Saturday 29 June 2024
Leavers of 1994
When we all went our separate ways in the summer of ’94, I don’t think we envisaged it taking the best part of a third of a century for many of us to find time for a catch-up. So, it was with a combination of trepidation, excitement and curiosity that we all congregated in the hall of No.1 for our O.H. Reunion drinks reception and after a few seconds of allowing our eyes to re-adjust for 30 years of aging (although some people had hardly changed at all), it was just like old times. I’d been looking forward to catching up with old pals, but the day exceeded all expectations. The fact that so many members of staff made the effort to welcome us back was really touching – clearly, time is a great healer and they had either forgotten, or forgiven, our previous antics! Drinks in No.1 was followed by a tour of the school culminating in afternoon tea in the dining hall so we could re-live memories of lower school discos of the late 80’s. The “unofficial” tour then moved on to ‘The Litch’ (as someone had inconveniently closed ‘The Spread’). It was then time to get down to the serious business of 30 years’ catch-up which culminated in a few hardy stragglers being evicted from a late-night watering hole at 3am. It was such a fun day. Everyone was on top form and there appeared a genuine warmth and excitement to see old friends, re-live old memories and plan new escapades. We all promised not to leave it another 30 years for the next reunion. Chris Stephens