Old Owens Cricket Club – Vice President’s Lunch
The destination for the Vice Presidents Luncheon on Friday 15 April 2011, which commenced at 1 pm, was the Indoor Cricket School restaurant at Lords Cricket Ground in St. John’s Wood. The Indoor School is currently managed by Reg Horne, a former pupil of Dame Alice Owens School, Islington who has been connected with the running of the Indoor Cricket School for the past 25 years.
The atmosphere for the gathering was fantastic, the sun was shining, drinks were flowing continually, the food was great and as a bonus Middlesex was playing Essex out in the middle of which we were able to catch some of the action in between everything else that was going on.
Present at the luncheon were Ken Rowswell, Jim Everton, Roger McHugh, Alan Hunter, Alan Flook, Ron Bushnell, Peter Salisbury, Dick Hill, Mark McInstrey, Ivan Waterman, Ali Gordon, Tim Lane, Richard Hattrell and our guest and host Reg Horne.
A toast was drunk to VP’s who didd not make it for one reason or another but who were present ‘in spirit’, namely, Keith Freeman, Ken Southgate and Vincent Tanner.
Jim Everton provided some anecdotes of previous cricket games and events and as well as being enlightening it was great to reminisce the past.
After the festivities had finished at the ground some of the ‘diehards’ proceeded to the ‘Duke of York’ near to St. Johns Wood station to continue ‘beveraging’ before everyone finally disappeared in various directions to make their way home.
Special mention to Mark for managing to eventually find his way home (we’ll say no more) and to Peter with Roger (‘in tow’ to Mersey Island) making it back to Norwich in one piece (again, we’ll say no more).
It was proposed that the venue be made a permanent home annually for the VP Lunch, which was concurred by Reg Horne.
A fantastic day was had by all and thanks to Ken for organising the function in conjunction with Reg Horne.
Thanks to Reg for having and putting up with us for the day.
Alan Hunter
