A dinner was held at the Embankment Hotel on Friday 6th July to mark the forty year anniversary of Bedford School winning the 1978 Rosslyn Park National Schools’ Sevens Tournament. We were delighted that six of the original squad of nine, their coach Alan Thorp (staff 70-02), along with a number of guests made this special gathering. Thank you in particular to Robin Boyd-Moss (73-78) who had come all the way from Kenya and Niall Beazley (69-78) who had come all the way from South Africa.
Former staff member, Jim Davidson (54-87) said grace and both Alan and Robin gave entertaining speeches which captured the mood of 1978 and the style of free flowing rugby enjoyed at this time. For some reason, one got the impression that training was a little less structured in the 1970s and there was possibly more of a reliance on raw talent! Those present enjoyed chatting to Barry Burgess, Director of Sport, and Alfie Orchard, Captain 1st XV, to hear how things had moved on. Although Pat Briggs could not attend, he kindly sent in an amusing message to be read out on the evening.
Much of the evening was about comradery and celebration, but those present also took the opportunity to remember with great affection their team mate Peter Farmer-Wright who sadly passed away in 2008 after a brave battle with cancer.