The Annual Reunion Dinner, 2007 | Home | Index | Guestbook | | Home (Aston) | Index (Aston) |

The senior AOE John Castle (1929!)	The present generation Jaymal Nathwani, Toby Shermer, Tom Bright, Chris Ferguson

This account of the 2007 dinner is coloured by my involvement in its organisation, of which more anon.

A most enjoyable prelude to this event was the Headmaster's invitation to diners to look around the school. The two of us that had done this before did so, not to see those familar surroundings, but to listen to the comments of Colin Parker and his equally affable deputy Frank Hedley, as well as to witness the reactions of fellow old boys from other generations.

Reflecting what would become a theme of this year's reunion, a mere ten of us congregated in what used to be Frederick Road, led by our senior diner - John Castle, from the 'Class of 1929'! He had arrived by taxi, and been dropped off in Frederick Road sure enough, but at the end which is completely closed off from the school. For his sins, at the grand age of 89, he had to walk round three sides of the school - in the dark - before arriving at the modern entrance.

Listening to fellow visitors, it was interesting to learn of the changed uses down the years of familiar, and not so familar, rooms. We were also able to admire the splendid new wood panelling which surrounds the War Memorial. Colin and Frank were very open and straightforward about the threats and opportunities they face, and the strengths and weaknesses with which they cope, all recounted with a gentle good humour. They told of their hopes for next year, when they (and we?) plan to celebrate the school's 125th. year of service. It is clear that Aston is in very good hands with them at the helm.

A short but familiar drive down Bevington Road brought us to the Trinity Suite at the Villa ground, where the rest of the diners were already assembled. I walked up to it accompanied by 81 year old John Chettleburgh who, once again, had made the 2¼ hour drive from his home in North Wales, and would return the same evening! Strangely, one of the smallest gatherings for many years (57) didn't seem so small. Maybe because the previous practice of entertaining our guests in a separate room had been discontinued - a welcome change. As a result, one my earliest encounters was with Jaymal Nathwani, now School Vice Captain, who until the preceding Tuesday did not expect to be attending. He had had to overcome divided loyalties, this being the third day of Diwali, but had managed to slip away from his family's celebrations for a few hours. Jaymal spoke enthusiastically about his aspirations for the future, and paid tribute to the huge and beneficial influence that Aston has already had on his young life. And, he told me, he had very nearly gone elsewhere!

After a quick word with the ever youthful Harry Jessop, it was time to join the diners at the same table as me. Ever faithful Peter Band (my old Floyd House captain) was talking to newcomer Chris Williams from our year. Chris's grandson, Joe, is currently in year 9 (Second form to you and I!), so he has been drawn back into the Aston school community. Peter Clay, from the class of 1951, was with us once more. His expert musical skills meant that singing the school song later in the evening would present no problems! We even had backup for this in the presence of musician Harry Grove (1960). John Breakwell (1958), a G.P., his son, and two medical friends made up our table, and brought to it a refreshing and interesting non-Aston flavour. Once again, on our tables, was the Winter edition of the AEA Newsletter. This year a new addition was the just published 'School Record': the excellent work of pupils overseen by one of tonight's speakers - Roger Cockbill.

And so to business ...

Our President, Brian Roberts, pronounced once more the Robbie Burns Grace and we started with the soup which was again the subject of the anagram competition. There was no prize for this, which was perhaps as well because the entries were pretty turgid! Main course offered, for a first time, a choice which was for some a pleasant departure from previous 'beef only' options.

Foolishly I slipped away to the toilet before pudding was served, and got distracted by new friends I met en route! As a result no pudding or coffee awaited my return, but the ever solicitous Peter Clay had a default plan which he now activated, and all was soon made good. My thanks for this kindness was to flog him a copy of my book 'Big School', which I just happened to have with me!

The Loyal Toast was proposed and the Immortal Memory recalled in time honoured fashion, followed by a minute's silence.

After the usual interval, during which I photographed the present generation, whom it is so good to see on these occasions, we started on the speeches. First up, and nervous by his own admission, was recently retired teaching stalwart, Roger Cockbill. He spoke with great affection of his forty years at Aston, which he has extended by returning in a lesser role as I.T. technician. He acknowledged the great kindness shown to him as a 'newbie' by Brian Roberts and, in conversation with me later, that of Watcym Thomas. He also recalled witnessing Fred Pinder's impressive command of English when indulging his favourite pastime of remonstrating with erring pupils!

The toast to 'The School and Foundation' thus proposed, next up was Colin Parker's response. Freed, partially at least, from the need to recount detailed school performance statistics, Colin was able to regale us with humorous anecdotes about the school's completely useless guard dog! But he ended by affirming the great regard he has for the positive relations between the school he feels privileged to lead and our Association.

For many AOEs the next duet is the evening's favourite. Again very briefly, Brian Roberts proposed, for his last time as President, the toast 'To the Association'. A simply delightful response was made by third XV stalwart, 'Jigger' Singh. I remember going to the Dinner in 1980 when Jigger was a player and the butt of many witty asides. Tonight was his chance to pay back some of the stick he had obviously received down many, many years. This he did with gentle good humour and wit of the highest order. He must have been a delightful playing companion, not least on the tours to which he humorously referred.

At this point Peter Clay left our table and headed for the keyboard, where he led us in the time honoured conclusion to the formal proceedings: the singing of the School Song.

At the end of the evening my new friend Jaymal expressed disappointment that the deputy Head had banned him from using jokes, heard this evening, in a speech he has to make at a school event in the near future! Now there's a surprise!!

Though a relatively recent convert to regular attendance at these dinners, I always regret their conclusion. I would like them to go on for so much longer, such is the wit displayed - not least by hard working MC, David Roberts. But this year that regret was compounded by knowledge acquired through my participation, albeit marginally, in organising the event. The relentless, year on year, decline in numbers attending suggests (to me) that the present format/formula has a limited future and, after eighty years, may have run its course. That possibility must be faced, and saddens me greatly.

For further thoughts on this topic click here.