As bookings kept flooding in, there was only one thing to do for this year’s Bat ‘Oar’ Ball on Saturday 3 February: move the bar downstairs and lay on more tables.

This meant that over 350 parents, staff and friends could enjoy our annual black tie event held in support of all sports at the RGS.

Welcomed with a champagne reception, guests then moved to the Queen’s Hall where our ever debonair MC, Deputy HM Alex Wallace, took charge for the evening.

Heads or Tails was followed by a three-course meal, auctions of prizes generously donated by parents, suppliers and supporters of the school, and dancing to The Deps, back after a triumphant début in 2017.

New for this year was the Ice Diamond Raffle sponsored by BMW Sytner. Year 7 parents, Mr & Mrs John Smith, were delighted to find the replica diamond once their ice cube melted, and to exchange it for the real thing supplied by W Truman of Hatton Garden.

Thank you to Nick Barber, deputy chair of our hosts, the Friends of RGS Cricket Club, for the vote of thanks. Nick highlighted how much hard work the staff put in every week to provide the boys of RGS with an unparalleled programme of sport – especially for a state-funded school. He allowed everyone to show their appreciation, while also acknowledging the vital role that parents play in supporting their sons to attend all the training and fixture opportunities.

Now that all the counting is complete, we are delighted to announce that the profit from ticket sales, takings on the night and auction bids comes to over £14,000. This is a fantastic sum that goes to the sports department to fund all sports in which RGS competes: Athletics, Badminton, Cricket, Cross Country, Equestrian, Fencing, Fives, Hockey, Rowing, Rugby, Squash, Swimming and Tennis.

The event team of Ben Berryman, Head of Cricket, and the Friends of Cricket, Hockey and Rowing – Harriet Baldwin, Lucy Barber, Suzanne Holland, Sophie Miller, Jon Wilson & Mags Wilson; Eve Dudrey, Sara Littlewood & Catherine Wetherell; and Louise Bignell & Ana Martin – would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who came and to all our supporters (see list below).

Next year’s date for the diary – Saturday 2 February 2019 – see you there!

Thank you to our supporters:

Anytime Fitness | Beaconsfield Fine Jewellery | BMW Sytner | British Airways | Chiltern Valley Winery | The Deps | Energetic Healing | Gerry McManus Photography | Hatch Mansfield | Hawkinsport | Incredible Sports Company | Jane Wood Catering | Jon Cockcroft & England Hockey | Laithwaite's Beaconsfield | Marks & Spencer Beaconsfield | Oasis Health & Beauty Spa | Performance Cricket | Stoke Park | Tabletop Catering Hire | Virgin Experience Days | W Truman