Friday 10 October 2025

The 2025 autumn gathering of Wessex Old Warwickians took place in Bournemouth (where it's always sunny, even when it rains!) on 10 October.

OWs were treated to a guided tour of the wonderful home and collections of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum. Completed in 1901, this dream house on Bournemouth’s East Cliff, overlooking the sea, was given by Sir Merton Russell-Cotes to his wife Annie for her 66th birthday. Called East Cliff Hall, the house was an extraordinary, extravagant birthday present, and Annie and Merton filled their exotic seaside villa with beautiful objects and art from their extensive travels across the world, and lined the walls with a remarkable collection of British paintings.

After a short stroll along the seafront OWs regathered to enjoy lunch at the award-winning West Beach Restaurant.