The Royal High School Club in London

This page covers events from 2006 to 2015

There is another page listing News and Events before 2006

Previous events after 2015 will now be referenced in our Event Photographs page, which has links to our Event Photographs on our Flickr photo site pages

Our upcoming events usually appear first in our News and Events Blog.

Previous Events

The Royal High School Club in London – pre-Xmas drinks party 2015.

Twenty members and friends of the Royal High School Club in London met for the pre-Xmas drinks party on 24th November 2015 at The Iron Duke pub in the heart of Mayfair.

Our route to the pub from Oxford Street tube station took us past impressive displays of Christmas lights which put us all in the mood for a party. We took over the upstairs room of the pub, the Boot Room, which featured several pairs of black leather boots and other references to the Duke of Wellington, after whom the pub is named.

The Duke of Wellington also inspired quiz master Al Senter’s choice of topics for the Grand Xmas Quiz namely: Wellington, Napoleon, Battles and Generals.

We also welcomed several former pupils of the Royal High who were attending their first London Club drinks party and it is always good to see new faces at our Club events.

Will Dunnett kindly acted as paparazzo and his photographs of the party can be found in our Winter Drinks 2015 Album on Flickr

Merry Xmas and a very happy 2016 to you all.

Our Annual Dinner Friday 13th March 2015 at 7 30 p.m.

Our 2015 Annual Dinner was held on Friday the 13th of March at the RAF Club, 128 Piccadilly, London W1J 7PY . Photos of the event taken by photographer Max Alexander can be viewed on our Flickr photo sharing website.

Our next Annual Dinner is scheduled for 11th March 2016 and will again be held at the RAF Club, which has proved to be a popular venue.

Pre-Xmas Drinks Party on Tuesday 2nd December 2014

View the pictures on Flickr

The Royal High School Club in London’s annual pre-Xmas drinks party was held in the French restaurant Bar du Marché on Tuesday 2nd December with 21 former pupils and their partners in attendance.

The party coincided with the end of Val Peay’s three-year term of office as President and during the party she handed over the medal of office to our new President Fraser Wright. We noted that Val and Fraser were both in the same year at the Royal High so it was obviously a very good year for producing London Club Presidents.

At the end of the party question-master Al Senter quizzed the attendees on their knowledge of Scottish contributions to the world of Theatre, Film and TV. The quiz team which included David Robb (actor) and Glenn Chandler (screen-writer) romped home with an impressive 30 correct answers to 36 questions – well done to them.

Alex Prentice

Our Annual Dinner Friday 21st March 2014 at 7 30 p.m.

We are returning to the historic RAF Club in Piccadilly for our Annual Dinner on Friday 21st March with Dinner served at 7.30 p.m. in the elegant Presidents’ Room. As usual we cordially invite members, their partners and guests to gather from 6.30 p.m. for pre-dinner drinks and relaxed conversation in the adjoining Victoria Bar. Dress for the Dinner is formal with black tie, Highland attire or lounge suit all acceptable.

This year we are absolutely delighted to welcome Nick Barley, Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, as our special Guest of Honour. In conversation with Al Senter, Nick will take us behind-the-scenes of the world’s largest Book Festival which draws a Who’s Who of international writers to Charlotte Square Gardens every August and regularly attracts more than a hundred thousand visitors. You will also have the opportunity to ask Nick questions about the Book Festival to complete what will be a fascinating insight into the running of one of Scotland’s major cultural events.

Our Winter Buffet and Wine at Le Troisième Tuesday 26th November 2013

A delicious light supper of cheeses and charcuterie with a seasonal twist, all washed down by some vins très supérieures. Husbands, wives, partners, friends or guests. All welcome.

Where: Le Troisième Restaurant at 3, Panton Street , London SW1Y 4DL When: Tuesday 26th November 2013. Time: From 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

The highlight of the evening was our very first Grand Christmas Quiz by question-master Al Senter.

Annual Dinner in London Friday March 15th 2013

The RAF Club in Piccadilly was the splendid setting for the London Club’s annual dinner. President Valerie Peay introduced the speakers, who included Phil Edgar-Jones, currently Head of Entertainment at Sky, but famous for overseeing Big Bother when it was on Channel 4. Edinburgh Club President Louise Stevenson filled the breach caused by the sad indisposition of the Rector and School Captain by delivering a compendium address. Guests from other School Clubs in London included Douglas Forster representing Stewarts Melville FP Club, and Aman Agarwal representing Watsons College FP’s. (posted by Alastair Allanach) The official photos can now be viewed on our Annual Dinner 2013 Photos page in our Gallery.

Annual Dinner in London Friday March 15th 2013

Photos from this event can be viewed on our Flickr Pages

The Invitation

Dear Royal High School Club in London committee members,

After an extremely enjoyable first visit to the splendid surroundings of the RAF Club last year, we are delighted to be returning there for the 2013 Annual Dinner on Friday March 15th. The event will get underway at 7.30 p.m. in the Presidents’ Room but we cordially invite members, their partners and guests to gather at 6.30 p.m. for pre-dinner drinks and relaxed conversation in the adjoining Victoria Bar. Dress for the Dinner is formal with black tie, Highland attire or lounge suit all acceptable.

We are very pleased to announce that our Guest of Honour this year is Philip Edgar-Jones one of the most significant figures working in British television today. Philip attended the Royal High from 1979 to 1983 and he has been at the forefront of the development of Reality TV as the Creative Director of Channel 4’s Big Brother. Now Head of Entertainment at BSkyB, he has a fascinating story to tell of his journey from the High School to the fast-moving world of popular television, via some of the most talked-about programmes seen on British screens in recent years.

Winter Drinks Party 13th November 2012

Please join us for a buffet/light supper at Le Troisième Restaurant at 3, Panton Street, London SW1 on Tuesday 13th November 2012 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. . The restaurant, highly praised by the critics for its traditional French cuisine, is situated only a few minutes walk from Piccadilly Circus Underground Station just off the Haymarket.

As the centrepiece of the evening seasoned interviewer Al Senter will be in conversation with a leading Scottish figure from the world of entertainment and you will have a chance to put your questions to our mystery guest towards the end of the Q & A.

To get to Le Troisième take the underground to Piccadilly Circus and exit the station towards the statue of Eros. Head in the direction of Leicester Square, turn right into Haymarket and Panton Street is about 100 metres down Haymarket on the left hand side. Don’t hesitate to bring wives, partners, friends or guests: we’ll be delighted to welcome them to the party. The charge for the evening is £25 per head.

I look forward to seeing you again on the 13th of November.

Valerie Peay,

President of the Club

For further information on all aspects of the Annual Drinks Party, please contact Alex Prentice using our contact form.

Annual Dinner in London 11th March 2011

Members are urged to book soon for our Annual Dinner which will be held in the El Alamein Room at the Victory Services Club, 63-79, Seymour Street, Marble Arch, London W2 2HF on Friday March 11th, 2011 at 7.30 pm. Members, their partners and guests are warmly invited to gather for pre-Dinner drinks and relaxed conversation from 6.30 pm.

I’m delighted to say that we have lined up three exceptional speakers for the 2011 Annual Dinner. We welcome Jane Frith, the first female Rector in the long history of the Royal High School, who will be introducing herself and explaining her ambitions for the school. And to demonstrate the sweep and scale of the achievements of Royal High alumni, we welcome the world record holding test pilot Eric Brown and the choreographer Rosie Kay, founder of one of the most exciting dance companies in Britain today. They will be reflecting on their time at the High School and how that experience contributed to their subsequent achievements.

Once again we have timed the Annual Dinner to coincide with the Calcutta Cup weekend at Twickenham. There should therefore be a large Edinburgh contingent in attendance and the evening will provide the perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends and make sure that auld acquaintance is not forgot, especially as the Bar, with its extremely competitive prices, remains open until midnight.

For further information on all aspects of the Annual Dinner, please contact either

Alex Prentice, Honorary Secretary

The Annual Drinks Party 15th November 2010

Now that the nights are drawing in and the trees are ablaze with the golds and russets of autumn I have the great pleasure of announcing that the other highlight of this season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, the Annual Drinks Party, will take place at the Fleming Collection on Monday November 15th, 2010 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

This year the Gallery is presenting a very special exhibition, a feast for art-lovers and of enormous appeal to everybody with an interest in Scottish culture. THE GLASGOW BOYS show consists of fifty paintings, some rarely seen in public, and features the work of Sir James Guthrie, George Henry and Sir John Lavery among others. The exhibition complements Pioneering Painters :The Glasgow Boys 1880-1900, which can be seen around the corner at the Royal Academy.

As ever, the highlight of the evening will be the conducted tour of the exhibition, with expert comment and analysis from one of the team at the Fleming Collection. But there will also be live music, a tempting selection of sandwiches and sausage rolls, the choicest wines, and relaxed conversation with friends old and new. And all for £25 per head.

For those who are yet to sample the Annual Drinks Party, the Fleming Collection is situated at 13, Berkeley Street, W1, just off Piccadilly, and the nearest underground station is Green Park (Jubilee/Piccadilly/Victoria Lines) only 3 minutes walk from the Gallery. Come out of the station on the north side of Piccadilly and turn left, then take the first left into Berkeley Street and the Fleming Collection is only a hundred yards down on the right hand side. Don’t hesitate to bring wives, partners, friends or guests: we’ll be delighted to welcome them to the party.

Al Senter,

President of the Club

Watch a snippet of CAUSEWAY’s performance below.

Please follow this link to the 2010 Drinks at Flemings Flickr website.

CAUSEWAY provided some fine music

Bacchanalia

We held a Spanish wine-tasting with delicious tapas evening at Bacchanalia in the City on 16th September 2010 joined by the London FP clubs of Heriot’s, Watson’s and Daniel Stewart’s to join us. Photos from the exceedingly enjoyable evening can be viewed at our Flickr photo gallery.

Annual Dinner March 2010

Photos from the highlight of our calendar, the 2010 Annual Dinner, can now be viewed as a slideshow or as an album Flickr photo gallery. The photos from our previous events including the November 2009 drinks party are already on the site.

Older Events

Annual Drinks Party: Monday 9th November 2009

Once again, it is my great pleasure to announce that the Annual Drinks Party will take place at the Fleming Collection on Monday November 9th, 2009 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

This year the Fleming Collection is hosting a very special exhibition: "The Face of Scotland: Masterpieces from the Scottish National Portrait Gallery". The artists represented include Van Dyck, Sir Henry Raeburn and Allan Ramsay, and the subjects range from royalty to such contemporary figures as Ewan McGregor and J.K.Rowling. This is a rare chance to see more than forty major portraits in a single collection and, as ever, there will be a lively and informative introduction to add to your enjoyment. It’s an opportunity not to be missed.

As well as the chance to savour such objets d’art, there will be live music, generous amounts of fine wine, hearty sandwiches and snacks, and some great conversation with friends old and new. And the Club is delighted to report that the price of admission remains at £20 per head.

For those who are yet to sample the Annual Drinks Party, the Fleming Collection is situated at 13, Berkeley Street, W1, just off Piccadilly, and the nearest underground station is Green Park (Jubilee/Piccadilly/Victoria Lines) only 3 minutes walk from the Gallery. Come out of the station on the north side of Piccadilly and turn left, then take the first left into Berkeley Street and the Fleming Collection is a mere 100 yards down on the right hand side.

It’s the more, the merrier at the Annual Drinks Party so feel free to bring wives, partners or guests to the party. My colleagues on the Committee and myself very much look forward to welcoming you to what is always a very special occasion.

View the album of the 2009 Drinks Party

Members Only

Sorry to be so secretive, but there was an exclusive members only event held in September, limited to the first 20 applicants. If you are already a member you should know what it was. To avoid missing out in future, make sure you join the club. (Subject to eligibility rules). Contact our Honorary Secretary, Alex Prentice.

RHS London Club’s Annual Dinner: Friday 20th March 2009

The RHS London Club’s next Annual Dinner takes place on Friday 20th March 2009 from 6:30 for 7:30 pm on the eve of the Scotland vs England rugby international at Twickenham.

The speaker will be the economist and writer, John Kay, who publishes a weekly column in the Financial Times. His most important recent book was published in Europe in 2003 as The Truth about Markets . His new book The Long and the Short of It – everyone’s guide to investment and financial markets – will be published in January 2009.

The location for the Annual Dinner will be the Victory Services Club (VSC) in Seymour Street just a short walk from Marble Arch underground station. This will be our first Annual Dinner at the VSC but we know of its reputation as a private members club with 24,000 members, excellent catering facilities and very reasonably priced accommodation. We also expect to be joined at the Annual Dinner by a good number of our friends from the RHS Edinburgh Club who will be down in London for the rugby international. Please put this date in your diaries and Alex Prentice will be sending out further details before Xmas 2008.

Annual Drinks Party: Monday 10th November 2008

Our Annual Drinks Party was held, once again, at the Fleming Collection’s gallery in Berkeley Street, Mayfair on Monday 10th November. There seemed to be a really good buzz about the place. We enjoyed wine, food and a guided introduction to the works of the Scottish Artist Joan Eardley (1921-1963) by one of the Fleming Collection’s curators.

2008 Annual Dinner

Your Committee is very pleased to announce that we shall be holding our popular Annual Dinner on Friday March 7th, 2008 at the Cavendish Hotel 81, Jermyn Street, London SW1.

Tickets are available for members and their guests, from the Honorary Secretary, Alex Prentice

Dinner will be served from 7.30 p.m. but members and their partners/guests are warmly invited to gather from 6.30 p.m. in the First Floor Lounge for relaxed drinks, good conversation and some infectious sounds courtesy of Calum Lindsay (fiddle) and Andrew McMenamin (guitar).

We are delighted to announce that our Guest Speaker will be George Pascoe-Watson , the distinguished journalist, RHS FP and Political Editor of the Sun. No doubt George will be reflecting on his days at the High School in the 1980s and taking us on a guided tour behind the scenes at Westminster and down the corridors of power.

The Hotel bar will be open until 2:00 a.m. so be sure to allow time to linger in the Lounge to renew auld acquaintance.

Annual Drinks Party 2007

View the Photos from this event on our Flickr Pages.

You are most cordially invited to the Annual RHSCL Drinks Party to be held on Monday November 5th from 6.30. pm to 8.30. pm.

Once again we are returning to the prestigious Fleming Collection at 13, Berkeley Street, London W1. This autumn’s highlight at the gallery is a major exhibition of the work of the celebrated nineteenth century artist William McTaggart, who is often dubbed The Scottish Impressionist and is recognised as a forerunner of the French Impressionist School. Among the paintings, watercolours and drawings assembled for the Fleming Collection, McTaggart’s mastery of the landscape and the seascape will be particularly evident. This is an invaluable opportunity to see the first comprehensive gathering of McTaggart’s work since a major exhibition in Edinburgh in 1989.

As ever there will be a brief but highly entertaining and informative talk on McTaggart given by Selina Skipworth, the Keeper of The Fleming Collection. Don’t miss this chance of catching up with Royal High friends, old and new, over a delicious selection of sandwiches and canapes and a choice array of the finest wines.

Tickets are once more priced at £20 per head and you are most welcome to bring friends or family to the event. An order form will be sent out with a letter which you will shortly be receiving from us.

I’m looking forward enormously to catching up with you all on November 5th. It promises to be a great evening. Please let me know if there are any other details you need.

With many thanks and all good wishes

Annual Dinner 2007

Our popular Annual Dinner was held on Friday 2nd February 2007 at the Cavendish Hotel, 81 Jermyn Street, London SW1. Guests are gathered in the Electra Room for drinks, conversation and the sweet sounds of Emma-Jane Thommen, the club’s very own sultry singer-songwriter.

Our Guest Speaker was the screenwriter Glenn Chandler, creater of STV’s Taggart, who recalled his days at the High School in the 1960’s and taking us behind the scenes of one of the world’s longest-running detective series.

View photos of the 2007 Annual Dinner on the Flickr website.

Drinks Party 2006

The Annual Royal High School Club in London Drinks Party took place on Monday October 9th. This proved to be a most enjoyable event with copious quantities of wine and canapes served by the attentive gallery staff.

Annual Dinner 2006

Our 2006 Annual Dinner was held at the Cavendish Hotel, 81 Jermyn Street, London SW1. Dr John Murray was guest speaker.