The 119th OV Reunion Weekend

The weekend of Saturday 4 March 2023 saw the rescheduled 119th OV Reunion Weekend 2022, with over 130 OVs and Hon OVs returning to the School for some wonderful reminiscing and re-connecting with school friends.

The weekend started with Bubbly Brunch, where it was marvellous to see so many Hon OV former staff returning to King’s for a long overdue catch up. The OV Committee held their AGM, following which OVs and their families were treated to tours around School, hosted by an enthusiastic team of Monitors. The tours took in the familiar surroundings of Edgar Tower, College Hall and old dormitories with a chance to see how the School is evolving with some of the newer facilities including the Keyes Building and the Michael Baker Boathouse.

Saturday evening saw generations of OVs and Hon OVs donning their black-tie best for the OV Reunion Dinner in a resplendent College Hall. This year’s Chappel Memorial Award winner, which recognises the oldest OV present who has not previously won, was OV Dr Vaughan Nicholls (Br 57-66). It was lovely for Vaughan to have his grandson and his partner join him for the dinner and to see this recognition for Vaughan’s support of the School.

The years of 1992, 1997 and 2002 were out in force celebrating their milestone anniversaries, taking great delight in seeing the ‘Archives’ boards full of memories from their time at King’s. OV and Hon Secretary of the OV Committee, Nick Stephens (Br 77-84), was the compére for the evening and we were honoured to have the Very Rev’d Peter Atkinson, both a King’s School Governor and the Dean of Worcester Cathedral, say the Grace before the delicious three-course dinner began.

Following the dinner, we were delighted that OV Rachael Speirs (Co 90-92) was the guest speaker representing the largest cohort of OVs present: the year of 1992. Rachael shared some heart-warming memories of her and her schoolfriends’ time at School, and how proud she is to see King’s continue to go from strength to strength. Rachael concluded with a sentimental and very apt quote, “We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere.“

Headmaster Gareth Doodes drew the speeches to a close with a warm welcome to all and a toast to the School.

The sign of a good night, OVs were reluctant to leave College Hall even after the bar had closed, but many retraced steps of earlier years with a trip into town.

The weekend was completed with the traditional Sunday Eucharist in Worcester Cathedral. It was wonderful to listen to OV David Head (Cl 52-58) and Hon OV Richard Chapman representing the OV community with their readings during the service.

Hannah Sparrey, Head of Alumni and Business Development, added, “It was such a pleasure to meet so many OVs and Hon OVs, and share their memories of their time at School.”

You can see photos from the Bubbly Brunch and the OV dinner on our Flickr Gallery here.