A successful reunion at the Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh in June inspired our Headmaster, Alistair Macnaughton, to write this message to all G.K.S.S. members.
Centre: Headmaster Alistair Macnaughton at the Edinburgh Reunion
Left: Richard Henton and Mark Holme
Right: Alec Richard and Professor Tony Wildsmith
At the end of my second year at King’s, I have a much stronger sense than before of the bonds of deep affection that exist between the School and its former pupils.
This year’s reunions have been occasions of great goodwill, warmth and humour. It was wonderful to see so many of you for tea, tours and talk before our Carol Services in December and I was delighted that nearly a hundred – of all the King’s vintages – made it to the East India Club in March for a memorable evening.
More recently, we have just held our first ever reunion in Scotland. Although kilts were not worn, the wail of bagpipes not heard and not even a smidgeon of Walker’s shortbread was consumed, the evening was a thoroughly enjoyable one. Numbers were small, but all four of the houses that existed in the 1960s (Laud, Serlo, Wheeler and School House) were represented and many warm memories of Tom Brown, Pat David and Clifford Ashby and others flowed from one end of the table to the other. All present were eager to hear more of the School’s recent doings, though not as eager as I was to be giving them chapter and verse. Is there any end to the verbosity of English teachers who are given the opportunity to be Headmasters as well?
In the last newsletter, your Chairman, Nik Hill, made an eloquent plea for feedback on ‘what you actually want out of your Society, how we can improve things, what works, what doesn’t and what factors affect whether or not you come back to the School’. I very much endorse Nik’s words. The Gloucester King’s School Society strives ever onward, though I would like to add from my own perspective that it is a Society with a strong heart, an active body and a vast number of limbs! I am hugely grateful to you for your constant support for School events and activities and for the personal support so many former pupils have given me since I gingerly took up the reins in September 2007. It has been an exciting time and I am not one bit resentful that no one asked the Headmaster himself to play for his own Invitational XV against the G.K.S.S. Clearly, there are some people out there who know just how many times I used to drop the ball when I was at school!
With warm regards to you and your families.