This year’s Turf Club lunch took place on a day brimming with Autumnal sunshine and with a military band playing nearby in honour of His Majesty The King opening Parliament for the first time as Sovereign. 

The special lunch hosted by Mark Dumas (1964-68), President of the Old Pangbournian Society, was Thomas Garnier’s final lunch as Head of Pangbourne College. Mark thanked him and Alex, his wife, who was also present for this occasion, for their partnership in leading the school since 2005. 

Among the 40 or so guests were Trevor Kearley (1949-51), who has now succeeded Courtney Edenborough as the oldest Old Pangbournian. Trevor attended the College for two years before going on to Dartmouth at 16 years old. Also present was Lucinda Grafton, our new Head of Development.

The OPs enjoyed a delicious three course lunch of soup, ‘bangers and mash’ followed by Welsh Rarebit whilst reminiscing about their time at the College. Many tales were told, some not be retold, and laughter could be heard throughout the Turf Club.

In a short speech, Thomas thanked everyone present for their support over many years and highlighted the benefit donations collectively bring to the College, particularly encouraging attendees to consider leaving a legacy to the College. He talked about the impact this funding can continue to offer for transformational bursaries, such as in the case of Tomas Tokovyi (OP 2019), who has continued to excel in his postgraduate studies and recently became the fourth person globally to ever secure both the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and the Oxford Clarendon Scholarship, amongst the most prestigious scholarships at both institutions.