I was delighted to again be invited to what turned out to be the most successful class reunion this year so far, in the terms of numbers *. Ye Olde Cherry Tree at Southgate was buzzing with Old Scholars from year 1954, renewing friendships both from their year, and others. Peter Turner was the organiser for this year’s event and congratulations must go to him on its success.
Other guests included Karen Hogan, (with daughter Lucy), whose husband Ken was “founder” of the 54 group. Sadly, Ken is no longer with us, but I know he would have been looking down on us and enjoying every moment.
Beryl Skinner
Peter Turner writes
Keverne and I agree that there were 25 former 1954 pupils there, and from the two group photos I calculate there were 12 from other years, plus 5 guests and supporters, making a total of 42?.
VENUE - The Cherry Tree seems to have improved although there were problems with slow service, understandable considering the numbers of the Trinity invasion. We stayed on the Friday night and were impressed with the friendly service compared with previous years, so it's a venue not to be beaten as no fees and flexibility, although larger numbers could be a problem in future years.
SPECIAL GUESTS
We were delighted to see Pat Snelling (nee Wilson) making the journey down from Cheshire and holding court in the window seat - thanks Pat for making it special. Also very welcome from Spain was Barbara Coe (nee Dunbar), over here specially for the occasion, as was Tony Betts from Istanbul, each one making it a reason to remember the occasion. New members included Eve Patten (nee Weyler) Pat Cohen (nee Maguire), Roger Butt,and wife Barbara, attending for the first time, and it was noticeable several groups of 1954 girls catching up on some 50 years of news and memories from the 50s.
Our other special guests included Karen, wife of Ken Hogan and daughter Lucy from Overton, Hants. Anne and Kevin may come next year. Trinity pupils from other years were Margaret Bennett (nee Gray) from year 1939 and sister of Martin Gray, Judith Neville (nee Crook), Alan Holman and Bruce Rimmer from 1952, Colin Marr from 1951, Tarik Ghafur and Alan Gardner from 1953, Martin Gray (1955) and wife Pauline (nee Loader) from year 1956, & Beryl Skinner (Hayter) 1942. Later years were represented by Jackie Goodwin (nee Coulson) from 1956, and Colin Barratt (1959) called in briefly before another meeting. Many thanks to all these for braving the throngs of 1954 pupils, some with puzzled expressions, and making the occasion very memorable.
Vic Deeble made a special effort to ring from New South Wales and spoke to Malcolm Sell, Martin Gray, Tony Heaton, but then I lost track. Thanks Vic - see you here one year?
PHOTO BOARDS
These seemed to interest most people and provide a few puzzles and debates about names and places. It was certainly a challenge to compose several themes to interest most guests and bring out our common interests across different Trinity years, so we might repeat a similar feature next year if appropriate. Belated thanks to all suppliers, but mostly taken from school magazines and the Tosa website.
APOLOGIES
Inevitably our reunion date clashes with family events already planned or needing precedence, or just too far from abroad. These included Valerie Dickson (nee Kearey), Mel Jarvis, Elaine Snowdon (nee Dulley), Doreen Patel (nee Elam), Fred Tippett and David Crease. At the last minute Janet Dutton (nee Creasy) had a foot injury preventing travel. Barry Livingstone sent a late message saying he planned to come this year, but continuing health problems prevented this. We hope to see you all another year.
1954 PUPILS
Tony Betts, Sue Binning (Rimmer), Robert Bowes, Roger Butt, Ray Conner, Hazel Cotsford (Andrews), Barbara Dunbar (Coe) Peter Haines, Tony Heaton, Georgina Hurst (Huber), Pat Maguire (Cohen), Jean Meeuwissen (Frances), John Mercer, Sandra Negus (Bacon), Dorothy Peters, Malcolm Sell, John Solder, Elaine Stubbings (Conner), Donald Turner, Peter Turner, Evelyn Wayler (Patten), Keverne Weston, Barry Wilkinson, Pat Wilson (Snelling) and Brian Woodhall. Keverne and Jean have attended all seven reunions, a remarkable standard of support and brilliant loyalty to the group and this kept it going during the lean years of 2004 -6. Also thanks to Barry, Tony Heaton, Dorothy, Robert, Peter Haines Elaine and Ray for solid support most years.
OTHER YEARS
Margaret Gray (now Bennett) 1939, Beryl Hayter (now Skinner) 1942, Colin Marr 1951, Judith Crook (now Neville) 1952, Alan Holman 1952, Bruce Rimmer 1952, Tarik Ghafur 1953, Alan Gardner 1953, Martin Gray 1955, Pauline Loader (now Gray) 1956, Jackie Coulson (now Goodwin) 1956, Colin Barratt 1959.
GUESTS
Karen and Lucy Hogan, Barbara Butt, Soso Walter, Susan Turner.
CONCLUSION
Another good result this year, down to the loyalty and diligence of stalwarts like Keverne and Robert with new ideas, reminders ( and corrections!). Keep them coming. Thanks to all the partners and guests to support the pupils and bring new dimensions to our group.
There were some who found yet more faces to remember, and converse with, a bit of a challenge, but there are many connections across the Trinity years to interest and unite us. Witness some take this so far as to marry another pupil! Also, looking at the long serving teachers like Brandon and Eustance in the old school magazines, those loyal teachers and familiar buildings were part of our lives during the transition from child to adult and are therefore special. Amazingly Mr Brandon was editor in the first issue in 1924 and continued into the 50s - a very gentle kind man, as we found out when we got to know him.
To those who cannot come or will not for any reason, we respect your decision, but wish you well. However, we hope if we meet you in the street, you could stop a few minutes to wish each other well and thanks for the Trinity memories. For some the Trinity experience was negative, ultimately being elitist & favouring the academic and sporting top dogs?
I was like this for at least 10 years before I realised the debt I owed the old friends for their humanity, & perhaps this was more important than the prestige of a grammar school education?
See you next year? Apologies for any errors, too many emails or schoolboy jokes. That's my only fee for enjoying this hobby.
If anyone wants to help, or take over this role, please volunteer, as I do have several other similar projects to follow.
TOSA SUBS
Please support Tosa if you can. Without its infrastructure of databases, website and contacts, we would not have found many of the friends we enjoy seeing or hearing about.
As Beryl & Don Turner say, what a bargain for £5! The main Tosa also needs "young blood" to run it in future years.
It seems as if many were impressed enough to join last Saturday.
Have a great summer.
Peter
* Editors Note since the 54's met, there has been a 51's reunion, with a needle match between Peter and Kim Ghafur (51)
as to numbers attending. They have decided to call it a draw .
