My schedule was to collect Nigel Dodds from Bristol airport at circa 11:30 am and drive to Cheltenham, in plenty of time to greet those whose planes arrived at a similar time. Flybe (or as Nigel calls them “Flymaybe”) rang at 9:00am to say that they had cancelled the flight, but would put him on the Southampton flight [from Jersey – a 55 minute journey] and bus him to Bristol. A later call told me they had cancelled the flight......
Alarm bells started to ring and my carefully crafted schedule was about to fall apart. I decided to take Gaye, my wife, to Bristol for a bit of shopping (went down well!) so that I would halve the potential journey time. While we were having a light lunch Nigel called – “I am on the plane – but no guarantee yet that we will take off.” Another hour passed and a call to say, “ We have landed in Southampton.” The ‘Executive coach’ will take us about 2½ hours......
Try to get him to drop you off in the city, I cried. We headed off at 5:00pm thinking we could then divert to wherever the ‘Executive coach’ was able to stop. Alas the M5 suffered a nasty crash so all roads were in gridlock around Bristol, we finally arrived at Temple Meads rail station 10 minutes ahead of Nigel’s arrival.......
Headed off towards Cheltenham, via Nailsworth to deliver Gaye and finally arrived at Cheltenham Park Hotel at 7:30pm, definitely in need of a pint. While we checked–in I spied a semi-familiar face of one David Pullen [some 50 years older than when I had seen him] so we three spent the whole of that evening catching-up on a lifetime of history and Dave’s motor racing exploits.
We managed to wake in time for breakfast then at 11:00am we set off for Sherborne Park and a meeting at the Church, meeting and greeting all those ‘Stalwart’ Old Boys who make the effort each time. Amongst various states of laughter and merriment we gathered 20 of us together and met with Yvonne and Louise, 2 delightful residents who entertained us to Coffee and Biscuits in Yvonne’s apartment which we knew as “The Showers & Haircuts rooms behind the Kitchen”, plus some of the Art Room/ Prep Room.
We then had full reign to tour the common parts, the most photographed being on the Stairs leading to the door to JHM’s Study. A very benevolent Mr Palmer opened his door and invited us into “Dorm 54”, now magnificent in its white and gilded ceiling and panoramic views East, South and West.
We eventually detached ourselves from the clutches of the house and arrived somewhat late for a jolly and decent buffet lunch at The Inn for all Seasons – just beyond the “Top road caff” (most boys never travelled that far, unless headed for Oxford or London in a car! – And the oft quoted question of “Whatever happened to Smudger Smith?” -And others)
In time we exhausted the buffet table and polite conversations and headed back to the Cheltenham Park Hotel. A few beers and much reminiscing later we gradually managed to have a quick shower and change ready for the Dinner.
We had a separate room off the Restaurant, so were able to raise a glass (or was it two?) to George and another to those who were unable to attend and then to enjoy the merry banter and very acceptable menu choices, several bottles of wine disappeared and finally those who lived not too far away were able to present themselves to their families in a sober and upright state. Those who remained enjoyed a ‘near typical George Cooper’ ending to the night and retired quietly.
Breakfast was bathed in sunshine and the chat continued until those with a ‘Sunday schedule’ left amongst great handshaking and enthusiasm “Until next year . . . . .” etc.
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