On Saturday 20th September, the Malvernian Society was delighted to welcome almost 60 OMs and their guests back to Malvern College for a very special House 5 Reunion. The day was filled with laughter, reminiscing and the rekindling of old friendships, as OMs from across the generations and across the globe gathered to celebrate their shared house history.
The event began with a warm welcome at The Grub, where guests enjoyed refreshments and a speech from the current Head of House, Felix H (Upper Sixth). Guided tours of the campus followed, offering OMs the chance to see what has changed (and what has stayed reassuringly familiar!) since their own days at Malvern. A visit to Chapel included a welcome from the College’s Chaplain, Reverend Adam Wharton, a rousing rendition of Jerusalem and a moving musical performance on the clarinet from Oliver W (Upper Sixth), before everyone gathered in The Lyall Foyer of the Rogers Theatres for food, drinks and conversation.
Lunch was a true highlight, with speeches from Headmaster Keith Metcalfe and HouseM of No.5, David Kelland, both of whom spoke about the enduring spirit of House 5 and the importance of community. The afternoon continued with tours of House 5 itself, where many guests enjoyed sharing stories and memories sparked by the display of House memorabilia and old photographs.
The atmosphere throughout the day was one of warmth, nostalgia and genuine connection and really demonstrated the value of life-long bonds formed at Malvern. We have been thrilled to receive many messages of praise following the reunion:
“I would like to express my thanks to you and your team for the excellent organisation of Saturday’s Reunion… particularly in having our pupil escorts so we learnt how much life at the college compared to my time in the late 1950s.”
“Very many thanks to you and everyone involved with arranging such an enjoyable day yesterday and for looking after us so well. It was a day of happy memories and re-made connections, and as an older Dad I particularly enjoyed meeting some of the No. 5 pupils. There was a really good, happy buzz about the place and from them. Please pass on my thanks to all for a good day, a lovely lunch, and some good company.”
We are so grateful to everyone who attended our No.5 Reunion and contributed to making the day such a success. Special thanks to those who shared their photographs and memories, helping to bring the history of House 5 to life for all.
We look forward to welcoming our No.5 OMs back to Malvern again soon.
My mother became Matron/Housekeeper in 1940 in No7 on the school’s return from Blenheim. Dick Colthurst had packed his family off to Canada so needed help. No 5 was occupied by the Cadets from St CYR so some No 5 boys went to No 7.When the school was kicked out by TRE she became Matron in “Deynecourt”, No 5/7’s new home at Harrow. renamed “Colthursts”. Gaunt was always grateful to her as she showed him a letter she had received from her Cousin, wife of the Housemaster of the “Grove” a Harrow house. The letter bemoaned the fact that Harrow was closing houses due to the war .Bingo!
I was sorry not to be able to attend this event as I attended another event in Oxford but my friend Colin Hebden sent me some of his pictures. How did our attendance of 60 compare to other houses reunion numbers? Is there a group photo of the No 5 reunion which you can send to me? It obviously all went well and many thanks for your news about our event. Mike Tiley 5.60-64
Great fun, and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Sara Rothwell and Howard Bentham.
Great phots but no idea who’s who as you give no names 60 years on lads then do not look the same now.