Senior Members of The Haileybury Society enjoyed a wonderful reunion at this year’s Annual London Lunch on 26th April, held once again at the RAF Club on Piccadilly.

Image of Old Haileyburians at the 2023 London Lunch — A spirit of community – OHs enjoyed conviviality and friendship at the 2023 London Lunch

The event, attended by the Master, Martin Collier and Haileybury’s Archivist Toby Parker, reflected the new spirit of co-operation between The Society and the school. Both the Master in his speech, and Past President Doug Everard (BF 74) who was speaking on behalf of current president Lizzie Graham, looked forward tremendously to the new working relationship between the two bodies.

Current President Lizzie Graham (K 76 & Alb), who couldn’t speak due to a weak voice on the day, was ably supported by Doug who delivered the President’s speech on her behalf.

Remembrance and thanks

He began by remembering a number of dear friends the Society had lost since the last Lunch, including John Chapple (K 45), Michael Freeguard (BF 47), David Ramsbotham (M 48), and former Haileybury Chaplain Chris Briggs (Staff, 2000-19).

Following a series of thanks to donors, other supporters and the Master, he then went on to welcome the many representatives from the OH sports clubs with whom the Society enjoys a mutually beneficial, long-standing and loyal relationship.

Amongst these were the Rugby, Rackets, Rifles, Cricket & Golf clubs, members of which all made an appearance.

Rackets success

Particular mention was made of the achievements of in Rackets amongst both boys and girls, with the team having beaten Rugby and Haberdashers , drawn with Clifton, and planning fixtures against Charterhouse, Cheltenham, Wellington and Eton.

As Doug said, thanks to the generosity of OHs and the school in helping younger players in particular, rackets is in a much healthier position, reflecting in particular how the Society and the School are working together.

Testament to this is the fact that at the senior level Haileybury has the current world singles and doubles champion, Tom Billings (LS & BF 04), and is the current Old Boys doubles champions represented by Mark Farmiloe (B 93) (who was in attendance at the lunch).

At the school level Haileybury also has the current Colts doubles Champions, Flynn Jennings and Ben Tilbury, who beat Tonbridge in the final at the end of March. Jennings is also the Colts singles champion, signalling a great future for both the school and OH rackets.

Welcoming friends

Image of Alison Baker at the Haileybury Society London Lunch — Smiling faces at a special London Lunch!

This year’s London Lunch also saw a number of old griends in attendance, including Society guest Alison Baker (Staff 2003-23) (right), recently retired after 20 years’ service, most recently as the HM of Hailey.

From further afield, Nicky Bicket, Andy Jackson and Caelim Ogilvie all of the OD Union – the Old Diocesan College, Cape Town – reminded us of the longstanding relationship between that school and Haileybury, mostly based on VI form rugby playing boys.

As Doug mentioned, The Society and the ODU often cross-pollinate at events and Nicky and Society Secretary Jane Everard often speak about ideas for relevant events.

The importance of community

Doug reminded the audience that The Society is all about the OH community and forging new links whilst maintaining old ties. In particular he reminded us that while Public schools are often under threat from being elitist, Haileybury should be rightly proud of excellence whilst ensuring this doesn’t become arrogance. In this regard, he reminded us of the importance of Haileybury’s ethos of Community and Spirit of Service to others.

Citing last year’s Arm in Arm campaign as the most recent example of this spirit, Doug emphasised that charity and charitable service will be fundamental parts of the Society’s new strategic plan for 2023-4.

Image of OHs at the 2023 London Lunch — The Master (second left) and President Lizzie Graham (K 76 & Alb) (third left) celebrate the unique bonds between the School and The Society.

As he said, “what will shine through is the commitment to the welfare & wellbeing of Haileyburians throughout their lives in various ways – bursary/grant support, career support, friendship, re-connecting friends, overseas representatives, sharing charitable endeavours, online business directory, connections with the school. Of course all of this takes money, so we will be talking too about fund-raising but that is not and never will be our primary purpose.”

Fifty years of girls

The Lunch was blessed this year by an increased attendance by OH girls. As Doug pointed out, women now take up the two senior roles at the Society – Jane Everard (L 76 & Alb) as Secretary and Lizzie Graham (K 76 & Alb) as President – while Catherine Macleod-Smith (L 79 & Alb), Fiona Illingworth (BF 76 & Alb) , Susan Flint-Cahan (Alb 93) and Sophie Day (C 11) together make up nearly half of the strong and committed body of Trustees,.

“Old girls will feature prominently”, said Doug, “and rightly so with 2023 marking 50 years of girls at Haileybury. This is an important anniversary, and Haileybury is now completely co-educational since Lawrence became a girls’ house in 2020”.

Working together

In his concluding remarks, Doug reminded the gathering of the recent cooperation agreement signed between the Society trustees and Council, drawing a welcome line in the sand on past differences and signalling a new dawn where Society and School are now actively working on joint projects and events. He then welcomed the Master and invited him to update those gathered about progress at Haileybury in the last year.

As the London Lunch makes clear every year, being an Old Haileyburian is what binds us all together. Bonds formed in school are life long; as Doug said, “in the immortal words of the Eagles, “you can check out anytime you like but you can never leave!””

We all look forward to a positive year ahead where School and Society come together as one irresistable force for good.

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London Lunch celebrates a special year for Haileybury and its alumni