With 80 OPs and guests in attendance, the OP London black tie dinner was buzzing with many OPs taking the opportunity to meet up with old friends from their schooldays including the 2013 leavers celebrating 10 years since leaving school. Amongst other groups were leavers from 2015, 2012, 1983, 1976 and 1969. Spanning an impressive 67 years between them, the oldest OP attending was Tony Morris (52-55) who left school in 1955 and the youngest was Chris Sebastian (20-22) who left in 2022.

It was all change at the top for the OP committee as the recently elected President, Charlie Lambert (01-08) who took over from Joan Gough (75-77) at the AGM gave his first official after-dinner speech in his new role. Although the youngest OP President in the Association’s history, Charlie took everything in his stride, addressing the room with quiet confidence and good humour. The Headmaster, Toby Seth, followed with a brief update about the School, finishing with a toast.

Other staff in attendance were External Relations Director, Sheena McNamee, Development Officer, Jenny Preston, OP Liaison Officer, Rachel Dare, and French & EAL Teacher, Patrick Dare. Retired staff members attending were Sharon Chiverton (10-23) and Doc Dyson (88-18). A full guest list can be viewed here. 

After the formalities, the evening continued in the Churchill Bar until last orders at midnight when guests drifted off home or to a nearby piano bar to carry on the party into the early hours!

Charlie said, “Once again it was fantastic to see so many Old Pocklingtonians at the London Dinner; the event is always a highlight and the fact that leavers of all ages come back shows the true value of hosting these events. The benefit of the networking opportunities is clear and having spoken to some of the more recent leavers, they really do enjoy learning from others in attendance. I am looking forward to next year already and hope that even more years are represented!”

OP Mike Complin (67-76) commented: “Thank you for organising yet another very enjoyable London OP Dinner… For me personally it was wonderful to meet old friends again, some of whom I hadn’t seen since leaving school, as well as having the opportunity to chat with people who left both before and after me.”

Thank you to all who came to the event. The date for next year’s dinner will be Friday 15 November 2024. Further details to be confirmed – we’d love to see you there!