The first Association London Dinner - a night of celebration

For those in attendance we are quite sure the Association London Dinner will be a night people long remember. The RAF Club, London, on Thursday 21st November was an evening of landmarks for our community; The Society of Old Brentwoods marked its 125th anniversary, The Brentwood School Association held its first full event, and the Headmaster kept his speech to less than 10 minutes! 

Dressed in their finest black-tie attire, guests were welcomed into the President's Room for a drinks reception before settling in the elegant Sovereign Room for a five-course dinner. The gallery of photos below will attest to the fact that collectively Old Brentwoods, parents, and friends of Brentwood School, all dressed to match the grandeur of the occasion.  

It was a particular highlight of the evening to hear Jos Hollington (OB 1972-1981 and OB President) talk so passionately about his old school and bursaries. Jos formally announced he was launching the 'President's Bursary', with the express aim of raising at least one year’s funding for a full transformational bursary. He revealed a generous match funder and that several people have already joined him in pledging £1,000. Please do get in touch with Jos (or the Development Office) if you’d like to know more or support, and thank you on behalf of the Brentwood School Foundation to Jos for raising awareness and vital funds that genuinely transform young lives.  

Jos was not alone in addressing the room, we had an unconventional grace from Sam Mason, and Headmaster Michael Bond delivered a very apt story given the location and audience. He told the moving tale of Vivian Rosewarne, an Old Brentwood, born during the First World War, and an active pilot in the Second who would never return home. The speech centred on Vivian’s letter which spoke to duty, service, and a willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice. Published in a small book entitled "An Airman's Letter to his Mother", by the end of 1940 over half a million copies had been sold. Proudly a copy of this now sits on the Headmasters bookcase.

Of course, it is not really a dinner if Chris Cooper (OB 1981-1992) said nothing, so it was a delight to hear him recite the blessing that was written for the 125th celebrations and read in September 2024 on the exact site in Bethnal Green that the OB Society was formed. Equally appropriate was that Jeremy Bluden delivered the Loyal Toast, though he would have course been more at home in the Army & Navy Club!

The Old Brentwoods have not had an annual London dinner since 2019 – in this new form as the Association Dinner – we hope in can be a calendar mainstay. We wish to build on this successful inaugural dinner. Working with with Sarb Singh (the OB President next year) we would like an even broader cohort of Old Brentwoods, but importantly, also see many more parents, family, and those connected with Brentwood School, get involved.