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OLD FETTESIAN NEWSLETTER NO. 66, JULY 2021
REFLECTIONS UPON THE CENTENARY OF THE OFA
My hope for the OFA for the next 100 years is that it will continue and flourish, enabling the Fettes community to prosper worldwide – Floreas Fettesia!
And so it began, one hundred years ago, on 24th June 1921, the establishment of our Old Fettesian Association, the worldwide association that has kept OFs connected together across the generations far beyond their school days. Initial gatherings took the format of dinners and speeches and there were annual Old Fettesian matches against the school in rugby and cricket. To help us mark the Centenary of the OFA, we contacted all living former Presidents and are delighted that each one of them provided a contribution reflecting their time at the helm. Kenneth A MacKinnon (Gl 1948–1954) President of the OFA 1988–1990 It was my humble privilege to follow in my father's footsteps at Fettes, which was then continued by my son and daughter attending there too. I joined the OFA taking the opportunity to give something back to the school to recognise the pleasure and many benefits of my family's association with Fettes over three generations.
Key dates in the Old Fettesian Association 1879 First Annual Dinner was held on 28th June, just nine years after the school opened and over 40 years before the OFA was established. 1889 First Edition of the Fettes Register was produced. Subsequent editions were produced by the nominated ‘Keeper of the Register’. We have much to be thankful for the meticulous recording of those who have attended the school, which was no mean feat in the many years of pen, paper and airmail. It’s much easier now that we have email, social media, a database and the Fettes Community Portal. 1907 First Annual Old Fettesian Dinner in London when 44 OFs got together under the chairmanship of Stewart G Ponsonby (SH 1870–1876). This is where musings began about the establishment of an Old Fettesian Association. 1921 Inaugural meeting of the Old Fettesian Association at Fettes on 24th June 1921.
Alan A Waddell (Ca 1946–1951) President of the OFA 1994–1996 Fettes has been a great pleasure for me throughout my life, and I hugely enjoyed my time as President of the OFA. It gave me the chance to meet many Fettesians of different eras, and to learn more about the school’s ongoing progress. Clearly one highlight of each year is Commem – I have greatly enjoyed being involved in these weekends, particularly the dinners when there are so many Fettesians and very considerable noise! For me, the OFA has always been about linking the ex-students and the school and hoping to support both. Looking forward, I hope that the school continues to prosper and that its pupils keep close links with each other, helped via the OFA. Iain H Nicholson (Ca 1953–1957) President of the OFA 2000–2002 I joined the OFA Committee appreciating what Fettes had given to me and to add what I could do for Fettes. In the next 100 years, I hope the OFA will continue to promote and support the school with particular emphasis on providing a bridge for pupils leaving school into an ever-changing society. The most memorable occasion for me as President of the OFA was the Old Fettesian Regional Dinner in Vancouver arranged
1927 First Old Fettesian Dinner in Edinburgh was held in the Albyn Rooms on Queen Street on June 24th, the night before Founder’s Day. 1934 At the OFA Committee Meeting on 29th June 1934 the Committee agreed to the production of an OF tie – ‘The tie selected was composed of the School colours, viz. chocolate with a narrow magenta band’. 1952 First OF Commemoration Weekend. OF teams had matches against the School in rugby, hockey, golf, squash and shooting, there was ‘tea’ in Houses at 5pm followed by what has become an Annual Dinner. 1957 Establishment of the Old Fettesian Golfing Society under the presidency of Ronald M Carnegie (Ca 1920–1925).
