Commemorative dinner for Shrewsbury Legend 'Kek'

Frank McEachran, known to his pupils as 'Kek', taught at the school for 40 years until his death in 1976.

He holds a unique place in the memories of many Old Salopians because of his unconventional teaching methods based around the recitation of short pieces of poetry or 'spells'. These are preserved in the annual McEachran Prize competition at School which continues to this day.

Following last year's experimental reintroduction of this dinner (which used to be held annually until the late 1990s), a dinner to celebrate the memory of this extraordinary teacher was held in the magnificent Milne Room at the Garrick Club., The dinner was a 'sell out'  and forty former McEachran pupils attended. Kek also taught at other schools in the town and Shrewsbury High School alumna Professor Mary Beard, attended. The historian and TV presenter claims it was McEachran who inspired her to follow an academic career.

The courses of the meal, organised by Garrick Club members Peter Broad (Salopian Club President Elect) and Jon Godrey were interspersed with a recitation by each of the attendees of a Kek Spell, previously notified to Master of Ceremonies Richard Hudson, so as to avoid duplication. Kek would have been proud of his pupils, even if he might have thought the setting for the dinner rather grand. 

A 2027 dinner is now planned, and the concept may well pave the way to celebrating the memory of other legendary teachers of the past. Please feel free to send suggestions in to the Club!