This is my first post since sending out the message this morning announcing our new site. I just wanted to thank people for the excellent feedback so far. Various useful issues have been spotted. Viewing on one model of Samsung has a problem, and although the viewing on my Samsung was fine there is another little problem resulting in a blank screen when you click on something that looks like a beefburger.

All very intriguing but do feel free to make more useful comments. I will answer some on here now I know I’ve got your attention.

Back to the Theydon Bois Golf Club!

After a couple of years trying buffet-style meals we are returning to the traditional meal at the Golf Club where we have enjoyed many successful evenings.

The date for this year’s dinner is Tuesday 6th October and early booking is highly recommended to secure your place. An innovation this time is that we can now offer a choice of dishes, with two main course options (in addition to vegetarian) and two dessert options.

All the information you need is in the booking form. Click on the button to open it. You don’t have to complete the form straight away but it is essential that when you have finished you need to press the SUBMIT button at the end of the form, and also make your payment.

One of our former staff members received a prestigious award in April when he became Epping’s Townsperson of the Year. Roger Lowry taught Geography at BHCHS from 1979-1982.

His award was presented for his outstanding commitment to serving the community through involvement with various local organisations – as a volunteer at the Epping Food Bank and as an active member of St John’s Church in Epping where he helps at events and is also a member of the church choir.

Roger is vice-chairman of The Epping Society which raises awareness of important local planning applications that are likely to be detrimental to the town.

It’s always good to hear of Old Bucks who have defied the ageing process by continuing to compete in sports of all kinds. Dave Turnbull (1960) ran London Marathons in 2003, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and although not training for marathons now continues to run and does plenty of walking, including leading walks for his local U3A.

It is now three years since GGSK was closed, and there is still no sign of a final decision about the proposal to develop the buildings and land into housing, a football pitch and a Special Needs school.

The latest dramatic news on the saga was the announcement, in June, when the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) placed Epping Forest District Council planning department in special measures. The council has been stripped of its powers to determine major planning applications due to poor performance. As a result, developers proposing large-scale projects – we can assume that must include the GGSK site – can now bypass the council and apply directly to the central government’s Planning Inspectorate.

Without wishing to re-open the discussion about the closure date of BHCHS, it is safe to say that the current interregnum hasn’t yet overtaken the gap between our closure and the opening of GGSK in September 1993.

We are lucky to have Crispin Reed (1973) as our chairman. He is in ever-increasing demand as a speaker at an enormous variety of events all over the world. Despite this he always manages finds time to discuss and contribute to OBA matters. Recent international engagements included Kristiansand, Norway where he was presenting a research paper on wellbeing and productivity in the UK construction sector at the European Academy of Management conference.

Jeremy Dibble (1970) has devoted most of his academic career to the study of twentieth century British and Irish composers. His latest book, The Life and Music of Charles Wood, was published in May. Click on the download button for more information about this book.

Bruce Mclean (1978) writes…This group of reprobates met recently to celebrate Alex’s retirement and Wing’s return from his circumnavigation of the globe.

Thanks to Carl for identifying them: Ying Pang, Bruce Mclean, Carl Willson, Aleet Kavia, Michael Newson, Peter Braben, Alex Willsher.

We cannot claim to have made a huge impact in top class cricket but we are delighted to see that Vince Mulholland (1977) has recently been chosen to play in the Over 60s England Squad, following some outstanding performances in recent years. The photo show Vince in action in India earlier this year where he took 3 for 17 in a match against North Zone in India earlier this year. If you have a Facebook account and click the photo you will see a video of all three wickets.

Phil Cox (1972) wrote in May….What are the chances of two Old Bucks meeting in Mallorca and on one of their 65 birthdays?

I spotted John Powter (1972) jogging past my hotel one morning last week. And then the same evening he and his wife walk into the restaurant we were in to celebrate his birthday.