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Events
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About the Site
Now We Are Six! The Sydney Luncheon Table's April 10th meeting included two new members, Bill Main (1936 - 1943) and Ted Downer (1944 - 1948). We also had the pleasure of Cameron Craig's company (1939 - 1949). Cameron was visiting his son, who now works in Sydney. Craig and Walker-Powell joined the School on the same day, 1st September 1939, and spent much of the lunchtime's obligatory five to six hours reminiscing about the battles of the Ragwort Patch at Northwood Park, Winchester. Winchester being the first place to which we were evacuated in 1939. These battles were between two opposing Lower School teams; they could have been selected on a House basis, Jerrard or Nichol. The defending side sheltered behind a pile of sandbags while the attackers pelted them with flintstones - some of which were the size of a boy's fist. Craig was one of several casualties. He recalled being give a piggy back by Bristow (of helicopter fame) to be treated at the sanatorium. He also jogged our memory concerning the galvanised-iron bucket that was placed in the centre of the dormitories for the benefit of boys taken short during the night. Was this the reason, we wondered, why so many of that group later in their school career went on to qualify for their First Class Shot badge at Tipner Range?
Once the excellent Clare Valley Riesling took control, we started to have delusions that before long we will be large enough to form an Australian Chapter of the OP Club. One of our more cautious members thought that to be too ambitious and, perhaps, we should be content with being a Verse.
We are now extending our activities beyond the Quarterly Luncheon to have twice a year Field Days that include families. Cherry hosted the first meeting, which was to have been held in his garden. Alas, just as it was in the old days at Hilsea, the heavens opened and we had to take our barbecue inside. Some unsuccessfully used a Ouija Board to try to conjure up Captain Stansfield's shade to join us.
Cherry will be visiting his father, who lives near Winchester, in a few days and is hoping to pay a visit to the school. The next Luncheon Table's meeting is on Tuesday July 3rd. Any OP's, staff members or pupils who may be in Sydney then are welcome to join us.
