The first reunion of 2007 took place at New Hall, Sutton Coldfield and was a small, select affair, but only because others weren't available.

Back row (L. to R.): Dennis Herdman, Chris Williams, Colin Payne, David Sinclair, Doug Morrall, John Donnelly, Jim Perkins
Front row (L. to R.): Peter Band, Peter Cross, Ken Smith

But the biggest reunion to date was held on Friday 3rd August, 2007 at the 'Robin Hood' pub, Rashwood, near Droitwich. Eighteen members of the 'Class of 1950' turned up, plus two strays from the 'Class of 1951' who just happened to be passing! They came from far and wide: Norfolk to Shropshire and Somerset, Yorkshire to Sussex, and all points in between - even Whitacre Heath and Niagara-on-the-Lake! Armed with old photographs and albums, one even brought his Prefect's cap!

Frailty didn't stop them either. John Gardiner was in a wheelchair, happily only temporarily, and Ian Whitehouse came only four weeks after heart bypass surgery. Chris Williams spent the evening driving huge distances across the Midlands so that Ian could do so.

Also it was a great pleasure to welcome the nine wives and sweethearts who were willing to brave such a gathering. We even had a granddaughter who was suitably overwhelmed by it all!

With summer at last asserting itself, we were able to mingle on the pub's terrace. The daylight made recognising people you hadn't seen for 49 years a bit easier!

Before we piled inside for bar meals, the obligatory photo call was made. Based on the experience of trying to organise this (come back, Harry Tyson, all is forgiven!) I am truly impressed at how they used to get 650 of us together for a 'whole school' photo!

Let your mouse hover over a person's face, and their name should appear. If it turns into a hand, then they appear elsewhere on the web site. (Apologies to the two ladies whose full names I do not remember - the Alzheimer's is kicking in!)

Once inside it was a case of eat, circulate and talk (very old photographs were much in evidence!):

To my great regret, four hours was nowhere near long enough to get round and talk to everyone, but the three I did manage to chat with were hugely rewarding. David Cooper sported a sticky label on the reverse of his jacket lapel bearing his name, for those who might not recognise him, and every form he had been in! Starting with 1X, this quickly translated into the 'A' stream for the rest of his time. I reckon that's why he had listed them! Remarkably he remembered, though I hadn't, that I had taught him 'contact print photography' at some point during those distant years.

Peter Hay claimed to have had a boring existence for the 42 years he has lived in the same house in Darlington and working for the same employer. He then revealed that during that time he has climbed 283 'Monroes', and plans to 'do' the last one next year. And that's what he considers 'boring'? Watch this space!

Alan Guthrie recalled, though I had forgotten, the time I managed to embarrass myself at Longdon .... Well, you don't honestly expect me to tell you, do you?

All this to a p*** taking accompaniment from the inimitable Gary Tibbles! Plus a lovely crack from Ian Whitehouse: "You weren't this bossy when we were at school" - just because I turned down Peter Killingback's suggestion that we sing the school song!

It was a great evening, which suggests that a repeat might be in order. Ken Tickle wants us to go to Norwich next time, so I am putting a 'sat nav' on my Christmas list!

You can see Lewis Ford's video of the occasion by clicking here.