Retired Head returns to celebrate his 80th Birthday

The buzz and chatter in Big School on Saturday evening was palpable, the occasion was a very special dinner to celebrate the 80th Birthday of past Headmaster, Mr Ian Beer CBE. Members of the College Common Room and old boys gathered with great excitement, as many had not been back to the school since the 1960s.

Ian was a very young Headmaster when, in 1961, he became Head at Ellesmere at just 29 years old, with Angela, his wife, being even younger. In 1969 he went on to Lancing College and then to be Headmaster at Harrow from where he retired in 1991.

The evening began with a champagne reception followed by a superb four course dinner for the 116 guests, all interspersed with musical items from current students.

Displays and memorabilia highlighted the great fire which swept through the College Chapel and Dining Hall in 1966, as well as the many successful Old Ellesmerians who were educated during Ians time at the school.

For some guests, there was astonishment at the growth and changes at Ellesmere College as Mr Brendan Wignall, the current Headmaster, painted a picture of the school today and its vision for the future.

Ian, having played rugby for Cambridge University and internationally for England, has remained passionate about the game and so Nick Pettingale, Director of Development, launched the Ian Beer Rugby Scholarship a birthday gift from the staff and old boys, which will support a Sixth Form boy in the schools Rugby Academy.

But the night belonged to Ian, one of Ellesmeres best loved and progressive Headmasters, who still to this day continues to influence, as his Rugby Scholarship has the potential to change the life of a local, talented young rugby player over the next few years.

 

Photographs: http://picture-u.smugmug.com/Commercial-and-Product/Ellesmere-2011

Top: Ian Beer CBE addresses the guests.

Middle:  P.R. Mayes, K.J. Shuttleworth , B.V. Honey, I.D.S. Beer, J.M.Scorer, J.P. Green.

Bottom: Big School

5th May 2011  Back to News