Class of 60 re-union in 2020
 
Hi guys,
 
Further to our recent email about planning for a possible re-union and get-together in March 2020 to mark 60 years since our Matric year, we have put together the following ideas to sound out your level of interest in joining us – with your partners, spouses or whoever. Note especially the special offer from Rohan Vos (OD) for us to tie in a trip on his train.
 
Wednesday 4 March 2020             
The main event:   an early evening  meet-and-greet-and-recognise braai at the Mitre. This will be an excellent opportunity to renew friendships, swop anecdotes, take pictures, make speeches and have fun, all in a really special and historical environment, notably for those who have not been to the Mitre previously.
 
Thursday 5 March                   
Men only at the annual OD dinner (though there have been recent OD dinners when ladies have been invited, but we will only know nearer the time). We will book one or more tables for our group, exclusively.
 
Friday 6 March                                    
Founders Day, including chapel service, tour of the school, meet the new principal, spectating at – or participating in – sporting events.   A copy of this year’s programme is attached to give you an indication of the day’s typical events.
 
Saturday/Sunday 7/8 March  
Opportunities for various outings in small groups, such as tour of the heart-transplant museum facilitated by Syd, cellar tour and lunch at Haute Cabriere in Franschhoek facilitated by Alan, tour of the MOCAA facilitated by Richard, visit to the Simonstown naval museum facilitated by Mac – all depending on your level of interest, your time availability and all probably facilitated by one of our group with the right connections to "open special doors”.   Some of you will have suggestions to add:   please let us know – such as visit to Parliament and talk by OD or cable car trip up Table Mountain for breakfast and anecdotes.
 
Then, to add further flavour to the mix, we have approached Rohan Vos about a possible “group” trip on his train and this is his proposal:
 
We catch the Pretoria-Cape Town train on Friday 28 February 2020 to enjoy this itinerary:
 
15h00 Depart from Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. Dinner and overnight on the train.
 
Day2
10h00 The train arrives in Kimberley. Passengers visit the Big Hole and the Diamond Mine Museum.
12h30 Depart Kimberley and proceed overnight via De Aar and Beaufort West to Matjiesfontein.
Day3
08h15 Enjoy a visit to the historic village of Matjiesfontein.
10h30 The train departs for Cape Town via Touws River and Worcester.
18h00 Arrive at Cape Town Station’s Platform 24.
 
Then, these are key elements of Rohan’s offer:

1. Tariffs for 2020 are as follows: Pullman suite: R 22 3580.00 per person sharing one way; Deluxe suite: R 33 750.00 per person sharing one way; Royal suite: R 45 000.00 per person sharing one way
2. For us, Rohan has offered a 50 per cent discount, so a Pullman tariff, for example, will be R22 358,00 per couple sharing. 
3. “Bachelors” wanting a compartment to themselves will pay R22 358,00 + 50 per cent, divided by 2! - ditto the other more expensive compartments.
4. It will be peak season, so agents book up well in advance and our group must make their reservations soon.
5. There are a limited number of Pullman suites, so if you want to enjoy the least expensive compartment, book soon!
6. In case you want to do a different trip (and negotiate the price directly with Rovos), take a look at their website by clicking the button below. 

The purpose of this communication is to hear from you what your level of interest is (without making any commitment at this early stage, though don’t ignore the need to book early for Rovos Rail), to get an understanding of likely numbers (because venues at Bishops are also already being booked up for next year) and to get your suggestions. Note also that we are suggesting that the emphasis should be on informality and the get-together in Cape Town being relatively inexpensive – but all and any suggestions are eagerly awaited, as is your reaction to whether you might join us or not.
 
Please feel free to respond to any of us:
Mac Bisset, Syd Cullis, Richard Eastwick, Rob Phillips, Gerald Rosenthal and Alan Ramsay