SOCIETY REPORTS

HARROW AVIATION CLUB (HAC)

A fly-in by members with aircraft took place at Elstree Aerodrome on Saturday 25 June 2022.A number of Harrovians, marshalled by Rob McMahon (The Head Master’s 2007³ ) were flown in members’ aircraft, the majority of whom had never been in a light aircraft before. They were also shown around the flying school, Flight Training London, with the senior instructor demonstrating the brand-new DA-42 flight simulator to the boys which enables piloting to take place on the ground in all weathers, thereby cutting down considerably the time and cost required to obtain a PPL. The annual dinner was fully booked and took place in late November 2022 at the club’s Chelsea watering hole, The Fox and Pheasant, hosted by the pub’s owner and HAC member James Blunt (Elmfield 1987³ ), fresh from his Albert Hall duties earlier in the month. The speaker was Ben Uttley (Moretons 1991³ ) who gave us a taster of his amazing documentary film, Silver SpitfireThe Longest Flight.

In 2023, the undoubted highlight of the year took place in Speech Room on 1 March when Ben Uttley arranged a special screening of Silver Spitfire - The Longest Flight Read more on page 37 about this.

A fly-in is being organised to take place later this summer, flying into Bembridge Aerodrome, Isle of Wight. This will throw down new gauntlets when the HAC will meet members of the recently formed Etonian Aviation Club and challenge them to the first-ever Harrow-Eton match to take place in the air.

We are to return to the Fox and Pheasant this next November for the 2023 annual dinner – further details to be announced in due course. As places are limited early booking is essential.

Huge thanks are due to Iain Ruggles-Brise (West Acre 2002³ ) who has been the indefatigable Club Secretary for a number of years and has handed over the mantle to Will Quilter (West Acre 2009³ ). Air-minded Old Harrovians should contact Will if they wish to participate in any of the club events or merely to be kept informed of the club and its ventures.

John Steel (Rendalls 19673)

Harrow Wanderers

Fresh from its 150th celebrations last October, the Harrow Wanderers is in good spirits and looking forward to the 2023 season. It gets underway with the annual Speech Day fixture against the School on 27 May. Last year, the Wanderers held out for a draw in a fiercely contested match. This year, with the School buoyant after its recent victory over Eton at Lord’s, another tough challenge awaits.

The Cricketer Cup begins on 11 June with an away fixture against Bradfield. Captain Lalit Bose (The Head Master’s 2008³ ) will be leading the side once again and, having fallen in the second round last year after a blazing victory against Dulwich in the first match, the team is determined to make their presence felt in the later stages of the tournament.

As usual, touring is at the heart of the 2023 fixtures list. The Northern Tour begins on 7 July with a fixture against the Yorkshire Gents at Escrick and is followed by matches against the Hawks and Aysgarth. Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the tour, and the club will be marking the occasion with special events to be announced later in the year. Meanwhile, over the first weekend of September, another Harrow Wanderers squad travels to Conington Park for the Southern Tour, with fixtures against the Howitzers and the Decimals.

Visit the Harrow Wanderers group page on OH Connect to keep up to date with fixtures, results and news through the season.

James Gillions (Elmfield 19873)

OLD HARROVIAN ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB (OHAFC)

2022/23 has proved a difficult season for the OHAFC both on and off the pitch.

The club remains one of the healthiest in the Arthurian League, one of only three to field three teams on a Saturday, but results for all sides proved underwhelming.

The 1st XI, skippered by Dan Firoozan (Rendalls 20093), finished seventh in Division One, their efforts hampered by inconsistent availability in the first half of the season. The 2s, again led by Geoff Taunton-Collins (Bradbys 20013 ), endured a dramatic end to their campaign with relegation from Division Two only confirmed two hours after a final-day victory at home to the Sennockians –Aldenhamians’ surprise win away to the title-chasing Radleians condemned the side to Division Three following a six-year absence. The 3s enjoyed their season (and their Saturday nights) most of all, despite a bizarre fixture allocation that saw the side play 12 of their 16 League fixtures before Christmas. Adam Graham's (Druries 20033) club-high 12 goals helped the team to a comfortable fifth-place finish in Division Four. None of the three sides threatened success in any of the Cups.

Nevertheless, it was pleasing to see so many promising debutants among the 110 players who featured this season and congratulations are due to Will Payne (Newlands 20123 ), who made his Arthurian League Representative Team debut in a 6-0 win over the Amateur Football Combination.

March saw the passing of former Rendalls and Druries Matron Gillian Whitmee, a valued supporter of the OHAFC and a regular face on the Phil pitches over many seasons – a memorial service will be held on the Hill later this year to celebrate Gillian’s life.

More recently, a memorial game was held in Barn Elms in honour of former OHAFC stalwart Dom Danos (Bradbys 19903), who died in January last year whilst playing football for his ‘other’ Veterans team, the West Kensington Kings. Dom’s family was present for the occasion, with wife George presenting a new Cup named in Dom’s honour, the fixture between the sides set to be held on an annual basis going forward.

All OHAFC information is available on the website ohafc.com with a busy 2024 planned, including an Easter Tour and club dinner.

David Lederman (Newlands 19883)

OH CROSS COUNTRY CLUB (OHXC)

On a glorious September afternoon, very different conditions were experienced from the usual muddy deluge for the 70th running of the Alumni Race on Wimbledon Common. The date was moved to early autumn to avoid fixture congestion in December. An enthusiastic and varied field of 150 set off for a tour of this classic and demanding five-mile course. The honours for the many events within the event were widely shared.

The OHXC team finished well, coming fourth of 33 scoring teams, one place ahead of the old foes Eton. The four scorers were George Grassly (The Knoll 20133) (9), William Gasson (The Head Master’s 20123) (21), Quentin Baker (Moretons 19893) (23) and Mark Sankey (The Park 19943) (49).

They were strongly supported by Jonathon Orme, (The Park 19913), Simon Eadon (Druries 19653) and Harry Hathorn (Newland 20143).

It was great to have some new faces this year, so whether you are fitness mad or a Sunday plodder then do consider joining us in the future. The next Alumni run is 16 September so please contact the HA office if you are interested in joining.

George Grassly (The Knoll 20133)

OH REAL TENNIS AND RACKETS ASSOCIATION (OHRTRA)

The club had a full set of real tennis fixtures this season. The highlight was winning the Wellesley Cup against the Old Etonians at Lord’s during the Eton v Harrow match in June 2022. Fortunately, we will be able to play for it again in 2023. On the rackets court, Alex Titchener-Barratt (Elmfield 1993³) won the British Open Doubles this year. An amazing feat for a player over the age of 40.

The annual dinner was held at The Queen’s Club on the 3 May to end the season and was attended by Dan Escott (Master-in-Charge), the pros and five 62 rackets players. This gave us the opportunity to celebrate the success of the School winning the Foster Cup, the Renny Cup, the 2nd Pair doubles and the Mark Faber Cup (for the most successful school in the Schools Rackets Championships over the year).

We are keen to encourage new players, so if you would like to give it a go please get in touch. We have links with a number of clubs and would be happy to put you in touch with them or, in some cases, we may be able to get you on court for a quick hit during one of our matches.

Simon Roundell (Newlands 1989³ ) and Harsha Boralessa (Moretons 1983³ )