May I start by wishing you all the very best for this new year. I hope it is a positive and vibrant one! Indeed these wishes are extended not only to the Gattonians that will be reading this edition of the newsletter but to your wider family and friends. Of course, by wider definition such a greeting is extended to all those at Gatton Park, be they student or staff, who of course are part of the wider Gattonian family.

Again, as I have done many times in past editions, I will extend a big thank you to Helen and Sefora, whose sterling work and tireless help is so invaluable to the smooth functioning of the Association.

As you will see, the newsletter will be sent to you in a different format due to the purchase of a more update method of information technology and I am reliably told that it is a more efficient and economic system. Be it not for me to argue with those whose knowledge of such things far surpasses mine.

In mid-October of this year I was honoured to be invited to a memorial dinner in Gatton Hall to celebrate the life of Graham Lambie (Gumbie) whose life was tragically taken from us in Northern Ireland in 1988. The whole event and not just the dinner, I am reliably informed, was a huge success in gathering together the many friends of Graham from many years back. A service was held in St Andrews' Church and, following this, an oak sapling was planted together with a commemorative plaque. The committee of the Association were totally unanimous in their decision to fund this memory of Graham and if you are in the vicinity or visiting Gatton Hall please do pay your respects to a lovely lad by viewing this lasting memory that is close by the chapel.

My thanks for making this event possible must be extended to Sean Blyth, Sean Burroughs, Andrew Steeden and Tina Wisener who worked so tirelessly for many months to ensure that this very memorable day occurred. I am sure that this thought will be echoed by all those who attended.

On the Saturday before the start of the new school year in September we held our second annual Gattonian Day. This event is now becoming a firmly established landmark in the G.A. calendar and is growing at a very healthy rate. Attendance was at least 500 plus this year with of course netball, football, and rugby being played by the younger and sportingly keen brigade of the Association. An outdoor bar provided liquid refreshment during the course of the afternoon and sustenance was also provided by a barbecue. The latter was organised by the Friends of Gatton ( The School’s PTA) and we thank them very much for the contribution made to the day. Indeed their contribution was intrinsic to the success of the afternoon. We hope that next year will see increased numbers and I would dearly love to be writing this time next year that numbers were in excess of one thousand!

Of course, the celebrations extended into the evening and the more resilient and boisterous younger element of the Association moved further afield into Reigate to ensure the day ended with a great deal of merriment and fun. Stamina has never been a problem for a Gattonian!

As many of you will have seen on the various social media pages the newly refurbished Gatton hall was opened by the Duchess of Gloucester in mid-November and this event was a time that was thoroughly enjoyed by a number of Gattonians invited to celebrate the opening. It was so pleasing to see Gatton Hall being restored to a building with so much splendour as well as having all the latest “techie gadgets” that offers so much more to its Sixth Form residents.

Much to look forward to in 2019 and please keep your “ear to the ground” to find out what we have in store for all ages.

Again I wish you all the very best for this year.

Cheers, 
Benny