The Bournemouth Group do it in April! Yes - this was our 12th reunion, and once again it was held at the Woodcroft Tower Hotel. Good weather, good food (although you can't always please everybody!), good service and renewed friendships - what more can you ask for?
I must start by mentioning Beryl Ivatt (1938), who made a stunning entrance at breakfast by wearing a tailored white blouse, navy trousers, and the ladies' Trinity cravat - good on you Beryl! !
At the dinner on the Saturday evening (29th April), Vic Manning opened by welcoming those present, with a special welcome to Beryl Skinner (Hayter 1942), Judith Neville (Crook 1952), and Jose Gillard (Payne 1947) - first time timers to the Bournemouth Reunion.
Can we boast the oldest old scholar? Reg Hanks was 90 in January 2006 - well done Reg!
2006 is an important milestone in the future of TO SA. However, we must not be complacent. We still need more members for the Association to survive.
It was pleasing to have with us Reg Rogers (Vice President) and Roy and Audrey Augood (Life Members) - all have put in so much work over the years and have duly earned their titles.
Our new, enthusiastic treasurer, Beryl Skinner, gave a brief resume of developments over the past twelve months. We are now legal and solvent, with a healthy bank balance!
The after-dinner formalities completed, the evening was then thrown open for TRINITY REALITY. We had nostalgia, coupled with fun and serious comments.
Geraldine Manning set the ball rolling by reading a monologue entitled 'We are survivors' - just one extract:, 'going all the way' meant staying on the double decker bus all the way to the bus depot! How the world has changed in 50 years!!
Les Grafton made a welcome return this year and was on top form, stories flowed involving a hungry Canadian black bear, doodle bugs, Scout park, and Dad's Army featured again (Croft & Perry have a lot to answer for!). The black bear story put a whole new meaning to 'saying grace' as it stood over its victim (I haven't enough space for the whole joke!). During the latter part of the second World War, the South of England was bombarded by doodle bugs (6725 half-aircraft, half-missiles, were sent over Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Essex and London. When the doodlebug's fuel supply ran out, the engine would stop - this was the time to run for cover because you had just 10 seconds before the big BOOM. Les and another scholar both dived under a table at this point, and met head-to-head! This was Les's only war wound!
Nobby Clark gave a very moving account of his 'Heroes Return to Italy' last year with visits to some Italian battlefields, including Casino. During his service in Italy, at one point he was the only surviving officer responsible for over 600 men. This was a mile away from the Home Guard defence of Enfield waterworks reported in a previous newsletter!
David Deamer's passionate and critical view of this country's current education system was widely shared by those present i.e. the apparent wish by both main political parties to abolish Grammar schools. It was agreed that there is something very special about a Grammar school education and the bonds formed between pupils and teachers. Today, however, this loyalty towards schools and teachers from pupils appears lacking, and we all felt that today's pupils are not likely to be interested in attending reunions like Hatfield and Bournemouth in the years to come! .
Thespian: Phil Glyn, of the Old Scholars' Dramatic Society, described a family scene in one production where the son was supposed to spear a large pickled onion. However, the onion flew out over the footlights into the audience, who were very amused and appreciative. Unfortunately, this trick failed to be repeated for the remaining performances, despite their best efforts!
Beryl Skinner had received some anonymous mail showing 3 girls painting a wall no, not graffiti! The photo is on the website and Beryl would be interested if you can identify the culprits!
Wood Green railway station had a terrific idea to boost morale during the war. A small engine would tow a large naval gun out of the tunnel - it would fire off some shells (at nothing in particular!), but the BOOM BOOM would keep the locals happy! The engine would then shunt the gun back into the tunnel. This would be repeated on a regular basis - Until the shells ran out!
Once again, Trinity is the bond and thanks to you all for supporting this year's reunion - see you in 2007 - weekend 20/21/22 April (St. George's Day on 23rd April) - what
an opportunity! - please bring along your memorabilia (and your stories!).
Vic Manning
23 Herons Way Pembury Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 4DW
May 2006
Tel. 01892823945
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