Tuesday 24 April 2012
OH Annual London Dinner
Alternative Riverside venue proves to be a successAs a change from The East India Club, organiser Claire Morgan-Jones booked a table at a riverside restaurant called NORTHBANK. As the name suggests, the restaurant is ideally situated by the side of the Thames, just beneath and downriver from the Millennium Bridge with commanding views across to TATE Modern and The Globe Theatre.There were a total of 14 diners made up of 10 OHs, 2 wives, HCJS Head Tim Wheeler and Claire Morgan-Jones. Dining from the A La Carte menu provided a choice of four starters, followed by a selection of main course dishes, one of which consisted of Hereford Beef & Onion Casserole with Spring Leeks and Cornish New Potatoes.The evening started with Champagne at the bar before we all sat down to enjoy our meal at a carefully laid out table. Each place-setting contained a number of School DVD’s plus a copy of the Spring edition of ‘Blue & Gold’. This magazine is a quarterly journal that Head Paul Smith had reintroduced into the school in 2011, consisting of news about the various activities on campus. Towards the end of the evening Tim Wheeler, HCJS Headmaster took the opportunity to say a few words to all the guests present.An impromptu After Dinner Speaker?There were no toasts at this event but the ever present Michael Moreton (80) an indomitable, stalwart supporter of these London reunions, rose to start telling one of his well-worn jokes amongst the din and laughter.Present at the event were:Peter Carter School 1945 – 1949 KentPeter Fairman-Bourn Deanery 1952 – 1959 SurreyRevd Dr Julie Gittoes Langford 1987 – 1997 SurreyRichard Hartley Deanery 1958 – 1965 DorsetIan Harwood School 1953 – 1960 SurreyJohn James Deanery 1951 – 1954 MiddlesexNoel Lester Deanery 1981 – 1987 BedfordshireMichael Moreton West 1942 – 1949 SurreyDavid Prosser Deanery 1946 – 1952 Milton KeynesDavid Rattue West 1942 – 1947 BerkshireNon OH present,Yvonne Carter Wife of Peter Claire Morgan-Jones School Development DirectorMrs T Lester Wife of NoelTimothy Wheeler HCJS HeadmasterMuch Missed wereRichard Buckeridge West (later Stuart) 1964 – 1971 BerkshireGary Withers Langford 1973 – 1981 Kent