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Alanbrooke House Mess Dinner (January 2010)
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On Friday 15th January 2010, the Unwin Hall and Quorum were closed off to the rest of the College for the highlight of the Alanbrooke House socials - the Annual Mess Dinner. After setting up the Unwin Hall with silverware and candlesticks and ensuring all cutlery was positioned at a perfect 90⁰ angle to each other to form a hollow square, we changed into our ball gowns and dinner suits (or in Matt Auden’s case a kilt). After spending 2 hours getting ready, we all congregated in the Quorum for photos organised by Ed Leese and awaited the arrival of the Guest of Honour, Brigadier Tyrone Urch. At 1900 precisely the Guest of Honour and the High Table arrived in the Quorum for the squadron photo, expertly taken by Rob Sharp, before Alex Puddicombe, in his role as Mr Vice, informed us that dinner was served.
With the ladies escorted by their gentlemen (some ladies had two dates!) we stood behind our chairs, desperately trying to remember Mr Clarke’s etiquette lesson from two days previously before the High Table processed in. With Sian Griffiths banging the gavel, silence fell as Scott Lacey said Grace before sixty students, one Guest of Honour plus other guests and staff sat down to a wonderful meal. Students from Stirling House waited on us, and other students serenaded us as we ate, well aware that we shouldn’t drink too much wine, being limited to three glasses and port for the Toast. Small talk ensued during the Starter of Duck Pate with red berry coulis, everyone focusing on Brigadier Urch to ensure we finished eating by the time he did, with it being frightfully rude to continue eating after the Guest of Honour has finished. The plates were quickly whisked away and replaced with the Main course of Escalopes of Beef served with potatoes, carrots and broccoli florets.
Soon the Main course was finished and the fun began, annoying the waiters and waitresses by asking them to pass notes in between tables before the Dessert, a champagne and raspberry torte, was served. Coffee and mints followed, with Dr Tudge’s husband teaching us the ‘After Eights’ game. With another bang of the gavel, Sian announced a five minute break before the speeches began. We Toasted the Queen and Brigadier Urch, before settling down to listen to speeches by the Brigadier and Joe Staniford, our Head of House. We then headed back to the Common Room to socialise with the Guest of Honour and other esteemed guests including Dominic Cunliffe, Captain Alex Lamb, Captain Nigel Potter, Mr Tony Tudge and Mrs Anna Burgess. Music was provided by myself, Arthur Barrow, Matt Syfret, Calum Millbank-Murphy, Scott Lacey and Josh Munday. Headcount was at 2315, followed on the Girls floor by hot chocolate before climbing into bed, only to wake up at 0630 the next day to catch up on prep for lessons.
This annual event was organised perfectly by Ryan Griffiths, with lots of help from Ma’am Webster and the catering staff. Hopefully next year’s event can live up to the high standard set this year.
Amy Couchman - Alanbrooke 09e
