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IN THIS MONTH'S LETTER
 
 
Dear Nicole

This month has seen an imbroglio erupt between ODs and the ODU. The issue was triggered by the departure of the OD Secretary, WP van Zyl. The ODU has this last week sent out a comprehensive statement about how this process has unfolded. To resolve the issue, 10 ODs have called for a Special general Meeting which will take place at Bishops on 1st August. The focus is now no longer one seeking to reinstate WP (that's how this started) but a motion of no confidence in the Chairman and the Committee. A large number of UK-based and ODs (and some others around the world) have written to me to question the veracity of the communication sent out from both the ODU and the various messages and allegations circulated by "the other side". As I was privy to the steps being taken, I was able to say that the process followed by the ODU was eminently fair and proportionate and that the move to effectively remove the Chairman and Committee is without merit. That's my personal view on this rather sorry saga.

ODs must make up their own minds and, if at the SGM, vote accordingly. I have no vested interest in whether the motion carries or not. My distress is that once again, it seems that the ODU and (some) of its members are unable to get around a table to resolve issues in a mature and sensible way without resorting to SGMs to deal with what are internal management issues.

As UK-based ODs, we are not able to vote either by proxy or email so have no impact on the result. All we can do is hope that on both sides, cool heads will prevail and encourage them to keep a clear and unshakeable eye only on what is in the best interests of the ODU.


The date of our year-end party has had to change. While we are still at The Hollywood arms in Chelsea, the date is now on Friday 15th November.

I was lucky enough to have been at The Royal Regatta Henley and lunch with James Johnston (G, 2012) just before watching Rob (G, 2010) row to second place in the newly revived King's Cup. James rowed the following day for the Leander Club, finishing second, blaming not coming first on the wind - as one does.He's now racing in Portugal in preparation for the the great ascent into the Team GB squad for the 2020 Olympics and we wish him loads of luck. Rob is on the right in the photo and together with James are, respectively, resplendent in their Military and Leander Rowing blazers.

Simon Grose (F, 1977) is the ODU Secretary for Gauteng and was up on in the UK stayng with his sister's family in Chipping Norton. Annually, this branch of the Grose tribe stage a "Shakespeare in the Garden" event (their garden) and I was very pleased to have been a part of the revels. The production of Much Ado About Nothing - Shakespeare's most often-performed comedy - was acted by 6 male actors playing the parts of 23 characters. The money raised goes to the Ashmolean in Oxford. The picture is of Simon (r) and your secretary holding each other up at interval.

The 1990s aim to hold an annual braai well, annually, but the routine has been interrupted by the construction of a new venue, Neil Orpen's (W, 1990) home in Shiplake. But this year, normal service was resumed and Caelim Parkes (O, 1990)   Gordon Robinson (F, 1990),  Murray McPherson (W, 1990) and his wife Nikki and I, with Neil and his generous and super-patient wife Nikki, enjoyed a wonderful afternoon in awe of both Neil's cooking and his wine cellar. Hopefully next year more 1990s will be able to get an exeat for the outing - and perhaps other years doing something similar. In the photo are Caelim, Neil and Gordon (Murray having gone awol).

Meeting with Matt (O, 2009) and John Hawinkels (O, 2010) - and their delightful sister, Paula - for lunch in London provided an opportunity to catch up on some of the news of their generation which my generation seems a bit cut off from. 

Anthony Gibson (S, 1973) was in town from Lisbon and with his wife Fiona, met up with Allan Gasson (S, 1973) and Rosemary for supper - and then the next day Anthony and I met up. In the photo, Anthony, Rosemary, Allan and Fiona.




Mike Proctor and Peter Hain faced off earlier this week at South Africa House in a discussion chaired by Sir Nick Stadlen QC. Peter Hain, as we know, was an energetic anti apatheid activist who in his obstruction and eventual stopping of SA sports tours, effectively put an end to Mike Proctor's international cricket career. Both talked about their experiences of sport and politics in South Africa in the 60s and 70s. Several ODs and I were in attendance: Rob White-Cooper (S, 1961), John Battersby (W, 1966), Graham Thomas (K, 1984 and Caelim Parkes (O, 1990).

For those of you about to or have already embarked on a summer break, safe travels and have a relaxing time.

Kindest regards

Nicky Bicket
 
OLD DIOCESANS v OLD HAILEYBURIANS GOLF MATCH


Our second match against The Old Haileyburians is being played at the RAC in Surrey on Saturday 10th August. We go into the game one down and this is the year to at least draw level.

Alex Price is our captain and convenor, so if you would like to play (for which you receive - if you don't have one already - a complimentary ODU golf shirt) Alex is the man to suck up too. He can be contacted via email.

 
ODs ON THE MOVE
 
This month we congratulate Dan Linegar (K, 2010) on being made a Senior Associate Consultant at Bain & Company. Bain is one of the big four global strategy consultants where Dan has been working since the middle of 2016. Dan received his B.Comm (hons) with distinction in economics and statistics before going on to complete an M.Phil from Cambridge in economics. We wish him well as he hurtles up the ladder.


 
CAP CLASSIQUE

Adrian Kritzinger (F, 2006) has started a business called Cap Classique. He writes:

"As with with most start ups, it really did just begin as an idea over a couple glasses of sparkling, which soon turned in to the founding of Cap Classique Holdings Ltd (Cap Classique UK) with my two friends and now partners. Our mission: to grow and promote South Africas version of Champagne, Cap Classique, within the UK and abroad. 

"Prosecco has largely dominated the UK's lower end of the sparkling wine market, with Champagne (and now also English Sparkling) taking care of the upper price bracket, which places Cap Classique perfectly between the two - sharing Champagnes high quality, as made in the same traditional method, but at a more affordable price. We’re looking to grow the category from the bottom up, a tough battle in gaining market share over such established products, but a real opportunity to give a proudly South African product a worldwide platform to shine.

"Essentially, we are representing a number of SA Cap Classique producers in the UK and looking to find suitable homes for them through the following avenues: direct customer & corporate sales, events, weddings, on trade space (restaurants, bars, venues, members clubs) and private sourcing & tastings. Ultimately we are searching for mutual partnerships with direct distributors and distribution channels to take onboard certain products in their portfolios for expansion.

"If there are any interested parties, please do not hesitate to contact me. Likewise, to please share with fellow family, friends, colleagues and sparkling enthusiasts.

"I’d be happy to engage on any level, whether it’s advice, introductions and or direct business opportunities, all is welcomed and appreciated in gaining traction at this early stage within the UK market.

"Hopefully we will soon have Cap Classique available for future OD events, being celebrated in the hands of those who have helped grow the category and business".

To get hold of Adrian, please email him at kritzinger@capclassique.co.uk or through the website, www.capclassique.co.uk. Instagram: Cap_Classique

 
ELITE SPORTSMEN & WOMEN
 
I mentioned Rob White-Cooper (S, 1961) in the introduction and was very pleased to have been able to meet his son, Steve (sadly not an OD). Steve is a former professional rugby player for Harlequins & England who, following his retirement and subsequent career development, recognised the vast potential of Elite Athletes.

The idea behind our lunch was to explore whether there might be any synergy between Steve's company, add-victor, which is a specialist recruitment company which places graduate elite athletes into business. There model and description of how they work can be read HERE.

Steve would be very keen to speak to ODs who are playing sport at the highest levels and who might be interested in talking to him about their futures once they decide to exit their sport.

He is also keen to speak to ODs at universities who might be able to identify and refer non-OD athletes to his organisation. In effect, talent scouts! Not unpaid!

If either of these propositions interests you, please would you
email me and I will put you in touch with Steve.

 
SUPPORT OUR OD SPONSORS

At this year's UK OD Dinner, we were fortunate and grateful to have the wine and beer sponsored. Anthony Record MBE (S, 1956) who hosted our dinner, owns a wine farm in the Languedoc and it was from there that our wines came.

Devan du Plooy (G, 2007), Michael Cockburn (F, 2006) and James During (B, 2007) have started brewing their Co.bru beer some of which they donated to our dinner. I hope that when thinking about your next beer and wine purchase, Domaine Gayda and Co.bru are top of mind.




To find out how to order from the Domaine Gayda range of wines, click HERE
To purchase Co.bru Fine American Pale Ale, click HERE

 
2019 DATES FOR THE DIARY

To be added to during the year
As always, wives and partners most welcome to all events and functions
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Saturday 10th August

UK ODU vs Old Haileyburians Golf Match
10.30am-6.30pm
RAC, Surrey

Contact Alex Price (M, 2007)

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Saturday 12th October
12h15-

Oxfordshire Pub lunch
The Bell at Hampton Poyle, OX5 2QD
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Tuesday 5th-Thursday 7th November

OD Visit to Amsterdam
with a private lecture and personally guided tour of The Rijksmuseum by Duncan Bull (O, 1971) - and a taste of what the city has to offer.

A maximum of 15 people
This tour is now fully-subscribed, but please do put your name down on the stand-by list if you are keen to come. There will be withdrawals. Register HERE
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Friday 15thh November
18h30-midnight

UK ODU Year-end Party
The Hollywood Arms
45 Hollywood Road, Chelsea, SW10 9HX

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14th December
14h00

Thames Hare and Hounds Alumni Cross Country Race
Wimbledon Common
Contact Rowan Nicholls (O, 2010)
 
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