On Tuesday 3rd September three of us, President Peter Ayling, Roger Goodman and myself, Barry Mellish, were privileged to attend the service which was held at the Priory Church of Saint Bartholomew the Great, West Smithfield followed by the Autumn Garden Party in the courtyard of Haberdashers Hall.
It was a lovely service and the choir sang beautifully. As we were leaving the service we met someone I knew who is a fellow Old Askean, albeit somewhat younger than us. We had a good conversation with him and he went away with an Association Application form! He had also recently met up with a number of his year group and he will forward the form to them – here’s hoping!
The Association Blazers attracted attention, we were not short of people to talk to.
The Association AGM and Dinner took place on Thursday, 11 July 2024 at the Royal Blackheath Golf Club, Court Road, Eltham.
It’s was that time of the year again and when twenty or so Old Askeans, with friends and partners gathered for the AGM followed by a splendid dinner ably organised by our Social Secretary Roger Goodman.
The AGM began at 7.00pm and the business part of the evening was conducted efficiently and with great aplomb by our president Peter Ayling. Peter was elected to serve for a second year of office. The full list of elected officers and committee members can be found on this website. A revised version of the rules of the Association was unanimously agreed and can be found on this website.
Following the meeting we were joined by our guests for dinner.
Our second informal gathering of the year took place at The George Inn, Southwark on Friday 5th July from 3pm onwards. Sadly there were only eight of us present, but we added two new members to our Association! It was the first Friday of Wimbledon and the weather earlier in the day had been somewhat inclement – tropical thunderstorms occurred in some places. So the lack of numbers was not surprising. Indeed those of there did our utmost to make up for lack of numbers by the number of beers consumed.
All in all a great time was had by those of us there. Sadly we forgot to take many photos and the one that I took is below – must try harder as my old school reports used to say!
Roger Pawley’s funeral will be on Friday 24th May at 10.00 a.m. at Beckenham Crematorium, Elmers End Road, Beckenham, BR3 4TD. The wake after to be held at Dulwich And Sydenham Golf Club, Grange Lane, College Road, London SE21 7LH. Hazel has asked for no black ties, striped blazers and OA ties welcome. Family flowers only.
If you are unable to attend the service at Beckenham, you are very welcome to come to the Golf Club after 11.30 a.m. To help with catering please let Hazel know if you are attending the Golf Club. Hazel’s details are as follows:- 0208 693 5660 or email handrpaw583@gmail.com.
It is my sad task to tell you that a former President of the Association, Roger Pawley died on Sunday 28 April 2024. His good friend Dennis Johnson writes:
Thank you. Sad news indeed; Roger will be sorely missed by Hazel and his many friends. He was a Life Member of the OAA and President in 2005. He had a great interest and knowledge of nature too sharing such knowledge on many Rambles with the OARC, being Captain for many years and only ceasing that when hit by ill health. I had very many walks with him, both locally and long distance. He was a competent map reader, bolstered by his binoculars which he usually carried, used to identify birds and animals as well as routes. He and Hazel were stalwarts of the Rambling Club keeping it active in lean times.
He is remembered as sociable and generous in his hospitality. I am grateful to have known him and will remember him as a good friend.
I attach a photo, a portrait that I think encapsulates the man.
I’m writing to inform you that MC Black’s body has been released by the Hertfordshire Coroner, and we have permission to bury him. The burial service will take place on Thursday, 8th February at Waltham Abbey Jewish Cemetery at 11:45am More details will be forthcoming when we have them.
I know that many of you are not Jewish, so though that I would add a few words about what to expect. The body will be in a simple casket that is completely bio-degradable. The (closed) casket, covered by a cloth, is displayed in the prayer hall at the cemetery. There is a short prayer service (in Hebrew) in the prayer hall, followed by a eulogy. Then the family and the casket process to the gravesite. There, more prayers are recited, and the casket is lowered into the grave. After some more prayers, the mourners shovel dirt onto the casket and fill the excavation.
Be warned that cemeteries can be quite muddy at this time of year.
Flowers are not appropriate. If you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, I’m sure the MC would approve of a gift to Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court, the home operated by the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution that took such good care of our mother during her final years.
Those of you who are Jewish may wish to know that we are planning a shiva minyan at Welwyn Garden City Synagogue on Thursday evening — time to be announced. Rabbi Tatz will officiate at the burial service.
