Annual Dinner at the Grand Hotel

What a fabulous evening!

Our annual dinner this year, held at Eastbourne’s Grand Hotel, started with a welcome reception kindly sponsored by Rathfinny where we were serenaded by College musicians Caleb Pout (Pennell Upper Sixth) and music intern Arnaldo Cognoro who set the atmosphere for what was to come.

We were delighted to welcome four of our newly appointed school prefects who enjoyed chatting to OEs, OAs and parents, and hearing stories of days gone by.

After we’d all gathered, some guests meeting up for the first time in many years, we went through to the dining room where the College Jazz Band played some of the greats as we took our seats.

Over dinner and some fine wines, the sense of camaraderie was palpable as we had time to catch up with old friends and make some new ones, with Alexandra Vanotti (Watt 1994-1996), our special guest photographer, capturing it all on camera.

Then it was time to hear from our very honoured guest Brigadier Anthony Lamb who has just left the teaching staff after 28 years to take up a full-time role with the MOD.

Anthony, prompted in a duologue with Headmaster Tom Lawson, told anecdotes about his life before and during the College. His Aussie background and turn of phrase permeated his stories which were greeted with laughter from all. And the evening had only just started…

First on the dance floor was Linda Harris who inspired us all to get up and get down on it, leading the way for many others to join in to boogie the night away, which they certainly did. Until well past midnight. It was the first outing at a College event for our very own ES team members Fiona and Sorcha with their band The Criminal Records and surely not the last.

As guests chatted at the bar and the dancing continued, some couldn’t take the pace and retired. Many stayed until the lights came on again. One guest remarked: ‘It felt like being back in a fifth form disco all over again!’

The following day, a stunning Eastbourne morning, we welcomed two esteemed OEs back for a VIP tour of the school, Jonnie Barr (Wargrave 1963-68) and Jim Penrose (Pennell 1966-68) and their wives who took a trip down memory lane together.

Meanwhile the Archives Department received visitors, and the Arnold Embellishers held their AGM and committee meeting in the Long Room. No-one can accuse us of resting on our laurels. What a wonderfully vibrant and active multi-faceted community we are.

Our thanks as usual to Alex Vanotti for the photos. We are in the process of uploading some to the media gallery (which you can access if you have registered and logged in). Also, here is the direct link which will take you to Alex’s gallery where you can either download the whole gallery of photos or individual items.

Watch out for the date for next year’s Annual Dinner and get it in your diaries. We’d love to see you there.