It is said that a sign of a good time is that no one wants it to end. So the fact that there were more than half the guests still mingling and drinking when the stand-in caretaker (thanks David) ended the night by turning the lights off, was evidence that this was certainly the case at the Former Cadets’ Dining In Night!
It began as a conceptual idea, idle chatter at the School CCF Dining In Night. Slowly it crystallised into a feasible aspiration, before taking on a life of its own, as word spread around multiple generations of former cadets, female and male, even before it had a name, a date or even a format! Perhaps because of the tsunami of enthusiasm that grew right up to Saturday the 2nd November, the first ever Former Cadet Dining In Night, jointly hosted by the OSA & the CCF, was, quite simply, incredible!
Some 50 people arrived, former cadets, officers, contingent commanders and honoured guests, along with the current Contingent Commander, officers, senior cadets and representatives of the school and the OSA. The oldest cadet was in his 80s, and the Contingent Commanders present went back 50 years. We were also honoured to have Geoff Piggott’s daughters, Celia & Anna, to represent his long association with the CCF. Many of the guests had served or continued to serve in the British Forces, and most of them had not been back to the school since they left the CCF. It is difficult to convey the energy, respect and love that was on display, not to mention the countless medals!
From the moment people started arriving, unfashionably early as the reception drinks were not even ready, there was a buzz of anticipation. Old friends reuniting, new friends being made. Young cadets mixing with their older colleagues and clearly excited to be part of the evening, and others were equally glad they were there. Richard Ayres had kindly produced a montage of pictures which played over the big screen, and also a huge selection of photos, reports and other memorabilia over 50 years. Remarkably one guest not only recognised a photo he had taken, but was amazed to discover his name and a grade on the back of it! Just one of 100s of anecdotes that were shared.
The formal part of the evening was opened by OSA Secretary Jeff Lewis. He told the guests that the first ever Old Sandbachians Notes in the 1899 Sandbachian magazine was a reference to old boys serving in the Boer War, an indication of the long connection between the CCF, the OSA and the armed forces.
As always the catering staff led by Claire provided guests with an delicious meal, which was followed by some enlightening and entertaining speeches. OSA President Mark Bowland recounted that the CCF gave him great memories of the school. David Osborne (Business & Finance Director) spoke on behalf of Sandbach School, the link and cornerstone between CCF & OSA. He was incredulous that the Government was cutting funding to the CCF even though studies show that the benefit to and the stabilising influence of CCF units on young people is quantifiably huge. Current Contingent Commander Ben Crossley expressed his thanks to those who had gone before, and spoke of the life lessons that cadets receive, teamwork, confidence, commitment and enduring friendships.
Finally Richard Ayres took the floor. Richard who was twice contingent commander and now leads the Navy section was part of the idle chatter that conceived the event. He recognised so many cadets, from the 1980s through to the current day. He paid tribute to Glynn Robinson who by force of will – and by calling in as many favours as he could -rescued the CCF from closure in the 1970s. Helped by people like Geoff Piggott, Richard and others he built the force from less than a dozen to 200 strong, introducing female cadets for the first time. There were tributes to Kev Sykes for his service and to the many young officer cadets and officers who continue to give their time to ensure the Sandbach School CCF remains an exemplary contingent.
After Chris Bosworth, another who speculated about the possibility of a night like this, ended with a vote of thanks to all who had made the event possible, the celebrations continued with plenty of laughter and story-telling filling the airwaves, until that caretaker decided enough was enough just before midnight!
On behalf of the OSA we want to say thank you to a few people. To Richard and all the OSA members who got the word out to their former colleagues in the CCF. To the school and the catering team for enabling the celebration to go ahead during half term. To Celia Hall and Anna Wellings for continuing to honour the OSA and their dad by joining us. To Pete Sherratt, chair of governors, whose presence demonstrated the governors continued commitment to both the CCF & the OSA. To Brandon Parker, who stepped in at the last minute to be our photographer for the night. And finally, and by no means least, to Flight Lieutenant Gemma Hughes (OC RAF Section) who not only helped throughout the organising period, but produced all the menus, running orders and table plans. We literally could not have done it without you!
The thanks and messages we received since bear testimony to the joy that the reunion brought to so many. In answer to the common question in all of these…….yes we will do it again, we just don’t know where, don’t know when, but we know we’ll meet again one sunny day!
Before I sign off, please take a few moments to browse the incredible selection of photos from the night, below this article.
Jeff Lewis
OSA Secretary
