Once again, our biennial Tempus Fugit Lunch for Bradfieldians 60 years of age and over was held on Thursday 30 October at College. This very popular event and memorable lunch is always well-attended, and this year was no exception.

Early arrivals took a tour of the college including into the St Andrew’s Study Centre after coffee in the Warden’s Room and then pre-lunch drinks were served in Big School at 12 noon. Guests had their first opportunity to meet with the new Head Jeremy Quartermain who arrived from Rossall School over the summer and who spoke after the two-course lunch had been served. Guests enjoyed a delicious lunch of Braised Rare Breed Pork Cheek and Herb Crusted Pork Fillet followed by Double Chocolate Cheesecake, all prepared by the college Catering team. Several guests commented on the food, wines and service being exemplary and a far cry to that which had been served in their day!

All guests were seated at the lunch by age in the hope that it meant that everyone was near to their closest contemporaries and would find something in common to talk about. The oldest guests attending included: Peter Short (G 1947-50), Michael Akers (F 1948-52), Stephen Farr (G 1948-52), George Burne (A 48-53), David Wright (E 48-53) and for the first time we welcomed a few new guests including Peter Bellan (F 52-56). Peter came with his brothers David Bellan (F 51-56) and Leslie Bellan (F 56-60) known as ‘Minimus’ and it was special to have them all together with us again!

It was also lovely to have our first female Bradfieldian return again - Belinda Boyd (nee Somerset) - who was our first girl and connected with The Close (H House in 1976). Thank you to all guests who rallied to encourage their contemporaries to join us and spread the word including Simon Roberts (G 73-77) who co-opted his friends Andrew Shilton (C 73-77), Andrew Butcher (G 73-78) and Robert Bacon (G 73-78) to return for the lunch. We hope that in 2 years’ time we will have more girls attending alongside Andrew Sellick (F 78-83), Peter Came (D 77-81) and Tom Raban (D 75-80) who were the youngest Bradfieldians at the lunch this year.

Comments from a couple of guests included: “As always, a most enjoyable occasion which was very well arranged” and “It was especially good to see how diverse we all were in what we have done with our lives since leaving Bradfield”.

Finally, James Lazarus (C 69-74) who came with his older brother Bill Lazarus (C 66-70) made a fun observation when he added: “I am not sure if I believe the retort that seemed to echo around the room, namely “you haven’t changed a bit”. Clearly not true; less hair, more inches around the waist and a few more excess pounds!!!”

See who you can still recognise in the Photo Gallery below.