Rhubarb 2024

SAYING THANKYOU THIS SUMMER I t was a real pleasure to be able to say thank you to valued supporters of the School during the Summer term, by welcoming our donors to some wonderful events both here at St Edward’s and further afield.

lucky with the very warm weather which was perfect for sitting outside and enjoying the performance.

We also gathered at Estelle Manor in the summer, a beautiful country club in Eynsham, for an evening with some of our most valued supporters of the School. Many of our guests were members of the Cup and Dagger Club, our first regular giving society which aims to make philanthropy accessible to all.

At the end of June, as part of Gaudy Week, we hosted a sunny Champagne Tea in the Warden’s Garden, followed by a magical performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream .The setting in the meadow on Field side was beautiful, and we were particularly

OSE EVENTS

THE KING’S CUP

Cup trophy as well as representatives of the schools and universities attending the Regatta. Amongst those seated in the heart of the barracks in glorious sunshine were the OSE Hon Sec, John Wiggins, representing the Warden, and the St Edward’s Head Boatman, James Hanson. After the presentation of commemorative medals, Major General Jules Buczaki, Assistant Chief of Defence and President of the UK Armed Forces Rowing, made two ‘thank yous’: to the Stewards of the Regatta for ‘having the sense of both history and progress in returning the King’s Cup to the Henley Reach’ but, most importantly,‘to Chris Hartley, without whose vision, initiative and personal generosity, the 2019 King’s Cup would never have happened’. He concluded: ’So, Chris, from us all here, a huge thank you for what you have done. And let’s hope it’s not another 100 years until the next one! Ladies and Gentlemen, please stand to offer our thanks to Chris Hartley.’

CHRIS HARTLEY (Mac’s, 1975-1979) I n 2019, Chris achieved what many would have seen as impossible: a centenary staging of the King’s Cup, an event for military crews to race at Henley Royal Regatta (see Rhubarb 2020 p 42). Five years on, on the 25th June 2024, he assembled dignitaries from each of the participating eight nations, senior military officers and many of the servicemen and women who raced at the 2019 Regatta.

They gathered at the Windsor Barracks of the Coldstream Guards, the regiment which represented the UK in the original Peace Regatta in 1919. Along with former Prime Minister, Lady May, the event was attended by many of the unsung contributors to the sport: the boatmen, course builders, umpires, officials and the various craftspeople who combined to create the unique King’s

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