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THERE will be something unusual about the next time the club holds its big three annual events 

Instead of being spread across the year as usual, they are all being squeezed together. 

Traditionally club gatherings are months apart, as if members need half a year to recover from each gregarious get-together. Traditionally there is one big event in spring, then nothing till November. 

It’s not like that this year. All three 2023 gatherings will take place in the autumn, and in quick succession yum amen cheers – lunch, church service and drinks party! 

How did the feast in Sidmouth, the remembrance service in Honiton and the AGM/drinks party in London get snuggled up close? 

It looks as though the committee was keen to get the London drinks party off the meteorologically mischievous Thames, where it has been for two years, and back indoors at the elegant RAC in London’s clubland. Organisers managed to secure an RAC booking in autumn. 

Is the resulting OH season a good thing? Will this latest calendar change provide too much to enjoy all in one go? 

Club hon sec David Woollatt acknowledges the risk. “I can see how having a lot of events in quick succession can be overwhelming for some OHs, particularly those with busy schedules,” David told me. 

Moving events backwards and forwards may look like an attempt to confuse members but personally I’m all for it. Keeping events at the same old time and place could be seen as too routine. 

The biggest bonus of an OH season for absent-minded old boys like me is that it’s easier to remember when everything’s happening 

And David Woollatt points out that the OH season will not leave the rest of the year bereft of OH activity: “We also have several ‘pop-up’ events, coffees, and lunches throughout the year,” he said. “Keep an eye on the internet for those.” 

Is the OH season permanent? Probably not, according to club treasurer David Richardson, “It looks as if we will have to go back to having the West Country lunch in May,” he forecast cautiously. 

Whether you put the three major 2023 events in your diary or just in your head, you will need the dates: 

Lunch Saturday 16th September 

Remembrance service Saturday 28th October 

AGM and cocktail party Thursday 16th November 

The website will tell you more, on its Events page. 

 

l Next website offering by monthly contributor George Hayter OH: 1st June 

Important Announcement

There will be Two Events on the Rousdon Estate this summer ………

Dates now confirmed …………..

Event One - Saturday 1st July

Event Two - Saturday 2nd September

Arrival 3pm and finishing around 7.30pm.

From OH Martin Boulden:

I am rather proud and excited to tell you that after 25 years, I have managed to agree “Two” Official Gatherings on the Rouson Estate this summer, thanks to the amazing Judith and Warwick, who own part of the main building, Otter Lake and the land which Venning House stood on!

The maximum number is 25 OHs, and will include a selection of premium drinks provided by Julian Packer (Fellow OH and owner of two local Wine Shops), food by an “Artisan” catering company and live music within the grounds, at the rear of the main house.

This will also include some of the residents, who I must say have been very enthusiastic in allowing this and are a fantastic bunch of characters.

The dress code will be casual, however, I must urge, we have to respect this wonderful opportunity, to ensure we can continue building bridges and put on future events.

There will be a Ticket price for these events, to cover the cost and to give a sum to the Rousdon Estate for the upkeep of the estate, along with a donation to the Air Ambulance.

The Ticket price will be £75, this may seem high, but I promise a fabulous event meeting some wonderful people in the grounds of our old school with the backdrop of the main school building and the view of the cliffs and the sea.

Please confirm your place and advise which date you require by sending me an email to martinboulden@icloud.com or texting me on 07850 800959.

Our busy committee is about to launch its latest scheme to keep you up-to-date and interested in what the club is doing.

News and views of interest to former Allhallows pupils is to be posted on the OH website more often, to encourage members to check out the site whenever they have a spare moment.
This latest boost to communication follows two other recent media initiatives by the club – a video channel on YouTube and a newsletter with video emailed to members earlier this month.
The committee is confident they now have someone to pen regular website bulletins that you will want to read. For at least the next 12 months – barring disaster – one will be posted on the site’s news pages in time for the start of each month.

The OH agreeing to contribute to the website articles admits that he or she has no idea what to write about. Find out what they come up with at the last minute. The first in the monthly series is due online by the deadline of 11.59pm on the last day of April.

Our latest OH e-newsletter is out. 

You can view it online here.