At The Bridge Hotel in Walshford near Wetherby, 21 guests including OPs, spouses and staff from the OP office and External Relations team attended the event which has now been running on a mainly biennial basis for the past ten years.

Dinosaur regulars Brian King (39-45) and Derek Bradley (39-49) were the most senior OPs in attendance whilst the youngest was Chris Edwards (65-71) who has recently moved back to the Yorkshire area and was attending the event for the first time. Dinosaur Club founder, David Richardson (46-53), also attended with his wife Ann; the couple have attended every luncheon since its inception in 2011.

As part of the event, guests had the opportunity to reminisce and look through specially selected materials and photographs from the school archive as well as renew friendships and connections from their schooldays.

After the lunch, OP President Joan Gough (75-77) proposed a toast to the school to which Sheena McNamee, External Relations Director, responded on behalf of the Headmaster, Toby Seth. Afterwards, the group gathered for photos and more conversation which, at the suggestion of Mike Gardiner (52-60), included an impromptu recording of a birthday video message for OP Michael Hastie (52-60) who due to current restrictions was unable to travel to the event from Borneo!

Joan Gough commented: “It was a wonderful occasion and we are so pleased to be holding face-to-face events after such a long period of lockdowns and restrictions. This is one of my favourite events in the OP calendar and it was very encouraging to see so many OPs here this afternoon.”

The date for the next Dinosaurs Luncheon will be in September 2023. OPs who left in 1973 or earlier will be eligible to attend, so look out for further details to be announced nearer the time.

The following OPs were in attendance at this year's event:

Derek Bradley (39-49)

Andrew Burbidge (52-58)

Roger Chapman (47-56)

Christopher Edwards (65-71)

Michael Gardiner (52-60)

Joan Gough (75-77), OP President

Brian King (39-45)

Chris Platt (53-58)

David Richardson (46-53)

Bryan Thompson (50-57)

Richard Wade (52-56)

Bob Woolsey (53-61)