In early October, The Bradfield Society hosted its fifth Regional Lunch for alumni in the Southwest of England, returning to the private dining room at the Riverstation Restaurant in the Harbourside area of Bristol.
It was lovely to welcome multiple generations of Bradfieldians. Peter Workman (C 54-57), Tim Lewis (F 57-62), Ian Wills (A 60-65), Tony Elgood (G 66-71), Alistair Roy (H 67-71) and Bryan Sergeant (A 73-78) engaged in conversation with a number of recent leavers who are now studying at university in the Bristol area. Among them were former Head Boy Raff Burrowes (G 14-19) who some will remember spoke at one of the lunches in the past during ‘Pupil Takeover Day’, alongside his Class of 2019 contemporaries, Phoebe Kime (K 14-19) and Ollie Waddington (G 14-19).
The most recent leavers present included Izzy Bray (I 16-21), Elise Golding (K 15-20), Daisy de Normann (J 15- 20), Alice Nanton (J 18-20), Tabby Hyslop (K 15-20) and Primrose Lenon (J 19-21) who all left Bradfield this past summer and have just started their university careers. It was particularly special to welcome Olivia Garran (I 90-92) who was one of the first girls to attend the College.
It is always good to catch up with our recent leavers and learn about their paths since Bradfield. Megan Wilkins (K 12-17) has finished her university time and now awaits Sandhurst, where her army career is starting in January 2022, whilst Phoebe Kime continues with her paramedic training in Birmingham.
The Headmaster, Dr Chris Stevens, brought the group up to date with some of the activities and initiatives from the College, how the pupils, staff and whole community have navigated the pandemic, as well as some of the plans for the future. This was the first gathering outside Bradfield since the pandemic has started to ease and certainly was the most co-educational Bradfieldian lunch to date. 64 years separated the most senior attendees from the most recent leavers, united by the common bond of the College.
The inaugural Leeds Regional Dinner took place in November with a small group of alumni from all over the North. Those attending included dentist Rupert Behrendt (E 55-60), Malcolm Bird (B 59-63) who still runs his family menswear business Frank Bird, eye surgeon Bruce Noble (D 58-63), OB Golfer Tim Rhodes (C 64-68), William Shutt (E 52-57) and architect Mark Shtanov (F 06-11) alongside recent leavers who are now students at Leeds; Stevens House trio Ellie Hand (K 16-21), Jen Peche (K 16-21) and Georgia Sabey (K 16-21).
Hosted by Al MacEwen, the Director of Development and The Bradfield Society, we hope this gathering will be the first of many, in what is proving to be a popular university for current pupils and place to live for alumni. The following day the annual lunch in Manchester took place at Cote Brasserie attended by regulars Quentin Abel (A 75-79), Richard Garrett (H 84-88) and Jon Goddard (C 92-97). A smaller gathering than usual, in part due to work commitments and limited numbers at Manchester University this year, it was very good to catch up with news and views after the challenges of the pandemic.
LONDON LUNCH
The Bradfield Society look forward to hosting all Bradfieldians at the annual Bradfieldian London Lunch on Friday 20 May 2022. It will be held this year at a special new venue: The Lansdowne Club, 9 Fitzmaurice Place, Mayfair W1J 5JD. We will be hosting the lunch in the beautiful Grade 2 listed Ballroom and adjoining Long Gallery of the Private Members’ Club.
Guests are invited for drinks at 12 noon followed by the 3-course lunch. Tickets cost £60 to include all food and drink with a discounted price of £30 for Bradfieldians aged 30 and under.
We hope that you will join us for this special OB lunch at this exciting new venue and use it as a rendezvous with your Bradfieldian friends and contemporaries.
For more details and tickets for this event visit the Bradfield Society website:
