Held on Thursday 25 September 2025, this biennial gathering welcomed 48 guests, including 30 OPs, along with spouses, staff, and volunteers. The event is open to OPs who left the school 50 or more years ago, and this year’s attendees spanned several generations. David Richardson (46–53), the founder of the event, was the most senior OP present, while Dominic Peacock (66–74) attended for the first time as the youngest OP guest.

The day offered an excellent opportunity for OPs to meet the new Head, Becky Lovelock, enjoy a guided school tour led by the prefect team, and explore photographs and other materials specially curated from the archives.

Following a delicious lunch, David Richardson proposed a toast to the school. In response, the Head delivered a thoughtful and well-researched address, referencing events and memories from the OPs’ school days. David Wood (47–54) then offered thanks to the OP & Development team for organising the event, before introducing David Dyson, volunteer archivist, who spoke about the important work being done to review and correct the Roll of Honour for OPs who lost their lives in WWI and WWII.

After lunch, guests were invited to go on a school tour or stay and browse the archives over coffee. The afternoon unfolded in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere, with OPs sharing their reminiscences and stories of their time at school.

Jonathan Shorer (63-71) said: “Many, many thanks for a wonderful lunch yesterday. The arrangements were impeccable and the food excellent. I greatly enjoyed chatting with Sheena and the Head as well as my contemporaries. The walk around the school was fascinating and the pupils were outstanding.”

Bob Woolsey (53-61) added: “Thank you for a most enjoyable dinosaurs’ lunch yesterday … I was very pleased to make Mike Horner’s (47-56) day by remembering how, playing for the 1st XV in 1955, he scored a great individual try in the last minute to win the match against Barnard Castle. I was most impressed as a cheering 13-year-old spectator – and now, after 70 years, deserved recall!”

The next Dinosaur Club luncheon will take place in September 2027. OPs who left in 1977 or earlier will be eligible to attend – keep an eye out for further details closer to the time!