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The Hardyeans' Club
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| President | - | Michel Hooper-Immins |
| Chairman | - | Colin Lucas |
| Hon. Membership Secretary | - | Bob Rench |
| Hon. Secretary | - | Tony Day |
| Hon. Treasurer | - | Alan Brown |
| Newsletter Editor | - | Peter Foster |
| Hon. Press Officer | - | Michel Hooper-Immins |
| Webmaster | - | Terry Stone |
AN APPEAL TO MEMBERS
The Lost Legion of disappeared members has crept up to 30. Bob Rench does a sterling job in keeping the numbers as low as possible, so please help him by clicking HERE if you change your email address or other details. That way we can keep Club news coming to everyone!
SIR
ROGER GALE MP
The Old Hardyeans
have congratulated Sir Roger Gale MP on being knighted in the New Years
honours list.
Roger
Gale was educated at Hardye’s School, Dorchester, from 1955 and 1962,
having been born in Poole. He became a pirate disc jockey on Radio
Caroline, before being elected to Parliament as the MP for Thanet North 28
years ago.
In
November, he hosted the Old Hardyeans’ annual London Dinner- "a
splendid meal in the splendid surroundings of the Palace of
Westminster," said Old Hardyeans President Michel Hooper-Immins,
addressing 53 Old Hardyeans and their wives in the palatial Dining Room of
the House of Commons.
Observing that Roger Gale has posted many pictures on his website, the President of the Old Hardyeans noted that none included the club’s distinctive blue and gold tie. The President went on to present Roger Gale with an Old Hardyeans tie, as thanks for his hospitality at the House of Commons.

Writing to
the new knight, President Michel Hooper-Immins says: "On behalf of
Old Hardyeans everywhere, I congratulate you on being knighted in the New
Year’s Honours List. Richly deserved for 28 years service to the House
of Commons, I know you have achieved a great deal for the people of East
Kent over almost three decades. However, your education in Dorchester, at
Hardye’s School- three years ahead of me- will have been a fine
foundation to life and we all have benefited from the superb teaching at
Hardye’s. I believe you may be the first Old Hardyean to be knighted.
Thank you
again for making Old Hardyeans and their wives so welcome on our recent
visit to the House of Commons. Everyone in the party enjoyed the splendid
dinner in splendid surroundings, then the visit to the crypt later. On our
third visit to the House of Commons, your hospitality and kindness were
much appreciated. I hope we will see you wearing the Old Hardyeans tie,
with which you were presented, on future occasions!"
Sir Roger Gale MP is quoted as saying: "I feel that this is, first and foremost, not a political but a public service award. My wife Suzy and I have been engaged in community work since long before I became a Member of Parliament in 1983. When I was elected we decided together how we were going to work and we have just gone on doing it ever since. I regard this as an enormous honour, particularly granted as it is, at the start of Her Majesty`s Diamond Jubilee year. It is, though, an honour that belongs to my wife, Suzy, who has worked alongside me and supported me throughout every day that I have been a Member of Parliament and who, together with three long-suffering and wonderful children, continues to do so." [www.kentnews.co.uk]
At the
House of Commons Dinner, on 14 November, there was a special welcome for
Michael
Foley, newly appointed Headmaster of The Thomas Hardye School, to his
first Old Hardyeans event. "He has made a splendid start and I am
confident Michael Foley will lead the Thomas Hardye School to ever greater
successes," said the President. "I have reassured him that the
Old Hardyeans have pledged their support to the school. I am delighted to
hear Michael intends to create an archive of the new and the old schools.
My old friend Peter Foster has already promised not only his help, but his
considerable personal archive to start this excellent project."
"I can
now say I made my maiden speech in the House of Commons," joked
Michael Foley," who went on to stress the importance of leadership
and the high expectations of students in these modern times.
Michel
Hooper-Immins acclaimed Tony and Julia Moore, recently retired from Thomas
Hardye School and newly elected Honorary Members of the Hardyeans Club.
"We thank them for their good and long service to the school and for
their consistent support of the Old Hardyeans."
The
President then welcomed Jean Lang, Chairman of Thomas Hardye School
Governors, to the House of Commons dinner. "I did say about five
annual general meetings ago that I hoped more Old Hardyeans would become
Governors," Michel Hooper-Immins told diners. "Since then the
governing body has acquired my illustrious predecessor Professor Hugh
Griffiths and Tony Foot, but I should still like to see a few more Old
Hardyeans as School Governors. Certainly some will have the interest, the
commitment and the experience to fit that vital role in developing our
school."
"We
meet in the House of Commons, the mother of Parliaments," continued
Michel Hooper-Immins. "Tradition is important here and so it is to
the Old Hardyeans. The London Dinner is one of our most enduring
traditions, so I’m delighted it is continuing. Our Secretary Tony Day
has organised much of tonight’s landmark dinner. Thank you Tony for your
good work for the Old Hardyeans. I am also grateful to Treasurer Alan
Brown, who successfully collected all the money- not an easy job!"
Old
Hardyeans Chairman Colin Lucas was unable to attend- "I bring
apologies and good wishes from Colin, often described as the engine room
of the Old Hardyeans," concluded the President. "I can tell you
his recent operation was completely successful and Colin is recovering,
but misses this London Dinner for the first time in decades. Can I ask you
to stand and raise your glasses to Colin Lucas and his continued
recovery." The company then stood to toast Colin Lucas.
Old
Hardyeans attended from London, Kent, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire,
Cornwall, Hampshire, Somerset, Devon and Dorset, as well as two visiting
members from Recife in Brazil and Connecticut USA.
The excellent 2011 London Dinner at the House of Commons, began with lightly curried cauliflower veloute, with cauliflower pakora. The main course was grilled breast of Gressingham duck with creamed thyme potato, served with wood-smoked parsnips and pear sauce. Apple Tart Tatin, with honey and walnut ice cream was a superb dessert.
Photographs
attached:
1.
Michael Foley and Sir Roger Gale MP stand in front of the Old Hardyeans in
the Norman splendour of Westminster Hall. Photograph by Michel
Hooper-Immins.
3. Sir
Roger Gale MP [left] and Michel Hooper-Immins. Photograph by Peter Foster.
MEMBERS WEBSITES
Nigel
Newbery has set up a Website at:
www.schoolpanoramas.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
which has a copy of the 1957 Panoramic School Photo, well worth a visit
for those who were at Hardyes in that year.
Graham
Allen also has a Website at:
http://oldhardyeans.webs.com
which has a great selection of pictures of life
at Hardyes in the Fifties, again well worth a visit.
Carambola
Real Estate at:
http://www.ijustlovethisplace.com
Lists properties for sale and rent in the Federation of St. Kitts and
Nevis, the twin island Caribbean state