The weather was perfect, the beautiful venue was set, and at 11:30, OHs started to gather, journeying from local towns and villages, across the region, the country, and even internationally. All with one thing in common: to meet old friends, make new ones, and share stories from their time at Allhallows.

It is no overstatement to say this West Country Lunch was a truly special occasion; not only was it a place of heartfelt conviviality, warm greetings, and friendship, but it was also where many had the joy of seeing friends they had not met for over 50 years.

The tables were set, and lunch began, providing the perfect backdrop to continuing conversations, laughter, and shared histories. Duncan and the whole team at the Victoria had done it again: fabulous organisation and, of course, first-rate food.

Then we were treated to a fabulous talk by Peter Scott, who had travelled from France to attend. There were plenty of laughs and stories that all OHs, no matter their era at the school, could relate to. Thank you ever so much, Peter, for this wonderful romp down memory lane, a lane with the obligatory Rousdon mist enveloping it.

After this, Jeremy Harding treated us to a short talk on the significance of the Harding Cup, a fabulous trophy in more ways than one. Donated to the school in the 1940s by Ralph Harding, who sadly passed away recently at the age of 99, the trophy was bought back by Ralph when the school closed. Jeremy, with the support of the club, is now hoping to have all the missing names engraved onto it. It is a fabulous testament not only to his family’s connection with the school but also a historical document of Allhallows pupils’ sporting ability.

We would like to thank every single OH who attended this remarkable event. As one OH said, “It was a most enjoyable occasion, and it was lovely to catch up with so many old friends.”

With 61 attendees, this was one of the largest gatherings of OHs in recent times. A very special thank you to our Social Secretary, Victoria Berry, for all the organisation that went into the event, supporting Duncan and his team at the Victoria and helping to make the day such a special occasion. We also want to thank Peter Scott once more for his fabulous talk and Roddy Wakefore for gathering together many OHs from his era. It was so lovely to see you all.

As with last year, there was very much an after-show party, with OHs from all decades heading out for drinks on the terrace in the late afternoon sunshine, before heading into town for more conversation, food, and laughter.

The OHs who attended this year were:

Victoria Berry
Lucy Forte
David Woollatt
Sebastian Warner
Tim Huxtable
Tim Piper
Charles Mortimer
Paul Piper
Michael Green
Dudley Hopkins
Clare Hopkins
Peter Force
Martyn Langford
Anne Langford
Anthony Vosper
Tom Hembrow
Mike Shaw
Alec Crawford
Nick Kettlewell
Andy Moore
David Richardson
Hugh Courage
George Hayter
Jan Hayter
Robin Sermon
John Campbell Clause
Paul Coombes
Paul Hellier
Pauline Davies
Simon Harris
Kerrie Harris
Guy Potter
Nigel Clist
Angie Anderson
Richard Anderson
Jeremy Best
David Viccars
Justin James
Justin Tunstall
Roddy Wakeford
Peter Scott
Piers Markham
Jeremy Linn
Richard Hocking
David Classey
Ahmed Ghazzal
Max Bennett
Dawn Bennett
Rory Macdiarmid
James Turner
Pippa Willcox
Nick Willcox
Myf Adams
Paul Seward
Heather Sturdy
Andrew Barlow
Jenny Bryan
Tessa Evelagh
David Danskin
Andrew Hughes
Jeremy Harding
Sarah Burt
Zalie Dalton
Nicky Humphries
Geoff Humphries