Editor’s Endings

o how went the 2002 Reunion?   It was a strange one for me, because of my illness I was, unfortunately, unable to mingle with all the new faces that were gathered and therefore did not meet some of the gathered throng. I do hope that nobody took umbrage.

My very grateful thanks must go to all those Michaelian’s who looked after me on Saturday & Sunday, particularly to Bill and Jane Cullin without whom I would not even have been able to attend.  Barbara and I were picked up from home and cosseted  throughout the whole two days, marvellous.

My thanks also to Bill for producing the Autumn 2002 edition of the Mitre, a feat which meant raiding my computer at home. I had to try to explain what was there and in which folder it was all without a voice and trying to write whilst lying flat on my back. I’ve seen some of the scribbles and they are incomprehensible to me let alone Bill. Nevertheless the Mitre was produced very successfully and it is entirely possible that some of you may not have noticed the change in editor.

Finally on this subject may I thank all of you who sent get well messages either by post or e-mail. Barbara made them into a permanent memento of the period and this she presented to me on Christmas day. I am not particularly lachrymose but I admit to shedding a tear or two when I read again the messages you sent.

So on to the next reunion. We are now gearing up for the glorious 50th, the Golden Jubilee, the BIG ONE. The OMA came into existence the year I started at St Michael’s so we are of an age and it has been going strong ever since. There have been few if any years when a reunion has not been held and to give you a flavour of the period in 1964, the earliest year for which I have records, the membership fee was 6/- and the tickets for the dinner dance which was held at the Manor Hotel were 12/6 to members and 15/- to others. There was a membership list of 40 and the (anonymous) editor of the day was hoping that this would increase with the latest batch of Michaelian’s leaving the School (‘twas ever thus!!) Netball and hockey matches were organised and accommodation was offered on a first come first served basis at Gresham House and other of the boarding houses available. The OMA Chairman was Cliff Wallington, Treasurer Peter Yarker with Ben Gunner as his assistant. Committee Members were Page Clowser, John Stainsby, John King, Penny Vawser, Geoff Lake and Gordon Wood, all still members of the OMA.

A final thought, in 38 years time the youngest Old Michaelian will be over 80 years old and on that happy note I will close.