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T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 0<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
It is very interesting<br />
to note that individual<br />
Year Groups that have<br />
started a Reunion once<br />
usually after 50 years<br />
or 60 years since the<br />
first year at Stationers'<br />
Company's School,<br />
have been holding<br />
further Reunions regularly. This has been a very<br />
successful way of introducing new members to<br />
the Association and also swollen the numbers for<br />
the Luncheons and particularly for the Christmas<br />
Lunch. In the Year 2014, the '44 Year had a Reunion<br />
and have held this for many a year. In addition, the<br />
1951 starters met again, with 1952 having three get<br />
togethers, albeit in small groups, as well as the 1954<br />
starters having a reunion as they have done since<br />
2004 which means they have held the event for<br />
over 10 years continually. Also it is good to record<br />
that the 1953 starters held their first gathering in<br />
2014. Now there is an intention for 1955 starters<br />
to hold their first one in 2015, marking sixty years<br />
since they commenced at Stationers'. That is five<br />
consecutive years all holding reunions. We are also<br />
aware that there is at least one other in 2015, which<br />
is a very successful method of recruitment. Bear in<br />
mind the last pupil to join SCS was in 1981 which<br />
makes the youngest Old Stationer the age of 45<br />
years! Therefore all recruitment is most likely to be<br />
in the age bracket of 50 to 75 years of age!! So the<br />
forecast year of 2056 for the existence of the OSA<br />
is still possible for the few left to continue to meet<br />
in the second half of this century.<br />
This is because of the dedication and support, as<br />
well as the foresight of some very active members<br />
in the various sections of activities of the Clubs,<br />
particularly the OSFC and the OSCC together with<br />
the OSA and its forerunner SOBA, that encouraged<br />
and fostered membership of the Association itself,<br />
particularly on retirement of Footballers and<br />
Cricketers from their Saturday Games. One of the<br />
main characters together with others on Committee<br />
at the time was Past President PETER BULLEN<br />
who was instrumental in change at that critical<br />
time of introducing the OLD STATIONERS'<br />
ASSOCIATION and the Clubs, particularly the<br />
Football Club and the Cricket Club being more<br />
autonomous from that time. Sadly we record the<br />
death of PETER in this magazine but on the other<br />
hand give thanks for his major contribution with<br />
others to a strategic change in our organisation all<br />
those years ago! From observation and comment,<br />
within and particularly outside the Old Stationers'<br />
Association, is a unique organisation. Listen to all<br />
those who look in from outside our Association<br />
and can do nothing but admire our strength and<br />
fortitude in running an Annual Cricket Match and a<br />
Football Club, more than 30 years after the School<br />
was closed. Also an Old Stationers Association of<br />
500 membership today which is the envy of many<br />
similar organisations and has the potential to serve<br />
most Old Stationers for their lifetime and thus the<br />
life of the Old Stationers' Association. Yes, it is<br />
truly unique in today's world. Do not forget that<br />
uniqueness and may it serve and last while Old<br />
Stationers live on this planet. VERBUM DOMINI<br />
IN AETERNUM MANET.<br />
Geraint<br />
DATES for the DIARY<br />
AGM & ANNUAL DINNER<br />
Friday March 27th 2015<br />
Stationers' Hall, Ave Maria Lane<br />
LONDON EC4 7DD<br />
AGM 6.00pm. Annual Dinner 7.00pm.<br />
LUNCHEON MEETINGS<br />
Tuesday, 12th May 2015<br />
Imperial Hotel, Russell Square<br />
Wednesday, 9th September 2015<br />
Imperial Hotel, Russell Square<br />
Wednesday, 2nd December 2015<br />
Stationers' Hall, Ave Maria Lane<br />
PRESIDENT'S DAY<br />
Sunday, 30th August 2015<br />
43rd Annual Cricket Match<br />
Botany Bay, East Lodge Lane, Enfield, EN2 8AS<br />
Lunch 12.30pm; Match 2.00pm.<br />
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