Centenary Dinner

Lichfield Old Edwardians’ Club raised £157.55 for the Royal British Legion at a sell-out dinner on Saturday 9th October. Formerly known as the King Edward VI School Old Boys’ Association, the name was amended in 1973 when girls were admitted, on the school turning comprehensive. Although the school was founded in 1495, it was not until 1904 that a group of ex-pupils founded the Association. This coincided with the school moving to its current site in Upper St John Street.

To celebrate the first century, a dinner was held at the George Hotel in Lichfield. Ex-pupils gathered in the bar to reminisce about their time at King Edward’s. The oldest was 90-year-old John Bowen, who started at the school in 1927. A veteran of the Second World War, John was twice decorated for his courageous service as a bomber pilot in the Royal Air Force.

The Toastmaster, Richard Davies, had to use his diplomatic but firm authority to move everyone up to the magnificent regency Garrick room on the first floor.

Grace was said by the secretary, David La Trobe, one of the stalwarts of the club. A traditional meal of melon, lamb and apple pie followed, a considerable improvement on school dinners.

The loyal toast was proposed by Arnold Matthews, aged 89’/2 . In spite of his advancing years, Arnold is fully up-to-date with modern technology, and took many photographs with his cutting-edge digital camera.

A toast to the school was proposed by John James, an old boy from the 1950s. He was a founder member of Birmingham City 2000, an association representing the leading professional and financial firms in the city. Subsequently renamed Birmingham Forward, John has been both Chairman and Chief Executive.

The response was given by the head teacher of the school, Duncan Meikle. He stressed the importance to the school of the Old Edwardians’ Club, through its many functions each year that included ex- and current pupils. He said that the school was consistently gaining excellent GCSE and A-Level results, whilst also enjoying success in many sporting activities.

A toast to the Old Edwardians’ Club was proposed by Major-General Louis Lillywhite, MBE, an old boy from the 1960s. After qualifying as a doctor, he undertook a number of tours as medical officer in the Parachute Brigade. He served in the 1st Gulf War, being mentioned in dispatches. Louis is now Director General of the Army’s medical services, and is a Queen’s Honorary Physician.

The response was given by the President of the Old Edwardians’ Club, Peter Robinson, an old boy from the late l950s. After training in London, Peter has practised in Lichfield as a Chartered Surveyor for the last 34 years. He was elected President and Chairman of the Club in 1999. While being delighted with the excellent turn-out of 90 for the evening, Peter drew attention to the lack of new members attending the dinner since the school turned comprehensive in 1973. Apart from the School Captain, William Stevens, and the four senior prefects, there was no one present under the age of 40, and most were in their 60s. If others do not come forward to serve on the committee, Peter Robinson pointed out that the club would gradually fade away.

Richard Davies, John Ellithorne, Peter Robinson (President), David La Trobe and Michael Bowen

Ian Fauset CB, a contemporary of Peter Robinson, was Magistrate for the evening. After taking a degree at London University, Ian joined the Ministry of Defence, serving in the United Kingdom and Germany. He was appointed to the Order of the Bath in the 2002 New Year Honours. With his usual combination of wit and authority, Ian imposed fines for misdemeanours committed over the last 50 years or more. As a result, the Bursar, John Ellithorne, an old boy from the 1950s, collected £157.55, which has been donated to the local branch of the Royal British Legion.

The evening was rounded off by a full-throated rendition of the old school song "On the crest of a hill our school is set....", accompanied by the Mistress of the Music, Marilyn Davies. Unlike a normal end of term rendering, the "boys" were reluctant to go home. They were eventually shooed off the premises by weary hotel staff in the early hours of Sunday morning!

The local Poppy Appeal was initiated outside Lichfield’s Guildhall on Saturday 30th October. At the ceremony, Peter Robinson presented a cheque for £157.55 to Gordon Eggington, organiser for the Lichfield Branch of the Royal British Legion.

President & Chairman
30^th October 2004