The Old Maidstonian Super Saturday 2024 – Saturday 20th April – UPDATE

On Saturday 20th April, before the supper, we are opening our doors to welcome as many Old Maidstonians back as possible to celebrate the continued growth of sport at MGS and our 3G pitch. This is the day of the supper (please buy your tickets!) and will make for a great part of this huge day to celebrate our community. Please come along for a tea/coffee and relax at the Ron McCormick Pavilion. We are opening at 12pm and hosting some fierce alumni sporting competition for you to watch. MGS will be hosting the annual MGS vs OM sporting fixtures for both rugby and football. OMs should keep the whole day free for both the Sports and the Supper.

UPDATE – The Super Saturday Sport will take place from 12pm to 4pm with alumni sporting fixtures in both rugby and football. Express your interest for Super Saturday Sport via THESE links: https://mgs.kent.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/OMS-Super-Saturday-scaled.jpg OR https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=bVZYQqE_J0ieVgqz5wlUFx-unsY2skdMudsZubzhrbtUOUYzVjZCVVJCVFg0Sk1QQjdWUVkwWktDWi4u

This is still relatively new, so please share widely on social media and/or in your WhatsApp groups!

We hope that the entire day will be a great celebration of everything that makes MGS & OMS what it is, always has been and always will be.

Olim Meminisse Juvabit.

Warmest regards,
The Committee

 

OMS 475 Annual Supper 2024 – Saturday 20th April (updated)

The Old Maidstonian Society Annual Supper will be held at the school on Saturday  20th April 2024. Dress is jacket and tie or equivalent. Plus-ones are welcome. With it being the School’s 475th anniversary it would be so good to see many more OMs returning to their school to celebrate the important milestone.

The Supper will commence promptly at 19:30, and will conclude equally promptly by 22:00, as there will again be a Master of Ceremonies to ensure that all runs on time, as it has done for the past several years. Please note that free overnight parking is available for all those who require it, please let us know beforehand if you require the use of these facilities as well as providing us with the registration number and make of the car ahead of time.

The President, Dan Abnett, has invited Jason Tarry to be his Guest of Honour. Jason left MGS in 1985 and joined Tesco in 1990 as a graduate trainee. Through his career in the business he has held a number of senior positions and joined the Executive Committee as head of commercial for UK and group, in January 2015. For the last six years he has held the position of CEO of the UK and Republic of Ireland businesses. He is the 2023 President of the Institute of Grocery Distribution. It has recently been announced that Jason will be stepping down from his Tesco role in March 2024 after more than 33 years with the company which happens to coincide with our Supper. Jason is also the incoming President of the Society for 2024 to 2025.

There will again be a professional bar service with beer, spirits, port and soft drinks being served before dinner and also at tables during the meal. The bar will be open by 18:00, and the hall and bar will remain open until 23:00. Entrance will again only be through the main entrance door, where you will be greeted.

We are also hoping to have a tour (or two, numbers depending) around the School before the Supper; if you wish to attend a tour, please let us know no later than 13th April 2024, so we have enough time to plan staffing levels for the numbers we have, and please make us aware of any access requirements you have. Timings and numbers will be confirmed during the week before the Supper, but will likely take place in the hour or two before the Supper starts.

There will also be the now legendary raffle, tickets on sale on the night, any prize donations are very much welcome, please email me with these via [email protected].

We are delighted to confirm that the caterers for the Annual Supper will be Cucina. They will again be preparing our meal, and the menu is stated below and will be on our website in due course. We will provide place names with each diner’s choices printed on one side.

Everyone attending is requested to:

  • Make payment by one of the methods below;
  • Pre-select their choices for each course from the linked menu, and forward them to the Membership Secretary either by e-mail, phone, or by mail to the school, addressed to the OMS;
  • Advise the Membership Secretary when booking if you wish to sit with any particular member(s);
  • Advise the Membership Secretary if you have any access requirements.

Menu:

Starters: S1 Parma Ham & Melon Salad OR
S2 Pea & Watercress Soup served with fresh baked bread & white truffle oil OR
S3 Smoked Mackerel Pate, charred Lemon & toasted brioche

Main Courses: M1 Steak & Mushroom Pithivier with ale jus OR
M2 Chicken Schnitzel, wild garlic butter & tomato salsa (Both served with spring vegetables & potatoes) OR
M3 Wild mushroom and mozzarella arancini, Panzanella salad & basil oil.

Desserts: D1 Gypsy Tart with pouring cream OR
D2 Sherry Trifle OR
D3 Golden Syrup Sponge Pudding & Clotted cream custard

To finish: Freshly Brewed Fairtrade Coffee & Tea

Price and payment methods

The cost is £32 per head, an increase on last year’s price but we feel it still reflects the very high quality and quantity of food being served, given the ongoing inflationary pressures being felt at every turn as well as the better quality. In view of the fact that meals will be prepared and served with each individual’s menu selections, payment must be made in advance.  Please either email [email protected] with all of the requested information from this email or use the booking form below, and please book by end of Monday 15th April 2024.

You may pay either by internet bank transfer to:
The NatWest Bank
Maidstone Branch: 3 High Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XU
Account: Old Maidstonian Society
Account no: 00051802
Sort Code: 60-60-08
IBAN: GB31 NWBK 606008 00051802
BIC (Swift): NWBKGB2L
Reference: Your name/OMS AS
(If you use this method, but are not using the online form, please drop the Membership Secretary an e-mail letting him know: address as above)

Or by sending a cheque, made payable to ‘Old Maidstonian Society’ to:
The Old Maidstonian Society
Maidstone Grammar School
Barton Road
Maidstone
Kent ME15 7BT

    Annual Supper 2024 Online booking

    Warning: this form seems to give problems, for unknown reasons, in some browsers, in particular Chrome and Edge. If you experience this, please email direct to oms@oldmaidstonians,org.uk or use the printable form, and please report the problem so we can try to diagnose the fault.

    I have made a payment by internet transfer of £ for the purchase of place(s) at £32.00 each for the Old Maidstonian Annual Supper being held at the school on Saturday 20th April 2024. If you are not paying online, please download the printable form and mail it with your cheque.

    Your Name (required)

    Year of leaving MGS

    Please give either your email address or a telephone number so that we can acknowledge your order. To do so, click the appropriate boxes below and fill in the necessary value


    Please give your menu choices here (e.g. S2,M1,D3)

    If you are paying for more than one person, please give the names of the other persons in your party and their menu choices.

    If you would like overnight parking for your vehicle, or to join a tour, please fill in the box below with details (for parking, the make, model and registration of your vehicle)




     

    OMS 475 Merchandise

    Dear Old Maidstonians,

    As you know, Maidstone Grammar School is celebrating an incredible milestone this year. It is 475 years since the Royal Charter was granted in 1549. To mark this occasion we have purchased various 475 commemorative memorabilia to sell to you to celebrate this special anniversary.

    The MGS Parents’ Association has kindly agreed to co-ordinate the orders of all 475 merchandise and therefore payment will be via them using the link below.

    Form for the merchandise

    If you would like to purchase any of the items, please complete the e-form by Thursday 29 February 2024. Items purchased will be available to collect from MGS. We will notify you when the order is ready. Please note that the hoodies will need to be ordered in so will not be available until payment has been received.

    Warmest Regards,

    Sean Scurr on behalf of the OMS Committee, MGS & MGSPA

    Celebrating the Past, Present & Future of MGS – Old Maidstonian 475 Fundraising Campaign – update

    Dear Old Maidstonian,

    Maidstone Grammar School is celebrating an incredible milestone this academic year. It will be 475 years since the Royal Charter was granted in 1549, so let us leave our mark to commemorate this significant event.

    To acknowledge this milestone a fundraising campaign to modernise the front reception of the school, which will include the installation of a video wall, was launched earlier this academic year. This will enable visitors to review highlights of the School’s achievements over the years and will be of huge interest to all Old Maidstonians by stimulating and updating many memories. Our target for this project is £165,000 and we already have a substantial donation from Old Maidstonians to kick-start the campaign. If you would like to lend your support, you still can as the deadline has been extended; please complete this online donation form
    (https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=bVZYQqE_J0ieVgqz5wlUF5BzyTtZ7SlIhqs4XFfhwp9URUY3REE3VjY5T1VVQTBESEFWSzNXQTRXVS4u)
    by the end of Sunday 31 December 2023. All donors will be recognised in a special Old Maidstonian ‘475 Electronic Celebration Book’. We are very excited about this project and really hope that we are able to achieve it during the School’s 475th year, so we very much value your support.

    For the 475 celebrations we are planning a week of special events from Friday 19 April to Saturday 27 April 2024. These will include events organised by the Parents’ Association, the Old Maidstonian Society, the School, and the CCF. More details will follow nearer the time but please keep this week free in your diaries particularly Saturday 20 April 2024 which will be the OM Sport Day and OM Supper. Another date to keep free is Saturday 13 July 2024 where we will invite you to join us for strawberries and cream at an Old Maidstonian Garden Party which will include a tour of the school as well as catching up with old friends.

    An updated message from our Chairman, John Clayton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZRu5W2i0Ko

    “I hope as many Old Maidstonians as possible will join me in supporting this dynamic and worthwhile enhancement of the School’s reception area, and enjoy seeing the results for themselves during the 475th celebrations.” – Dan Abnett, President, OMS

    We are looking forward to the celebrations – it will be a special year, so please join us in making it a year to remember.

    Olim Meminisse Juvabit

    See MGS announcement

    Warmest Regards,

    Sean Scurr on behalf of the Committee
    Membership & Mentoring Secretary
    Old Maidstonian Society
    07752 502906

    www.oldmaidstonians.org.uk
    Follow us on: Facebook – LinkedIn – TwitterDear Old Maidstonian,

    London Get-Together – Thursday 16th November 2023, 7.00 pm – 9.30 pm

    Following the success of the previous London events, the Society would again like to invite all Old Maidstonians to an early evening informal gathering being held at The George Inn in Southwark, from 19:00 until 21:30. The evening will be hosted by our President, Mr Dan Abnett. From the class of 1984, Dan is a comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on books, comics, novels and graphic novels for Marvel Comics, 2000 AD, DC Comics, Warhammer amongst many others. The historic 17th century George Inn is a galleried coaching inn at 77 Borough High Street, SE1 1NH, close to The Shard and London Bridge.

    A private room with pay bar has been booked and there will be a buffet. The Society will meet part of the costs of the evening, but we would appreciate a nominal £10 contribution, which should be paid on the evening, or if you do pay in advance online (reference LONDON), please email [email protected] to confirm. In order that we can have an idea of the numbers wishing to attend, and therefore the amount for the buffet, we would be very grateful if you would please let us know at [email protected]. We have to advise The George Inn 10 days in advance, so please respond as soon as possible. You can also book using the online form below.

    Here are the bank details for OMS:

    The NatWest Bank
    Maidstone Branch: 3 High Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XU
    Account: Old Maidstonian Society
    Account no: 00051802
    Sort Code: 60-60-08
    IBAN: GB31 NWBK 606008 00051802
    BIC (Swift): NWBKGB2L
    Reference: Your name/LONDON

      The software we use for contact forms appears not to
      work correctly for all browsers or browser settings at present.
      We are investigating the cause. If you experience problems
      please just email the data to the Membership Secretary at
      [email protected]

      2023 London get-together online form

      I wish to reserve place(s) at the Old Maidstonians London Get-together on 16th November 2023 at The George Inn in Southwark, 19:00 until 21:30

      Your Name (required)

      Year of leaving MGS

      Please give your email address and a telephone number in case we need to contact you

      Your Email

      Your phone number

      If you would like to pay in advance, please complete this (£10 per person)

      I will make payment in advance of £ by .

      Those not paying in advance will be asked to pay on the night.

      Any payment in advance will be acknowledged by telephone or e-mail, but tickets will not be issued.



      OMS Quiz 18th October 2023

      Here is the poster for the 2023 Quiz. The tables will be for (a maximum of) 4 people per team; if you wish to join in but cannot raise a team of 4 then do not be deterred – we will do our best to form tables from individuals/pairs etc. You can book online by using the form below, or below that again you can download a pdf of the poster to book by post.

        OMS Quiz 2023 Online booking

        To book a table, please complete this form. Tables are of 4 people. (if you have problems with this form please report them to [email protected])

        I have made an internet transfer of £ for the purchase of place(s) at £10.00 each for the Quiz being held at the school on Wednesday 18th October 2023 (Note: if you are not paying online, please download the printable form and mail it with your cheque.)

        Your Name (required)

        Team name (if you have a team)

        Number in Team:

        Please give either your email address or a telephone number so that we can acknowledge your order. To do so, click the appropriate boxes below and fill in the necessary value


        Payment will be acknowledged by telephone or e-mail, but tickets will not be issued.



        For a pdf of the offline form, please download the poster here:
        MGS Quiz poster 2023

        Survey about the Annual Supper

        Dear Old Maidstonians,

        Now that we have had the Annual Supper back for a couple of years off due to COVID, we thought it would be a good idea to gauge the opinions of all our members and ask them what does and does not work about the Annual Supper. We hope we have given you plenty of scope to provide feedback in this survey: https://s.surveyplanet.com/jgxjoxzr

        Please note, the supper is currently held in March/April to coincide with university vacations and thus make it easier for students to attend, and to comply with our rules. Also, holding it on a Friday makes it possible for the school caterers to provide the food (although 2024 will be an exception).

        All comments will be reviewed and taken onboard ahead of next year’s 475th School Anniversary, when the Annual Supper takes place on Saturday April 20th, 2024, partners welcome, booking will open at the start of 2024.

        The survey will close on 1st June 2023. Thanks in advance for all your feedback.

        Warmest Regards,
        Sean Scurr on behalf of the Committee
        Membership & Mentoring Secretary

        Super Saturday Sports 2023

        On Saturday 25th March, we are opening our doors to welcome as many Old Maidstonians back as possible to celebrate the growth of sport at MGS and our 3G pitch. This is the day after the supper (please buy your tickets!) and will make for a great weekend event to celebrate our community.

        Please come along for a tea/coffee and relax at the Ron McCormick Pavilion. We are opening at 12pm and hosting some fierce alumni sporting competition for you to watch:

        12.30-14.30: The OM 7 a Side Football Tournament.

        15.00-16.30: The 2021/22 OM Rugby Team Vs 2022/23 MGS 1st XV

        Poster for OMS Super Saturday Sports 2023

        OMS AGM and Annual Supper 2023 – Friday 24th March

        The Old Maidstonian Society AGM and Annual Supper will be held at the school on Friday 24th March 2023. Dress is jacket and tie.


        Photo by Al Elmes on Unsplash

        The AGM will be held from 17:45 to 18:30. The Supper will commence promptly at 19:30, and will conclude equally promptly by 22:00, as there will again be a Master of Ceremonies to ensure that all runs on time, as it has done for the past couple of years, pre-covid.

        The President, Graham Walker, has invited Harry Howard to be his Guest of Honour. Harry left MGS in 2013 to study History and Politics at the University of Sussex achieving a first Class Honours degree. He then pursued a career in journalism, learning his trade in Liverpool and Birmingham before moving to London to work for the MailOnline, recently becoming their first ever history correspondent. His many varied assignments, articles and interviews means he has many pertinent and amusing tales to tell.

        The incoming President for 2023 to 2024 will be Dan Abnett. From the class of 1984, Dan is a comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on books, comics, novels and graphic novels for Marvel Comics, 2000 AD, DC Comics, Warhammer amongst many others.

        There will again be a professional bar service with beer, spirits, port and soft drinks being served before dinner and also at tables during the meal. The bar will be open by 18:00, and the hall and bar will remain open until 23:00. Entrance will again only be through the main entrance door, where you will be greeted.

        There will also be the, now legendary, raffle with tickets for sale on the night. Prize donations are very much welcome, please email the society via [email protected].

        We are delighted to confirm that the caterers for the Annual Supper will be Cucina. They will again be preparing our meal, and the menu can be found here. The caterer will provide place names with each diner’s starter choice printed on one side.

        Everyone attending is requested to:

        • Make payment by one of the methods below;
        • Pre-select their starter choice ONLY from the attached menu, and forward them to the Membership Secretary either by e-mail, phone, or by postal mail to the school, addressed to the OMS, or by using the online form at the end of this message.
        • Advise the Membership Secretary when booking if you wish to sit with another member.

        The cost is £28 per head, an increase on last years price but we feel it still reflects the very high quality and quantity of food being served, giving the ongoing inflationary pressures being felt at every turn. In view of the fact that meals will be prepared and served with each individual’s menu selections, payment must be made in advance.

        You may pay either by internet bank transfer to:

        The NatWest Bank

        Maidstone Branch: 3 High Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XU
        Account: Old Maidstonian Society
        Account no: 00051802
        Sort Code: 60-60-08
        IBAN: GB31 NWBK 60608 00051802
        BIC (Swift): NWBKGB2L
        Reference: Your name/OMS AS

        (If you use this method, please drop the membership secretary an e-mail letting them know)

        Or by sending a cheque, made payable to ‘Old Maidstonian Society’, to:

        The Old Maidstonian Society
        Maidstone Grammar School
        Barton Road
        Maidstone
        Kent
        ME15 7BT
        Tel: 01622 752101

          Annual Supper 2024 Online booking

          Warning: this form seems to give problems, for unknown reasons, in some browsers, in particular Chrome and Edge. If you experience this, please email direct to oms@oldmaidstonians,org.uk or use the printable form, and please report the problem so we can try to diagnose the fault.

          I have made a payment by internet transfer of £ for the purchase of place(s) at £32.00 each for the Old Maidstonian Annual Supper being held at the school on Saturday 20th April 2024. If you are not paying online, please download the printable form and mail it with your cheque.

          Your Name (required)

          Year of leaving MGS

          Please give either your email address or a telephone number so that we can acknowledge your order. To do so, click the appropriate boxes below and fill in the necessary value


          Please give your menu choices here (e.g. S2,M1,D3)

          If you are paying for more than one person, please give the names of the other persons in your party and their menu choices.

          If you would like overnight parking for your vehicle, or to join a tour, please fill in the box below with details (for parking, the make, model and registration of your vehicle)




          MGS Christmas Concert & Carol Service – Wednesday 14th December

          MGS Christmas Concert & Carol Service – All Saints Church, Maidstone, 7:00 pm Wednesday 14th December

          All Old Maidstonians and their families and partners are warmly invited to this annual event.

          The festive period is a great chance to reunite and catch up with your fellow OMs, especially those of you who are recent leavers, so why not come along to All Saints Church on Wednesday 14th December @ 7pm.

          The Committee would like to take this opportunity to wish all members of the Old Maidstonian Society, and your families, a very Merry Xmas and a healthy New Year. We look forward to meeting you at the events in 2023.

          Warmest Regards,

          Sean Scurr on behalf of the Committee
          Membership & Mentoring Secretary
          Old Maidstonian Society

          07752 502906