College – Issue 32

administrative responsibilities, appointing me to help rally the troops, to find our main event location on Saturday night (thank you Harry Caine [7700] for a wonderful meal at the Leinster Rd Bistro) and finally even to write this report! We had a number of Old Boys travelling from far and wide – Auckland, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, as well as throughout the South Island. Thank you all for making the huge effort, it would not have been the same without such a large presence. Reunions are a time for reflection and taking long trips down memory lane, so much better to do so with good friends and fellow Old Boys with whom we shared so much of our time. I found it especially comforting to remember that some things never change. Like giving it my all in the last 100m around Upper, whilst the field ahead slowly pulls away; that Brian Le Vaillant continues to have the sharpest memory and tongue at Christ’s College (thank you for your informative and amusing dinner speech); that the Jacobs House Class of ’87 continues to be a very tight bunch of friends (and the most represented House at the reunion); and that most of us who attended, irrespective of perceived intellectual or sporting abilities, hold special memories from our time at College. The school seems in good heart, and almost fully recovered from the earthquake. It continues to maintain its good traditions, even in the face of ever increasing technology changes – technology that enabled us to talk briefly with the London reunion live over Skype, but I’ll let Tom Mackenzie (10741) elaborate further about that. A special thanks to Justine for her patience in helping us get everything organised. We wouldn’t have pulled it together without you! Hopefully, we will see you all in 10 years time for the big one, the 40 years on.

Those in Europe who couldn’t make it to the Christchurch reunion gathered in London.

We started out with afternoon tea at the New Zealand High Commission in Haymarket. It was then off to Merchants Tavern by tube for dinner and a few ales. Good to see the London locals – Cedric (10742) and Nigel (10775). Angus (10722) returned from a trip to New Zealand, and will soon be on his way back to Auckland. Great to see Clint (10728) all the way from Texas! Sam (10692) flew Ryan Air from Sweden as a passenger rather than pilot for a change. The oldest and newest father Christian (10678) came from the Ukraine. Matt Bywater (10679) from Switzerland and Tabs (10743) drove three hours from Bath and back! That leaves the Essex boys – Ants (10695) and Tom (10741). The 10 of us had a great time catching up in London.

Tom McKenzie (10741)

50 Years On

A very friendly and convivial weekend was enjoyed by 36 from the Year of 1967, with numerous opportunities to catch up with old friends. Celebrations began with a cocktail function on the Friday evening for all year groups. It was a very enjoyable function, with our year group amongst the last to leave. Saturday morning was taken up with a tour of the school followed by lunch in the Dining Hall. It was pleasing to see a strong representation from Jacobs House Old Boys, which left us puzzling why the House had not survived as a boarding house. The rebuilding carried out by the school post-earthquake was very impressive and many changes were obvious. Second Row: Charlie Rattray, Bill Sandston, Richard Shand, Charles Deans, Michael Taylor, Bill Hewat, Chris Dampier-Crossley, John Trengrove Front Row: Nigel Ensor, Richard Howarth, Chris Sellars, Ben Frampton, Neil Kay, Tim Fleetwood, Mark Nicholls Back Row: Marcel Piat, John Caldwell, Chris Ansley, Fourth Row: Quentin Wright, David Lough, Brett Russell, Andy Nurse, John Blunden, John Macphee, Brent Rawstron, Nick Robinson Third Row: John Wright, John Harper, Trevor Connolly, John Nichol, Peter Monro, Guy Wellwood, David Jerram

Mark Hindmarsh (10715)

30 Years On – London

Christ’s College Canterbury

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