Current Patrons of The Bethanians' Society (alphabetically listed)
Eric Adler
John Anthony
Adrian Chapman
Nicholas Dorey
Robert Forsyth
Bill Harvey
Paul Holmes
Robin Toop
The criteria for selecting a Patron to The Bethanians' Society is as follows:
- Long serving committee member and contributor
- Previous office holder for a significant period
- Previous President
- Regular attendance at Reunion, Dinner, Twenty Club
- A generous benefactor over the years, not only financially
A Standing Committee of six past Presidents meet or correspond at least once each year to consider nominations for Patrons to the Society. They report their findings to the existing Patrons and their joint proposals are put forward at the AGM for adoption.
At the Bethanians' Society AGM on 19th June 2010, it was formally announced that following consultation with the Patrons of the Society, it was felt and agreed that John Anthony would become our lastest Patron. John left Bethany in 1953 and is a former member of Roberts House. He was Head Boy between autumn term 1951 and the summer of 1953. He was an extremely keen sportsman. He won the Roy Farquarson Trophy 1952, Benjamin White Cup (Victor Lidorum( 1951, 1952 and 1953. He was captain of football and cricket. He was a Scout Troup Leader who attended the World Jamboree in Austria in 1951 and became a Queen's Scout. He is a past President of the Society (1981) and served on the committee as Treasurer 1982-1991. He attended the College of Saint Mark and Saint John, Chelsea and then Carnegie College of Physical Education in Leeds. He taught at Bethany for a term and later at a Prep School in Berkshire. Finally he became the Sports Centre Manager for the London Borough of Croydon.
At the Bethanians' Society AGM on 20th June 2009, it was formally announced that following consultation with the Patrons of the Society, it was felt and agreed that Robert Forsyth would become a Patron of the Society. Robert left Bethany in 1977 and is a former member of Kiplings House. He very soon became an enthusiastic Committee member and helped the Committee with social events as well as excellent businesslike ideas. He is a past President and has recently served as a Governor of Bethany School. He has now completed his term as Governor but will remain a consultant to the Board. Robert has had extensive dealings with the School and the Bethanians' Society. He is an expert in military aviation history, is the author of several books on the subject and owns his own book production business and indpendent publishing house.
Presidents of the Bethanians' Society
In 1887 the Reverend J.J. Kendon was invited to become President, but declined, though he presided at the Dinner that year and the following year. In 1890 and 1891, W.A. Benians was in the Chair, after which the Society lapsed. Between 1899 and 1920 Samuel Kendon appears to have been President.
Please click here to view the list of Presidents between 1921 and the present day.
