NEW BLOOD is boosting the Old Colcestrian Society.

Some 164 enjoyed its annual dinner last week, which followed an afternoon of sport.

Old Colcestrians chairman Richard Kemp said: “Recent years have seen increasing numbers of younger members at the dinner, and Saturday night was no exception, with forty per cent of diners having left school in the last 10 years”.

Mr Kemp said the school deliberately tries to encourage younger people to attend by staging rugby and netball games earlier that day, which leads them to stay on for dinner in the evening.

He continued: “It was more like a dining club for older people, but the society has changed quite dramatically. We use our network to try and help school leavers get work.”

Barring a brief suspension during World War One a century ago, the annual dinner has taken place every year, becoming a premier event in Colchester’s social calendar.

Guests included the Chairman of Governors, Mrs Janet Perry, the Headmaster, Mr John Russell, Deputy Head Mr Tim Chambers, Head of Sixth Form Dr Jen Stimson, School Captain Miss Chloe Stevens and her parents and members of the School 1st XV rugby team and netball team.

Entertainment included the school’s excellent barbershop choir led by Head of Music Dr Oliver Medlicott, and astonishing tricks performed by magician Ollie Baxandall who left school this year and is now studying economics at university.

Speeches were delivered by the President, Mr Sean Bunch, the Headmaster and the School Captain. Dr Stimson proposed a vote of thanks on behalf of the guests.

The society’s historic loving cup ceremony was performed during the evening, using a silver cup presented early in the last century by successful local businessman Clarence Victor Batte-Lay, who was himself educated at the Grammar School.

Earlier in the day, the President’s teams beat the Headmaster’s teams at both rugby and netball in the traditional matches between the society and the school. The school will have the chance to get their own back when they play the Old Colcestrian Society at cricket in the summer.