The Society of Old PastoniansWelcome to the website for Old Pastonians.
It was created in 2013, the Centenary year of the 1913 creation of the Society for Old Pastonians - a fitting 21st century addition. We hope you find the information here useful and a way to make or keep in contact with other OPs. See the contact page or email us here: mailto:[email protected] "From good to better, everywhere" De Mieux En Mieux Pour Tout |
The School Song
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Trafalgar Day Reunion Dinner, and AGM
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The annual Trafalgar Dinner and reunion is 19th October 2024, in the School Assembly Hall. See Reports on the Reunion dinner page and the Member AGM page
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Winter Scene, School House
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JOIN SOP - get access to Member Pages...
Paston Film Club
If you recall the Film Club in the 70s/80s, there was some creation of films which may still exist, or have been converted/digitised already. If you are aware of any, or have it in your attic (or cellar), then please do get in contact to share it with all here. That would be fantastic to see some old (young) faces. Email HERE
Message from the President... (SOP Centenary 2013)
Welcome to the Society of Old Pastonians in its 100th year (2013), and to the SOP website. Perhaps you knew this site existed (as a connected Old Boy) or more likely you Googled ‘Pastonians’ to get here. Someone even found us via ‘snetzler bureau organ’ which is still the Assembly Hall (see left), having arrived from Oxford St John’s College in 1938 [actually it arrived in 1907, and was dedicated in 1938 - ed]. I am happy to report that it’s in fine order and still capable of supporting the annual rousing rendition of the National Anthem and the School Song at the Trafalgar Dinner.
The AGM and Dinner [2013] was well attended as usual with over 50 SOP members making the trip. The Nelson Room/Library, now a board/meeting room, makes an excellent venue for the AGM, which has been chaired by Ivor Kiddle for over 30 years now. Once the SOP agenda had been swiftly attended to, accounts reported and matters arising covered, those present enjoyed a sherry reception with others who arrived including those from the Kings Arms – actually the inaugural SOP meeting place from 100 years ago. The School does a fantastic job in clearing the decks of the Assembly/Dining Hall for the Trafalgar Dinner to support 2 rows of seating which is banded by the years at Paston - so you are located with your contemporaries (whether you like it or not). Ivor commenced proceedings with an appetite whetting 2 verses of the National Anthem – not by himself I hasten to add.
Dinner itself was a commendable pate starter with beef stew and dumplings, accompanied by wine, and a trifle dessert. Coffee and mints to close. At least one member (Keith Morris) manages to attend in original School blazer - see here. As is tradition after dinner, names of any known passing of SOPs were read and remembered before moving to toasts for the evening. Normally, a toast to Nelsons Immortal Memory is made, standing in silence but this year was combined with the toast to the School and speech (yours truly). As speeches go, twas short but not short enough, long but not long enough. And in the middle combined [some] jokes with some words of reflection, of the changes that the Society has seen in the 100 years of its existence alongside the tradition of the annual gathering that has endured throughout. The singing of the School song, to the organ expertly played by George Hawkes from Catfield, was as rousing as it always is especially when topped off with the ‘seniors’ singing Rule Britannia for the last chorus.
The general mingling of OBs continued until taking to carriages (OK, cars) or retiring to the Black Swan for a pint. Rumour had it - re-fitted, although the wallpaper was the same just painted. Now, in days gone by, last orders was 11pm but progress/change meant a 24hr licence and they will stay open as long as they feel like it, which was 2am on this occasion. Plenty of time for bar-philosophy about a Paston education.
So a hundred years of SOP - long may it continue. The centenary collection of a ‘Nelson Room Carpet’ fund is proceeding well and is still taking contributions for the end of 2013 - so get your name on the roll. See the details on this site. If you are an ‘Old Boy’ then sign up and come along next year. I look forward to it to carry forward the tradition and even to augment it for another century. As we say - from good to better, everywhere.
-John Dring
President, SOP 2013
The AGM and Dinner [2013] was well attended as usual with over 50 SOP members making the trip. The Nelson Room/Library, now a board/meeting room, makes an excellent venue for the AGM, which has been chaired by Ivor Kiddle for over 30 years now. Once the SOP agenda had been swiftly attended to, accounts reported and matters arising covered, those present enjoyed a sherry reception with others who arrived including those from the Kings Arms – actually the inaugural SOP meeting place from 100 years ago. The School does a fantastic job in clearing the decks of the Assembly/Dining Hall for the Trafalgar Dinner to support 2 rows of seating which is banded by the years at Paston - so you are located with your contemporaries (whether you like it or not). Ivor commenced proceedings with an appetite whetting 2 verses of the National Anthem – not by himself I hasten to add.
Dinner itself was a commendable pate starter with beef stew and dumplings, accompanied by wine, and a trifle dessert. Coffee and mints to close. At least one member (Keith Morris) manages to attend in original School blazer - see here. As is tradition after dinner, names of any known passing of SOPs were read and remembered before moving to toasts for the evening. Normally, a toast to Nelsons Immortal Memory is made, standing in silence but this year was combined with the toast to the School and speech (yours truly). As speeches go, twas short but not short enough, long but not long enough. And in the middle combined [some] jokes with some words of reflection, of the changes that the Society has seen in the 100 years of its existence alongside the tradition of the annual gathering that has endured throughout. The singing of the School song, to the organ expertly played by George Hawkes from Catfield, was as rousing as it always is especially when topped off with the ‘seniors’ singing Rule Britannia for the last chorus.
The general mingling of OBs continued until taking to carriages (OK, cars) or retiring to the Black Swan for a pint. Rumour had it - re-fitted, although the wallpaper was the same just painted. Now, in days gone by, last orders was 11pm but progress/change meant a 24hr licence and they will stay open as long as they feel like it, which was 2am on this occasion. Plenty of time for bar-philosophy about a Paston education.
So a hundred years of SOP - long may it continue. The centenary collection of a ‘Nelson Room Carpet’ fund is proceeding well and is still taking contributions for the end of 2013 - so get your name on the roll. See the details on this site. If you are an ‘Old Boy’ then sign up and come along next year. I look forward to it to carry forward the tradition and even to augment it for another century. As we say - from good to better, everywhere.
-John Dring
President, SOP 2013
What you can find on this siteBrowse the tabs across the top to find basic (and detailed) information about the Society, School, College, Trafalgar Day and more. There is a page to Join SOP and to make a Centenary Donation. There are several forms to provide your updated contact details, any nice memorabilia (e.g. photos), feedback or just check-in with the Blog.
There is also a Members Section containing a bit more, for members, obviously. |
Memorable School Dates
1st October 1606 Paston School founded (1604)
21st October 1805 Battle of Trafalgar / Trafalgar Day 27th December 1913 Society of Old Pastonians founded 1st September 1984 Paston Sixth Form College created 21st October 2017 The next AGM and Trafalgar Day Dinner 29th December 2013 Centenary of the Society 1st December 2017 Merger with Norwich City College 21st March 2020 Global Covid-19 SARS-CoV-19 Pandemic 22nd October 2022 Trafalgar Dinners resumed (post covid) 
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