Old Bournemouthians' Association Dinner 2004

A group of fourteen Old Tauntonians attended the OBA annual dinner at the Royal Bath Hotel on Friday 24 September.

The OT presence at the Bournemouth Dinner is co-ordinated by Alan Cairns. Attendance is not confined to those who were evacuated although, by the nature of the original cause, most of us who attend are of the 1939–1945 era.

The event is less formal and perhaps more relaxed than its OT equivalent and certainly, given the hotel venue, more comfortable! We are always warmly welcomed and our close association with Bournemouth is marked by inclusion in the Toast to the Associations. Each year one of the OTs attending is the guest of the OBA and invited to give a short address on the "OT connection".

Last September's OT speaker was Eric Godley, the honour in recent years having been that of Alan Cairns, John Zillwood, Ron Allison, John Bathurst and Roy Stephens. Other OTs who are regular attendees are Bob Brookes, Mike Bull, Peter Burrows, David Bryett, Alan Dedmen, Alan Harding, Peter Hunt, Harry Lockwood, Bob Miell, George Pledger, Jeff White and Keith Woodfine.

All OTs, whether or not of the evacuation period, are most welcome at the Bournemouth dinner. Enquiries should be made via the OT General Secretary, hon.secretary@ota-southampton.org.uk.