This despite a sudden rain squall at 300 yards that, for those shooting at the time, meant the target, even at that short range, was completed hidden from view. Added to that, those shooting, the writer being one of them, were completely soaked despite the wet weather gear! Despite all that, we all agreed that the day was worthwhile and was completed with a superb dinner at The Artists Rifles Club, hosted this year by the Old Alleynians.
The Club itself is currently purely social and does not have any tournaments or play any team matches, because those members who are still active players all get their competitive chess through other club and county teams. There is, however, nothing to stop a group of newcomers, perhaps from amongst recent leavers, to get together and organise a team or competition in some future year. Any OA interested in joining should initially contact the Secretary, preferably by email with a subject line ‘OAChC’ or ‘OA Chess’. Associate membership is also available to wives and other close friends. We would welcome some new younger members to help revitalise our links with the College. Trevor Jones (57-66) Hon Secretary htjones @ raildev.fsnet.co.uk OA Lodge Freemasonry is not quite as exciting as Dan Brown might lead you to believe but it is, in all probability, one of the most misunderstood organisations in the country. It is not a secret society but a society with (a few) secrets. It is based on brotherly love (friendship), relief (charity) and truth, and inculcates in each of its members the duties of loyalty and citizenship. These qualities are entirely consistent with those that Old Alleynians have been taught during their time at Dulwich and so it comes as no surprise that those who join the OA Lodge feel very much at home in a body of men of like background and purpose. The OA Lodge is one of nearly 8,000 Lodges registered under the United Grand Lodge of England and was founded in 1920, with one of the founder members being Sir Ernest Shackleton. It has around fifty members from all walks of life and of a wide variety of ages. Membership is open to all those who have attended the College or who are members of the Alleyn Club, and we warmly welcome those who are interested in becoming a Freemason or those who are already members of other Lodges and who wish strengthen their connection with the College. It is an active Lodge whose members meet formally four times a year and socially two or three times. By kind permission of the Master, we hold our meetings at the College in the Old Library. Each meeting, which is attended by members, their guests and representatives of other public school Lodges, is followed by drinks and a lively dinner, giving all present
Anyone who would like to sample what target rifle shooting is all about is welcome to come to Bisley on one of our club days. We have a club rifle and we are able to give full instruction to get a new marksman to a competent standard. Due to the regulations that we work with, it is necessary to complete a training course before a new member is classed as competent and this helps to promote range safety. Any prospective member is asked to contact the Secretary via davidn3004 @ gmail.com to arrange a time to make a first visit. Our season is from April to October and we usually have around 12 to 14 shoots in the season. David Nicholson (59-67) Hon Secretary davidn3004 @ gmail.com Founder’s Day in 2012, due to the Secretary and some other key members being away on holiday at that time, but our annual dinner took place as usual in December. This year it was held in a restaurant at Gabriel’s Wharf on the South Bank, enabling members to view the River Thames and various floodlit buildings, including St Paul’s, while they ate. It was attended by five OAs and three partners. Roger Hiorns (71-78) waits for the marker to score his target. The wait can be excruciating with a slow marker! OA Chess Club There was no OA Chess Club activity on
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