STOURBRIDGE OLD EDWARDIAN CLUB
ED-Words Newsletter
December 2025
President's Foreword
Arnold Homer
The year has vanished before our eyes whilst having enjoyed the memorable events within the wonderful club to which we each belong.
My brief comment in the Annual Report and Financial Statements drew attention to the need for us to deny decay by positive change, with my asking each one of you for appropriate suggestions in pursuit of that objective
As I prepare myself to be my own successor as your President, I extend my thanks to all Office holders and to our remarkable stewards and their staff; might we never take any of them for granted.
We also remember, with thanks, those whose foresight enables us to enjoy what we have; reminding ourselves of our obligation to preserve it for those who follow us.
With my best wishes for a peaceful Christmas, helping us each to prepare ourselves for the rigours of 2026.
Arnold Homer
EDITOR's NOTE: As is traditional, some Christmas Cracker Jokes are interspersed (if you can stand them!) courtesy of Mike Aston, the Chairman of the Newsletter Committee.
KEVI College Remembrance
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The College community gathered together in the main outside College Quad area - to stand in remembrance to those who have fallen to protect the sovereignty of our peace - on Tuesday 11th November. At 11am the Last Post was played which was followed by a two minute silence. A senior student read a passage, which was followed by the Reveille.
Invited guests (including those who attended from SOEC) then progressed to the main hall. Our archivist and expert military historian Kenneth Wright gave a fascinating presentation of the wartime exploits of old boy of the previous school and hero Jack Ainsworth.
The College should be congratulated on assembling the collection of video and photographic clips into an excellent and professional compilation which brought even more life to Kenneth's presentation.
The full details of Jack Ainsworth's story were previously published in the summer and autumn editions of our newsletters in 2024. can read the full story by CLICKING HERE>> for the first instalment and CLICKING HERE>> for the second instalment and in each case scrolling to the Archivist's section towards the end.
Wreaths were laid on behalf of the Governors and Foundation Trustees, SOEC (Immediate Past President Clive Bowen-Davies laid the SOEC wreath) and the College / Student Union. This was followed by brief prayers and a reception - which was a welcome chance to meet some of the staff, and College Principal Holly Bembridge.
Q: What’s white and runs through the desert with a bed pan?
A: Florence of Arabia
Events
Our forthcoming events are visible on our Events Calendar.
Of immediate note is the traditional Boar's Head Supper on Tuesday 23rd December. The boar's head will be paraded in at 8.0 pm so please be there in sufficient time to socialise before hand.
Reviewed past events may be found by clicking HERE>> . In particular, since the last newsletter:
Barry Picken MBE gave an inspired lunchtime talk with buffet on Friday September 12th on the topic "Red Flowers and a Bag of Old Bones" . This gave an illuminating insight into the origins of wearing poppies for Remembrance Days and the "Tomb of the Unknown Warrior".
The annual dinner was held on Friday October 3rd with invited VIPs and an excellent after dinner speaker. CLICK HERE>> for report and photos.
This year's Past Presidents' Lunch took place on Monday, November 3rd. CLICK HERE>> for report and photos.
Q: How does a snowman lose weight?
A: He waits for the weather to get warmer.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The AGM was held at the Club on Monday 1st December at which outgoing President Arnold Homer announced he would be standing for a further year. Full details of the proceedings may be found by clicking HERE>> .
For a copy of the annual report CLICK HERE>> .
Q: Why did the scarecrow win an award?
A: He was outstanding in his field.
50-Club Lottery
50-Club Lottery
Our thanks go to the indefatigable Clive Bowen-Davies for the considerable effort in managing the process and reimbursing the winners.
Clive is issuing a special appeal for members to join the lottery. We have had a number of members passing away this year and we need to supplement the lottery with additional members. .
Prizes are one £100 win and two £50 wins monthly.
Click for more on this initiative which could be good for you and helps the Club funds
With less than 90 numbers, and 3 wins per month the chance of winning is probably the best of any regular lottery.
Q: What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations?
A: Tinsilitis.
Club Update
Christmas Period Opening Times
The Club will be closed from Wednesday 24th December lunchtime and reopen on Monday 29th December.
It will close again from lunchtime on Wednesday 31st December and reopen on Friday 2nd January.
Annual Membership Renewals
This is a further reminder that, for those who have still not paid their annual membership fees, you are now more than two months overdue! Renewal membership is deemed to be complete upon payment of the appropriate fees and not just on completing the form (which is for our records).
CLICK HERE>> to submit the form and for how to pay your fees. Renewals not completed by December 31st will be deemed to have lapsed and those members removed from our database and any car park key fobs deactivated.
For any enquiries, please contact the Hon. Membership Secretary by completing the appropriate form HERE>> . (Do not respond to this email or email the Club directly as responses will not be monitored).
Keeping In Touch
Whilst the annual membership form is a useful way for us to log any changes in your personal circumstances since the previous renewal, members often move house, change their email addresses and contact details.
It would really help us to help you if you kept the Hon. Membership Secretary informed of any changes by completing the membership enquiries form HERE>> if the need arises.
Q What do you call a cow with no legs?
A: Ground beef
Archivist Update
Kenneth Wright
As in previous years along with a number of other members and Past Presidents, I was again invited to attend the College’s Annual Remembrance Service held in the Quad and the Main Hall.
This year was rather special for me, because the College had kindly requested that I should take part in the proceedings.
I duly presented the WWII story of Jack Ainsworth as referred to above.
Q: What do you call a cow with two legs?
A: Lean beef.
To all our readers:
And, most importantly........
"A very Happy Christmas and a healthy and fulfilling New Year - full of the things which you would wish for yourself and your families".
Editor
Chairman
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President: Arnold Homer Editor: Alan Roden |
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General enquiries: 01384-395635 College Website: https://www.kedst.ac.uk |
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