THE ANNUAL DINNER. 1927

A report of the annual Dinner on 29th January has already appeared in the press, and we must content ourselves with a short reference to it. The attendance was a great disappointment. With Mr. Prowse in the chair we had looked to beat all records. The "flu" epidemic we know was responsible for many absentees, but, even so, an attendance of 110, which included 18 visitors and our very good friend, Mr. L.T. Gardiner, of the local press, fell far below expectations. To add to the disappointment, neither Mr. F. Mullis nor Mr. Leonard Adams, the only survivors of the Chairman's colleagues in his early days at the School, was able to be present, whilst illness kept R. Howe away unexpectedly, and a bad throat prevented G. T. Foxon from singing. We realised how much we have come to rely upon these two talented O.M.'s for help on the musical side. For years they, with F.G. Griggs and P.G. Lambirth, and more recently W.A. Bridge, have provided for us an absolutely first-class musical programme, to say nothing of the help given from time to time by A. Dickinson, L.S. Griggs, H.H. Hammond, and others. We hope that in future years some of the younger Old Boys will come forward and help us in this direction.
Grace having been said by the Rev. Rowland Hills (1891-3), still known to his contemporaries as "Pudden" Hills, and the flashlight photographer having done his best (or worst), we settled down to the good fare provided by the Connaught Rooms, and later on to some speeches.
In proposing the toast of "The Chairman," H.R. Greenwood reminded us of the fact that in the course of his 35 years' service Mr. Prowse had had pass through his hands nearly every Old Boy present, and of what we and the School owed to him. Needless to say the toast was received with acclamation and musical honours.
Mr. Prowse's speech in proposing "The School" was, if we may be allowed to say so, very appropriate in reminding us, just on the threshold, as it were, of the new School buildings, of the great work done in the early days of the reorganised School in its then new habitation in High Street by the "Guvnor," the Rev. H.A. Allpass, and of the good omen in the fact that our present Head is a man with similar ideals and a worthy successor. Replies were forthcoming from Mr. Midgley, who made grateful reference to Mr. Prowse's work and also to the Mallinson Scholarship Trust, and from A.E. Holdsworth, whose really good effort aroused outspoken commendation on all sides to the effect that "they do seem to produce orators at the School nowadays."
Other toasts were proposed by L.A. Moules ("The Visitors"), E.A.H. Goodchild ("The Sports Club"), and A. Dickinson ("The Hon. Sec."), and replied to by Mr. M. Jones, W.H. Foxon, and H.R. Greenwood respectively.
An excellent musical programme, but all too short, was furnished by F.G. Griggs, W.A. Bridge, P.G. Lambirth, and H.H. Hammond. It was Bridge's last Saturday evening as a bachelor and his last in the old country for some time, and we were particularly glad that he could and did find time to spend some portion of it with us. Our best wishes went with him and his wife when, on 4th February, they sailed for New Zealand.
The songs being fewer than usual, there was greater opportunity for conversation and reminiscences. The adoption of a seating plan enabled the Secretary to ensure that contemporaries were placed together, and we think Mr. Prowse must have had many old memories revived when he saw some of the groups thus formed, whether amongst boys of the 90's, or those of more recent date. Lack of space forbids, but we should like to have given a list of those present with the years of their attendance at the School, just to show how representative the gathering was, from A.A. Peacock, who attended the School when carried on in the old building in the Parish Churchyard, F.G. Griggs and G.M. Jeffery, who started in the West Avenue days and came on to High Street in 1886, and W. J. Howlett and W.A. Workman, who were signed on during 1886, down to boys who left within the last year or two.
Besides those already named, there were over 30 present who were in the School at some time prior to 1900, and there were six Old Boys whose fathers were Old Boys. We were glad to welcome some "first timers," and hope they will become " regulars." When men think it worth while to come long distances in order to be present year after year, as does L.L. Worthington (1896-1900), who lives at Rugby, there is not much excuse for the many who live in and near Walthamstow.
Messages from two Old Boys overseas came to hand in time for the Dinner. T.S. Hatfield sent a telegram of greeting from Lima, having already written a message that in honour of the 400th year he was wearing the new Old Monovians tie in that far distant city. Loyal soul!
F.A. Johns, who sailed for Melbourne in March last, and who was given a letter of introduction to H. Perks, an Old Monovian, who went to Melbourne many years ago, sent good wishes from Perks and himself. He has secured a berth with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Board out there and has our best wishes.
News has also come to hand of F.C. Briggs (1897-1902) after many years. He is now a Chartered Civil Engineer with many letters after his name, the Engineer and General Manager of the Dudley Gas Light Co., and President for the second year in succession of the Midland Section of the Institution of Gas Engineers. Congratulations and good wishes to him.
H.RG.