On 15th June, a fifth ‘Southern’ regional BBQ place took place, this time at the home of Ralph Godfrey in Oving, near Chichester, after four years at the home of Michael Askwith in Bracklesham Bay. This brought together 12 OPs, one OW (Worcester), one OC (Conway), and three GBOBAs (General Botha Old Boys Association, Cape Town) and wives, making a total of 31 in all.

Originally convened in 2017 to celebrate the centenary of the Nautical College Pangbourne, to which alumni of the Worcester and Conway were also invited, this ‘Southern’ BBQ has now evolved, on popular demand, into an annual (Covid permitting) event. Once again, we have been honoured with the presence of the OPs Chairman as well of representatives of the OWs, OC’s and General Botha Old Boys Association (GBOBA) (South Africa), all of whom were present at  Oving 2023 - OP, OW, OC, GBOBA BBQ reunion,

15 June 2023 Front row :Ted Fisher (GBOBA), Barbara Fisher, Norma Heydenrych, Celia Askwith, Paul Heaver (OC), Kim Heaver, Andy Roy (OP), Gillian Roy, Philip Plato (OP), Robert Ogden (OP), Liz Ogden, Jacqui Dewar, Doh Williams, Katie Owen, Wyndham Halswell (OP), Harold Lincoln (GBOBA) Back rows: Peter Heydenrych (GBOBA), Michael Askwith (OP), Bob Ross (OP), Charlie Daniel(OP), Peter Gormley (OW), Rosemary Batt, Alex Halswell, Ian Williams (OP), Robin Batt (OP), Lorraine Lincoln, John Dewar, (OP), Jeremy Owen (OP), Ralph Godfrey (OP), Maggie Gormley. Photographer Trish Godfrey

A good time was had by all, and the sunny weather, the victuals and the company just marvellous. Thanks to all for the magnificent contributions, and for coming. Such a happy day! Some good networking took place between the old boys of the four former nautical schools, of which only Pangbourne survives. Philip Plato later wrote ‘I was especially pleased to speak to the various alumni of Conway, Worcester & General Botha. Indeed this lit a fire under me as when the “Falmouth Grand Reunion” was cancelled a few years ago I had proposed to our Headmaster that with no 'new' alumni for OC/OW and GB as all those colleges closed decades ago, that Pangbourne should maintain connection with all these associations and invite them to certain OP events periodically and for our College to become a 'spiritual home' for any remaining alumni.  'It's all happenig! so good that we can do our bit'.

Thank you again to all who were able to come, and your spouses, and  for all your generous contributions in victuals. Special thanks also to Wyndham and Charlie for manning the galley, and to Ralph of course for the delightful venue and garden, and all the logistical arrangements. And thanks also for the magnificent sunny weather!

And thank you to Philip Plato for coming down, and for the stirring speeches by him, Peter Gormley (OW), Paul Heaver (OC) and Ted Fisher (GBOBA).

Please Save the Date - Thursday, 13th June 2024 at  the same place: Attersee, Church Lane, Oving, Chichester, PO20 2BT, from 12 noon.