The Colchester Group – 16th April 2008
Attendees
Audrey Augood (Latter) 44 Roy Augood 41
Derek Coleman 42 Doris Chennells (Barling) 42
Barbara Goddard (Pegrum) 44 Beryl Ivatt (Cole) 38
Derek Ridout 43 Beryl Skinner (Hayter)
42
Chas Stancer 40 Vic Ware 36
Ann Coleman (Guest) Sheila Dumayne (Guest)
Joyce Fitch (Guest) Geoff Ivatt (Guest)
Doreen Mills (Guest) Sylvia Mills (Guest)
Barry Stickland (Guest)
This year we met at the Wheatsheaf in Hatfield Peverel and what a magical day that turned out to be.
10 Old Scholars with their guests enjoyed a sumptuous buffet lunch prepared by mine hosts Debbie and David Smith in a private room “The Barn” . This had been decorated in Trinity School colours, with orange and blue balloons flying from the tables. Fantastic!
Needless to say, there was lots of jaw-jaw with the meeting old friends and making new ones.
It was particularly nice to meet Derek Ridout after (we think), 63 years or so. Of course, Audrey Augood, Derek and I reminisced about our early childhood when we lived in the same road, exchanged comics on Saturday mornings, got up to the usual mischief playing “canon”, tobogganing in Ally Pally, and generally doing what all of us did in those long ago, not-to-be forgotten, days.
Talks with Barbara Goddard reminded us of coming home from school, to stop off at her parent’s bakery, hopefully to pick up a cake or two to munch on the way. These were the days of rationing, so the odd cake was a real treat. Always good to meet up with Doris Chennells who was actually in my class and, in 1947, was one of Vb girls who played truant after Matric exams and went to Durnsford Road swimming pool instead. I admit to nothing!
Beryl Ivatt with husband Geoff, travelled by Underground and Liverpool Street to join us. A medal is needed I think.
We were also able to welcome two new members to the gathering, namely Chas Stancer and Vic Ware, who we hope to see more in the future. Vic now lives in Hatfield Peverel.
Chas, having been one of our evacuees, reminisced with our other guest Joyce Fitch, who has lived in HP all her life and was there when the school arrived in 1939. She has written a book (several to be exact) about HP, and Trinity is mentioned in her first one about HP School.
We were able to have a short walk to look at the Priory (now a private dwelling), which Roy Augood remembered when visiting his older brother who had been one the evacuees to HP. Was there a lake in the grounds then ?
Finally, Extraordinary is the understatement describing the meeting between two of our guests when they introduced themselves, remarking, “Do I know you? I think I do.” It turned out that
Ann Coleman (Derek’s wife) and Doreen Mills had both been at Noel Park Senior School, shared the same friends, some of who had lost touch… I understand that there is now going to be a gathering of Noel Park Old Scholars! Ann’s Maiden name is Checkley.. anyone else have a connection?
Another guest, Sylvia Mills, who went to St Michaels Infants/Junior School, reminded us that they used to take shelter in the Trinity building, during the air raids.
Beryl Skinner (Hayter 42)
Make a note : (all things being equal...) Wednesday April 22nd 2009 for next time
