There are events… and then there are events to remember.

Last weekend’s Old Honitonians West Country Lunch, held at the beautiful Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth, certainly falls into the latter
category.

With nearly 60 Old Honitonians gathered for the occasion, the atmosphere was filled with warm reunions, shared stories, and plenty of laughter. As two OHs perfectly put it, “we thought it was the most enjoyable West Country lunch we’d been to.” Another attendee captured the spirit of the day by saying, “I caught up with two guys I hadn’t seen in over 50 years, and it was great!”

The lunch itself was delicious, with Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding a 'hit' as usual and a particularly popular pudding was the Sticky Ginger sponge. Compliments were shared across the room!

A huge thank you goes to Duncan and his exceptional team at the Victoria Hotel for their service and hospitality throughout.

Reflections and Remembrance

A true highlight of the afternoon was a rousing and heartfelt address from OH legend Nigel French, who spoke with his typical humour and conviction about the club and his time and antics whilst at Allhallows. His words also honoured the recent VE Day commemorations and paid moving tribute to the OHs who gave their lives for the freedoms
we hold so dearly today. It was a powerful reminder of the strength and values of our community.

Stories, Smiles & A Surprise Twist

The room echoed with the sound of shared anecdotes and easy laughter — a testament to the enduring bonds formed at school and beyond. It was also a moment to recognise those who make
events like this possible. Huge thanks to Nigel French for his inspiring speech, Victoria Berry, for
her organisation, without which the lunch would not have
happened and David Richardson, the Club’s Treasurer, for all of his help with both financial side of the lunch and of course, the Club as a whole!

And then came the twist…

What started as a lovely afternoon lunch carried on well into the night, with several OHs making the most of a stay in Sidmouth. The post-lunch gathering turned into an unofficial “after-show
party” that went on until midnight, just in time to celebrate Nik Milner’s birthday in true OH
style. A very Happy Birthday, Nik – we’re so glad we could raise a glass (or two!) with you.

Finally, there were a number who couldn’t make it on the day, due to illness and other commitments, may we take this opportunity to say we hope you feel better soon and we will see you at another event in the future; a full list of 2025 events here and save the date for the 2026 West Country Lunch- May 9th!

See this and all OH events HERE.

Remembering the Forres Five: A Lasting Tribute in Swanage

Allhallows School shared a long and close connection with Forres School in Swanage. Over many decades, a number of boys made the natural transition from Forres to Allhallows, and the two schools developed strong links through shared values, friendships, and family traditions. Among those who made that journey were some of the boys tragically involved in one of the darkest moments in Forres history.

In 1955, five Forres pupils lost their lives in a devastating incident on the beach at Swanage. What began as a carefree afternoon turned to tragedy when the boys unearthed what they believed to be buried treasure—only to discover it was, in fact, a Second World War land mine. Recent heavy rain and a small landslip had dislodged the mine from the cliffs above, setting the stage for disaster.

The explosion sent shockwaves through the Forres and Swanage communities and far beyond. Five families were left heartbroken, and a generation of school friends, teachers, and local residents were left reeling. The incident became one of national significance and was remembered for decades afterwards.

For many years, the boys were honoured quietly at the Forres School site with a commemorative plaque. But with the original school building no longer in use and its future uncertain, the need for a more permanent and public memorial became clear.

Old Forresian and President of the Old Honitonians Club, Seb Warner (Forres 1988–1993), (Venning 1993-1998) led a remarkable community campaign to create a new tribute. Through dedicated crowdfunding and careful planning, Seb delivered a stunning new memorial overlooking Swanage Bay, now placed alongside the town’s official war memorials.

The project was completed just days before the 70th anniversary of the tragedy. Its timing, location, and significance were deeply moving—not just for those connected to Forres, but for all who value the preservation of memory and the honouring of lives cut short.

Though Forres School is no longer open, its legacy lives on through the lives of its former pupils, many of whom went on to Allhallows and became part of the wider Old Honitonians family. The new memorial is a powerful reminder of the shared history between our schools and of the deep human stories behind them.

We extend our heartfelt thanks and admiration to Seb Warner and all those who supported the project. Swanage needed this.  A truly humbling and lasting tribute.

OH Club President Seb Warner said:

“It was incredibly moving to welcome over 50 Old Forresians, relatives, and friends to Swanage on the 10th of May for the memorial service and unveiling. To come together, almost 70 years on, and honour Robin Ardagh, Richard Birch, David North-Lewis, Jeremy Dennis, and Jason Oliver was truly special. The new memorial overlooking the bay is a lasting tribute to five boys whose lives were cut tragically short—and a reminder that they are never forgotten.”