Photo by Patrick Ryan (1985O)

3 MAY 2019

Dear Joseph

By the time you read our next Mitre Message South Africans would have voted in the most significant general election since 1994.

Freedom of speech, freedom of association and respect for individual autonomy are the cornerstones of democracy.

It is important to exercise our rights as South Africans in a manner that favours the rule of law. For the rule of law is the opposite of mob rule, which is becoming increasingly common. Populist rhetoric is a tool to seize power rather than encourage the responsible exercise of it. If mob rule takes hold, South Africa may be imperilled.

Bishops does not teach us to cower from challenges. Bishops raises its men to think independently, and to temper emotion with reason.

At this critical juncture in our nation's history, we must exercise our rights not to achieve what is expedient but to achieve that which is good.

On 8 May 2019 do what is good.

Pro fide et patria.

Kind regards,

Adam & Nicole

OD Office News

The Old Diocesan - Featured Article

"With an election eminent, South Africa's key indicators worryingly point to increasing state fragility. Better policy choices, an anomaly in the Zuma government, would of course help - but what choices? Greg Mills, head of the Brenthurst Foundation and an expert on the development of African countries, for a high road scenario to counter the more obvious low road..."

E-Version full article

Order hard-copy

Reminder! Greg will be launching his new book, Democracy Works, at The Mitre on the 16th of May.

Branch News

Calling all Garden Route ODs

Garden Route Branch Secretary Blyth Thompson (1946O) reports: "You may wonder that there has been no activity lately for Garden Route ODs and I would like to apologize for that. I have been very seriously incapacitated and hospitalized with streptococcus. But now that I have recovered I really would appreciate it if ODs in the Garden Route Area which I represent would update their details by signing up to the OD Database below..."

OD Updates & Visitors

Chris Cooke (2004M) smashes career best to lead his county to victory

Chris smashed 12 fours and eight sixes in an exhilarating 127-ball 161, sharing a fourth-wicket stand of 234 with Billy Root, who contributed 98 to a Glamorgan total of 33 for 7.

Paul du Toit (1992W) at Theatre on the Bay

Paul invites you to his most recent theatre performance in Off beat Broadway 5 at Theatre on the Bay

Prof. Robert Frater (1946O) - George Hospital Trustee

Prof. Robert Frater recently awarded the Bishop Robert Gray Medal is an honoured trustee of the George Hospital.

Archives & History

Bishops Then & Now

Thank you to Donald Bett (1996F) for sending in this incredible aerial photo of Bishops Campus Circa 1970's.

Raymond Ackerman's extra-murals at school.

Some of the material currently being used in the composition of a display on Raymond Ackerman, in the Museum, at Bishops. The final display will feature in a subsequent bulletin on this site.

Deaths & Obituaries

Glenn James Ledgerwood (1957O)

We regret to inform you that Glenn passed away at Bateman’s Bay (NSW) in Australia on 17 April 2019 after a long illness. He was 78.

Upcoming Events

Peter Elliot (1967W) Book Launch - 7 May

Peter lives in the Languedoc where he has become an expert on the history of the area. He also writes books and at this function in London will talk to ODs about his latest, Constance: One Road to Take; The Life and Photography of Constance Stuart Larrabee (1914-2000)...

Greg Mills (1979O) - Democracy Works - 16 May

Venue: The Mitre
Date: Thursday 16th May

Time: 18H00

RSVP: [email protected]

Date: Tuesday 21 May 2019
Time: 18:30 for 19:00
Venue: The Mitre, Diocesan College
Tickets: R100 per person
Bookings through Quicket.
Ticket price includes finger snacks and drinks.
Copies of The Last Hurrah will be on sale during the evening

Date: Thursday 30 May 2019
Time: 18h00 for 18h30
Venue: The Mitre, Diocesan College
Tickets: R100 per person
Ticket includes finger snacks and drinks

UK ODs vs Old Tonbridgian Annual Golf - 8 June
This will be the fifth in our annual derby against the Old Tonbridgians.

Once again the course is the Old Course at The RAC in Surrey.

If you would like to play, please contact our captain, Alex Price (M, 2007) at [email protected]

Pub Supper for Young ODs in Oxford

For the fourth consecutive year, The UK ODU goes to the ODs in the form of a supper in a local Oxford pub. This year we are delighted to welcome our Lady Rhodes Scholars.

Date: Saturday 8th June 2019
Time: 16:30
Venue: TBC

UK Annual Dinner - 14 June

The 2019 UK Annual Dinner will take place at The Carlton Club in London.
Guest speaker to be confirmed.

The UK ODs vs the Old Haileyburians Golf Match - 10 August

This will be the second match against the Old Haileyburians,

If you are interested in playing, please contact our captain, Alex Price (M, 2007) at [email protected]

1999 Reunion – 16 – 17 August

The class of 1999 will be holding a 20-year reunion over the weekend of the Bishops v Rondebosch fixtures on 16-17 August 2019. Matrics and post-matrics of 1999 are welcome to contact Alistair Price on [email protected]. Further details will also be made available on the Facebook group: “Bishops 1999 Class 20-Year Reunion: 16-17 Aug 2019”.

Annual Oxfordshire Pub Lunch - 12 Oct

This relaxed and informal annual lunch at one of the country's finest pub/restaurants has become an entrenched feature of our calendar. This is not just for those living in and around Oxford but for any OD and their wife/partner.

Quote for the Week

Taken from the 1972 March DC Magazine on page 9:

"One must remember that what is past must go on; the future is where one spends the rest of one's life, and the most important thing is to cope with it, using the past."

~Mr L.G. Abrahamse (Former Chairman of Syfrets Trust)

Follow Us and Find Out More

Owing to so much OD related news, it is often challenging to report on the wide range of Bishops activities.

For ease of use, we thus include links to the Bishops Website, the Principal’s letters, and also the UK OD letters.
For all our previous weekly updates, click HERE
Please enjoy spending some time reading these, as they are the best means of keeping up to date with Bishops.

OD Connect

Recognise any familiar faces below? These ODs have recently joined our online platform, OD Connect. Join today and get in touch with your fellow classmates!