Demand for the 1 October launch of We Did Our Homework on the Bus at the old Grammar school on Chislehurst Rad, Sidcup is growing with old boys planning to travel from all corners of the globe.

One old boy I’m delighted is coming is Phil Maclaurin who was at St Mary’s between 1971 and 1978 before heading to Worcester College, Oxford to study Geology.

After a career in oil which took him to places like Angola, Somalia, Uganda and Albania, he finally settled in Vietnam.

Now retired he lives with Fran 15 minutes from downtown Ho Chi Minh City, overlooking the Saigon river and banana plantations beyond where they focus on a long time interest in educating and developing marginalised children.

Phil told me: “When asked by disadvantaged young people why we invest in them I tell them of my debt to my outstanding free education at St Mary’s and Oxford which offered me the opportunity, rewards and friendships that have enriched my life ever since.”

Phil who, like myself, grew up in Bexley and the parish of St John Fisher, will be a most welcome guest at the event which is shaping up into what should be a memorable occasion during both the afternoon event and, if desired, at Sidcup Sports Club afterwards where a full bar will surely help the stories flow.

Look out for an email very soon which will have full costings of the book and the event itself.