Rain and reminiscing at Old Salopian Day 2023

The weather couldn’t have been much worse but the warmth and conviviality of reuniting generations of Old Salopians more than made up for the dark skies overhead.

As the first members of the Salopian Drivers Club started parking up in front of the Main School Building in a fantastic array of classic cars the first spits and spot could be felt. Fortunately it wasn’t heavy enough to prevent people gathering to enjoy the spectacle of the biggest rally yet in the Club’s five year history.

Almost 200 people had booked in for lunch which was held in Quod. The Holroyd- Howe Team put on a fantastic spread which was enjoyed by Old Salopians and their families with leaving years ranging from 1953 to 2023.

As the rain began to set in there was plenty of indoor attractions to enjoy. The Old Salopian art exhibition this year featured the work of highly acclaimed artist and award-winning architect James St Clair Wade (Db 1976-81)

In the Moser Library listeners were treated to two entertaining and informative talks. Archivist Robin Brooke-Smith (S 1961-66) spoke on ‘Darwin from School to Scientific Superstar’. The eminent military historian Dr Peter Caddick-Adams (Ch 1974-78) gave a highly anticipated update on the War in Ukraine. Peter was delighted to speak in front of his Housemaster Peter Owens and his history teacher Dr David Gee.

The afternoon was rounded off with a recital by the Lower Sixth New Entrants in the Barnes Atrium.

OS Day is all about reunions and this year a rowing eight who toured South Africa together in 1978 returned to school to relive memories back on the river. They were out in a boat together for the first time in 45 years in the morning, had drinks with the Sabrina Club members in the evening before joining the annual dinner. Two members had crossed the Atlantic for the reunion, flying in from Bermuda and Florida.

The following morning around 30 Old Salopians were in Chapel to enjoy some wonderful singing and inspiring words from the Chaplain before heading home.

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