St Thomas' Reunion at Queen's Club
On the evening of Saturday 6
August 2011 at the Queen’s Club, Fulham, there was a celebration of the 65th
anniversary of the founding of St Thomas’ house, against a backdrop of green
lawns and tennis whites. In attendance were Fr Richard ffield, Fr Henry
Wansbrough, Mr and Mrs Paul Brennan, Matron Bernadette Davie and 57 old
boys of various ages. The evening occurred upon a night of violence and
looting across London, of which the black tie attendees remained blissfully
ignorant.
The Votive Mass of St Thomas a Beckett was given by Fr Henry Wansbrough as principal celebrant, who in his homily remarked upon the special atmosphere of the occasion. “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind” and “Thine be the Glory” were sung by the Thomists just as energetically as the aces and drop shots were scored outside.
Apéritifs were rapidly dispatched before a four course dinner in the President’s Room. Speeches were given by Richard Sarll (T97), Fr Richard ffield, and Mr Paul Brennan, to whom Matron Davie presented a book for the present members of the House. In his address, Fr Richard noted the distinctive quality of St Thomas’ boys who (privileged to have been at, objectively speaking, the best House) liked to do things just a little differently.
Festivities recommenced in the Club bar until they were sorely curtailed by the licensing laws. This did not however stop St Thomas’, who, with OSB in tow, transported themselves to the Blue Bird Bar, the King’s Road, for Champagne and cocktails.
The dinner was marked by a spirit of fraternity and association which made for a very memorable evening. Thanks go to Miss Louise Riley of the Development Office for her great assistance in the organisation of this occasion. St Thomas’ await the next such celebration with interest.