Message from the President

Dear Friends, Welcome to our "website.

I am now half way through my second stint as President of the Association. It has been a privilege and pleasure to take on this office again. I have attended several enjoyable occasions.

My first duty was to present the trophy to the winner of the golf competition. The winner was Nev Morrall with a score of 36 points. Nev was last year's winner too. We are very grateful to him for running the competition at Warrington Golf Club. We had a splendid meal in the evening for golfers and friends and we are looking forward to this year's event at the same venue.

Arnold and I were invited to attend the school's production of West Side Story. This was wonderful. The productions have a reputation for high standards and this had to be one one of the best.

The special awards for academic and social achievements together with the 'A' Level certificates are presented in December, just before Christmas. It was an impressive and most enjoyable occasion and I was pleased to present the OSA prize for Drama.

Kathleen Collin, Henry's widow, accompanied me to this special evening. She was very proud to present the Henry B. Collin Cricket Trophy for the Best-All-Rounder to Andrew Roberts, a member of the Lower Sixth.

Andrew is also a member of Grappenhall Cricket Club. If you read his performance statistics you will realise what a worthy winner he is. (We are sure Henry would have approved). The trophy was presented to the school by the OSA , as a memorial to Henry, whose interest and service to the school and our association are legendary.

After the formalities of the evening it was lovely to see all these young old students eagerly greeting friends and contemporaries after six months on their chosen paths. The joy and fellowship is as strong as ever.

Our Amblers and Ramblers Club continues to flourish. The walks are arranged for the last Sunday in each month, starting at 10.am and are usually followed by a pub. lunch.If you like walking -(nothing too strenous!)- do come along. You can be sure of a warm welcome and good company. The programme for the year is included. There is a contact 'phone number for each walk if you need to check details. We have an extra walk in early December, followed by a Christmas lunch. It is necessary to book numbers for the meal. Each year, usually at the beginning of April, we have a rambling weekend. The venues have varied eg. Grange, Colwyn Bay , Church Stretton. For the last three years we have been to Llandudno, where we have a very good hotel in the centre of the town.

Since the formation of the OSA soon after Mr. Canney came as Headmaster in 1934, a comparatively small number of dedicated old students have given generously of their time to enable members of the Association to keep in touch with the school and their cotemporaries. Until the 70's the Association news was included in the School Magazine..As the school grew and costs increased it became too costly to issue the standard type of magazine. The Association then produced its own newsletters.

Many hours of work was involved; writing addresses, stuffing envelopes, and in addition, hand-delivering as many as possible to cut down postage costs. Throughout the year the committee organised many functions to raise money to cover running costs.

We are so relieved that modern technology has saved the day for our present committee, who after endless years of service are ready for an easier life.

Monica has worked constantly for the Association since joining the committee in 1950!

For the last 20 years we have been indebted to David Nicholson for organising the 'SOClub'. Without this revenue the Association could not have met expenses.

So now it is up to you to keep in touch. The committee is still functioning with a much lighter work load. Please use our website. Do send us information. Let us know any change of address as we would like to keep our address list of 1500 up to date.

Best Wishes,

Jean Jackson (nee Loney)