Originally from the Home Page on creation of the Website, 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
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