Reading Old Blues

🎓💙 2025 Old Blues — it's your last chance! 💙🎓

Your 1 Year Reunion is happening next Friday (26 June) and we’d love to see you back at Reading Blue Coat for an evening of catching up, reminiscing and celebrating ✨

⏰ Booking closes this Monday! Don’t miss out on seeing everyone again.

🎟️ Secure your place via the link below:

https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FCTU

Tag your friends, spread the word and make sure you’re there, it won’t be the same without you! 💙

We were delighted to welcome members of the Richard Aldworth Society to lunch last Friday! ✨

Following an opportunity to view the progress of our exciting new Performing Arts Centre currently under construction 🎭, guests moved into the Headmaster’s Study for a wonderful three-course meal, which concluded with a school update from Mr Thomas.

We were also pleased to be joined by our Heads of School, who enjoyed chatting with Society members about student life at Reading Blue Coat.😊

If you would be interested in learning more about the Richard Aldworth Society, please get in touch with the Foundation Office ([email protected]) we would be delighted to share further details with you.

🎷🌞 Swing into Summertime 2026! 🌞🎶

Old Blues we’d love to welcome you back for a special summer evening at Reading Blue Coat!

Join us on Thursday 2 July (7–9pm) for Swing into Summertime 2026 — a relaxed Proms in the Park–style event on Back Lawn 🎵🌿

Expect:
🎶 Live music from our talented students

🍷 A fully stocked bar

🍕 Pizza & 🍦 ice creams available

🧺 Bring your own picnic, blankets or chairs

🌅 A laid-back, community atmosphere

Venue:
📍 Stretch Tent, Back Lawn

Reading Blue Coat, Holme Park

☔ Come rain or shine — we’ve got it covered!

Tickets:
Tickets are free, however we kindly ask you to book via the link below so we can plan accordingly:
www.trybooking.com/uk/FYVQ

We’d love to welcome you back — bring your friends and family, and enjoy a lovely summer evening together! 💙

We’ve loved following Old Blue, Sam Lindsay (2015) over the past few months, and we’re absolutely delighted to share that he has completed the extraordinary challenge of walking the 500-mile Camino Francés! 🚶‍♂️✨

This iconic pilgrimage route stretches from the foothills of the French Pyrenees all the way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain — an incredible achievement! 🇫🇷➡️🇪🇸

Sam undertook this journey in support of the Stroke Association 💜. If you’d like to support his fantastic fundraising efforts, you can donate via the link below:

👉 https://www.justgiving.com/page/sam-vaughan-2?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Huge congratulations, Sam — what an inspiring accomplishment!
👏 We look forward to hearing all about your journey next time you visit us.
🎉

It is with profound sadness that the President and Committee of the Reading Old Blues Association extend our deepest condolences following the tragic accident that has taken the life of Old Blue, Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher (2012).

Lily-Mae was an inspirational Old Blue whose dedication, courage, and character reflected the very best of our community. She embodied the values we hold dear, and her achievements, both within and beyond our shared roots, have left a lasting mark.

The loss of such a remarkable individual is felt deeply across the entire Old Blues community. Lily-Mae’s strength of Blue Coat spirit and commitment to service will continue to inspire future generations, and her memory will be cherished by all who had the privilege of crossing her path.

At this incredibly difficult time, the Old Blues family sends its love, thoughts, and prayers to Lily-Mae’s family and friends. We stand together in mourning and remembrance, united in gratitude for her life and the legacy she leaves behind.
Lily-Mae will be hugely missed and never forgotten.

We were deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Old Blue, Lieutenant Lily-Mae (2012), who died while serving with the Royal Navy.

Lily-Mae was an exceptional young woman whose energy, determination and courage left a lasting impression on all who knew her. During her time at Reading Blue Coat she embraced every opportunity available to her, and she went on to achieve remarkable success in both her military and sporting careers. Many members of our community will remember her returning to speak to students in November 2024, inspiring them with her humility, resilience and commitment to serving others.

Lily-Mae embodied so many of the values we seek to nurture in our students, and her achievements as a Royal Navy officer, aviator and the only serving female Royal Navy Commando made her a role model to countless young people.

Our thoughts are with Lily-Mae’s family, friends, colleagues and all those affected by this tragic loss.

Pete Thomas
Headmaster

Celebrating an Extraordinary Achievement in Memory of Old Blue, Andrew Watson (1986) 💙🏃‍♀️

Recently Andrews niece Olivia Fraser completed a truly remarkable challenge — running 105 km in Andrews memory.

Olivia set off at 5am from Reading University, where Andrew studied Land Management, passed by Reading Blue Coat and followed the Thames Path finally reaching QPR in Shepherd’s Bush at 8pm.

15 hours, countless steps, and an unbelievable amount of heart. 💪✨
Olivia has already raised over £5,000 for Harefield Hospital, a place that meant so much to Andrew after his lung transplant. 💙

If you would like to read Olivias story or support her fundraising, you can visit her page:
👉 https://www.justgiving.com/page/olivia-fraser-1771793198562