Forthcoming and Recent Events
Forthcoming Events
For BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL NETWORK EVENTS: see the B&PN page in the password-protected Keep in Touch section.
LORETTONIAN SOCIETY ANNUAL DINNER 2009
will be held at the Middle Temple Hall, Middle Temple Lane, London EC4Y 9AT
on Friday 24th April, 2009.
Recent Events
LORETTO DAY was on Sunday 22nd June 2008. Despite trorrential overnight rain and an unpromising forecast, the day was blessed by good weather throughout. Following a packed Chapel Service, at which Michael Mavor preached his last sermon as Headmaster (including driving a golf ball up the aisle - the Health and Safety assessment, he said, rated it as a 'High Risk'), there was an excellent art display and drinks were served in Pinkie Garden to the accompaniment of choral and instrumental music. Presentations were made to Michael Mavor and Dorothy Barbour to mark their retirement after which the Pipes & Drums played and there was a display of Highland Dancing. The OL Cricket XI (augmented by several non-OLs) failed to beat the School XI in an 'overs' match.
THE LORETTONIAN SOCIETY ANNUAL DINNER 2008 was held at Loretto on Saturday 3rd May 2008.
At The Annual General Meeting of the Society prior to the meal, Craig Cameron (1959) was elected President for 2008-9 and David Strang (1976) was elected Vice-President.
Lord Fraser of Carmyllie (1963), out-going President of the Lorettonian Society, proposed the Toast to 'The School', and the Headmaster replied. Some 108 OLs and guests attended: there was a very large turn-out from the 1998 and the 1988 Leavers. The 1998 Leavers enjoyed leading the singing after the meal of Blessed be the God and Father and Zadok the Priest, as well as excerpts from Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat. amongst other items!
YORKSHIRE BRANCH DINNER: Some 20 OLs and guests attended a dinner at Grants Hotel, Harrogate, on Friday 18th April. Many thanks to William Gaunt (1985) for organising the event. Yorkshire hospitality at its best!
A COMMEMORATION SERVICE in tribute to JIM CLARK OBE, 1936 - 1968 (Loretto, 1949 - 1952)
World Motor Racing Champion, 1963 and 1965 was held in Loretto Chapel on Sunday 13th April 2008. Following a photographic introduction, there were tributes from Graham Gauld, read by Bernard Buss, Vice Presidenrt of the Scottish Motor Racin Club, Ian Scott-Watson, Anthony Reid, OL racing driver, Dario Franchitti and Sir Jackie Stewart.
The North East of England Branch Dinner: Thirty-five OLs and guests attended the dinner at the Mansion House in Jesmond on Friday 1st February. 17 of the OLs had left in the last ten years - one of whom had travelled from London and one from Glasgow. David Hall, who was in the chair, made a presentation of a piece of Lindisfarne silver to the Headmaster and Elizabeth Mavor to mark their retirement later in the year. An excellent meal was served in attractive surroundings in good company - need one ask more? Congratulations to Douglas Coughtrie who organised the event and his son James who was instrumental in achieving such a good turn-out from the young OLs.
Over 60s Lunches
Sunday 28th October and Thursday 1st November 2007
Two highly enjoyable lunches have been held this year. The Lunch at Loretto on Sunday 28th October was attended by 39 O.Ls, the new Chairman of the Governors and three guests. The Chapel Service, at which the lesson was read by Alastair Lean, Head of School in 1940, was followed by coffee, when several pupils gave us an excellent musical interlude. There were then tours of the School, during which the O.Ls were entertained by their pupil-guides (and vice-versa!). Drinks in the Old Library preceded lunch in the Dining Hall where the Headmaster spoke briefly, a magnificent grace was recited from memory, at a minute's notice, by 'the father of the gathering', Henry McCreath (1933), and the fellowship continued in the Old Library until very late in the afternoon.
For the fifth successive year the London Luncheon was held at The Cricketers Club off Baker Street. An encouraging gathering of 35 O.Ls enjoyed yet another very convivial and enjoyable day spent in a family spirit. It was especially gratifying to have a larger than usual number of first attenders come on board this year. A big thank you to Dean Carswell (1958) who flew in from Midlothian - wait for it - that's Midlothian near Fort Worth, Texas!
Loretto Day
Sunday 24th June 2007
Old Lorettonians, Parents and Friends filled the Chapel for a lively Morning Service and many more were able to enjoy an impressive Art exhibition and concerts. Unfortunately the Cricket match was concelled because of the rain-saturated pitch and field, but the pipers and dancers were able to perform on Pinkie Lawn during the Reception there.
The Lorettonian Society Diamond Jubilee Dinner
Friday 20th April 2007
A record turnout of 162 Lorettonians filled the new Music Room at the Caledonian Club, London, to enjoy an excellent dinner.
Andrew J.R. Brown was in the chair and Andrew Marr proposed the toast to the School, reminiscing of his own days at Loretto. The Headmaster replied with some words about the School as it is now, 30 years on.
With the large number of Lorettonians present for this Jubilee event, most people met enough contemporaries to make for a pleasant and convivial evening, and it is hoped that similar numbers may feel encouraged to come to the annual dinner in future.
The West of Scotland Branch Dinner
Friday 23rd February 2007
Over 40 OLs and guests attended an excellent dinner at the Western Club in Glasgow on Friday, 23rd February, 2007. Mark Simmers was in the chair and Dougie Donnelly, the well known sports commentator, reminisced entertainingly about his career as he proposed the toast to 'The School' and the Headmaster replied.