OLD Eastbournian Social gatherings The centenary of the OBE A number of Old Eastbournians and former members of College staff were among the guests at a special service of dedication and thanks for the Order of the British Empire on 24 May 2017, just ahead of its centenary. The service, held at St Paul’s Cathedral, was attended by HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Guests included around 2,000 holders of the Order of the British Empire’s awards, from Knights and Dames to those who have received a CBE, OBE or MBE. Pictured here after the service are, back row: Dr John Toby CBE (School 1954–58), Forbes Wastie MBE (Teaching staff 1961–98), Michael Fish MBE (Reeves 1958–62), John McCutchan MBE (Reeves 1950–52); front row: Gen Sir Kevin O’Donoghue KCB CBE (Powell 1961–66), David Winn OBE (School 1954–59), Sally Le Brocq OBE (College staff 1962–88) and Adm Sir Ian Forbes KCB CBE (Powell 1960–65). Three OEs on tour with Lloyd’s CC Three Old Eastbournians were part of the Lloyd’s Cricket Club side which visited South Africa in early 2017. Angus Stewart (Craig 2003–08), Fred Florry (Gonville 2004–06) and Jack Skinner (Wargrave 2008–13) were all in the squad which toured the country from 8 to 19 February. The club, which represents the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, won four of the six games they played in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Colin Brezicki and the 1983 English class Former College teacher Colin Brezicki had a reunion with his 1983 A-level English class in June 2017. He writes that it was ‘a fabulous day organised by Michael Oliver and others. We attended a matinee performance of Silas Carson in Occupational Hazards and then had a lovely dinner together. I stayed with Michael and Fi, both OEs, and also Gail Hall (Partridge) in Kent. Such a wonderful gathering.’ Pictured here at the Hampstead Theatre are, left to right: Leonie Tame (Nugent 1981–83), Sally-Anne Sansford (née Emary) (Nugent 1981–83), Henry Edwardes-Evans (Blackwater 1978–83), Joelle Alfillé-Cook (Nugent 1981–83), Hugo Henderson (School 1978–83), Mike Oliver (School 1978–83), Sam Kiley (Craig 1978–83), Fiona Oliver (née Smith) (Nugent 1982–84), Dave Alexander (School 1978–83), Nikki McGrath (née Hounsell) (Nugent 1981–83), Katy Boyd (Nugent 1981–83), Tim Barraclough (School 1978–83), Silas Carson (Craig 1978–83), Giles Tomsett (Powell 1978–83) and Colin Brezicki. 48 Edwards-Francis wedding Andy Edwards (Reeves 2000–04) married Charlotte Francis (Blackwater 1999–2004) at Firle Place on Saturday 8 July 2017. Charlotte is the daughter of two OEs: Mark Francis (Powell 1973–78) and Sue Francis (née Mills) (Nugent 1976–78). Over 50 OEs were at the wedding, some of whom are pictured here. At the back: Jamie Francis, Stephen Edwards (Reeves 2001–06) on shoulders, James Grant, Piers Manktelow (Pennell 1999–2004) on shoulders; standing: Charles Foster (Craig 1999–2004), Georgina Lucy (Nugent 2002–04), Andy Edwards, Charlotte Edwards, Madelaine Guppy, Linsdsey McConaghy, Will Francis (Reeves 2005–10), Jenny Swainson (Blackwater 1999–2004), James Hamblyn (Reeves 1999–2004), Robbie Wotherspoon, Joel Burgess (Wargrave 1999–2004) on shoulders, Harry Foster (Craig 1999–2004); seated: Will Ripley (Gonville 1999–2004) and Pete Morgan (Craig 1999–2004). Partridge-Larke wedding James Partridge (Powell 1999–2004) and Kate Larke were married at Forty Our Lady of Ransom Church in Eastbourne on years 16 August 2017, followed on by a wedding breakfast at the Ashdown Park Hotel, Wych Cross, near Jeremy & Mark Forest Row. The photo shows (all Powell House unless otherwise stated), back row: Alex Partridge (2001–06), Jessica Partridge (Blackwater 2009–13), Eraaj Selvadurai (1999–2004), Dr Luke Hanna (1999–2004), Addison Baigent (2002–04), Alex Osborne (2002–2004); front row: Michael Partridge Kate & Rick (Blackwater 1946–51), James and Kate, Tim Partridge (1977–82). Mark & Jo Jennie Lathbury (Nugent 1975–77) Rick & Jennie got together with friends from the class of 1977 in August 2017: Jeremy Burton (Gonville 1972–77), Rick Irons (Gonville 1972–77), Jo Bright (Nugent 1975–77), Kate Pierrepont (Nugent 1975–77) and Mark Stapleton (Gonville 1972–77). They met at a friend’s Brown-Warren wedding restaurant called Emile’s in London. Jennie says: ‘We hadn’t seen Mark for many years Toby Brown (Reeves 1996–2001) married Faye Warren at Notley Abbey, and had lots of news to catch up on. Mark Buckinghamshire on 21 August 2017. Guests included many OEs, some of whom served and I reminisced about our time as captains as ushers and are pictured here: David Morehen (Reeves 1996–2001), Andrew Rowe of swimming in 1977 as we were the first (Reeves 1996–2001), Freddie Brown, Faye and Toby, his brother Sebastian Brown (not pupils to dive into the then new pool!’ an OE), Jeremy Mercer (Wargrave 1996–2001) and Tom Breeze (Reeves 1996–2001). 49 OLD Eastbournian Memories of the early 70s Alison Gourlay (Nugent 1970–72) sent us this photo of herself, Mike Davey (School 1967–72) and her sister Ann Moldan (Nugent 1970–72) in London in August 2017, when Ann was visiting from her home in Cape Town. She and Ann were among the first girls to join the College in the sixth form. She says: ‘Ann and I had both been at Moira House since the age of 11 and despite the fact that the two schools combined hockey tours, plays etc it was still slightly Harding-Warren wedding daunting to arrive for lessons in a school of 500 boys. However, we Jessica Warren (Blackwater 2003–08) and Piers Harding (Pennell soon acclimatised and had the best two years. We had such a fun 2002–07) were married at La Iglesia de Sotogrande in Spain on evening reminiscing about our very happy days at the College – 16 September 2017, and many OEs were among the guests. there was lots of chat and giggles, particularly about our wonderful Pictured are Hatty Sibree (Blackwater 2001–06), James Sibree English classes with Simon Funnell who had endless patience. (Pennell 2001–06), Piers and Jessica, Jack Marriott-Smalley Happily we did all pass our A-level!’ (Pennell 2002–07) and Eliza Marriott-Smalley. Then: Alistair Blackburn (Blackwater 1984–89), Shela Davis (née Nightingale) (Nugent 1987–89), Tim Duffill (Reeves 1984–89), Angela Harris (née Carden) (Nugent 1987–89), Miles Kirby (Blackwater 1984–89), Jessica Munro (née Meyers) (Nugent 1987–89), Guy Thwaites (Blackwater 1984–89), Julian Tebbutt (Pennell 1984–89) Then and now In September 2017 Miles Kirby hosted a reunion of friends from the leavers of 1989 and sent us these ‘then and Now: Guy Thwaites, now’ pictures. He says that Tim Duffill, Claire with spouses and children Parris (née Ardouin) there were 35 in total, and (Nugent 1987–89), comments: ‘A great time was Jessica Munro, Liz had by all late into the night Taylor (née Davidge) and we remembered and raised (Nugent 1987–89), a glass to our friend Alistair Julian Tebbutt, Blackburn who sadly passed Rachael Macpherson away this year. We all plan to (nee Mackay) (Nugent have another reunion before 1987–89), Miles Kirby another 28 years passes.’ 50 Golf in Dubai Ian Fletcher-Price (Blackwater 1976–80), Ed Atkinson (Pennell 1979–84), Stephen Yorke (Blackwater 1977–81) and Philip Hanbury (Blackwater 1977–82) got together in Dubai for their annual golf match in November 2017. Stags at The Stag Maurice Trapp (Gonville 1962–67) and his wife Gail dropped in to see John Ashcroft (Reeves 1960–65) and his daughter Kate in Godalming on their way to Eastbourne in November 2017. Fittingly for two former captains of the 1st XV they posed outside The Stag pub and had a chance to reminisce not only about rugby but also 1976 leavers about their time in the 1st IV rowing squad at the College. Three leavers from 1976 had a meal at Maze restaurant in Grosvenor Square, London, on 18 November 2017, accompanied by friends and family. Chris Zanetti (Pennell 1971–76), third from left; Suzy Parsons (Nugent 1974–76), fourth from left; and Ben Djazaeri (Pennell 1971–76), right, reflected on what Chris describes as ‘the great memories from our time at Eastbourne’. The Friends of Blackwater Every year the Friends of Blackwater arrange to meet in London for a Christmas lunch and a drink or two. This year’s get-together was held on Thursday 7 December 2017 at the Thomas Cubitt gastropub near Victoria. The Blackwater boys pictured here are, Christmas drinks back row left to right: Guy Farrant (1975–78), Philip Hanbury Jonny Breeze (Reeves 1993–98) sent us this photo of a Christmas get- (1977–82), Stephen Yorke (1977–81), Forbes Wastie, former together on 13 December 2017 in London. Pictured are Anthony Ross housemaster, Ian Fletcher-Price (1976–80), Simon Yorke (1979– (Wargrave 1993–98), Jonny, Tom Cripps (Wargrave 1996–98), Mark 84); and at the front are: Craig Tame (1979–84) and Martin Hole Lock (Wargrave 1993–98), Alec Waterlow (Gonville 1993–98) and Basil (1976–81). El-Titi (Gonville 1993–98). 51 OLD Eastbournian The Class of 1979 reunion lunch Eastbourne College leavers from 1979 got together for a reunion lunch on Wednesday 22 November 2017. Organised by Rob McNeilly (School 1974–79), Paul Mansell (School 1974–79) and Richard Vidal (Gonville 1974–79), the lunch was held once again at The Surprise gastropub in Chelsea. It attracted a good number of Old Eastbournians and has now become established as a popular annual event. I attended the insurance networking event back in Syndicates as an underwriting assistant.