St. David's College Old Davideans Association

The Old Davideans Association House Glamour Ball

On Saturday July 1st, our Speech Day marquee was transformed into a ball room ready to welcome our guests. Old Davideans, parents and both current and retired staff from the SDC community were in attendance and a wonderful evening was had by all.

There were welcome drinks on arrival kindly sponsored by Old Davidean and current parent Ben Roberts of Clogau. Fairground House Competition games (kindly lent to us by current teacher Jade Grayson) and canapés were enjoyed in the sunshine while retired Head of English, Simon Buckley took pictures of the guests.

Marc Macauley Catering served the most delicious food once we were seated at our tables in the marquee and the dulcet tones of Old Davidean Molly Jenkins entertained us during dinner. The table favours were Willow & Hawthorn scented candles kindly donated by Old Davidean Tim Groves and his wife Kim. Our bar and table service drinks were provided by Lucille and her team from Foelas Arms Bar Services who kept the drinks flowing perfectly.

More House Competitions followed dinner and there was a balloon race across the dance floor as well as fierce tugs of war (both men’s and women’s teams) on the front lawn. House teams were rallied by past and current Housemasters. Ray Beech and Sian Mulvihill for Cader, Sue Davies and John Bargery for Tryfan and Ann & Jon Demery and Tim Hall for Snowdon. By this time, everyone’s House Spirit had materialised in full force! It was a close contest, but team Cader raised the House Cup at the end of the evening!

Current pupils Charlie and Bella Russell and Old Davideans Jamie Appleton-Booth, Sion Roberts and Holly Grimward had organised a raffle and auction to support the upcoming rugby and netball tours. Many thanks to all local businesses, Old Davideans and current parents who kindly donated prizes. We raised over £5000!

As we were celebrating 50 years of the Old Davideans Association, it was time to honour and thank three couples who have given decades of their time to the Association as well as to St David’s. Ray & Jane Beech, Simon & Judy Buckley and John & Morag Bargery were not only founder Headmaster John Mayor’s team of giants, developing the school’s ethos in the early years and nurturing the next generation of teachers at St David’s, but have also been custodians of the ODA, making it the success it is today. Jane served as ODA Secretary for 20 years. John was the ODA Director for over 10 years and Simon Buckley is in his 7th year as current Director while they have all served on the committee for many years. We are forever in their debt.

After emotional and heartfelt speeches from ‘the giants’, we danced into the night while Old Davidean Andy Otley and his band performed wonderfully, encouraging everyone onto the dance floor. What music! We didn’t want it to end! Many thanks to Sally and Wesley of GoGoodwins for sponsoring our amazing entertainment.

Hosting a ball takes a lot of planning and organisation. Thank you so much to the team for helping - to every member of the ODA committee for all of their hard work, commitment and dedication, to Ben Newell for his thought, planning and vision, to Andy Russell, Lisa Newell, Emily Watson and Alice Seldon for transforming the marquee on the day and despite having hardly any time to get ready, still looking fabulous! Thank you to our caterers, bar staff and helpers for such a professional service and ensuring the evening ran smoothly.

Finally a huge thank you to our sponsors, without whom the event could not have taken place:

Clogau (Ben Roberts) GoGoodwins (Sally & Wesley Goodwin)Tents and Events (Ben Newell) SF Parks (Oliver & Jonathan Seldon) Willow & Hawthorn (Tim & Kim Groves) Alex Chesworth and Alex Lamb.

St David’s College celebrates its 60th Diamond Jubilee in the summer of 2025. Celebration ball date to be confirmed very soon. We know people are hopeful for some rematches!