THE OLD
Wellingburian NEWSLETTER
November 2022 | The Old Wellingburian Club | Est. 1897
The President writes: It might seem eccentric or even perverse for an OW Club President to start his message with a fulsome hymn of thanks to his predecessor. However, our immediate past President, Julian Amey, is the only peacetime OW President to have served a consecutive two-year term of office. Julian took over as President in November 2019 and four months later the country was under lockdown and restrictions which continued on and off until the end of last year. The Club was unable to meet in person, social and sporting events were cancelled, and as best it could, the Club moved online. Julian has steered the Club through the unprecedented years of the pandemic with tenacity, determination and not a little panache. We are truly grateful to him for his leadership and for the skilful way he has supported the Club in its transition to meeting once again face-to-face. It was entirely appropriate, therefore, that this year’s OW London Dinner in March, was exceptionally a joint event, with Julian and me co-hosting some over 100 guests at the House of Lords. The Rt. Hon. Michael Ellis QC MP (81-86, Pl), who was at the time Minister for the Cabinet Office and Her Majesty’s Paymaster General, was our guest speaker, delivering a speech to the Club with his inimitable charm and style. Michael has now been appointed His Majesty’s Attorney General for which many congratulations.
It was delightful to be able to gather at the School for the OW Summer Luncheon and splendid to meet and hear from one of the Club’s oldest members, David Widdows (44-48, G), who gave an amusing impromptu speech about his wartime experiences at the School, and the less than tempting meals served to boys – fish head pie anyone? The Club continues to support the School with employability and careers advice. I delivered a lunchtime workshop to sixth formers (Years 12 and 13) on routes into the legal profession and was hugely impressed with the students – a very smart, focussed and engaged group of young people. Please do contact the School’s Head of Careers, Alexandra Arber, via Debbie Whittemore if you are able to support this excellent employability initiative by sharing your expertise and knowledge. The Club’s sporting activities – including the Golfing Society, the OW Rifle Club, Cricket, Football, and Hockey Club – are very active and it has been heartening to see them bounce back to full strength after the pandemic. As I hand over the Presidency to Jon Morris-Smith (76-86, Pa) I offer my thanks to OWs, the Club Committee, the Headmaster and School staff, Neil Lyon and Debbie Whittemore, for your support, friendship and generosity. It has been a genuine pleasure over my year as President to meet so many OWs across the generations and listening to and sharing stories, I am struck that, for most of us at least, we remember our time at the School with genuine gratitude for the way it has enriched our lives and empowered us to become who we want to be. Peter Crisp (73-83, Pl)
01933 233441 | www.wellingboroughschool.org | dw@wellingboroughschool.org
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