President's page

PRESIDENT 2010 - 2012

Denis Tindley 1947 - 1955

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

My first, and pleasant duty, as your incoming President is to thank my predecessor, John Grimshaw, for his enthusiastic and excellent leadership over the past two years. John has been active in shaping the Association’s future direction and laying the foundations for OCs to participate fully in the bicentenary celebrations. I am delighted that he has agreed to continue on the committee so that we can benefit from his ongoing support.

Moving the AGM to the East India Club in London proved highly successful. We had a good attendance of some 39 members and guests, business was duly despatched, the outline Bicentenary programme, which will run from July 2011 to August 2012, was launched, and all present enjoyed a convivial reception. The Club, which includes the former Public Schools Club, has long associations with Caterham. The crests of the schools are on display and Caterham is unique in that its crest is there twice. We would be grateful to hear from anyone who knows the reason for this. We plan to hold our Bicentenary Dinner at the Club in March 2012.

Our President began the AGM with a tribute to John Mortimer, whose death occurred on the 15th March. John was our Editor from 1989 to 2006, and was responsible, with Vera’s able assistance, for producing OC Magazine in its entirety. John was a prolific and thoughtful correspondent, who kept in touch with many OCs and former members of staff, both academic and domestic. A good contingent of Caterham staff and OCs, supported Vera and the family at his funeral in Eastbourne on 30th March. Vera wrote to me afterwards that “It felt rather like an old ‘OC’s Day’ in the scrum for tea in the old dining hall”.

Looking forward, the next two years will offer great opportunities for all Old Cats to share in the Bicentenary celebrations. We are planning to hold a number of reunions, at the school, in London and in the regions, and my hope is that they will be well supported. Over the years, we have lost touch with far too many OCs. We are trying to locate as many ‘lost boys and girls’ as we can. But we need your help. I invite you to encourage friends you know who are not in touch, and would like to renew their links with the school and their former classmates, to send their contact details to Alina, whether or not they are members of the OCA. Also, if you would like assistance to organise a reunion of your own year group, again please let Alina know. It’s your Association, and we need to hear from you if you think we could help.

I feel honoured and privileged to have been elected as your President at this very important time and I am most grateful that Bill Broadhead, who has just retired after achieving so much as Chairman of the Board, will be supporting me as Vice-president, I look forward to an exciting programme and meeting many of you at the events and reunions.