Fifteen OPs and two ex-Conways (OC) gather for dinner at the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) in Cowes.

The Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) in Cowes was the venue for an OP Dinner hosted and organised by Roly Franks (OP).  The RYS in Cowes is a magnificent building known to the sailing fraternity as 'The Castle'.  It was built by Henry VIII and is steeped in history and tradition, being the focal point for all the sailing races that took place during Cowes week.  The RYS has wonderful furniture, books in its library and a magnificent nautical art collection.

15 OPs and two ex-Conways (OCs), many of whom were themselves members of the RYS, gathered for a dinner in the magnificent dining room.  Roly made a toast to OPs and the College.  The oldest OP present was Dick Hayes.  He is 88, going on 48, and in remarkable form, certainly having more stamina than some of the younger OPs present!

Everyone stayed either in the Castle or on board Merrick Rayner's yacht, having sailed over from Chichester harbour during the day.  Apparently the last OP retired to bed at 4 o'clock and looked remarkably lively at breakfast the next morning.

Those present were: Peter Broadbent, Mike Anderson, Richard Devitt, Mark Dumas, Sir Malcolm Edge (OC), John Fisher, Roly Franks, Dick Hayes, David Keith-Welsh, John Lang, James Maitland, Tony Morrow, Merrick Rayner, Ian Shuttleworth, Richard Shuttleworth, Peter Somers and Andrew Tyrell (OC)