COLLEGIATE OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL DINNER 2023

The Annual Dinner was again held on the 20th October 2023 at the prestigious Athenaeum Club here in Liverpool. The Club is an ideal venue which has facilities enabling us to hold the AGM and a licensed bar for relaxation and plenty of chat after our meal.

Our beloved School closed in 1985 but amazingly this event was attended by some 57 old boys. Three old boys were unable to attend due to atrocious weather conditions. We very much appreciate the support of our members which enable us to continue with these reunions. In fact a number of former pupils travel  from afar to this event each year including Jim Rimmer who travels from Poole in Dorset. He started school in 1947!

Sadly our long serving and passionate President, Gwyn Thomas, who now lives in Telford was unable to join us personally but he still retains a passionate interest in our activities.

The proceedings were compèred by fellow member Steve Darby and after introducing the Officers he then introduced our guest speaker, Steve Brady who attended School from for five years from1962. Last year Steve left his home in the Cayman Islands intending to join us at the dinner here in Liverpool. Unfortunately his car suffered a breakdown whilst travelling from his daughter’s home in Bournemouth and sadly he missed the evening.

Happily he has been able to join us this year and kindly volunteered to be our guest speaker. Steve is no stranger to performing this role and as expected he met all our expectations. 

In addition to relating his experiences at School his speech covered his days in Everton where his family lived and his entry to the Collegiate.His education there laid the foundation for an interesting and exciting career based on his outstanding  academic achievements. A memory of School which most of us share was mentioned by Steve. This involved a female teacher which you will readily recall, Miss Mary Hill aka Ma Hill! She was our form teacher for a short while and actually mentioned that I was a (nice boy) in the annual report. I rather think she had mixed me up with another pupil!  Steve correctly recalled her style of teaching and the fear which most of us experienced as a result. 

Steve also detailed the varied aspects of his career involving widespread travel and involvement in religious affairs. He is still active in this field and renowned for his knowledge and leadership in the Church.

Having been born and bred in Everton has made Steve and an avid but patient supporter of Everton FC. Whilst he has not enjoyed much success in recent years he proudly recalls earlier successes and in particular the triumph at Wembley in 1965. He clearly recalls (as I do) Everton trailing 2-0 at half time against Sheffield Wednesday. The second half was a different story with the Blues scoring 3 goals to win the game and win the FA Cup. 

Our Chairman, David Winsland, proposed a vote of thanks for his excellent address which was endorsed by all present. 

As ever we are proud to arrange an Annual Dinner and are grateful to everyone who was able to join us this year. We very much appreciate your continuing support which make these events so enjoyable and successful. Also may I take the opportunity of thanking Steve Brady for travelling all this way to deliver such an interesting, informative and entertaining speech.

Our meeting next year will take place on Friday 18th October 2024.

Finally, for several years we have arranged informal reunions which have been held at the Artists Club here in Liverpool and it is my practice to send invitations by email. My list does not cover all our old boys and if you wish to receive invitations please send me your email address. For the first time some of us paid a visit for a lunch meeting at Lee Park Golf Club and some were accompanied by their wives. This was another successful event and if we have sufficient support we could well have a repeat in the New Year.

Our attendance at all these events amazes me especially as our School closed in 1985- some 38 years ago. We do rely on all old boys to continue their support which presents a wonderful opportunity to refresh our memories (good and bad) of our time in Shaw Street.

For those old boys who were not able to join us this year some photographs of the evening will be incorporated in the website for LIVERPOOL COLLEGIATE OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION. I am very grateful to fellow Council Member Steve Brown for capably deputising for the absent David Bailey. Well done Steve!

The evening closed with the traditional singing of the School Song and the School Chant. Always performed enthusiastically by all. We do provide wording of the School Song but the majority readily recall all the words!

Best wishes to all and grateful thanks for those who were able to join us this year

I do hope that you enjoyed the evening and look forward to your continuing support.

Derek Corlett (1955-1960)

(Photographs Below)