Old Cambrian Society (UK Branch) - RAF Club, Piccadilly, London

Old Cambrian Society

Old Cambrian Society (UK Branch) - RAF Club, Piccadilly, London - 20th April 2012

Old Cambrian Society (UK Branch)
Annual Dinner/Reunion
"Celebrating 110 years of the founding of the
Prince of Wales School / Nairobi School"
Held on Friday, 20th April 2012
at the Royal Air Force Club, Piccadilly, London.

Below is a report of the evening + some **photos** - **click on them** to enlarge

Table 1	Table 2	Table 3	Table 4

Table 5	Table 6	Pre-dinner drinks	Pre-dinner drinks

Pre-dinner drinks	Pre-dinner drinks	Pre-dinner drinks	Pre-dinner drinks

Pre-dinner drinks	Westcob & Capon	Elliott, Eddy & Davis	Sprosson, Howie & Hewitt(Hecht)

Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner

Auction of McLellan-Sim artwork	OCs in conversation	Watson, Keer-Keer & Westcob	Simpson, Capon & Coventry

Robinson, Carpenter & Dokelman	Stockwell, Currie & Robinson	Conversation at Table 2

Overall numbers were well down for the 2012 Annual Dinner of the Old Cambrian Society (UK Branch), which was celebrating 110 years of the founding of the European Nairobi School, which changed its name to The Prince of Wales School in 1931, and then in 1966 became known as Nairobi School. 65 Old Cambrians and guests had a marvelous evening in the splendour of The Ballroom at the Royal Air Force Club in Piccadilly, London.

Many 'regulars' were either on holiday or were recovering from recent surgery, and the continuing global financial recession also took its toll, with less 'old boys' feeling that they couldn't justify long journeys this year to attend the main Old Cambrian Society global event. Having said that, we had Old Cambrians from as far away as Australia, South Africa and the USA, and seven European countries.

Old Cambrian Society Secretary, Steve Le Feuvre (Clive 1970-5), acted as Master of Ceremonies for the night, and (Reverend) David Kitley (Scott 1967-9) said a few words before saying grace before the meal.

During the evening, an auction took place of a framed original 1950s graphic by Robert Lewis McLellan-Sim kindly donated by Neville Watson (Scott 1953-9) who was given this piece of art by Kelsey, RMSs' daughter. Bidding was brisk with and lively, and eventually Bernard Dokelman (Rhodes 1960-3) was successful with his bid of £300. This money will go to the Old Cambrian Society Educational Trust which is on the verge of being registered now that problems with the Charities Commission have been resolved over the past year.

Many thanks must go to the Host for the evening, RAF Club member Alan Murdoch (Rhodes 1945-50), without whom we would not be able to hold our dinners in these wonderful surroundings. Alan Murdoch had welcomed everyone to the dinner and then thanked Steve Le Feuvre and his wife Suzanne for the work that goes into organising such a large event in central London. It is 10 years since Steve took over as Secretary of the UK Branch of the Old Cambrian Society, and this was the 10th dinner that he had arranged.

After the meal had ended, the bar downstairs filled up again, and more reminiscing continued until 11pm when everyone headed home or to their London hotel for the night.