The Saturday 8th May Reunion in Jersey was a grand affair, thoroughly enjoyable with much fond reminiscence for the 32 attendees, although, alas, also serving as David Langlois’ swansong as Chairman of the Branch. Numbers were slightly less than the previous four reunions, in that the occasion coincided with the Channel Islands very significant ‘Liberation Day’, celebrating the liberation of the islands from German occupation at the end of the 2nd World War.
The delightful venue for the event was David’s superb family home high on a hillside overlooking St Alban’s Bay with unbroken wonderful sea views across the lawns from there to St Helier. The splendid buffet-dinner was provided by catering specialist Steve Besant (1982-88; Keinton), with Craig and Penny Considine, Kevin Cheney, Rod Speed and John Davies present to fly the Millfield flag.
Following David’s welcome to everyone he introduced Rod who described the strong OM Society links with the Channel Islands (Our 5th largest branch in the world of 30 overseas branches). Craig explained latest developments at Millfield, expressing his grateful thanks to everyone for their warm welcome to himself and Penny on their first visit to Jersey – but, surely, not their last.
In graciously accepting the invitation from David to take over the Chairmanship baton, former parent Michael Kenny-Herbert said that he had been offered both this honour and that of the Commodore of the St Helier Yacht Club (both posts held slightly less than enthusiastically by David), as a joint undertaking – but that he had declined the latter.
All attendees spoke of how pleasurable it had been to reminisce about ‘ the old days’ in such a lovely setting although, as a result of her Millfield experiences and no matter how hard she tried, Claire Forbes (1984-89; Johnsons) felt still compelled to call RRS “Mr Speed”, in spite of being encouraged to call him “Uncle Rodney” by JHD. Because of Liberation Day and as a departure from the norm, the traditional luncheon in Guernsey on the following day was not held.