SOF ANNUAL DINNER REPORT 2026

The Society’s Annual General Meeting and Annual Dinner were held in the magnificent Sovereigns’ Room at the Royal Air Force Club, London on Saturday 18 April 2026 – the first time the Society has returned there since 2022.  The event was sponsored by Air Vice-Marshal Simon Dougherty MBE, a Club Member.

Forty-seven attended, comprising 36 OFs and 2 Hon OFs with accompanying spouses, partners, friends and official guests of the Society.  Members had travelled from all over UK and from Albania, Germany and Spain. Nineteen Young OFs (under the age of 30) took advantage of generously discounted tickets to attend. The longest serving OF present during the evening was Simon Dougherty (G60-67) and the most recent leaver was Zoe Tanner (V22-24).

The assembled company dined on a delicious meal of smoked salmon, roast sirloin of beef and Bramley apple and blackberry nut crumble accompanied by RAF Club  Sauvignon Pays D’Or and RAF Club Merlot.

The President, Kim Alexandra Dickel (M97-98) had travelled from Germany to attend the events and proposed the toast to the school.  Louise North (Hon OF), Principal of Framlingham College responded on behalf of the guests.  Simon Dougherty (G60-67), the organiser, also spoke briefly.  In addition to Louise North, the other official guests were: Simon Rolfe, Head of Framlingham College Prep School; Charles Packshaw (Hon OF) Chair of the Corporation of Governors of Framlingham College; Holly Hartley – Head Girl; Oliver Ford – Head Boy;  Antony Spencer, CEO Mill Hill Education Group and Dominic North.

After the meal, many continued to chat and reminisce until midnight in the imposing Churchill Bar with the hardiest continuing with cocktails in the Cowdray Room until 0100hrs.

Those present were: Libby Allen V14-16, Finlay Bloor K16-23, Andrew Cobbold S75-80, Bruce Daniels K17-22, Robert Denham R11-16, Kim Alexandra Dickel M97-98 – President, Margaret Dougherty, Simon Dougherty G60-67, James Dougherty G83-93, Philip Dougherty G85-95, Clare Dougherty V88-98, John Ellerby G67-75, Ruth Elwood, P81-83, Julia Espero, Bailey Farrant K16-21, Oliver F – Head Boy – SOF Guest, Ian Franklin S72-76, Hazel Franklin, Ian Fulcher G70-77, Sophie Harrad V15-17, Holly H – Head Girl – SOF Guest, Nicola Hogan, Nick Jacob K67-75, Gilbert  Keitley-Webb K17-20, Rio Laccarino K16-21, Rocco Laccarino K17-21, Vincent Lagos Colombel K12-16, Charles Lewis K02-16, David Mallett K92-03, Rafael Marcos Diez G12-13, Satine Margaryan P20-22, Tim Mitchell R67-77, Christian Muegge S98-00, Louise North Hon OF – Principal Framlingham College – SOF Guest, Dominic North – SOF Guest, Charles Packshaw Hon OF – Chair of Governors – SOF Guest, Luke Quartermaine K11-16, Simon Roche – Head of Framlingham College Prep School – SOF Guest, Thomas Scovell K12-17, Antony Spencer, Tom Tacon G88-93, Ella Tacon P13-19, Zoe Tanner V22-24, Malvern Tipping M73-78, Alexander Ward K14-21, Theodore Wedge K20-22 and Nick Whitehead K06-11.