail to Malcolm Rogers (malcolm@ themusickecompanye.com) or Richard Rosser (richard. rosser@hotmail.co.uk), and they will be very pleased to include you in the circulation list. The two exceptions to the Wednesday rule is when the Head’s Invitation Lunch occurs in July and December. These lunches will be held in the School’s dining-hall allowing for greater numbers than can be accommodated at the Clubhouse. They are held in each case after the end of school term when the caterers are still on the premises. 2022’s Christmas lunch is Monday, the 19th December, when we hope to welcome more than 70. Do please get in touch with Malcolm or Richard if you would like to attend.

On behalf of the members, we would like to express our thanks to Craig Osmond, Chartwells’ Catering Manager, for the excellent lunches he kindly arranges for us and for the hard work put in by the chef and other members of Chartwells’ staff, who run the bar, lay the tables and serve lunches, all with the greatest efficiency and good humour.

They are a fantastic way to reconnect with old friends, expand your network of OCs and find out what has been happening at the school. We always welcome your assistance, ideas and support to make these events as welcoming and appropriate as possible.

The 2022 Shrove Tuesday event attracted many new enthusiastic attendees very eager to meet fellow OCs in person following the lifting of lockdown restrictions. Nearly 90 people made up a diverse group of female and male leavers representing classes from 1952 through 2018. Praefects joined tables representing current Chigwellian pupils.

Inspiring words were shared by Roseanne Serrelli, Chair of Governors; Headmaster Michael Punt; Lewis Bond, Head of School; and special blessings from Rev’d Michael Bradley.

The diversity of those attending this year’s event more accurately reflected the diversity of the current student body. Aegean Simpson, President of the Old Chigwellian Association is optimistic that Shrove Tuesday will continue to attract a myriad of OCs in the future.

The next Shrove Tuesday Supper will be held on 21st February 2023. More invitation details will be forthcoming in the near future or contact Mr Scott Franssen at philanthropy@chigwell-school.org

OLD CHIGWELLIAN

BY PAUL GARFIELD (1983-1990)

Nigel Davies (1964-1970) and John Beresford former Newcastle defender

Another splendid Club Supper evening in May at the Home of Football after two years of Covid-induced absence. Superbly orchestrated as usual by Nigel Davies, with fine food and drink supplied by Chartwells and an excellent guest speech from John Beresford, the former Newcastle defender.

Well attended by players from all four teams, supporters, officials and Headmaster Michael Punt, making his last appearance.

Players of the year as follows

1st X1 Max Salador 2nd X1 Nad Kala; Vets A Stuart Rex; Vets B James Brown

No. 6648

After the disruption of the last few years, the Old Chigwellian Lodge returned to regular business and proceedings with the installation of our new Worshipful Master, Pesh Kapasiawala on 10th February. Pesh is a parent at Chigwell School with twin teenagers currently in the sixth form.

On 14th May, the Lodge enjoyed a successful and well attended meeting at the school followed by a superb dinner for members and their guests held in the dining hall. Our special guests for the evening were former Headmaster, Michael Punt and his wife Gill. The dinner gave the Lodge the opportunity to make a presentation and thank Michael and Gill for their support over the last fifteen years and wish them every success and happiness in their new life in Worcestershire.

Following a summer break, the Lodge resumed in September with the meeting holding a tribute and two-minute silence in recognition of the passing of our Sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II.

One of the principle moral virtues in all Masonic Lodges is charity and supporting worthy causes. In 2021, as part of our Masters’ Charitable List, the Lodge supported the introduction of an annual Bursary to sponsor a sixth form pupil at Chigwell. Funds raised over the last twelve months will support the first Bursary which will commence in September 2022.

Lodge membership continues to grow and is attracting an increasing number of young professional Old Chigwellians plus parents with children at the school. The Lodge holds evening meetings four times a year in February, May (at Chigwell School), September and November at Mark Masons Hall in St James’ Place, London SW1.

The Old Chigwellian Masonic Lodge was founded in 1948.

Pesh Kapasiawala Worshipful Master 2022 on his installation

Are you curious about Freemasonry or the charitable work undertaken by the Lodge? New members are the life blood of our Lodge and we are remarkably successful in bringing on new candidates every year.

If you would like to learn more about the School Lodge, please contact: membership@oclodge.co.uk or visit www.oclodge.co.uk