The Annual Reunion Dinner, 2010 | Home | Index | Guestbook | | Home (Aston) | Index (Aston) |

Honoured Guests	Five School Captains	Table 4
(L. to R.): Hassan Hafiz & James Florance (School Vice Captains), Jonah Boyce (Captain of Rugby) Jacob Brotherton (Captain of Cricket) David White (School Captain)	(L. to R.): Bradley Meeson (2009-10) James Hunt (2002-3) Malcom Walton (1956-7!) Liam Gasior (2005-6) David White (2010-11)	Mainly Class of 1950, with four good friends

This was my eighth consecutive Annual Dinner and a real delight. For the first time since 1988 it was held at school, where it always should be, and the attendance of 104 AOEs and friends of the school reflected the significance of this historical return. The hall had been transformed by the caterers with tables decorated in the red, white and green of the Aston Edwardian Association, gently lit by candles which posed no fire hazard from their electronic glow!

Awaiting the guests, many of whom had been shown round the school by the Head and deputy Head, were the Aston 125 exhibition and, on the tables, the latest editions of the school's annual publication 'The Record' and the biannual newsletter of AEA, 'The Astonian'. Very heartening was the presence of so many members of the younger generations, even if four of them sloped off half way through without paying!

There is no need to give a detailed account of the proceedings, as they followed the pattern hallowed by 83 years of these gatherings. The differences, other than those described above, lay with the speakers. Patrick Burns (Aston 1964), a local TV personality and former Bailiff of the King Edward Foundation, proposed the toast to 'The School and Foundation' with a fascinating and humorous account of his time at school and thereafter. He was able to point, with generous compliments, to members of his audience who had taught and influenced him: Vince Darby, Harold Jessop and Brian Roberts (Brian, Past President AEA, was in the chair for the evening).

Headmaster Colin Parker responded with his customary good humour, reporting on the school's successes, plans for the future and threats faced and ending with a declaration of the privilege he deems it, to hold the office he does.

When I learned that the 'other' speaker of the evening was to be former Head of English at the school (1994-2008), Bill Gurney, I knew that my cup overfloweth. The first time I met Bill I sensed that here was a man in the finest tradition of Aston's teacher 'characters', following the likes of 'Billy' Lumb, though less hapless!

Bill regaled us with tales of his time as a pupil at Eton. This strikes a balance with Harrow, which was represented at Aston from 1950-56 by W J E 'Jack' Coventon. The younger guys in the audience later told me that Bill's speech was a collection of anecdotes with which he had regaled them during his years on the staff, which he still graces for three days a week. Absolutely typical of the man, he ended by proposing a new toast to 'friendships', in which his still laughing audience heartily joined.

Even the singing of the school song heralded a new departure: it was played by Gareth Leyshon (Aston 2000), a member of the younger generations, on a piano of which the 'sustain' pedal was in need of some T.L.C! Setting the tone for future years, an even younger AOE was recruited for the task. He joins a growing list of AOEs who will henceforward deliver this evocative end to the evening.

It had been a particularly warm return to a place so special to all those who now scattered to the 'four corners', with M.C. David Roberts's final witticisms ringing in their ears. I so hope that the Annual Dinner at Aston will resume its rightful place in the calendars of both school and Aston Edwardian Association.