Centenary OD Dinner in June 2003

	46 Guests raise a toast to Durlston Court School on its 100th birthday.

We numbered 46 in the end including 14 wives, girlfriends and one sister (mine) who last appeared at Durlston in a Visitor's race in 1956! To all those who came, many thanks for making it a great celebration for the school's centenary. The Durlston team arrived with special centenary display photographs which really set the scene. The Royal Wimbledon Golf Club had arranged five round tables in the main Dining Room. 

After a Wine Reception which proved just not long enough, approx 40 minutes, for the attendees to catch up on the forty odd years, more or less, since some of them had last seen each other before there was an attempt to take a full team photo. A carvery dinner was served and soon it was time to toast the school, led off by Michael Palau (1959) who introduced as one of the former Officers of the Court, the Town Crier, George Bird (1957) who resplendent in his original grey and white school tie with name and number 96 still intact, all three inches showing, perhaps his neck is a little larger, sang 'Happy Birthday Durlston' to which the reply was satisfactory or we would have had to do it again! 

Host Michael Palau welcomes the guest and proposes a toast! Joined by Dr Ian Wilson

After a few words about former headmasters and the essential family atmosphere at Durlston, Michael Palau read the School Song, The Carmen Durlstonianum, which Peter Yerburgh had recorded when Pat Cox read it in chapel in 1974, (the music by Pearce has still not yet emerged but if anyone would have known it surely Pat Cox would have done and he was never shy of a song). The formal toast came from Dr Ian Wilson (1938), former Governor and senior OD present who as Chairman of the Committee that organised the writing of the History of the School reminded us of some of it first hand and encouraged ODs to visit the school and keep in touch. Headmaster David Wansey replied with some impressive statistics about the growing numbers at Durlston now and reports of the various celebrations throughout the centenary year. He then toasted the OD Society. 

	and George Bird added his thoughts.....

Those absent friends who sent apologies, regrets etc. were remembered and the response from the ODs was led by Alastair Ritchie (1960) with some comical memories of 'Matron', Mr Scutt and other members of the staff in the 1950s. Jonathan Newton said a few words about doing it again before we were aged a hundred ourselves and finally the' Vive La' was revived after a break of 39 years and 45 years since most of us had sung it. Somehow we remembered it and after a few more reminiscences, before we knew where we were we were being chucked out by the Steward into the night. We had had a few hours of shameless nostalgia and were cheered to hear that the old school is still going strong.

	Organiser, Michael Palau sung his version of Vive La Compagnie.

Vive La Compagnie!
 
 
Our thanks to the Royal for the food and the wine,
And thanks to our ladies for looking so fine.
If each had a line we’d be here all night,
I don’t think I’ll do that and give them a fright,
Let’s move on quite quickly, keeping it light.
 
The Sutcliffes are here from the Forties you’ll see,
Here tonight Ian Wilson’s the oldest OD.
There’s fifty years gap to young Parkinson,
In between there’s a mob including Drayson,
Newtons and Peacocks and Nick Edmiston.
 
Each one of these names always carries a rhyme,
I suppose it’s possible given the time,
But with Bradfords and Birds and Pete Kenyon-Muir,
Johns, Wyatt and Burnett and me for sure,
You’ll understand why I’m still seeking a cure.
 
So now we have left to name but a few:
What about Cumming, the Dowlers and Dew,
And then there’s Bill Andrewes and Andrew Lalonde,
(we thought he was coming but he did not respond)
John Hope and one Sheffield post a Ziggy abscond,
To fit the rest in I need a big wand.
 
Miss Kate Austin’s welcome as young Adam’s guest
And Tonky Leberne just to add some real zest
And Alastair Ritchie might well make you laugh,
Janice is soon to be James’s distaff,
After that I’m off for an early bath.
 
If I’ve missed you be grateful and here forthwith
I must make mention of family Smith.
A ball from ‘Drew Wilson still goes with a whoosh.
Its good at last minute to hear from Mike Gush.
When it’s time to go please give me a push.
 
David and Tessa are now at the Head,
John Teather’s arrival will keep the funds fed.
All Durlstonians abroad and those that are here
Join together in this centenary year
Let rip just this once – a bloody good cheer!
 
Vive La, Vive La, Vive La, Vive La, Vive La, Vive La, Vive La, Vive La …..Vive La Compagnie! 
 

........Alistair Ritchie makes a witty response.......