1525 SOCIETY PRESIDENT’S LUNCH AT THE CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS
Churchill spent a lot of time there, they have been visited by millions, they were once the nerve centre of our fight for freedom, and it was about time we paid them a visit. I am talking, of course, about the War Rooms and on 23rd May, 60 people from the Sedbergh Community gathered there for a celebratory 1525 lunch.
While it is usual for people to gather for a pre-lunch sip of bubbly, we had, on this occasion, the opportunity to explore what were once the corridors of power and see where the great man once made vital decisions in defence of this country. It was inspirational stuff and afterwards we sat down for a wonderfully prepared meal while hearing from the President, John Walford, the Headmaster, Dan Harrison, and a former Roger Lupton Scholar, James Horan.
John Walford made an interesting observation. People that leave a legacy, do so in the hope that it will allow those from a younger generation to achieve their full potential. In turn, those recipients will one day make a similar contribution to the School. In such a way the legacy lives on and is passed down from generation to generation.
This was echoed by James Horan who, a future trainee lawyer at a city firm, hopes to leave a legacy for those that follow in gratitude to Sedbergh. James spoke well, in a moving speech that reflected on where he would be now if it wasn’t for the opportunity that had been afforded him by the Sedbergh Community.
Dan stated that the School is showing an optimism not seen since the turn of the 20th century. Given that Sedbergh will have 600 in the senior school next term and 200 in the prep school, who can argue with him.
Lady Joyce Singleton-Booth stood up at the end to thank Sedbergh for a wonderful day. And it was a wonderful, if not remarkable, day, enjoyed by all, and in celebration of the generosity of the Sedbergh community.
Jan van der Velde
