Rhubarb 2024

‘RUSSIA AND THE WEST: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?’ A DISCUSSION CHAIRED BY JOHN SIMPSON 23rd NOVEMBER 2023

OSE EVENTS

I n November 2023, the Olivier was filled with over 700 guests, including OSE, for a discussion chaired by John Simpson CBE (BBC World Affairs Editor) about Russia and its relationship with the West. Alongside John, the discussion was also led by a number of impressive panellists: Sir Laurie Bristow, former British Ambassador to Russia and Afghanistan; Andrei Soldatov, investigative journalist for the Washington Post ; Sam Greene, Russian Politics Professor at King’s College London and Sarah Rainsford, BBC Eastern Europe Correspondent.

The evening raised £7,500 for Asylum Welcome, with all ticket

proceeds as well as donations on the evening going to the charity. After the panel discussion, Jack – a refugee from Burma who had been living in Oxford since January 2023, shared his own story about why he had been forced to leave Burma and how he has been supported by Asylum Welcome since. It was an incredibly insightful and interesting evening, and we are so grateful to all our panellists, Jack, and everyone at Asylum Welcome for their support in putting together this event.

REGIONAL

SOUTH EAST LUNCH NOVEMBER 2023

Report by Charlie Reid (Segar’s, 1973-1978) O n the last Friday in November, 26 OSE and partners gathered at the Poacher and Partridge in Tonbridge for the

South East Lunch. It is one of the best supported regional events of the year. The Revd Malcolm Acheson (Segar’s, 1961-1966) said grace, the school song was sung with great gusto, and James MacDonald-Smith, President of the Society, updated everyone on school news. It is a diverse group with a 48-year age range and we would welcome younger OSE to join in next year. 80