The AGM was attended by 17 stalwarts back in February. Members stood in silence in memory of L F Blake, Geoff Parker and Ray Douglas. We were quorate and managed to persuade Len Dyer (1949) onto the Committee, a small price to pay for turning up! The Rule changes were approved and the current Officers re-appointed. So, no surprises there! The meeting also approved the election as Honorary Members of a further 5 members of staff at School who had managed to serve 20+ years. Messrs Dobson, Morrell, Pratt and Shaw and Mrs Sue Denham had all reached or exceeded this magic figure and we look forward to seeing them in the future. In February, your scribe and other Su's were privileged to attend the School Concert which this year extended over 2 evenings. The Concert Band and the Swing Band have improved considerably and there was an encouraging batch of soloists and Junior groups, but of special note I feel, were the Guitar and Jazz ensembles. A much wider range of styles than in my day, but I still think 'Basher' would have approved. (if grudgingly!)
At the end of the month the Membership list was rationalised to those who had paid their subs! (where necessary). I am happy to say that following the last newsletter the Treasurer was inundated with cheques so that the eventual loss was only around 20 and several new members have arrived since.
Talking of new members, late last year Dr Alan Taylor (1947) re-established contact after nearly 50 years. He joined the Association before leaving Bath in '47, but the newsletter continued to be sent to his old address. Unfortunately it was never forwarded! Happily we are now reunited. He lives in the USA and is about to move to Tucson, Arizona, but spends some time each year in Hampshire. More American ex-pats are also with us. 'Ron' Penwill (1964) resident in Colorado, found us last summer, as did Don Sly (1947) who is in California. Over in Australia the Antipodean Branch are advised that Peter Gilbert (1945) will be visiting his grandchildren again this autumn, and has promised to replace 'Buster' Hanna's (1942) corned beef which he finished on the last visit. Geoff Yates (1950) has found Peter Combes (1949) living almost next door (well what's 1000 miles down-under!) some 50 years after appearing in a school play together, having seen his name in the list of '49ers. After a few years with SWEB Geoff and his family emigrated to Australia. He tells me that working on electricity supply on the Sydney beaches is a little up on Midsomer Norton! He didn't get on with retirement so is now involved with power supplies to mobile telephone base stations. Lastly, back home, Dennis Blake (1932), who started at School in the Guildhall before moving up to 'Bush's Folly' as it was then known, says that he has finally put his suitcase away. After many years in the Diplomatic Service he has worked in 27 different countries and at 82, having just returned from another holiday in Thailand, has decided to slow down a bit and stick to Dorchester. (another thriving Sulian area!). Should any Old Sulian wish to get in touch with any of the above, or indeed find any other Sulian, please contact your scribe.
Which brings me on nicely to 'The Web Site'. For those of you on 'The Web' we are in the development phase of 'www.oldsulians.org.uk' The domain name has been registered and sponsored by Systemagic and the Treasurer is busy pasting together some information, photos and newsletters. We are proposing to link to the School site, to give the Rugby Club a space, and to have a contact board where names or messages can be left for world-wide view. These will be loaded by Rich following e-mail contact for the present. We will keep you informed of progress and any interest generated.
We have new printers and as a result can run to a double sided news more often. So overleaf you will find the full Diary for 2000, with all the details and contacts to hand. Also enclosed you should find a Newsletter from School. The Headmaster has kindly offered an occasional update on the happenings at Beechen Cliff which I know will be of particular interest to those of you away from Bath.
The School visit on the 14th July is the first major '75th' event. We will be attempting to publicise the day as widely as possible to all former pupils. The School will be 'open' to visitors from 10.30, based at the Sixth Form Centre which will be signposted. From there, small parties will be escorted by Sixth Formers on a tour of the School. We will display the collection of Sulian Memorabilia including old School photos and copies of 'The Sulian'. A buffet lunch will be available at £5.50 for those who book in advance. Please use the 'chitty' enclosed as soon as you like! This is your chance to see the School today and compare the reality with your memories. The labs may even still have the jars of pickled remains you remember so well. Having had 2 sons go through the School in recent years I know how it affects me so make the effort. A number of Old Boys' from 'away' have already indicated their attendance. Please spread the word and let people know.
In the evening, the Rugby Clubhouse at Lansdown will be open from about 7.30, as a meeting place for anyone who wants to carry on catching up with the past or to look at their team photo from way back! Comparisons of shorts length and physique are to be encouraged but you don't need to have played at all!
June 9th Association Golf Day at Sham Castle. Medal Round in the morning at 9.30 and Stableford in the afternoon at 2.00 pm. Light lunch and evening meal. In addition, in the morning there will be the second defence of the 'Old Tosser's Tankard', a 7 hole zimmer-frame special hosted by Mick Moore for those whose limbs object to a full 36 hole day. The President awaits your daytime call on 01225 833640 to book your refreshments.
July 5th Association Approach Golf Competition at Victoria Park. Peter Beach, having declared himself the Victor last year, now reaps the spoils, i.e. the organisation of this years event! No different to normal really! The Treasurer and I will again emerge from the twilight world of non-golfers for our yearly practice on the night. Every year we swear we will do it more often but…. 6.00 pm. onward at the first hole of the 18 Hole Course.
July 14th Visit to Beechen Cliff School. The details are overleaf but this is one of the major events of our 75th Year. Please send in the enclosed chitty as soon as you like.
July 14th (eve) The Rugby Clubhouse will be open for continued re-unions from about 7.30. For those that don't know it, you go up over Lansdown, past Beckford's Tower, and it's on the left about 200 yards along. If you reach the Park and Ride you've gone too far!
August 10th The President's Perambulatory Experience No 2. Meet Sue Trude outside the Information Bureau in Kingston Parade, (behind the Abbey), between 6.30 and 7.30 pm for a walking quiz-tour of Bath. It will again require you to pass by various (or even numerous) Hostelries but we hope that you can all be trusted to remain as abstemious as our respected President and his entourage. Honour is the only thing at stake, as long as the Old Edwardians' don't win we'll be all right! The rules were invented last year and it was a very successful evening. Teams of 2 to 4 or thereabouts. There will be ample time afterwards to take the waters! There is no boat trip this year so make this your summer night out! Please advise the President of your numbers so we can warn the finish line to order another barrel! (01225 833640)
October 27th Association Dinner at the Bath Waterside Hilton (the new name of the Stakis Hotel) Full details in September but note the date NOW! Remember 75 for the 75th is the aim. If we each find one extra we will be well up.
November 24th Ladies Night at the Bath Golf Club, Sham Castle. Again, full details of the evening and the band in September.
Finally, carried over from the front is news of the Rugby Club. As with most Clubs in this part of the world there is a dearth of players. Clubs are folding and amalgamating. Fortunately the Su's haven't reached that stage yet. Socially the Club is very active, but playingwise, let's say it's not been a vintage year. They have managed to field 2 XV's most weeks and finished away from the base of the league. Next year the league structure is being changed so where they will find themselves is unclear. The AGM is on June 23rd at Lansdown.