On the weekend of Bish-Bosch (30 May - 01 June 2024) the 89s celebrated their 35th year out of school in Bishops' 175th Year.  A series of celebratory functions for them was arranged by Duncan de Groot, of which one was a gathering at The Mitre. 

The ODA Paul Murray was invited to attend. Before the gathering he led a historical tour of the College which is something provided for OD Reunions.  The tour was approximately two hours.  It started with a tour inside the War Memorial Chapel which now is two years away from its centenary (1926 - 2026).

New to the 89 year were the Simpson Centre, the Steffan Coutts-Trotter Indoor Cricket centre, the new Gray House, Mallett House, the water polo pool, and other additions and improvements.  The sanctuary in the War Memorial Chapel was recently tiled in accordance with the original 1926 drawings as per the architect Percy Wallgate.  Significant is the new learning comms which is near completion. Soon the commemorative stained-glass windows will be installed in the Brooke Chapel, where the tour ended.

During the course of the evening a group photo was taken although not everyone was present at the time - any omissions are regretted.

Duncan de Groot was the organiser for this event.

By all accounts it was a highly successful gathering and complemented the busy schedule in The Mitre for that weekend, what with Bish-Bosch Hockey on the Astro with an OD side playing against an Old Boys' Rondebosch side on Friday (31 May); and the following evening, the 20 year reunion (2004 Leavers). 

In the photograph above, standing right at the back: Craig Jarvis (1989B), Bryan Mitchell (W) & Justin Fenn (G).

Standing in the back row, Left to Right: Geoff Axten (S), Peter Milne (K), Andrew Vintcent (S), Marc Kleye (F), Rob Kaye (O), Neville van Buuren (O), Derek Moss (S), Matthew le Roux (B), Anthony Cohen (F), Simon Berrisford (G), Paul Saxby (B), Murray Carlyle (O), Jonathan van Breda (S), Andrew Stegmann (F), Ian Solomon (B).

Front Row (not seated): George Grieve (S), Laurie Wilkin (S), Duncan de Groot (G), Martin MacGregor (O), John Slingsby (O), Philip Dicey, (F) Oliver Steynor (O), Jo Godden (W).

Seated: Craig Christian (K) & Peter Koch (W).

Other people that were there that night that aren’t in this picture were: Richard Pickering (F), Nic Allen (G), Doug Jenman (B), Warwick McCance-Price (O) & Michael-John Fuchs (K).  Sincere apologies for the omissions.