The Olivetti Reunion Lunch
The 2010 lunch
will be held on Friday 12th November.
What is the Olivetti Reunion Lunch? It is an occasion held once a year for the benefit of all those who have worked for the company in their business lives to renew friendships or acquaintances with people they once worked with.
The first Olivetti Reunion Lunch was held on 12th December 1996 in the magnificent Warrant Officers and Senior NCO’s Mess at the Household Cavalry Barracks, Knightsbridge. The original idea to have a reunion lunch, unsurprisingly, came about over a lunch I had with Lynne Blackwood.
Over the years, since the first lunch, we have dined at the Rugby Club of London, HMS Belfast, Simpson’s in the Strand and for the last few years in the splendid surroundings of The Cavalry & Guards Club in Piccadilly and 1,103 people have attended the lunches.
Little did I think that 13 years later they would still be going and that I would be planning another lunch for 2009. What is the reason for the event to have continued for so long? The answer can best be summed up as good fellowship. Jim Edward gave to me for safe keeping Olivetti News Letters which go back to the first edition which was published in April 1956. In news letter number 33, December 1958 is a message from the then Chairman of British Olivetti, Mr. A. Loria, in which he talks about the traditions of the company, one of which in his view is the tradition of good fellowship. After 14 years of Olivetti Reunion lunches it is manifestly clear that that tradition has without doubt continued and is in the safe hands of those who attend the lunches and make them such a success. Why else would people who have attended the lunches over the years travel from distant parts of the UK and Ireland but also Spain, Italy, France, Botswana and the USA. Another tradition Mr. Loria espoused was good taste, which is borne out by our choice of venue for our lunches.
In 1958 it was the Golden Jubilee of Olivetti, the first 50 years since its foundation in 1908, and the 11th Anniversary of BOL. BOL moved into its new HQ, 30, Berkeley Square on October 23rd. The offices were opened officially by the Mayor of Westminster and a reception was attended by 150 guests including the Italian Ambassador and the Italian Minister of Labour and Social Welfare. The Managing Director of British Olivetti was Mr. G. Fei.
Best wishes to all,
Harry Grey
last updated on Wednesday, March 10, 2010