Rhubarb 2024

CCF INSPECTION & MILITARY DINNER APRIL 2024

MIDLANDS LUNCH 17th May 2024 2 1 OSE, partners, and School representatives gathered at The Arrow Mill,Alcester, in May last year for the annual Regional Rhubarb Midlands Lunch.We hear it was a lovely occasion, with splendid food and great company enjoyed by all. We look forward to the next Midlands Lunch, which will take place in May 2025. Thank you to our Midlands rep, Chris Northcote-Green, for all his work in organising these fantastic lunches. OSE in attendance were: Chris Brockbank (Apsley, 1955-1959), Chris Northcote Green (Sing’s, 1963-1968), Galen Bartholomew (Sing’s, 1968-1972), Chris Stringfellow (Field House, 1965-1968), Chris Turner (Sing’s, 1961-1966), Peter Davis (Apsley, 1960-1965), Peter Meecham (Apsley, 1952-1956), Michael Pickard (Tilly’s, 1955-1960), Bryn Howell-Pryce (Sing’s, 1966-1970), Adelaide Stewart-Jones (Oakthorpe, 2000-2002), Roger Steeds (Tilly’s, 1954-1960), Ben Holroyd (Apsley, 1986-1991), Brian Ireland (Tilly’s, 1949-1955), David Smart (Field House, 1968-1972 and now Beyond Teddies Team), John Alexander (Sing’s, 1961-1965). Report by John Wiggins, Current Staff A fine combination of military OSE (serving and retired), CCF cadets and officers sat down to an excellent dinner to celebrate what the Inspecting Officer, David Bradshaw (Apsley, 1983-1988), described in his speech as an ‘absolutely fabulous day’. In his after-dinner talk, the retired Air Commodore spoke in a personal capacity and modestly reflected on his time here in the CCF.With much support from Warden Phillips and his HM, Peter Mallalieu, he followed a smooth flightpath via an RAF sixth-form scholarship and then university cadetship into a 30-year career as a pilot, soaring up through the ranks and seeing much action along the way. Although now working with a company that trains pilots, his ‘heart is still with the RAF’ and he reflected sadly on the problems of retaining soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen. For those with careers ahead of them, he reflected on his development from CCF to the skies and back down to flying a desk, but added a word of caution on the ‘make your dreams come true if you work hard enough’ message promoted by so many. He told us that:‘Success in your chosen profession is not a given. Luck and opportunity play a significant and unpredictable part; the trick is to spot and exploit these rare opportunities as they race by, making best use of the critical skills that Teddies will help you develop. Be hard on yourself but not too hard!’ Having witnessed the ‘positive, energising attitude’ of the cadets, he concluded that Teddies was ‘clearly in rude health’ and wished the School well. It was particularly special to welcome John Alexander, who sadly died later in July. REGIONAL

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