Music, scouts and drama

The last few weeks have been pretty hectic with school and Old Mancunian events.  First, our return to St John's, Smith Square, Westminster for another showcase concert given by our musicians.  This modern tradition of a biennial concert was started with the support of the Old Mancunians London and SE Section, which offers a generous biennial composition prize serving as the pinnacle of all composition work at school.  The winner pockets £500 and has the privilege of this piece receiving its world premiere at Smith Square.  This year, well done Patrick Heaton.  And well done all the performers and the staff involved - the audience enjoyed a fantastic musical occasion.

As I wasn't in charge of the arrangements this year, I indulged myself by turning the trip to London into an adventure and rode my motorbike the 220 miles from home in N Wales to Westminster - avoiding congestion charge and parking problems.  I must admit that I was more than a bit chilly by the time I got home at half past two of a beautiful moonlit night.

Last weekend saw a large-scale reunion of former Troop 1 Scouts at school, with an enjoyable lunch and the presentation to school of the marvellous archive built up over the years by Simmie and Alan Jones.  Fascinating to see the many generations of former scouts, and speculate about how their teenage scouting experiences shaped their adult lives.

Then on Friday I caught up for lunch with Old Mancunian Robert Powell, starring in Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell, on tour at Theatr Clwyd, Mold.  Hugely enjoyed the evening performance - fantastic comic timing from RP and a memorable play by Keith Waterhouse, one of Bernard's brothers-in-arms as a journalist and drinker.

Do see this play if you have the chance as it tours the country.