Catching Up With Old Boys Across the Region’s A&P Shows

The past few weeks have been a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with Old Boys at A&P shows around the region, with Lindisfarne well-represented from Hawke’s Bay to Gisborne and Central Hawke’s Bay. Each event brought familiar faces, good conversations, and the great sense of community that our Old Boys continue to embody.

Hawke’s Bay A&P Show
Despite the cancellation of Thursday’s programme due to high wind warnings, the HB A&P Show marquee was buzzing on Friday. It was especially good to reconnect with several Old Boys we hadn’t seen in many years, including James Bell (81–85), Willie Bell (82–86)—visiting from Seattle after 35 years—Mark Phillips (09–13) and Blair Cunningham (97–03).

Other Old Boys who stopped in included Roger Alexander (53–55), Marcus Hildreth (05–09), James Bevin (08–12), Ben Goldstone (99–03), Malcolm O’Dwyer (71–75), John MacLennan (68–71), Marcus Buddo (08–12), Simon Collin (78–82), Ralph Harper (67–69), Callum Gray (90–94) and Jordon Williams (00–04). It was fantastic to see everyone who made the effort to drop in.

Gisborne A&P Show
The Gisborne Show also proved to be a great gathering place, with a steady stream of Old Boys stopping by the marquee. Among those we caught up with were Jamie Mackay (79–81), Calum Mackay (07–11), David Butt (63–66), John Maxwell (77–81), Willie Livingston (78–81), Simon Foster (90–95), Thomas Taylor (81–84), Selwyn Dorward (65–69), Alex Kirkpatrick (72–76) and Tom Heavey (17–21).

Visitors were warmly welcomed by Campbell Howlett, Rob Hay and Russel Lennox, who represented the College in the marquee across the weekend.

CHB A&P Show – Waipukurau
The sunshine in Waipukurau set the tone for a great day at the CHB A&P Show. The College’s promotional tent was busy throughout the day, with Old Boys including Simon Foster (90–95), Ethan Ellis (11–14), Selwyn Dorward (65–69), James Bevin (08–12), Charlie Stephenson (19–23), Peter Tod (68–72), James Tod (03–07), Paul Stoddart (68–72)—who took the opportunity to enrol his grandson—John Roberts (78–82), Ollie Barham (19–22), George Barham (21–22), Mike Tod (63–67) and Thomas Taylor (81–84).

Across all three shows, it has been heart-warming to see so many Old Boys reconnecting with the College and with each other. Thank you to everyone who visited the marquees—you help keep the Lindisfarne spirit alive wherever we go.