Newsletter Spring 2007

The branch covers the counties of Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria. Since being revived in 1993 it has held annual functions in Cheshire and Cumbria, starting with dinners and speakers from CH; and gradually declining in formality over the years to luncheons on a smaller scale. We see the small local focus group as the way forward, supplementing but not displacing the annual luncheon; and hope that IT will enable us to communicate with younger Old Blues who have not joined us in the past. To this end we have just set up our own dedicated email account – northwest@chassociation.org . We are aware of 144 Old Blues who have at some stage lived in the area, of whom about 50 actively communicate.

Besides coming together on social occasions, we have funded three presentations for local children. The first pupil, Leonie Cumiskey, lived originally in Penrith. She is now in her final year and has done spectacularly well. Our other two syndicate governors have finally presented candidates after years of fruitless searching. One is Eve Turner who lives in the countryside near Penrith; no coincidence this, for her parents learned about CH from Leonie’s family. The other is Fiona Blair from Liverpool whose elder sister is already at the school. Both girls passed their entrance exams and will be joining the school in September. Renewed thanks to all contributors and to our two Governors Ian Pirnie and John Hobbs.

Thanks as well to the 40-odd of you who responded to the deeply unscientific straw poll carried out last month. Be assured that your views have been passed in summary form to the Treasurer-elect Sir Garry Johnson who professed himself well pleased to have been included in the loop.

Functions this year include a luncheon on 6 October at the Golden Pheasant in Plumley, just off the A556 near junction 19 on the M6. It is a very roomy, pleasant pub where we take a private room. If you’re thinking of dropping in, just call Andrew the week before to confirm attendance. Formalities run only to the Housey Toast and a spot of reminiscing, though we do insist that you enjoy yourselves.

If you know of any Old Blue who ought to be on our mailing list and isn’t (or, conversely, if you are and shouldn’t be) please let us know. Similarly, it would be an enormous help if you could tell us whether you are interested (or not) in hearing further from us or in attending our functions.

The future of the branch is, obviously, in the hands of the generations of new leavers as they come off the production line. We very much hope that they will be minded to join in the fun.

Peter Birkett 01663-765561

Andrew Howgego 0161-440-7694

Jim Lechmere 01606-593321

Ian Pirnie 01229-885250

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Meeting Reviews

A small group of Cumbrian Old Blues foregathered at midday on 5th July at the Edenhall Hotel, near Penrith. Present were Gordon Windle (Ba A 37-44), Adrian Johns (Ba A 43-48), Ian Pirnie (Pe B 46-53), Robin Davies (Th A/LHB 65-71), Keith Clark (Pe B 39-47), Stephanie Barton (7’s 67-73) and Bob Bradney (Ba A 43-48). We enjoyed a thoroughly agreeable lunch and everyone felt that we should repeat the process next year.

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