The inaugural CCF/OWBA Mess Dinner was great success!

It was a wonderful opportunity for young cadets to meet Alumni involved in the Armed Services and gain valuable insights into their careers.

Special thanks to our guest speaker, Colonel Ian Blewett (72-77G) and to Company Sergeant Major, Pish Allaway (09-22F) for their captivating speeches.

Thank you to everyone who attended and made this such a special evening.

On Saturday, 5th February, 2022, West Buckland notched up another ‘first’.  All the military elements of the school came together for their inaugural formal event – a Mess Dinner.   Everybody was there, or at least represented:  the CCF, members of staff associated with it (past and present), parents with a military career, alumni with a military career, Headmasters (current and former) and officers of the OWBA.  Which takes in just about, as I said, everybody who could claim any kind of military credential.  The final muster was 65.

            The Chief Guest was Colonel Ian Blewett (72-77G), a Sandhurst graduate, with a distinguished record of soldiering in both home and foreign parts, and in both active and chairborne postings.

            There was something for everybody – a goodly gathering, glamorous uniforms, some winsome miniature medals, an account of a busy and varied military career, an extension of  experience for a clutch of cadets, many a glimpse of some sparkling shiny shoes, and a menu which offered, among other titbits, a man-sized slab of beef, white chocolate pavlova, and ramparts of cheese.  Oh – and a welcome decanter of port.

            Let us hope that enough interest, enjoyment, and momentum was generated to fuel the energy for a repeat performance.

Berwick Coates  (School Archivist)