As we approach Lent in the middle of the latest Covid Lockdown it provides us with an opportunity to consider how we run things in the future.
Up until now the Society has organised events which involved OA's associated with those locations which have formed a part of our history.
- Westgate lunch - May
- St. Benedict's Day Mass and Lunch - July
- Ramsgate Mass and Lunch - September
- Ramsgate - Remembrance Day Service - November
- London Lunch - November
Due to the pandemic all of our events for 2020 were cancelled. Depending on Covid Restrictions and the roll out of Vaccines, there may be an opportunity for events in 2021, but not until later in the year. Like many organisations and for practical reasons we have had to adjust to remote working and over the last year our Committee Meetings have taken place via Zoom, although some changes were already in hand before the Pandemic. Although we haven't been able to meet in person, we have made some further progress with online and website development.
If you look in our Galleries section on this website today, you can enjoy viewing photographs of our School life going back to the 1880s. When you next go to an event, you will be able to pay by swiping your bank card. It won't be long before we will have accessible archives available to view. So, if you are one of those, who cannot get to our events for whatever reason, it is our website in particular that will give you access to our history, records, pictures and events. This is backed up by an email letter sent out to our many OA's and friends on our Contact list and by our OA Facebook Group where members can exchange stories and news with each other.
While many former pupils engage in what we do, it is by Paid up members and Donations that we can afford to keep going. In particular our next project to upgrade the Archive via our website to make it easy for members to use, will be our major project for 2021/22. We are still getting costings and specification for this project but we roughly estimate it will cost at least £6,000.
Therefore, as a consequence, we have increased Membership Subs with immediate effect to a minimum of £20 per annum. We can further announce that we have extended our reduced rate of £100 for Life Membership.
It's never been easier to join. You can contact our Membership Secretary, Peter West, via the following link:
https://www.oldaugustinians.org.uk/membership-join
Payment can be made easily through internet banking or your banking app; If you are already a member, why not become a life Member? And of course, donations will be very welcome. Again, you can pay directly online through your bank.
Our Bank details are: Society of Old Augustinians Sort Code: 16.00.11 and Account Number: 15267538. Please add a reference with your name and "donate". If you pay annually by Standing Order, please increase the minimum sum to £20.
It is just over 25 years ago, our School closed it's doors for the last time. This year will mark the 50th Anniversary of our School moving from Ramsgate to Westgate. It is just over 60 years ago that Assumption House in Ramsgate opened. These are important Landmarks - and good reasons for us to get together to celebrate these important anniversaries which will include a lunch at our old school premises in Westgate (September 2021) and a black-tie Dinner at the National Liberal Club in Central London (June 2022).
But for those who can't get to any of our events - and others who want to access our history in pictures and documents, our website and other online access will ensure we can ALL be involved...
We will keep you regularly updated and very much hope we will be able to meet again soon.
Please keep supporting us.
Dr. Chris Horsburgh
Chairman.