Jubilee Reunion Day for 1957 Starters
OA Bulletin - Autumn 2007
Andrew Barnes (1964)
Those of us who were lucky enough to be presented with the thin volume starting with the Book Plate of St Albans School (W T Marsh – little black book) and with care or luck can still locate it, will known the date they started at St Albans School. For the class of ‘57, the inscribed date was Thursday 19th September 1957. After 50 years it seemed an excellent excuse to make a real effort to put people back in touch with the School and each other.
This year, the 19th fell on a Wednesday and the school calendar showed that the evening of the 18th had been booked for School Prizegiving in the Abbey. The Headmaster generously offered to include the Class of ‘57 for this ceremony, in allocated seating in the nave, behind the prize recipients. We were also entertained at the reception after prize-giving.
Didn’t you used to be…?
The first rendezvous was held at St Michael’s Manor for tea. 26 turned up, with a burst of warmth and jocular greeting as those already present saw through the mist and after a variable delay recognised each new face from the past. Those moments were priceless. Among those who had travelled the furthest, we were delighted to greet Roger Davies from the Orkneys, Dave Press from California and Tony Quance from Toronto, and the long-lost Chris Harris from Cornwall.
Eventually we processed up Fishpool Street to the Abbey. In my hearing, conversation centred on memories of School characters, events shared, names of people long-forgotten, recalled once more. There seemed to be almost no conversation about successes and achievements during the intervening years. The joyous craick was almost exclusively about remembering shared experiences with those present or not, Marsh, Jason, masters, Killer, Holloway, Mrs Caine“There is no seconds.“ The evening ended in the pub – where else?
Jubilee Day
Full assembly, 11am. School Hall for coffee. 34 turned up. Same raucous greeting for the newcomers. Despite the fact that term had started 10 days before, the Headmaster generously found the time to give us his conducted tour of the School, from the science block, through language workshops to electronics assembly class, gym, art rooms, the Gateway, the library, New Place (performing arts) and finally a group photograph on the Rose Garden lawn (although several of our number failed to make the photocall).
At 12.30 we adjourned to the OA Club at Woollams, for lunch, where Kate Le Sueur, Andrew Grant and Ian Jennings were our guests. Kate Le Sueur, from the School Development Office, had done most of the searching for escapees, with some spectacular success. We now have contact information for 60 of our 96 entrants. A year group directory is being prepared for distribution to all we can contact.
At the end of a most convivial afternoon, we dispersed, unsure if there will be ‘the next time’. Will the Jubilee Reunion become part of the Old Albanian landscape?
I know that Mike Hodge (Class of ’65) is working hard to trace all his year group – I believe he is planning something!I have already heard the comment from one ‘55 entrant that they would have liked to celebrate their 50 years on. Alas, too late now but other excuses for a reunion can easily be found.
If there are members of any year group who would like to avail themselves of Kate Le Sueur’s expertise in finding their long-lost school friends, do give her a ring at the Development Office on 01727 814391.
