ANNUAL DINNER 2025
Friday, October 3rd, 2025
Click any image to enlarge and navigate in the galleries
Some 45 members and guests attended the 112th Annual Dinner at the Club on 3rd October.
As always, thanks must be offered to David Trewin who created the table plan and place names amidst the turmoil of various changes. Kenneth and Annabelle Wright produced the table menus and programme.
Click on the image to view who attended on the night.
The attendees gathered in the main bar for convivial discussions before President Arnold Homer led the VIP guests into the Edwardian lounge for the main event.
The guest speaker was Michelle Hickmott (Assistant Chief Fire Officer for Staffordshire and one time England football Lioness). Other VIP guests were Holly Bembridge (KEVI College Principal), Mike Wood MP (President of Old Foleyans Association) and David Burrows (Chair of KEVI College Trustees - and Hon. Treasurer of the Club).
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President Arnold welcomed and thanked the attendees for their support. MC David Trewin called everyone to order and requested Clive Bowen-Davies to say the Grace.
Dinner consisted of smoked salmon and prawns or mushroom and Madeira soup, followed by roast welsh black beef with all the trimmings, then chocolate mousse for dessert followed by the customary cheeseboard and coffee.
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After dinner, Jem Norris proposed toasts to the King and "In Piam Memoriam Edwardi Sexti". President Arnold then proposed the toast to the Club, The College and Our Guests. In so doing, he reminded us of perhaps the most historically famous "old boy" of the school of a few hundred years ago - Dr. Samuel Johnson.
College Principal Holly Bembridge responded to the toast and then it was time for the after dinner speaker.
Michelle Hickmott gave us a wonderful insight into what it was like to start off as a lady pursuing a football career some years ago, the challenges, financial burdens and ultimately joy of being selected to play for one's country. She then continued onto how that experience helped her to pursue a career in the Fire Service, the satisfaction she gained from helping society and how she progressed to a very senior position (now Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Staffs) in what is virtually a male dominated establishment in which only 10% are females. It was totally inspiring to hear her presentation and she is clearly an excellent role model for all ladies who wish to challenge themselves professionally.
President Arnold concluded by extending thanks to everyone for attending, to Tim and Tracey and their staff for the excellent dinner and, of course, to Michelle for her inspiring talk and to our VIP guests - Mike Wood MP, Holly Bembridge and David Burrows - for their ongoing support.
A splendid evening.
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