ODs out and about

These are a collection of photographs taken of ODs around the UK which don't appear on the other pages of this blog.

Click on a picture to enlarge

2016

At the Hollywood Arms in Chelsea: Chris Olds (O, 1999), Mike Olds (O, 1970), Nicky Bicket (F, 1973) and Nicholas Olds (O, 2009)

At the Ivy in Covent Garden: Caelim Parkes (O, 1990), Gordon Robinson (F, 1990), James Deane (B, 1990), Haydn Hammond (B, 1990), Craig Tedder (K, 1990) and Glen Jensen

From left: Chris Molteno (G, 2010), Nicky Bicket (F, 1973) Steve Larkin (F, 1990) and Michael Crosland (K, 2011) met for lunch in London. Chris and Michael (both engineers) are interning in Steve's company based in the UK, Africa New Energies 

ODs studying at Oxford. Taking a break from end-of-year exam prep, from left to right: Cosimo Paulucci K, 2010), Matthew Golesworthy (K, 2011), Chris Sharwood (S, 2011), Rowan Nicholls (O, 2010) and Mike Day (F, 2009)

ODs were invited to the annual Haileybury Music concert in London. Attending were, from left: Doug and Jane Everard (Old Haileyburians), Virgil Parenzee (O, 1996), Michael Starke (K, 1996) and Nicky Bicket (F, 1973)

The Old Haileyburians hold an annual get together for OHs in Dubai and for the past two years, have been kind enough to invite local ODs. In the picture above are, from left: Ivone van Doorn, Jane Everard (OH Secretary), Iain McKellar (F, 1998), Dirk van Doorn (W, 1988) and Kurt Reinholz (S, 1984)

2015

Robert Slingsby (F, 1973) opened his London exhibition to critical acclaim at the Royal College of Art in South Kensington. At the exhibition were, from left to right: Robert Slingsby, Peter Arthur (W, 1965), Helen Casey, Nicky Bicket (F, 1973), Jeremy Friedlander (F, 1972) and Gigi Friedlander

The annual Henley Royal Regatta is something of a hot ticket in the English (summer) social calendar. Rob Johnston (G, 2010) rows for The Leander Club, the rowing club in the UK and invited some ODs to the first day of the competition. Seen in the photo are James Johnston (G, 2012), Richard Montgomery (G, 1976), Rob Johnston and Nicky Bicket (F, 1973)

The Rugby World Cup provided the ideal opportunity for  several 1976 ODs to get together for a pub crawl across the UK. Apparently, they did get to a few games. L-R: Paul Robins (G), Dave Steward (O), Trevor Reid (G), Dave Stuart, Mark Westcott (F), Andrew Higgo (O) and Stuart MacSymon (F)

Richard Duck (G, 1965) has started the Senior OD Golf Circuit for all "senior" ODs  keen to play midweek golf both socially and competitively. The first game, almost washed out, included above: Mike Taylor G, 1959), Peter Arthur (W, 1965), Robert Simpson (S, 1968), Bobby Trew (F, 1952), Richard Duck and, seated, John Wyatt (S, 1961).

Simply Blue, Bishops' a capella choir wowed audiences at the Edinburgh Festival. We were very fortunate to be able to host them at a concert in London on their way home. The London audience (over 100 guests) comprised parents of the boys, friends and ODs. The concert took place in the historic Museum of the Order of St John where before and after the superb concert, we were able to meet the boys and the touring party over drinks.

Jeremy Ouvry (F, 1953) wrapped up the Simply Blue Concert with a very pithy and witty thank you.

UCT launched their fundraising in the UK at a function at the House of Lords. Many OD UCT alumni were present: from left: Craig Eriksen (F, 1971), Hugh Corder (S, 1971) and Nicky Bicket (F, 1973)

Nicky Bicket (F, 1973) back left, was the guest speaker at the UK RBHS annual dinner in London

Ian Michler (W, 1977), left and James Gardener (W, 1974) enjoy a drink together after the successful screening of Ian's film Blood Lions which campaigns against the cruelty of canned lion hunting in South Africa. The screening, at the royal Geographical Society, was extremely well-received by a capacity audience.

2014

Since 1976, Bishops have been sending exchange pupils to Haileybury (where Anthony Mallett was a housemaster). On a very cold November day, the Old Haileyburians invited us to their annual meeting at Haileybury where we met up with Seb Prentice, on exchange from Bishops. Between him in the photo is, left, Nicky Bicket (F, 1973) and right, Greg Baldwin (O, 1975).

At the annual Varsity Match (Oxford v Cambridge), Steve Hofmeyr (O, 1973) prepares to lay a wreath to commemorate the three OD Rugby Blues who gave their lives in WW1. Bishops was one of 25 schools who lost Rugby Blues and only one of only two non-British schools. Steve himself was an Oxford Rugby Blue.

This was the first of the local events to get the ODU into the regions other than London. Matthew Golesworthy (K, 2011), Tim Bravington (S, 1951) and Chris Winearls (W, 1967) joined me for lunch on the banks of the River Cherwell.