The 115th Annual Dinner took place on Saturday 22nd November from 6:30 pm for 7:30 pm until 11:30 pm in the Oldfield Hall, King Charles I School, hosted by President David Simons.
Grub in a Cold Climate
About eighty members and invited guests attended the event. Problem – NO HEATING! Rescue the perishing cold! Grace was announced by past President Arthur Miller, and then members sat down to an excellent meal served in a friendly and professional manner by the staff of Plyvine. The mushroom soup starter was absolutely delicious, the mains and puddings were excellent, and the cheeseboard, as ever, was all that could be expected!
After the President had proposed the Toast to The King and the Silent Toast in memory of Old Carolians who had passed away in the last year, the Toast to the Old Carolians Association was proposed by Claire Watson, Deputy Headteacher, standing in for Ruth Allen. To aid her in this, two members of the School's Sixth Form Committee described their current studies, their hope to attend university and their intended careers. All attending were highly impressed by the confident and professional manner in which the young ladies' presentation was made.
In his response, the President, having thanked Claire for the proposal of the toast, and as is quite usual with former pupils of a certain vintage, described a specific experience he had with George Oxendale! It seems as though David had a part-time job working at a garage in the Horsefair, Kidderminster, and this was on the route that George would take on his way home to Cookley. Having filled up George's car with (I hope) petrol, George would take great delight in asking David to... check the water; check the oil; oh, and, while you're at it, check the tyre pressure; wipe the windows, etc. (I don't know how David had upset George at school. Perhaps this, the pressure, was something to do with Boyle's Law or Charles' Law?)
On this occasion, there arrived in the garage one John Calder, the infamous proprietor of Calder Bros, Scrap Dealers of Clensmore. JC arrived in his Mercedes and waited to be served. He then shouted out: 'Wotcha, kid! You gonna come and serve me or have I gotta fill it up me-self?' At this, George interrupted the tyre check and said: 'That will do; you'd better go and attend to Mr Calder!' and quickly drove off! (I trust that he paid first!) I don't think that the Ox fancied tangling with Johnnie Calder! JC then said: 'Great. I could see you were getting a bit fed up with that bloke, son!' Happy days!
After the National Anthem and 'Auld Lang Syne' had been sung, guests shivered and chatted or, as in your correspondent's and others' cases, made their way to warmer climes!
Whatever the issues with the heating, meeting with friends always makes this a special occasion and one to be savoured. Very well done, David, for chairing the evening so ably!
Richard Woolley, 'Frozen' Correspondent