OLD DERBEIAN SOCIETY

Review of Past Events 2011

13th November 2011 - Remembrance Service

On an overcast, dry and mild morning more than thirty Old Derbeians and friends gathered around the Cenotaph, the Derby School War Memorial, at St Helen's House for a two minute silence to mark Remembrance Sunday and for the laying of wreaths, by Hedley Alcock OBE, OD President, on behalf of the Society and by Richard Paine, Headmaster, and Honorary OD, on behalf of the staff and pupils of Derby Grammar School. There followed the reading of the names of the fallen and a short service of remembrance conducted by Prebendary Derek Tinsley OD (1946-53).

After the service the party adjourned to the nearby Flowerpot Inn for refreshments and reminiscences.

12th November 2011 - Derby Dinner

The Annual Derby Dinner was held this year at The Mackworth Hotel, Ashbourne Road and was attended by some eighty Old Derbeians and guests.

A full report of the evening, a list of Society members attending and a number of photographs from the event will be placed on the website in due course.

8th October 2011 - Scotland and North of England Dinner, Edinburgh

Edinburgh is in disarray over the chaos around their new tram system but only calm and serenity prevailed at the Royal Scots Club on this Saturday evening. As usual Adrian Hayes' arrangements were flawless and a superb evening ensued around a splendid meal and ample libation. Although numbers were somewhat down this year it did not detract one iota from the enjoyment and lively conversation. There was one notable absentee, John Booth, who, after many years of faithful support was unable to travel due to his health problems and his presence was missed. All extended their sympathy and wished him a speedy recovery. Absent friends and the Old Derbeian Society were toasted.

Thanks were expressed to Adrian and the club staff for their wonderful hospitality and although numbers were low Adrian that he is quite happy to continue to host the Annual dinner. It is hoped that the Old Derbeian Society Centenary Year will see many more enjoying this great occasion.

Those attending were: - Adrian Hayes, David Slater, Brian Ward, Julian Ward, Martin and Diana Tunaley, Stan and Joyce Smith.

Report by Stan Smith (1942-48)

14th May 2011 - Report from the London Dinner

Regular diners at the Society's London Dinner held in the dining rooms of the Royal Overseas League on Saturday 14th May were delighted to be joined for pre-dinner drinks by three DGS Old Derbeians who now live and work in the London area. It is hoped that this brief encounter will encourage the 'new generation' of Old Derbeians to pick up the torch in due course and take over the London Dinner which has been held, in almost the same format, since 1954 following an initiative at the Quatercentenary Celebrations of Derby School in that year.

Peter Smith (1958-66), for many years the organiser of the London Dinner reports: -

     "This year was a fairly typical evening although attendance was disappointing for the 'last hurrah' event of the series. In all 12 ODs attended (see list below) and those from London & the South were grateful to the 4 attendees from Derby. A fine evening was enjoyed and the ROSL provided a grand meal and an excellent ambience. A circular table did bring home the impact of declining numbers but aided the circulation of spirited conversation and fond reminiscences.

Toasts were made to the Society, the School, and to 'absent friends' and the party dispersed to their several destinations in good heart."

John Bower (1938-43)	Norman Chapple (1942-48)
Bill Ellis (1933-44)	Barry Newcombe (1960-66)
Roy Taylor (1939-46)	Russell Thomas (1945-53)
Peter Smedley (1947-54)	Peter Smith (1958-66)
John Sturgeon (1955-63)	David Walker (1956-63)
Godfrey Webster (1947-54)	David White (1947-52)

18 June 2011 - Annual Cricket Match and President's Reception

The 2011 fixture in the renewed series of cricket matches between Derby Grammar School 1st XI and an Old Derbeians XI was played, with 25 overs per side, at the School Sports Grounds, Mickleover on Saturday 18th June. The result, after a closely fought encounter, was a win for the Old Derbeians.

Scores

Old Derbeians XI	Derby Grammar School 1st XI
110 all out in the 25th over	98 all out in the 25th over

After the match, during the President's Reception in the School Assembly Hall, the Alan Sanders Memorial Trophy was presented to the winning Captain by Hedley Alcock, OBE. The photograph above shows some of the guests at the President's Reception.

A fuller report will be posted on the website in due course.

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26th June 2011 - Amber Valley Reunion

The above photograph shows Society President, Hedley Alcock OBE, (1937-44), addressing the assembled company of Old Derbeians, friends and relatives and re-living some of the incidents which occurred during his years at School in Amber Valley Camp.

This photograph (right) is of the number two table block which was used at Amber Valley Camp from 1940-45. Table blocks were markers so that pupils would know which table they were to sit at for their breakfast, dinner and evening meals during their time at Derby School during the Second World War.

How many fond memories does this piece of memorabilia bring back? In June 1945 the block was purloined by Neville Copestake (1940-45) who has had it in his possession ever since for more than sixty-five years!

(Perhaps he should now take 200 lines!)

Neville has kindly now donated the table block to the Old Derbeian Society official archives.

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7th July 2011 - 1947ers Reunion - Georgian House Hotel, Derby

This year, the fifth annual re-union of the 1947ers, who first met almost sixty-four years ago in the new second form of Derby School, took place on 7th July at its customary venue of the Georgian House Hotel in Friargate. The number was slightly down on last year because of pressing hospital appointments and other considerations of health but the ten shown in the photograph enjoyed a delightful few hours together.

As ever on these occasions there are the usual reminiscences (amazingly memories seem to improve as years pass - or perhaps age just nourishes the imagination?) and gentle banter based on our individual success in retarding the advances of time. This year a number of photographs from schooldays helped the conversation flow and also perhaps provided a brake on the more fanciful stories.

Again the enjoyment of the occasion was such that it was agreed that we would meet again in 2012. The good news is that some of those who missed this year's meeting have already indicated their intention to be present next year. There may also be 1947ers whom we have failed to contact and we would of course be delighted to see them. Arrangements for 2012 will in due course appear on the Old Derbeians' web site.

Those present and shown in the photograph (left to right) were: John Hyde, Brian Moult, John Wilkinson, Russ Jones, Eddie Hunt, Ray Frost, Peter Smedley, Viv Andrew, David (Pinky) White. Mike Bass was also present.

H.A.R. Jones (1947-55)