Christmas 2007

7 October 2010

Dear Old Ilminsterians,

It was a great honour, and an even greater surprise, to be elected President of the Old Ilminsterians Association. As I was ushered into the Presidential chair, I could swear that I could hear the sound of our late schoolmasters, turning in their graves and shouting `No! No! Anyone but Willett!` But, here I am, the 79th. President, and enjoying every minute of it.

This year’s Annual Re-union, on the 10th. July, was a great success. After a very well attended Church Service, we had an excellent lunch at The Shrubbery Hotel. The early evening AGM saw the presidential changeover, and the election of Tony Mills as Vice President, and gave the opportunity for us to pay our respects to several of our former school-mates who had sadly passed away during the previous year.

Not all associations have the advantage that we have, i.e. having a Past President who owns such a good venue as The Shrubbery Hotel, and, once again, Stuart and his team provided us with a superb Dinner with excellent service, thus setting the scene for a `great night`.

I have taken the opportunity to include my Grace for the evening at the end of this report.

Our Guest Speaker for the evening was John Reyntiens. John gave an outstanding presentation of his work as a stained glass artist, and also included a short film presentation on his father, Patrick Reyntiens, an internationally recognised artist in stained glass. This was a great opportunity for the association to thank John for the design and installation of the Association’s window in St. Mary’s Church, Ilminster. I was also able to surprise John by telling him that I had seen his Millenium Window in Birmingham City Museum and Art Gallery.

Our other guests were Billy Mears and Rex Beavill from The Old Crewkernians, and Pat Cleal and Mick Farthing from The Old Cerdics - I had previously been well looked after by them and their colleagues when I attended their 2010 Re-union Dinners.

As the Re-union had gone so well, a group of us decided to `face our demons` and arrange to re-visit the route of the school cross country runs. So, on a beautiful sunny day in August, we held the inaugural `Get your own back` walk, so called because our plan was to retrace our steps at an incredibly slow pace, knowing that our late Games Master, Bruce Lang, would be unable to shout at us for going so slowly. In fact, we extended the walk to include Dillington, Ashwell, Donyatt and Herne Hill, celebrating my birthday a few days early with chocolate cake and a decent Sauvignon Blanc at the rather charming remains of Donyatt Halt. We intend to meet 2 or 3 times a year to walk in the Ilminster area - if you want to be involved, just contact me at -- btwconsultancy@hotmail.com

So, what else is there to look forward to as President of the Old Ilminsterians? In November, of course, there will be the Remembrance Day Service at St. Mary’s. Then, assuming that I did not blot my copybook during this year’s visits, the possibility of representing the association at the re-unions of our friends in Chard and Crewkerne. And there is always that possibility that the Old Ilminsterians will be invited to a re-union of the `Old Girls`- if that happens, my life will be complete.

Next year is a` biggie` for The Old Ilminsterians, as it will be 40 years since the school closed. So, it will be great to see a good turnout at the 2011 Re-union - keep an eye on the website for details. I look forward to seeing you there.

Brian Willett

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