Old Boys Society (1904)

Post date: Oct 16, 2017 8:6:41 PM

In the Church vestry is held a scrap book with newspaper cuttings marked "in Memory of Edgar Clarke-Smith". Some cuttings have a date handwritten beside them. Many are probably from the South Eastern Gazette. The following is marked as from 19.4.04:

OLD BOYS' SOCIETY-On Wednesday the first annual meeting of the Wateringbury Old Boys' Society was held in the schools, when the headmaster (Mr. E.A. Smith) occupied the chair. There was a good attendance of members. The rules as drafted were considered and approved. One of the rules is especially interesting; it relates to the membership, and says that old boys of 17 years and over may be members; fathers of present scholars may be associates; and other persons, by paying a rather larger subscription, may be honorary members, having the same privileges as members and associates except the power of voting. The officers elected were as follows:President, Mr. Edgar A. Smith; vice-president Mr. E. Gibbs; hon. secretary, Mr. Edgar A. Smith; hon.treasurer, Mr. G. Davis. The annual dinner was fixed to take place on April 20th.

The following is marked as from 26.4.04:

OLD BOYS' SOCIETY-The first annual dinner in connection with this newly founded society took place on Wednesday evening, and if one may judge from the success attending this first function of the Society it has a great future before it. The President (Mr. Edgar A. Smith) occupied the chair, and must have had very pleasant feelings in looking around the table to see the faces of so many of his old scholars gathered together in such a friendly manner. The host and hostess (Mr. and Mrs. Andress) are to be congratulated on their success in the way the catering was carried out. In addition to the loyal toasts, some few others were submitted and well received, especially those of "The School" and "The Society". The President during the evening spoke of the objects of the Society as being threefold (1) to form a bond of union between old boys; (2) to connect the past and present (3) to do all possible to promote the interest of the school. He hoped the Society would grow and that it would be the means of fostering a love of sport among the members and amongst the boys of the schools. Among those present were: Mr. Amos Baker (a School Manager), who spoke some kind words about the Society, and showed that he was in full sympathy with its aims, and would do all he could to assist the Society. Mr. Charles King (an honorary member) also wished the Society every possible success, which he felt sure it would attain, as it was making such a capital beginning. During the evening some good music was provided in the way of singing by Messrs. J. Neame, G. Davis, L.J. Hamphshire and Edgar A. Smith; the quartette, the "Long Day Closes"(Sullivan), being especially well received. Mr. Wm. Monger added to the pleasure by bringing his splendid gramophone and giving some Edison records which were much enjoyed. When 10 o'clock struck, and the meeting had to be brought to a close, so enjoyable had the evening been, that it seemed scarcely possible that the three hours had already passed. A verse of the National Anthem and then Auld Lang Syne, joined in heartily by all, brought this jolly meeting to an end. Next year it is hoped that at least 50 will sit down together and talk over old times together.