Welcome Dinner for HE Mr Tim Hitchens — February 2013
On 5th February 2013, fifty-two members of the Cambridge & Oxford Society — including two of our most senior members, Hugh Wilkinson (King’s, Cambridge 1946) and Doreen Simmons (Girton, Cambridge 1950) — together with seventeen guests, attended a dinner at the Tokyo Club to welcome our newly appointed President, HE Mr Tim Hitchens (Christ’s, Cambridge 1980), and his wife, Sara (Christ’s, Cambridge 1981). We were also honoured by the presence of HIH Princess Takamado (Girton, Cambridge 1972), who graciously offered a toast to our new President before we enjoyed a splendid six-course dinner expertly prepared and served by the Tokyo Club staff.
Members and guests gathered for the welcome dinner at the Tokyo Club.
Several attendees recalled Mr and Mrs Hitchens from their earlier posting to Tokyo, when Tim, then a junior member of the British Embassy, worked under another Cambridge graduate and long-standing Society supporter, Sir Stephen Gomersall, who later became British Ambassador to Japan. By happy coincidence, Sir Stephen happened to be in Tokyo on business and was able to attend the dinner.
In his after-dinner remarks, Tim Hitchens spoke warmly about his time at Christ’s College. He recalled, with some humour, having spent one of his student years in a set of rooms once occupied by the blind poet John Milton — as evidenced by words carved long ago on the wall: “John Milton lived here”. It was, of course, during their time at Christ’s that Tim and Sara first met.
Members enjoying the dinner and lively conversation.
Guests dining together during the evening.
Dinner service at the Tokyo Club.
Members enjoying the welcome dinner for HE Mr Tim Hitchens.
Following the President’s speech, nine lucky attendees — their names drawn at random — received the table flower arrangements. This concluded the formal part of the evening. Those with time (and sufficient fortitude) then proceeded to the adjacent lounge for after-dinner drinks, including port, which was enjoyed by many as a fitting finale to a most pleasant event.
— Robert Hirst (St John’s, Cambridge 1967)