Generations Reunited: Old Salopian Day 2025

For the last two years Old Salopian Day has coincided with the end of Foundation Fortnight and it feels very special to celebrate the newest Salopians alongside several generations of Old Salopians returning to the Shrewsbury to relive their school days.

Old Salopian Day is a primarily an opportunity for a reunion, in this case of the class of 1985-90 and it was great to have more than 80 former pupils of that particular vintage back on site during the day and at the dinner in the evening.

It’s also a chance to showcase the School and some of the talents of the OS Community.

This year artist Ruby Read (MSH 2019-21) created a remarkable exhibition of portraits of 20 members of staff, both teachers and support staff, to illustrate the various personalities and characters through the ages who have contributed to the unique culture of Shrewsbury School. It set the tone for the day which also included fascinating talks by Archivist Emertius Robin Brooke -Smith (S 1961-66) and guest speaker Tim Willasey-Wilsey (M 1966-71) who is now an author after a long and distinguished career with the Foreign Office.

Sport is also an important part of OS Day and the Old Salopian Football Club fielded four teams against School sides including a veterans’ side. It is always a highlight for any Salopian footballers to return and play on the hallowed turf of Senior. This year the Old Salopian Ladies Hockey team also played against the School on the Port Hill astro in a hard fought game. Some Old Salopians took the opportunity to try out the new simulator in the Billy Ward golf centre which was largely funded by generous donations from the OS community.

This year there was also music when the visitors were treated to an outstanding performance by some of the Sixth Form new entrant music scholars.

Lastly warm hospitality and delicious food are central to any Salopian celebration and thanks to the Sodexo staff the Old Salopians had plenty of both. 

As one of the returning 80s cohort remarked in a thank you note to the Salopian Club office:

‘The friendship, camaraderie and general sense of fun throughout the day is a real testament to all that is very special about Shrewsbury’

Holly Fitzgerald

Director, The Salopian Club.

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