One of St. Mary’s College’s most illustrious ex-pupils was the VIP guest at the Crosby school’s first-ever London reunion event this week.

The Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, was the principal speaker at the fifth annual dinner hosted by the Friends of St. Mary’s, the organisation for former pupils, parents, governors and staff.

The Archbishop also celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving prior to the event in the crypt of St. Mary Moorfields in Eldon Street, the only Catholic church in the City of London.

More than 60 people attended the dinner including other well-known former pupils of St. Mary’s like poet Roger McGough and Sir Ivor Roberts, former British Ambassador to Italy and the current President of Trinity College Oxford.

The guests had the opportunity to take a trip down memory lane when St. Mary’s Principal, Michael Kennedy, produced the college banner that had been in use when they were at school in the late 50s and early 60s.

Following the dinner, a successful raffle and auction generated more than £2,000 for the Friends of St. Mary’s who are

currently helping to raise funds to replace the school’s fleet of minibuses.

Friends Chair, Tony Bradshaw, commented: “The London dinner was an exciting new venture for us which was organised in response to demand from our southern-based members.

“It turned out to be a terrific evening of good food and good company in an atmospheric venue and an ideal opportunity for members to catch up with their former schoolmates and colleagues.

“The presence of several of the most renowned former St. Mary’s pupils really added to the occasion, and I would particularly like to thank Archbishop Nichols for attending and for celebrating Mass prior to the event,” added Mr Bradshaw.

Pictured with Archbishop Vincent Nichols are (from left) event organiser Andrew Cole, St. Mary's Chair of Governors Chris Cleugh, Principal Michael Kennedy and Friends Chair Tony Bradshaw.

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