Old Dunelmian Day 2023
Thursday, 19 October 2023
 
 
OD Day took place on Saturday 9 September, and it was a fully packed day of activities from start to finish.

Our hockey players kicked off the day with the OD vs 1st XI match on the Astroturf. It was a close fought game, with both teams giving their all. Honours were kept right up to the end, but the ultimate winners were -- with a score of --.

The sporting prowess continued with the XV fixture vs Yarm School taking place on Top Ground. The scores were as follows:
U15 Won 50-7
U14 Won 50 - 12
U13 lost 8-6

Sports Coach Scott Powell said of the game: "There was some really positive rugby played on all the top pitches that day with the new students to the school making an impact on the day also. The work that has been happening in training about moving the ball worked really well."
 
Our group of ODs then travelled across the River to the Cathedral Site where they were treated to lunch before heading into the Library to conduct the Old Dunelmian Society AGM. Several action items were discussed, including the ratification of a number of Honorary Old Dunelmians, including the Development Department's very own Events Manager, Debbie Bennett.

We then conducted tours of both the Chorister School and Durham School sites - a great experience for ODs who have not returned to the Schools in some time, and a wonderful opportunity for reminiscence. 

Our more musical ODs then departed to rehearse for Evensong, where they would be performing with the Cathedral Choir. All ODs were invited to attend Evensong in the Cathedral and see their fellows in action.
 
 
 
We had a spectacular evening in Big School with the OD Society Dinner. ODs from 1956 through to 2020 were in attendance, as well as former staff members from across the years. We were regaled by tales of years past by guest speaker Hugh Dias, and the baton was passed to new OD Society President Chris Elliott. Chris detailed his goals for the OD Society in the years to come, and thanked his predecessors for paving the way.  We heard lots of music, shared in lots of laughter, and were treated to a beautifully sung Grace by a group of ODs who had just returned from singing Evensong at the Cathedral.
 
It was wonderful to see such a range of ODs from across the years. We hope to see a similar turnout for the OD Northern Lunch in November.
Yours sincerely, 
The DCSF Development, Alumni and Events Team