The Members’ Weekend programme followed its usual course. The Autumn Golf Tournament (full report posted separately ) took place on Friday 31^st October; Paul Gillham was the winner, as he had been twelve months previously. That evening saw the customary gatherings at La Locanda (mostly school joiners in 1958/1959) and at The Lamb (a  larger and – relatively – younger group) while small but select groups were at dinners at The Hydro  and The Pilot.

The short Remembrance Service on the morning of Saturday 1^st November, arranged by James Hazelden and conducted by Rev Tony Windross, attracted an attendance of seventeen, led by EOGA President Brian York and his wife Pat. The weather was breezy but bright. Proceedings began with a lament on the bagpipes and continued with recognition that 2025 marked the end of WW2 while the Union Jack was lowered to half-mast. A wreath of poppies was laid and the names of pupils and other people associated with EGS who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars were read. As in 2024, the ceremony was held at a flagstaff by the main entrance to East Sussex College.

Richard Bugler and Tony Windross following the Flagstaff Ceremony

The Annual Lunch was particularly well-attended on this occasion – 53 members there, the most for several years. Several attendees were present for the first time and others returning after an interval. The bar did its customary steady trade prior to the lunch (more zero alcohol beer sold than previously, perhaps??), so everyone had the opportunity to be well-oiled before sitting down to the meal, served efficiently by the REGC team. The raffle conducted by Don Seabright and Adrian Wood was well-supported by members attending, both in donating prizes (mostly drinkable, as usual!) and buying tickets, and raised £360 for EOGA funds. In his welcoming remarks, Brian York, passed on good wishes from Jack Revell and Martyn Thomas and looked forward to an even higher attendance in 2026. The portrait of Rex Shaw, which previously had a place at COEGS dinners, oversaw proceedings.

 

 

The formalities of the AGM were dealt with swiftly and efficiently. The usual reports were given by the Hon Secretary, the Hon Treasurer (on the financial position of the Association and on the Blackburn Vail Trust) and the Social Committee (Golf Competitions and other events).  Mark Rayner was elected for a further three-year term on the Executive.

Regarding membership, the notional roll of members stands at just over 400, including several new members during the year and a few others with whom contact has been re-established; however, presumably because of out-of-date email addresses or emails going into the Junk folder and not being spotted and read, little more than half of that number are actually viewing the emails sent by the Hon Secretary via the Mailchimp portal. New email addresses or problems receiving communications should be notified to honsec@oldgramms.co.uk.

The Annual Weekend in 2026 will be on 30^th/ 31^st October.