The annual Summer Event, this year a barbecue, took place on Saturday 17th June from 6:30 pm for 7 pm in the Rose Garden, King Charles I School, hosted by President Tony Bishop.
Cool night in the Rose Garden
No co-operation from the weather for President Tony Bishop's summer event in the School's Rose Garden on Midsummer Day. It did not rain, but the temperature was decidedly autumnal by the end of the evening.
BBC Midlands Today weather presenter Shefali Oza had forecast the chill and she was right. But she brightened the evening by spending nearly three hours chatting to guests before making the raffle draw.
Shefali works with Old Carolian Naomi Bishop, the programme's assistant editor. Her enjoyment was evident as she left with a bouquet of flowers and a large box of chocolates; a well-wisher (was it the School caretaker?) dashed up and presented her with a rose.
Another plus for the evening, attended by more than sixty Carolians and partners, was the music. After the scheduled entertainment dropped out at the last minute, the President prevailed on his neighbour Will Burnell to come out of retirement.
Older Carolians will remember the Carlton Orchestra at the old Black Horse Hotel. Will and George Cox founded the band in 1949 and built up a reputation. Will showed that he had lost none of his skill at the electronic keyboard, and by the end of the evening was turning down potential bookings.
With Ken Garbett providing a cheap and cheerful bar and Bewdley Butchers supplying the pig roast (albeit without plates, knives and forks), it was a pleasant evening enjoyed by Carolians ranging from 84-year old Reg Mills to others in their thirties.