Framlinghamian 2022 - Flipbook - Page 121
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
I WAS HONOURED TO BE ELECTED
AS PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY
FOR A SECOND TIME LAST APRIL. I
BEGIN BY PAYING TRIBUTE TO MY
PREDECESSOR, JOHN ELLERBY,
FOR HIS HUGE CONTRIBUTIONS
DURING HIS TENURE.
To function, the Society depends on
volunteers who willingly and selflessly give
up their time to make it work. There are
too many to acknowledge individually by
name – and many are listed elsewhere in
this publication. Nonetheless, I offer my
sincere thanks to all those who do so. I
thank Abid Hamid – our previous Hon
Gen Sec and London Supper Organiser
– for his time in these positions. Also, I
thank Clive Smith who has stepped down
as Sports Coordinator and John Horton
who has handed over as Suffolk Supper
Organiser. I welcome, with grateful thanks
for volunteering, Ruth Elwood as Hon Gen
Sec and Suffolk Supper Organiser and
Alex Henney who has become a Trustee of
the Society and taken over as the London
Supper Organiser.
The Society marked Paul Taylor’s departure
as Headmaster at the Society’s Annual
Dinner in April when Past President Richard
Sayer spoke eloquently about Paul and
Amanda’s time at Framlingham College
- a copy of Richard’s speech is included
elsewhere in this magazine. The Society
has enjoyed considerable support from
Paul and the Society and Framlingham
College have moved much closer together
during his tenure. During my previous time
as President, I negotiated the innovative
financial arrangements with Paul and his
team, which, over the past 6 years, have
proved to be of great benefit both to the
Society and to the College. Paul spoke
very warmly about the Society at Speech
Day in July and I repeat a short extract of
his speech: “I would also like to extend my
thanks to the ever-supportive Society of
Old Framlinghamians. From our very first
day here they have welcomed Amanda and
I into the fold. People who care – deeply
– about the College and people who,
individually and collectively, have expressed
that support financially through their hugely
generous donations over the years. There
are not many major building projects over
the years that have not been financed
in large part by the Society alongside
individual alumni. I am pleased to say that
our relationship is both very close (I hope
almost symbiotic) and hugely valued: and
I am very proud to have been made an
Honorary Old Framlinghamian.” On behalf
of the Society, I wish Paul and Amanda
every success for the future.
I was pleased to have an opportunity to
meet Louise North, Principal of the College
and Head of the Senior School, during
a visit she made to Framlingham in May
when I briefed her about the Society. On
behalf of the Society, I welcome her to
Framlingham and look forward to working
with her.
Since I was last President from (20112013), the number of regional suppers has
reduced as has the number of attendees.
I consider that this is a function of time,
as the generation that enjoyed regular
attendance at regional suppers gets older.
Nonetheless, as President I am happy to
join any small group of OFs who might get
together for a meal – should I be invited!
However, I am not despondent – as our
younger members frequently meet and
network using other means. It has been
very pleasing to see so many younger
OFs attending the Annual Dinner and I
pay tribute to the Young OFs and past
and current Moreau Scholars who have
encouraged this.
I look forward to meeting members of the
Society during my presidency.
SIMON DOUGHERTY
PRESIDENT SOF
THE FRAMLINGHAMIAN 2019
119