THE
OMA MILLENNIUM REUNION
BY
JOHN WALLINGTON
That
put you firmly in your place then, mate!
Pardon?
All
that negative, pessimistic talk after the Old Michaelian Associations 50th
Anniversary Reunion Weekend, that we would never be able to attract similar
numbers of OMA Members to following Reunion Weekends in October.
I'm sorry, I think I've lost you
You
remember, blathering on about the demise of the Association and whether or not
it was still a viable venture and whether or not there was still enough interest
among the Membership to keep it going year on year.
I never said anything of the sort, and if you attempt to
repeat that, I will sue you.
All
right then, wasn't it you who, allegedly said that we would never be able to
attract sufficient numbers of Old Boys and Old Girls to the yearly Reunion
Weekend, and just see what has happened over recent years. Record numbers of
attendees and without a doubt we have attracted some very very old pupils who
have returned to Norfolk after an absence of many years. Surely that alone
confirms that the Association is very much alive and kicking.
Can't argue with you about that, my old mate. The support
by Members has been a little patchy over the years, but it is certainly a fact
that the most recent Reunion Weekends have been very well supported by the
Membership. And did you notice that I came to every one?
Went.
Pardon?
You
went to every one.
Right!
Well
whatever. The important thing is that the OMA Committee and the whole of the OMA
Membership do everything possible to persuade as many people as possible that
the Association is extremely important and needs positive support throughout.
So, my old mate, there has to be a purpose to this sudden
expression of satisfaction. Do you want to elaborate a little more?
Certainly.
The OMA Committee have discussed over recent months how the Association
could effectively become involved and celebrate the forthcoming
Well, I'm not too sure how you will react to this next
statement, but I have checked my diary and I have no other commitments, which
means that I can attend the Reunion again.
Great!!
I'm sure everyone will be tickled pink about that! What I really wanted to know
was whether or not you think that celebrating the Millennium in October 1999 is
a solid idea?
Why not. Any excuse for a drink and a good
natter with some old friends no matter what the occasion happens to be.
Good,
so we can rely on your support then?
Sure can, and yours is the first round! Will
the weekend be any different to previous OMA Reunion Weekends?
The
essential ingredient to the continuing success of the Reunion Weekends has
always been the gathering of as many Old Mkhaelian’s in Hunstanton as
possible, and, without a doubt the highlight of every Reunion Weekend is the
Reunion Dinner on the Saturday evening at the Le Sfrange Arms Hotel. This year
will be no different. However you may be assured that the 1999 OMA Reunion
Weekend is going to be as successful and hopefully more successful than any
other OMA events and you, and every other OMA Member has a job to do between now
and the end of October.
Job! What lob?
To
ensure that we contact as many Old Michaelian’s as possible, both here in the
UK and places abroad, and persuade as many Old Michaelian’s, family and
friends to help us all celebrate the OMA Millennium Reunion Weekend next
October.
That doesn't sound too difficult to me. If
each and every Member was to make contact with two other Old Michaelian’s and
persuade them and their families to join us, we will have one huge humdinger of
a Reunion Weekend. Count on me.
That's
good. Thanks.
What else needs to be done?
The
important thing is that, even at this early part of the year that everyone opens
Their diary and commits the weekend of 30/31 October 1999 to
attending the OMA Reunion Weekend.
Done.
What else?
Nothing.
Except to remind you that it is your round, and mine is a very large
G&T.
See
you all in Hunstanton in October. Have a good summer.
John
Wallington