Recent Events
8 December 2009
OC Legal Dinner, in the Reform Club's celebrated Library Room. These annual Dinners have become renowned for their friendly and warm atmosphere, and this year's event was just as enjoyable.
Lord Frank Judd (CLS 1945-53) kindly agreed to speak at this year's Dinner. Lord Judd's career has included Minister of Overseas Development, as well as Director of VSO and Oxfam. In recent years, he has focused on human rights issues, having served as a member of the Joint Committee on Human Rights. After the Dinner, in what was a fascinating talk, Lord Judd shared some of his insights on key human rights issues.
7-10 December 2009
'Richard III'. The joint CLS and CLSG presentation in the Winterflood Theatre of Richard III was as ever excellent and a tribute not only to the cast but to the directors, producers, designers and stage management. Daniel Bratt's performance as the misshapen and evil Richard was a tour de force and the many other powerful contributions from the boys from CLS and ladies from CLSG combined to provide a riveting and memorable evening.
25 November 2009
The Annual General Meeting approved new rules and elected a new President and Committee. Full details, including the proposed rule changes and the background to them, can be found in the AGM pages. The formal meeting was followed by a buffet supper, where we again entertained the Head Boy and his Deputies, several Captains of sports and the Headmaster.
9 September 2009
A very successful Annual Dinner was held at the House of Lords on 9th September, with over 100 guests attending. The speakers were Lord Levene, who was our host for the evening, Sir Paul Judge and the Headmaster. A full account of the event will appear here shortly, meanwhile you can read Bruce Todd's comments in his President's Blog. Very many thanks to all those involved in arranging the event, in particular Keith Baker.
17 June 2009
OC Golfing Society match against the School, at Old Fold Manor Golf Club. There's a full report of the day in the Golfing Society's pages.
15-18 June 2009
The CLS Lower School Summer Production this year was Lionel Bart’s spectacular musical Oliver! It was a thrilling event with over 50 members of CLS and CLSG involved onstage, and many more behind the scenes.
As with so many of Dickens' works, the story of Oliver Twist - an illegitimate child brought up in a workhouse - points up the inhumanity and injustice shown to the poor in Victorian England. The programme contained an article by Gary Griffin (Second Master) on the Workhouse System and the Nineteenth Century Poor Law, which reveals the horrifying fact that workhouses were not totally abolished until 1929.
The production was a triumph, both technically and artistically. Staged in the School's Winterflood Theatre, it was a surprise and a delight from beginning to end. The talented cast, from CLS and CLSG, performed with great vigour, with the advantage of the marvellous technical facilities of the Theatre including closed circuit TV, ensuring that Michael Holiday, the conductor, was always visible from any part of the acting area, the cast's personal microphones worn unobtrusively near the ear, clever lighting and staging effects and the brilliant design of the Theatre with the open stage surrounded on three sides by the audience.
Special mention should be made of the orchestra (tucked away invisibly in a corner) and of the stage-hands, who nipped in and out smartly changing props.
11 June 2009
On the evening of Thursday 11 June there was an informal gathering at the School for all OCs with a military connection. Please contact Alan Willis if you'd like to attend future gatherings.
4 June 2009
On the evening of Thursday 4 June there was an informal gathering in the Concourse at the School for all OCs who left in 1999. It was organised by Robert Sykes, one of their number, who is currently teaching Modern Languages at CLS.
23 May 2009
The annual Fives Club internal tournament for the Adams Cup was held at Highgate. Post-event refreshments were held as usual at The Wrestlers. There's a report with photos in the Sports Clubs pages.
14 May 2009
6th Form Leavers Lunch, hosted by the JCC.
12 May 2009
On Tuesday 12 May from 7 to 9pm there was an informal gathering at the School for all OCs working in the construction industry (engineers, surveyors, architects...) providing the opportunity to network and reminisce with peers and staff, as well as tuck into a buffet supper.
1-5 April 2009
The OC Golfing Society competed in the Halford Hewitt, the annual public schools old boys golf competition at Sandwich and Deal, in Kent. There's a report in the Sports Clubs pages.
3 April 2009
Cricket Club Annual Dinner, at Balls Brothers, 2 St Mary at Hill EC3R 4EE (near Monument tube).
30 March 2009
OC yachtsmen have been meeting for dinner at the beginning of the sailing season for many years. This year they again took a table at the City Livery Yacht Club Fitting Out Dinner at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge.
Please contact Brian Day if you'd like to attend next year.
9-12 March 2009
Sweeney Todd, the Stephen Sondheim Musical, was the first School production in the new Winterflood Theatre at CLS. It was funny, gory, disturbing and remarkably accomplished. The audience alternately squealed in horror, roared with laughter and physically shrank from the graphic depiction of everyday life in the City not so long ago!
11 March 2009
CCF Annual Inspection and Review, at the School. The day was a great success. Lots of activities on view for all the guests, who included many parents, and a most impressive march past to music from the Band. And the award of a host of cups and certificates to high achievers across the sections. The success of the CCF at the School is a testament to lots of things - including the hard work of the instructors (and it's noteworthy that a number of Old Citizens return to help out), the variety and engaging nature of the activities provided and of course the enthusiasm of the cadets themselves.
2 February 2009
The Dinner at the House of Lords scheduled for February 2nd had to be cancelled due to inclement weather. A new date has now been agreed - Wednesday 9 September.