Two perfect storms collided on Saturday 13th August, one providing an opportunity and one a challenge.

The opportunity was the convergence of the 125th Anniversary of RBHS, the brief stopover in London of Simply Blue, the Bishops a cappella group (who turn 21 this year) on their way home from a highly successful outing at the Edinburgh Festival and the presence in London of Tony Reeler, Principal of Bishops and a Rondebosch Old Boy.

The second, the challenge, was the convergence of a 33C sweltering summer's day, one of a number of endless rail strikes and the Springboks playing (and losing) against the All Blacks just before our function. But bringing those "storms" together resulted in a wonderful reception hosted by our Branch to honour RBHS's quasquicentennial.

Over 65 old boys from Bishops and RBHS together with wives and partners got together on the splendid deck of the offices of Michael Coombs (UK chairman of the RBHS alumni association). There we enjoyed drinks, canapés and bowl food and to round the evening off, a superlative performance by Simply Blue who were engaging, charming and tuneful. Thanks and credit must go to their coaches, Marion Gardner (who founded Simply Blue) and Stephen Carletti, both longstanding and distinguished members of the Bishops teaching staff.

After welcomes from Michael Coombs and Nicky Bicket (the ODU Secretary in the UK) Tony Reeler congratulated RBHS on their milestone. He also dwelt on the fact that Bishops and RBHS, the greatest of friends and the greatest of rivals, shared the same values of decency, kindness and good citizenship. He did not mention that this term will be the 200th rugby match between the two schools, because if you live the values of decency, kindness and good citizenship, any mention of the rugby would have been somewhat hypocritical. The photos I hope capture the joyful atmosphere and camaraderie of the wonderful evening. Old friendships were renewed and new ones made. Isn't that the point? 

Click HERE to see some of the photos of the event