2007 Annual Dinner

The 98th Annual Dinner took place on Saturday 17th November from 6:30 pm for 7:30 pm until 11:30 in the Oldfield Hall, King Charles I School, hosted by President Peter Vaughan.

Whom can you spot? Fairly easily recognisable are (in no particular order) Ken Ryder, Ray Blount, Tony Bishop, Naomi Bishop, Arnold Beresford, Davina Bason, Beryl Bedford, David Morgan and, in the bottom right corner (just about), Pat Yarnold.
Whom can you spot? Fairly easily recognisable are (in no particular order) Ken Ryder, Ray Blount, Tony Bishop, Naomi Bishop, Arnold Beresford, Davina Bason, Beryl Bedford, David Morgan and, in the bottom right corner (just about), Pat Yarnold.
President Peter Vaughan with Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor and Graham Herbert, who was representing the Old Wolvernians' Association.
President Peter Vaughan with Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor and Graham Herbert, who was representing the Old Wolvernians' Association.
Also on the top table were Geoff Thorpe, Hartlebury Old Elizabethans Association President; Canon Owain Bell, Vicar of Saint Mary and All Saints, Kidderminster, who kindly said grace; and Tim Gulliver, Headteacher, King Charles I School.
Also on the top table were Geoff Thorpe, Hartlebury Old Elizabethans Association President; Canon Owain Bell, Vicar of Saint Mary and All Saints, Kidderminster, who kindly said grace; and Tim Gulliver, Headteacher, King Charles I School.
We were also pleased to welcome Head Girl Lauren Spooner and Head Boy Matthew Modley among some of our younger and newer members.
We were also pleased to welcome Head Girl Lauren Spooner and Head Boy Matthew Modley among some of our younger and newer members.
Younger members such as Sally Bull and Duncan Groves, who look as if they're enjoying the proceedings.
Younger members such as Sally Bull and Duncan Groves, who look as if they're enjoying the proceedings.
Duncan had recruited several younger members at the School open day earlier this year. We welcomed (from left to right) David Morgan, who had played the organ at the Founder's Day Service during the previous day, and the piano for the National Anthem and 'Auld Lang Syne' later at the Dinner; Anthony Williams and Stuart Harris.
Duncan had recruited several younger members at the School open day earlier this year. We welcomed (from left to right) David Morgan, who had played the organ at the Founder's Day Service during the previous day, and the piano for the National Anthem and 'Auld Lang Syne' later at the Dinner; Anthony Williams and Stuart Harris.
Following the dining phase, Dr Richard Taylor MP proposed the toast to the School and the Old Carolians Association. He also entertained the assembly with some anecdotes of his time in the House of Commons.
Following the dining phase, Dr Richard Taylor MP proposed the toast to the School and the Old Carolians Association. He also entertained the assembly with some anecdotes of his time in the House of Commons.
Headteacher Tim Gulliver responded on behalf of the School, listing some of its achievements over the previous year - all these at the same time as a Wyre Forest educational review was being implemented, bringing with it the challenges of, among other things, the split site. However, the School would nobly rise to these challenges and continue to go from strength to strength.
Headteacher Tim Gulliver responded on behalf of the School, listing some of its achievements over the previous year - all these at the same time as a Wyre Forest educational review was being implemented, bringing with it the challenges of, among other things, the split site. However, the School would nobly rise to these challenges and continue to go from strength to strength.
President Peter Vaughan replied on behalf of the Association, reminding older members of the leather strap that John Drake and Kingsley Raw used to mete out the occasional punishment. You can just see this very strap ('cosh'), which now resides in the School archives, in Peter's hands.
President Peter Vaughan replied on behalf of the Association, reminding older members of the leather strap that John Drake and Kingsley Raw used to mete out the occasional punishment. You can just see this very strap ('cosh'), which now resides in the School archives, in Peter's hands.
Roger Perrin, during his toast to the President, performed the almost obligatory Presidential character assassination, but balanced it with some of the President's lesser-known attributes, of which there are many, including his life-long blood donation record.
Roger Perrin, during his toast to the President, performed the almost obligatory Presidential character assassination, but balanced it with some of the President's lesser-known attributes, of which there are many, including his life-long blood donation record.
After the formalities, Peter Vaughan posed with John Drake's infamous leather 'cosh', with which he personally had a close encounter all those years ago. Enough to make your eyes water!
After the formalities, Peter Vaughan posed with John Drake's infamous leather 'cosh', with which he personally had a close encounter all those years ago. Enough to make your eyes water!
Here's a more detailed picture of this notorious instrument of torture, shown with 'The Old Carolian' Magazine and 98th Annual Dinner ticket and menu, to give an idea of scale. Note the name 'Drake' scratched into the cosh; this was presumably to ensure that it didn't get mistaken for anybody else's cosh in the School!
Here's a more detailed picture of this notorious instrument of torture, shown with 'The Old Carolian' Magazine and 98th Annual Dinner ticket and menu, to give an idea of scale. Note the name 'Drake' scratched into the cosh; this was presumably to ensure that it didn't get mistaken for anybody else's cosh in the School!
You can always rely on some not to let the side down.
You can always rely on some not to let the side down.
Do you think that it's just a coincidence that they're colour coordinated?
Do you think that it's just a coincidence that they're colour coordinated?

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