Event Reports

Lake District OR lunch Hillthwaite House Windermere June 2019 By Nick Hadfield (SE 65-70)

We had to move from our 2018 venue (Linthwaite House Hotel) as although it was very good, it was too small and we were in two adjoining rooms. So it was off to our third venue in three years, Hillthwaite House Hotel. I did think that we needn’t have bothered as 23 people from last year were unable to come. The proximity of the 175th Anniversary Ball the weekend before did not help. We lost all our recent leavers which was a shame. However numbers eventually reached 55 and again we had to use an adjoining room.

Everyone agreed the three course meal they put on for us was very good, the wine flowed and the noise level was high. By all accounts it was our best lunch yet. Unfortunately next year we will have to leave Hillthwaite House for a bigger venue.

Speakers were the Headmaster and our President Graeme Marrs. The Carmen was sung with great gusto and no chairs were broken by those electing to stand on them. John Marshall accompanied the Carmen with his violin and added a little extra tune which the writer is unable to remember. Guests were:-

Dale Hjort, Henry Shepherd, David Shingler, Judith Shingler, Pat Marshall John Marshall, Frank Heald, Karen Heald, Nick Hadfield, Maureen Hadfield, Ken Fayle, Kira Fayle, Simon Hockings, Sarah Hockings, Jeremy Quartermain, Howard Brown, Bridgit Brown, Martin Brown, Joan Brown, Mike Grinrod, Tracey Grinrod, Ian Preston, Martyn Hoyle, Jane Hoyle, Mark Hartnett, Jayne Hartnett, Graeme Marrs, Poppet Marrs, Richard Rhodes, Stephanie Rhodes, James Garnett, Glenny Garnett, Paul Warren, Geoff Fieldhouse, Nina Fieldhouse, Jim Cowpe, Moira Cowpe, Barclay Simpson, David Ewart, Val Ewart, John Preston, Christine Preston, John Prestwich, Julie Mananzan, Peter Frost, Marilyn Frost, Vivien Ivell, Nancy Hallam, Jonny Chard, Harold Sharples, Sylvia Sharples, Gillian AustinKing, Katie Lee, David Crye, Julie Barkhuizen.

We hope to see even more of you next year.

For a list of forthcoming events, please see page 28 of this magazine. All Old Rossallians and their guests are welcome to join us.

North of England: Rossallian Gathering at The Buck Inn, July 14th 2019 By Jim Cowpe (DC 49-56)

What kind of fool would organise an afternoon tea on the day of the World Cup Cricket Final, the best ever Men’s Tennis Final at Wimbledon, The British Grand Prix at Silverstone and for some the last night of The Lytham Proms? However, as things turned out, the event proved a great success and persuaded me to organise something similar next year.

The weather was perfect and the gathering was, as was hoped, as informal as possible. Everyone was able to move around the pub and garden freely. We all had a chance to speak to each other and there were two surprising coincidental introductions which had nothing to do with Rossall.

The tea itself was entirely French and proved very popular. Our thanks go out to Vicki (nee Cowpe) and her staff for their input. We look forward to next year’s event which we hope will be earlier in the year. P.S. The guests were able to sneak out from time to time to watch the incredible scenes on TV because Vicki had laid on two TVs in separate rooms!

The following persons attended: Graeme Marrs, Alf & Sandie Tansey, Jim & Moira Cowpe, Vicki Cowpe, Gillian Austin-King with her mother and daughter, Edna Fayle, Sally Ellis, Nanette Trueman, Margaret Parr, Nimble Thompson, Mike & Liz Hartford-Cross, Geoff Allan, Mark Patterson, Chris Soulsby, Barclay Simpson, Geoffrey Simpson and partner Sandra.

I am deeply grateful to the twenty four people who were unable to attend but nevertheless sent their apologies.