After a two-year break, the OP Assoication was delighted to return to Newcastle (4 February) and Manchester (11 February) to meet up with OPs for the popular city drinks events.

The Newcastle drinks held at the distinctively named bar Zarabanda Bing Bing in Jesmond, were enjoyed by those who came. In particular, contemporaries Steven Kyffin (70-77) and Jonathan Neal (68-78) delighted in catching up since they last saw each other at school! Amongst the younger OPs who attended were Phoebe Witty (12-19), Esmé Littlewood (08-19) and Felix Chan (14-19).

The Black Dog Ballroom in the trendy Northern Quarter was the venue for the Manchester drinks event and thanks go to committee member, Mike McKinstry (00-11) for arranging this. A good number of around 30 OPs and staff came along and with ‘Happy Hour’ and pool on offer, the evening got off to a great start! Ed Burrows (52-54) was the most senior OP at the event whilst the youngest were a group of 2020 leavers. Furthest travelled was Mike Eldred (50-60) who happened to have flown into Manchester from Spain earlier in the day and decided to call in for a drink. After the event, the evening continued with a number of OPs going on to a jazz club whilst others went for dinner.

Thank you to all OPs who came to Newcastle or Manchester. The next OP city drinks is in Leeds on Friday 4 March at the Grand Pacific. For more details and to sign up click here.