EVENTS & REUNIONS
CLASS OF 1969 55 YEAR REUNION
After a successful 50-year reunion in York five years ago , the Class of 1969 were eager to organise another gathering on Friday 12 May 2024 to celebrate 55 years since they left Pocklington School . For OPs Andrew Beckett ( 62-69 ), Bruce Spaven ( 59-69 ), Fraser Whitehead ( 62-69 ) and Peter Holden ( 62-69 ), the newly refurbished Gruggen Room , formerly the dining room of School House boarding house , seemed like the perfect venue to host the event . Following school tours , the group reconvened for drinks and supper . The conversations and stories flowed well after the meal had finished with the group eventually retiring to The Feathers Hotel to round off a wonderful evening .
Andrew commented , “ Thank you very much for a superb evening . I ’ m sure you saw how much we were all enjoying it – and that wasn ’ t solely due to Fraser ’ s wine ! Thanks also to your team of bright Sixth Formers who conducted the tour with aplomb and to the catering team who gave us an excellent dinner .
If any OPs are interested in organising a similar reunion event at school and you cannot make the Summer Reunion in June , please contact Rachel in the OP office to enquire .
( L-R ) Ed Sumner , Adrian Simmons , Helen Woodruff ( née Stephenson ), Russell Dempsey , Romney Walton , Matthew Johnson , Catherine Ellis ( née Chambers ), Duncan Groombridge , Matt Smith , John Rhodes , Steve Ridsdale , Johnnie Clark , Martin Latham , Chris Dale .
CLASS OF 1992 REUNION A NIGHT OF NOSTALGIA
The Gruggen Room at Pocklington School was buzzing with excitement as the class of 1992 reunited on the evening of Saturday 14 September 2024 . After their last reunion at the OP London Dinner two years ago , the group decided to head north this time to visit their alma mater in Pocklington . Fourteen OPs signed up for the event which included a school tour , drinks , and food in the Gruggen Room , followed by a trip into town to revisit some of their old haunts .
Former Head Girl , Catherine Ellis ( née Chambers , 90-92 ) said : “ Thank you very much for our tour of the school and the fabulous food and drinks . We felt very welcome . The school looks incredible , and it was exciting to see how it has changed ...”
( L-R ) Bruce Spaven , Phil Wilkinson , Andrew Beckett , John Foster , John Buchanan , John Machin , Fraser Whitehead , Stephen Wolley , Peter Holden
Romney Walton ( 90-92 ), organiser for the group , said “ I wanted to send you a huge thank you from everyone ! It was a wonderful night , and I think we all left around midnight with plans to meet up each year ! Thank you so much .”
The Headmaster , Toby Seth , and External Relations Director , Sheena McNamee hosted a drinks reception for former pupils in Hong Kong on Saturday 27 January 2024 . The event took place in the 188o Lounge on the 41st floor of the Harbour Grand Hotel . Those attending included : Paul Christopher ( 85-90 ), Roger Leung ( 91- 98 ), William Li ( 99-01 ), Hannah Griffin-James ( 01-07 ), Emma Hawcroft ( 04-11 ), Forrest Cheung ( 05-12 ), Ray Tang ( 07-12 ), Fraser Davis ( 09-14 ), Bill Wu ( 12-14 ), Lewis Wilson ( 14-16 ), Alex Todd ( 12-19 ), Bryan Wong , Loretta Chan , and Donna Tai .
Toby said : “ We ’ ve had a super evening reconnecting with Old Pocklingtonians and friends , sharing
OP DRINKS HONG KONG JANUARY 2024 their memories of school as well as hearing their stories in the fabulous city of Hong Kong , and of course updating them on the latest developments at Pocklington . These OPs have followed different pathways , found great success , but all continue to share and live out the values of the school in the way they live their lives .”
If any OPs would like to join the ‘ OPs in Hong Kong ’ Facebook group or WhatsApp group , please get in touch with the OP office for further details .
FORTHCOMING EVENTS 2024-25
See the back cover or check the OP website www . oldpocklingtonians . com
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