2019

The next Founders' Day and Old Lancastrian AGM will be held on Saturday 6th July 2019.

2018 Founders' Weekend Report 

As we all know, this year’s Founder Weekend took place during one of the hottest summer’s on record. In addition, the fact that England were playing their World Cup semi-final against Croatia added a certain frisson to events.

On Saturday morning the Priory Thanksgiving Service provided a cool reflective space for our guests and old boys whilst they listened to some superb music from our current pupils. Our guest preacher, Jonathan Halsey from the Capernwray Bible School, gave an uplifting address and set a very positive tone for the day. In a change to previous year’s, Old Lancastrian Club members attended their AGM, prior to the sparkling reception, whilst lunch guests slowly made their way up East Road to the school dining room. Their reward was a cold glass of Prosecco and a chance to mingle with other guests prior to the absolutely delicious sit-down buffet lunch.

The dining room was full with extra tables this year to accommodate over a hundred guests and the room buzzed with conversation and laughter. The Chartwells catering team did another sterling job, producing marvellous food and fantastic service, the team received a well-deserved round of applause for all their efforts.

Whilst everyone enjoyed coffee the headmaster took the opportunity to make a short speech reflecting on the school’s busy year, updating guests on all the sports news, building developments and school numbers.  Then, in another break from tradition and in the absence of the annual OL dinner this year, retiring OL President Richard Furlong-Brown made a brief speech thanking the OL Members before handing over to Chris Critchlow, the 2019 incumbent.

The fact that the England match was due to kick off at 3pm meant that proposed school tours were quietly dropped, allowing the boys and other school staff to go and support the team. Most guests seemed to have the same idea with the result that the lunch was over by 2.30pm, probably another record broken!

Sunday saw the return of the regatta at Halton which was well attended on a somewhat overcast day. This was probably most welcome for the rowers as they took part in a variety of races before tucking into a well-earned barbecue at the waterside.

All in all, another wonderful if slightly foreshortened weekend. The weather was on our side and it was lovely to see so many smiling faces. Plans are already afoot for 2019 with more activities promised and the return of some old favourites. 

Watch this space!