Nik Hill
A gentle reminder was all I needed to goad me into action to write this contribution to the latest edition of the King’s Courier.
With the summer making a brief re-appearance in the autumn, I was lulled into a false sense of security, thinking I had time on my side to put pen to paper – or rather fingers to keyboard – and come up with something that appeals to all. That is very much the purpose of your Society: to try to organise events that really do appeal to everyone, irrespective of age, gender or tastes, be they educational, music or sports biased.
The Michaelmas Term looms large and just on the horizon we have some really great annual events that I am sure many of you will enjoy. It would be great to see these as well attended as possible.
The Carol Services on Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th December are enhanced by two fairly informal mini-reunions. We would like to invite the leavers of 1968–1975 to drinks and a tour of the School followed by supper on Tuesday 15th and then we repeat the exercise for those who left between 1976 and 1981 on the Wednesday evening. As my time at King’s spanned nearly all of these dates, I’m hoping that I might be invited to attend both evenings as I am sure there will people I know on each occasion. Whilst we all might have some difficulty remembering names, the faces will still be just as familiar as they ever were!
With the annual rugby match also taking place in December, these three events alone are a great way to celebrate the Christmas season and to catch up with some old friends and reminisce about times long gone by (for some) at King’s. Full details and formal invitations will follow; please get these back as soon as possible as it is important for the School to be aware of numbers.
The new-look website is up and running, but I noticed that it is somewhat lacking in pictures and stories from former pupils. Perhaps you could send in your thoughts as the website is very much a ‘work in progress’ scenario and a useful tool to jog people’s memories and put them back in touch with the School.
I hope that you all had a good summer. Mine was busy with work commitments at the Gloucestershire Cricket International, Elton John Concert and the Reading Festival, nothing glamorous I hasten to add, but it did mean that I missed out on attending some of the summer events, such as the Cricket and the Leavers’ Eucharist. I can only apologise for not being there!
We are all busy people, but the Society hopes that - with planning - a good number will be able to return to the School and support forthcoming events. Christmas looks fantastic this year, so please put the dates in your diary now. I look forward to seeing you.
Best wishes.
Nik Hill – G.K.S.S. Chairman