- Old Laurentian Society
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The Old Laurentian Society is the Old-Boy's society for the former school boys at Lawrence Sheriff School. The President of the society is Kevin Mahon. He was re-elected in 2004 in an unprecedented second term. The Old Laurentians have an affiliated rugby football club (OLRFC) who have a ground at Fenly Field located in the village of Bilton,which is a part of the town called Rugby.
==External links==The Old Laurentian Society (commonly called The OLs) is a society for former pupils and staff of Lawrence Sheriff School in Rugby, Warwickshire.
The Society exists to:
foster the spirit of comradeship amongst the old boys of the School
interest itself in furthering educational achievement at the School
encourage education at the School both in the class-room and on the playing field
promote contact between the members of the Society through social and sporting activities
promote contact with the Parents' Association of the School
The first meeting of The Society was on March 1, 1899, when 21 Old Boys were present. There had been a previous attempt in 1891, but the "Old Laurentini Club" had faded away within two years. The new Society bloomed rapidly, and by the Christmas Dinner of 1899, the membership had reached 100.
The aims of the Society were to encourage links with the School (then known as the Lower School of Rugby School), by awarding prizes for schoolwork and sport, and to form Cricket and Soccer clubs for the Old Boys. The Headmaster kindly offered the use of the School's facilities for meetings - "provided that there are only temperance drinks". This is not so today!
In 1901, the OLs established the "Griffin" magazine, which after 1908 became a shared venture with the School. In 1928 the editor noted .... "the spelling and punctuation of contributors - of all ages - is as reprehensible as it well can be". The situation is bound to have improved by now!
During the early years of the century, the annual re-union was held over the Whit Weekend, so that the OLs could take part in the School Sports Day, held on the Saturday, along with a Cricket match on the Monday; a tradition which carried on until the 1920s.
Soccer was the school game from 1890 to 1922 when the Headmaster, Cordy Wheeler, put it to a school vote which came down in favour of Rugger. The OLs had already formed their own RFC in 1919, playing at various venues, and at the Hart Field from 1922.
In 1931, with the encouragement of the Headmaster, prominent OLs petitioned the Governors to change the name of the School. Thus was born "The Lawrence Sheriff School", though it is fair to point out that the 16th Century grocer who had first coughed up to educate the children of Rugby and Brownsover, used the name Lawrance Sheriffe. Another potential Griffin contributor, obviously!
In 1939 the Society purchased its own base in Bilton, through the good offices of Lol Fenley (School: 1912-16), and the ground was promptly ploughed up for the War Effort! A Nissen hut was erected after the war, and a new clubhouse in the early '60s - since extended greatly.
OLs have always played an important part in the life of the town of Rugby, including in the '50s mounting very successful amateur dramatic productions which were part of the momentum that led to the establishment of Rugby Theatre. They continued forging links with the School, raising money for travel awards, equipment, and projects such as the late lamented caravan at Bala.
The Rugby section has continued to grow and prosper, becoming an "open" club in the '60s, and through a Colts XV has introduced many 5th and 6th Formers to the concepts of moderation and social responsibility - which is nice!
The former members of the School have always tended to scatter to the four corners of the country, and of the World, and the Society continues to act as a conduit for news of fellow OLs, and to support the growth and evolution of the School.
The President for 2009-2010 is Iain Wallis (and the President-elect for 2010-2011 is Duncan Snook)
Contrary to the original entry, Kevin Mahon's re-election in 2004 was not unprecedented, just unusual in the last 30 years or so. It should be said, however, that Kevin earned his re-election due to his sterling service as President.
A list of President's from the last half century or so is:
2008-'09 Jon Bass
2007-'08 David Thomson
2006-'07 Kevin Mahon
2005-'06 Kevin Mahon
2004-'05 Kevin Mahon
2003-'04 Geoffrey Walton
2002-'03 Bill Tomlinson
2001-'02 Peter Jenkins
2000-'01 Mike Walker
1999-'00 Rex Pogson
1998-'99 John Spriggs
1997-'98 John Murrell
1996-'97 Mike Hirons
1995-'96 Kevin Cossar
1994-'95 Jeremy Morris
1993-'94 Rod Ross
1992-'93 Paul Simpson
1991-'92 Stuart Esworthy
1990-'91 M R Dougherty
1989-'90 Terry Wooton
1988-'89 Brian Ray
1987-'88 Lionel Gardner
1986-'87 Mike Denny
1985-'86 John Hughes
1984-'85 Tony Trythall
1983-'84 Bill Whitfield
1982-'83 Grantley Jenkins
1981-'82 John Field
1980-'81 Joe Keenan
1979-'80 Eric Hayes
1978-'79 Edwin Morris
1977-'78 Pete Higgs
1976-'77 Bob Jinks
1975-'76 Tony Woods
1974-'75 A E P Page
1973-'74 A V Chadburn
1972-'73 A W K Ingram
1971-'72 A W K Ingram
1970-'71 P Liddington
1969-'70 J D Markland
1968-'69 David Duffy
1967-'68 David Duffy
1966-'67 John White
1965-'66 P J Vigar
1964-'65 John Duffy
1963-'64 John Duffy
1962-'63 O H Cluett
1961-'62 O H Cluett
1960-'61 Ron Gusterson
1959-'60 Ron GustersonAlso contrary to the original entry is the fact that the Clubhouse and grounds at Fenley Field belong to the Society, and not to the OLRFC. At one time the two were almost indistinguishable with the Rugby Club being a "closed club" for whom only Old Boys could play. But the OLRFC has been an "open club" since the 1960s, enabling it to recruit the best local players and consequently it has enjoyed great success in recent years.
Categories:- Student societies in the United Kingdom
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