The College had the pleasure of hosting 24 members of the 1850 Society, their spouses and guests at the College for their annual gathering during the Summer Term. The event started with an invitation from the Headmaster to lunch at Crossways. Courtesy of the clement weather the Society were treated to al-fresco dining and a welcome gentle breeze in the Crossways garden.
Lunch began with a welcome by Al MacEwen, Director of the Bradfield Society and Development Office, who handed over to Richard Butler (G 52-56), current President of the 1850 Society. Richard reviewed his Presidency, remembering with a shudder the attempt at an online 1850 Society gathering, but also speaking with passion on the importance of the Society to the development of a stronger Bradfield.
He then introduced the new President, David Wright (E 48-53), who responded by stating his gratitude for his Bradfield education and what it has allowed him to achieve, and his preparedness to undertake the role, stating that it’s not often one has the opportunity to start a new job in their late 80s, but it was one to which he was committed.
The lunch menu of salmon ‘three ways’ followed by English strawberries and cream received widespread approval and was perfectly topped with a speech from the Headmaster on the current health of the school.
Following lunch, the Society moved down to the main College for a brief on the St Andrew’s Project, the transformational venture to turn the historical Church building into a teaching and learning centre at the heart of Bradfield. This was followed by a tour of the church led by Julia Bond, Capital Projects Manager; which started with a briefing in the temporarily created St Andrew’s Project exhibition space in Gray School, prior to progressing onto a choice of a ‘steps’ or a ‘no steps’ project tour. There was a lot of interest and positive murmuring about the project amongst the attendees.
Following a second exhibition from a choice of a History of Bradfield tour, practical experiments in the Science Centre, an insight into Trackman at the Golf course, a tour of the Art Schools and an insight into Virtual Reality, 1850 Society members then retired for Afternoon Tea in the marquee alongside the other attendees of Summer Bradfield Day.
A wonderful way to spend a Summer’s Day.
If you are interested in learning more about the 1850 Society and leaving a gift to the College in your will visit the dedicated Leave a Legacy webpage and contact Katie Green-Armytage on kgreenarmytage@www.bradfieldcollege.org.uk or call 0118 964 4840.
