WE SALUTE RONDEBOSCH BOYS HIGH SCHOOL ON THEIR 125th ANNIVERSARY (AND SING TO THEM)

Two perfect storms collided on Saturday 13th August, one providing an opportunity, the other a challenge.

The opportunity was the convergence of the 125th Anniversary of RBHS, the brief stopover in London of Simply Blue, the Bishops a cappella group (who turn 21 this year) on their way home from a highly successful outing at the Edinburgh Festival and the presence of Tony Reeler, Principal of Bishops and himself a Rondebosch Old Boy.

The second, the challenge, was the trifecta of a 33C sweltering summer's day, one of a number of endless rail strikes and the Springboks playing (and losing) against the All Blacks just before our function.

But bringing those "storms" together resulted in a wonderful reception hosted by our Branch to honour RBHS's quasquicentennial.

Over 65 old boys from Bishops and RBHS together with wives and partners got together on the splendid deck of the offices of Michael Coombs (UK chairman of the RBHS alumni association). There we enjoyed drinks, canapés and bowl food and to round the evening off, a superlative performance by Simply Blue who were engaging, charming and tuneful. Thanks and credit must go to their coaches, Marion Gardner (who founded Simply Blue) and Stephen Carletti, both longstanding and distinguished members of the Bishops teaching staff.

After welcomes from Michael Coombs and Nicky Bicket (the ODU Secretary in the UK) Tony Reeler congratulated RBHS on their milestone. He also dwelt on the fact that Bishops and RBHS, the greatest of friends and the greatest of rivals, shared the same values of decency, kindness and good citizenship. He did not mention that this term will be the 200th rugby match between the two schools, because if you live the values of decency, kindness and good citizenship, any mention of the rugby would have been somewhat hypocritical.

The photos below I hope capture the joyful atmosphere and camaraderie of the wonderful evening. Old friendships were renewed and new ones made. Isn't that the point? 

(Missing names will be added when I get them; my apologies in the meantime).

Click on the photos to enlarge and download

Michael and Claudia Coombs

Richard Hainebach (RBHS, 1967) and David Craig (RBHS, 1998)

David Jordan (W, 1962) and Gwen and Nick Druiff (Nick is a RBHS old boy although his father and grandfather were at Bishops)

Claudia Coombs and Anthony Record MBE (S, 1956)

Caroline Wicht and Niall Brown (G, 1973)

Craig Vintcent (S, 1986), Michael Coombs (RBHS, 1966) and Ulrich Poole (RBHS, 1971)

Nicky Bicket (F, 1973) right, explaining to a slightly skeptical Marion Gardner and Stephen Carletti that he was once a treble

Victoria Lequime, John Airey ((RBHS, 1983) and Georges Lequime (RBHS, 1983)

John Parker-Wood (G, 1960), Gerda and Richard Kohn (RBHS, 1960)

Mike Russell (RBHS, 1968), Tony Reeler and Matthew Russell (RBHS (

Anthony Record (S, 1956) chatting to Tony Reeler (back to camera)

Michael and Claudia Coombs, Rose and Tony Reeler

Geoff Rowland, Greg Baldwin (O, 1975) and John Parker-Wood (G, 1960)

Singing as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouths

The view from the deck, St Paul's in the distance

Michael Coombs welcoming the guests

Stephen Carletti and Marion Grdner

Rufus Florin (G, 2019) centre with his parents, Kerry and Guy

Tony Reeler

Craig Vintcent (S, 1986) with Gwen and Nick Druiff

Andrea Grinstead, David Wicht (RBHS), Tom Boehmke, Niall Brown (G, 1973) Verne Grinstead and Caroline Wicht

Niall Carroll (O, 1981), Gwen Druiff and Stephen Carletti

Craig Vintcent (S, 1986) and Martin Kotze (RBHS, 1989)