Welcome!
Hello and welcome along to the latest in an occasional series of “President’s Blogs”. My name’s Mark Bowland, and I took over as President of the Old Sandbachians’ Association in July 2023.
These blogs are intended to be my personal musings – as distinct from official OSA announcements. They’ll usually relate to OSA matters, goings on at the school, general “Old Boy” stuff, and related thoughts and ideas.
Sandbach Rugby Club – Matchday Lunch
I’m writing this having got back home following another fabulous matchday lunch at our spiritual home, Sandbach Rugby Club, where the OSA were once again sponsoring the matchball. I can’t praise the club too highly, they always make us feel welcome. We had two tables booked which we easily filled. Fantastic food, followed by the match. I don’t like the phrase “easy victory” because that is disrespectful to all the hard work that goes into every game, and also to the opposition, so let’s settle for “comfortable here!
You’ll notice that we sponsor the scoreboard, jointly with the school. I’ve been very keen to re-establish the historical links between the OSA and the Rugby Club. I’m a big believer that there is a “triangle” – the School, the Rugby Club and the OSA. Everything works so much better when all three are in place. These matchday lunches are a big part of that, and we’ll be doing them again. Keep an eye on our website and socials for the next date!
Former Cadets Dining In Night
In early November we held our first ever Former Cadets Dining In Night. I feel like there isn’t much I can add to this that goes beyond Jeff Lewis’s excellent article (if you haven’t seen it, it’s HERE, there are also 56 photos of the night!).
I will just say, firstly what a brilliant night it was, an amazing success, and dozens of us were still there at midnight and had to be “encouraged to leave” by a no-doubt exhausted David Osborne who was playing the role of caretaker. That’s definitely the sign of a good night.
Meeting Geoff Piggott’s daughters, Celia and Anna was another highlight. I’ll save this for Jeff’s article though…please do read it.
Also, a word about the senior current CCF cadets who attended – I spent a great deal of time chatting to them, we were honoured and hugely grateful that they chose to give up their Saturday night to join us. You would not know you weren’t talking to experienced adults. They even offered to help us greet guests! (We had to decline, they were OUR guests!). It was a great privilege to meet them all, and their stories show that the CCF and the school remain in good hands, all of the values that those of us who were cadets ourselves (and those who were not) are still there today. It’s worth pointing out as well that several of this group of cadets had only got back from Annual Camp that afternoon! I think we all recognise that level of commitment and dedication from our own time as cadets. I was not surprised by any of this, but it was a joy to behold nonetheless.
Carol Service
As ever, the OSA will be attending Sandbach School’s Carol Service at St Mary’s Church, 6:30pm to 7:30pm.
Anyone from the OSA is welcome to join us – or even if you’re not a member but would like to meet us and have a chat.
Afterwards, as is tradition, we will adjourn to The Old Hall for a couple of festive drinks.
Please do pop along and see us.
What’s Next?
We’re working on our programme of events for 2025, but current plans include more lunches at the Rugby Club, the return of the Golf Day, and a special Annual Lunch that is going to be a celebration as well. Watch this space…
Success and Progress
Jeff will touch on this in his forthcoming newsletter, but I want to say what a fantastic year it’s been for the OSA.
Our membership is growing again, events are getting more frequent, more varied and more popular, and as touched on earlier, we are re-establishing ties with the rugby club.
This is a growing, modern and forward-looking organisation but one which builds everything on the foundation of its great traditions.
If you’re not yet a member, please do join us! It’s never been easier or better value to join, and doing so helps us support the school.
Until next time…
Ut Severis Seges!
Mark Bowland
President
Old Sandbachians’ Association