The Old Dartmothians’ Association has a new leader at the helm. At the men’s section of the group’s recent annual general meeting members elected Gordon Pepperell to be their president for 2022. The previous president Ron Lambden performed the official ceremony of handing over the chain of office which contains engraved silver bars of all the previous holders of the role since 1923.
Upon election Gordon said: "I’m honoured and proud to be elected as president of the Old Dartmothians’ men’s section and I thank the members for placing their trust in me to fulfil the role for the forthcoming year. My sincere hope is that we, as an association, can again continue the traditions of the Old Dartmothians with projects supporting the town and other local organisations. In the coming year, which is our 99th since our formation, and of course will contain celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen’s platinum jubilee, l’d like to see a celebration that Dartmouth, as a town with all its royal history, can put on something special that will be remembered for years to come.”
He said the association has a ‘few small projects’ due to be carried out this year, including painting of the railings around the fish-pond and fountain in Royal Avenue Gardens.
He added: “During 2022 we’ll be making big plans to celebrate our centenary year in 2023 which we’re very much looking forward to carrying out. One of my other ambitions is to increase our membership - for both the men’s and women’s section. With our centenary just around the corner, I think it’s a good time to recruit the next generation of Old Dartmothians and by that I should explain that this association is not strictly limited to elderly townsfolk, the word old has many meanings when used in particular contexts, and in our case it’s intended to be interpreted as ’denoting someone who formerly attended, lived or still lives in a specific place, by way of an example like Old Etonians,’ and so is not strictly confined to someone who is aged."
The Old Dartmothians was founded in 1923 for those over the age of 18 who’ve lived in the town for more than ten years. It was formed at the Ship ’n’ Dock by four Dartmothians during Dartmouth Regatta in 1923.