On a gloriously sunny Sunday ten Society members and partners met up at Corse Lawn House near Gloucester for the annual South Midlands Reunion. We were delighted to try another impressive venue and were very well looked after by the team at Corse Lawn.
Silver service splendour
Gathering for an apéritif and canapes in the foyer at 12.30pm, the local OHs welcomed Society President Lizzie Graham (K 76 & Alb) into their midst with great enthusiasm. The party then moved through to the beautifully appointed private Garden Room for a three-course silver service chosen individually from a comprehensive Sunday Luncheon menu.
Over memorable food, conversation flowed around the table with everyone sharing their stories and memories of Haileybury days across a span of forty years from 1948 to 1978.
A family affair
Lizzie gave a fascinating speech which was of great interest to all the guests. She spoke of her father Clement Coldwells’ (ISC & K 40) time first as a pupil at the ISC in 1940 and then his transfer to Kipling House at Haileybury in 1942, where he described the regime as altogether more gentle and sedate!
She went on to describe her brother Arthur Coldwells’ (K 71) time at Haileybury from 1971-76 and his establishment of the Haileybury Motorcycle Club of which there were 2 members, ostensibly repairing motorcycles in a garage at the far end of Avenue, but in reality there were several covert trips out and about in the area under cover of darkness but still back in time for Prep. Arthur continues his love of fast motorcycles to this day and has been both a successful racer in his own right and editor of a well-known international motorcycle magazine.
Memories of one of th first OH girls
Lizzie went on to tell of her days completing her schooling in the VI form at Haileybury from 1976-78 as one of 12 years in her year group. She told of the vast differences between Haileybury and her previous Anglican girls’ school, including being the only girl in her year group in Kipling and how involved girls of that time were with their respective Houses.
She described the unifying experience of the girls’ move into Alban’s (the old Sanatorium) in 1977 and her happy memories of her peer group, former teachers and lessons, especially Maths. Lizzie finished her speech with an observation on traits many Haileyburians demonstrate in their lives and chosen fields, in particular compassion, resilience, and service.
Friendships renewed
Over coffee and chocolates old friendships were reaffirmed and conversations continued until late into the afternoon.
We would like to thank everyone who continues to support this event, in particular Jeremy Lenox (H 49), the local organiser.
The next South Midlands event will be Afternoon Tea in July 2023, to be held once again in the wonderful garden of John Henderson (K 54) (shown here talking with former Society President Doug Everard (BF 73)).
We do look forward to seeing everyone again and to welcoming newcomers.
More from The Haileybury Society
- Queens Club Black Tie Dinner
- The Gloucestershire Regiment Memorial – Honouring The Glorious Glosters
- Now Published – The Haileybury Society Annual Report 2024
- New book release by an OH author
- Scottish Reunion 2024 – small but perfectly formed!
- Foundation Day 2024
Unless otherwise stated, all content and images on this website and blog © The Haileybury Society, 2024, all rights reserved
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Unless otherwise stated, all content and images on this website and blog © The Haileybury Society, 2024, all rights reserved