School House and 70s Lunch 2026

Thank you to OV Peter Loveday (S 69-73), who kindly provided this précis of the most recent School House and 70s lunch, held this month:

The School House and 70s luncheon was recently held at the Bank House Hotel, Bransford, for the second year running at this venue, and was well attended with even more OVs than previous. This annual event was originally held for the former boarders who knew the late Dan McTurk as their Housemaster, however it has been enlarged in recent years to include pupils from other Houses in the school; a group that was well represented this year.

The event was co-ordinated by Stephen Coulter (S 57-66), Mike Page (Cr 60-65) and me, with essential support from the KSW Alumni Office, with special thanks being given to Amanda Sutcliffe, and was attended by over 30 OVs and also the Head of the Kings Foundation, Ben Charles, together with Rory McTurk (Hon OV).

Stephen Coulter opened the proceedings by welcoming all those present, some of whom had travelled quite a distance to be there. Guests enjoyed a three-course meal, after Grace had been said by The Reverend Canon William Burke (S 57-65).

Ben Charles expressed his pleasure at seeing so many OVs at this gathering, and stressed the importance of this type of group to the future wellbeing of the school, and mentioned that any support that might be forthcoming in the future would be very much appreciated, enabling students who otherwise could not afford the special education that King’s offered, to be able to experience it after all.. He also touched on the recently announced cooperation with King’s Gloucester and Hereford Cathedral School, and said that the grouping arrangement would help all three to meet the extremely challenging current market conditions.

Nick Chambers (S 57-61) gave a tribute to the ‘legendary’ Dan McTurk, referencing his experiences as a pupil of his, interspersed with lots of wit, and memories from that time. Dan’s son Rory was in attendance this year and responded with gratitude for all the compliments regarding his late father, and the many humorous tales that accompanied them. He felt it was very heart-warming that so many people remembered his father with such admiration and affection.

After a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon in each other’s company, those attending made their way home, and are already looking forward to next year’s event in anticipation!

Apologies were received from Mark Lambert (H 62-67), Nick Case-Green (S 47-51), Ranga Chand (S 58-64), David Edwards (Ca 63-73 and Old St Alban’s), Bernard Airlie (S 53-58), Chris Pickford (S 65-70), Aidan Dunn (Cr 54-66), David Stuart-Smith (Cl 59-65), Richard Adcock (Ch 59-67), Roger Coulter (S 60-64), and Christopher Hodson (S 55-65).Thank you, Peter, for such a thoughtful review of the School House and 70s Lunch 2026! OVs can see photos from the lunch on the Vigornian Hub HERE