On Thursday 13th November 2025 following the success of 2024’s event we returned to Queen’s Club in west London for our second ‘black tie and posh frocks’ event. Hosted by our President Fiona Illingworth (BF 76 & Alb), we were delighted to welcome Quentin Letts (H 76) as this year’s guest speaker.
OHs from across 50 decades came together over drinks in the Members’ Bar to greet each other over glimpses of Real Tennis being played on the court below. We then made our way to the glorious President’s Room for the Haileybury latin Grace given by Fiona, followed by a delicious dinner of soup, lamb and lemon meringue pie. Fiona welcomed everyone and introduced Quentin who delivered a wonderfully entertaining speech.
Quentin spoke of his memories of Haileybury including paying tribute to the ‘beaks’ of his days at school, in particular showing his appreciation for Hailey House Master Ken Rimmer, Director of Music Jack Hindmarch and rugby pro Dan Hearn, amongst others. He spoke of his time at University in Ireland and his career moves from dustman to journalist to author. Unable to avoid parliamentary satire he compared some current senior politicians in government with an XV rugby team (we can’t possibly print his comments!)
The Society presented Quentin with a bottle of our Winged Heart Gin by way of our thanks for his fabulous speech as we had heard rumours that this was consumed neat in his study back in the day. We also managed to prevent those of his peer group present from flicking groise at him across the table. Quentin very kindly personally signed several copies of his latest novel ‘Nunc’ for our guests.
It was a wonderful evening full of happy memories, old friends gathering together and new OH faces joining us for their first Society event. This dinner will now be a regular feature in our social diary.
More from The Haileybury Society
- Queens Club Dinner 2025
- Annual General Meeting Announcement & Documents
- Rackets World Doubles Championship For Tom Billings (LS & BF 04)
- A weekend for OH sporting victory!
- All Things Attlee At Haileybury
- It’s Arts & Drama Grants Time!
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Unless otherwise stated, all content and images on this website and blog © The Haileybury Society, 2024, all rights reserved