Announcing the Former Cadets Dining In Night

When the OSA was offered additional seats for the 2024 CCF Dining In Night it left us in an unenviable position. Who, of so many former cadets, do we invite? The reaction on our Social Media showed there were some disgruntled old boys! Our table was hosted by former Contingent Commander (twice) Richard Ayres, and during the course of the evening we conceived the idea of a special Dining In night as part of the OSA 125 year celebrations.

After some careful thought and sounding out a few more people we are pleased to announce the Former Cadets Dining In Night on Saturday 2nd November 2024.

This will be an opportunity for all former cadets to come together, which means not just former pupils. Richard, who is now a Royal Naval Lieutenant and the RN Section commander ,explained, “The CCF had female cadets long before the school 6th from became co-ed. Some of the current officers are not members of the school, which is one of the great achievements of the contingent.”

As well as inviting four past and present contingent commanders, we are excited and grateful to be joined by both Geoff Piggott’s daughters, meaning there should be representatives going back more than 50 years, which is about half the life-span of the Contingent . The event is for ALL former cadets, wherever they ended up post CCF, they are invited. Be they serving and retired service personnel or those who have followed many other paths, all will have benefited from being part of one of the oldest CCF contingents in the country.

“The evening is based on a Mess Dinner,” Richard explained. “After a reception drink, a formal dinner is served, with drinks at the table, before retiring to a more informal setting for further socialising (and drinking).”

In planning the event, the OSA is hoping that word will spread far and wide.
“We want to go beyond the OSA mailing list. We have to,” explained Jeff Lewis OSA Secretary.
“It’s not just because some old boys may have more interest in a CCF event than an OSA event, but that there were male and female cadets who were not former pupils. So it’s really important that we get the word out, and former cadets tell their peer groups.”

The 3 course sit-down meal will be prepared and served by the award winning School catering team, and the after dinner bar stocked from the OSA partner Beartown Brewery.

The pricing has been set to cover the costs, allow the OSA to subsidise the cost of inviting current cadets from years 12 & 13 (6th form in old money!) and to raise some funds. The surplus will be split evenly between CCF & OSA.

OSA Members – £33
Non OSA Members – £38
Current Officers – £20
Current Cadets – £10

Places will be limited so please book as soon as you can. The booking form is below. Please include the years you were in the CCF, section and rank details and any other information you would like to share. Cadets from the same era will be seated together wherever possible.

Dress will be Black Tie – or Mess Dress if you prefer.

To book please use the form below.