Old Sulians' Association

49ers 60th Reunion

49ers 60^th Reunion

Alan Blake Reports:

On Friday 17^th July 2009, 21 elderly gentlemen met at Beechen Cliff School to recognise the fact that it was 60 years since they had completed their secondary education. by taking The University of London General School Examination, or School Cert. Many of those present had attended a similar event 10 years before, and it was because of the success of that event that yours truly decided to repeat the exercise for the 60^th. Fortunately I still had the details of those who had attended, so a ‘round robin’ had elicited the agreement that it was a worthwhile venture. Unfortunately several of the original former pupils had passed away. Further there were a few who could not be contacted for whatever reason. Of the remainder, a few contacted me to express regret that they could not attend, Colin Winsor was one whose granddaughter had decided to get married that day, and despite his entreaties, she would not change the date. Another, Bob Roost, regretted that due to ill health he could not contemplate the journey, and Alan Dudeney who unfortunately was otherwise engaged on the day. Peter Dyer was another who had to call off at the last moment due to his wifes’ ill health. Finally Kingsley Spencer had to decline as he and his wife both, are rather poorly All of course sent their best wishes.

On the day, 12 noon was the witching hour, but there were 1 or 2 who couldn’t wait and were at school soon after 11 am. Obviously thoughts such as ‘ bet that’s a first’ abounded. Soon all 21 were present and correct and assembled in the school hall, where Tony Lawdham [ex teacher] had collected a load of memorabilia and displayed it around the hall, including registers, pictures, old copies of The Sulian, and of course the Sulian Magazines from 1944 to 1949, which had been collected by former schoolmate Peter Coombes, and bound into a hard backed book.

A great deal of chatter was to be heard which went on for a good hour, then food appeared. The school now has a chef, Tim Fletcher by name, and he prepared a superb buffet lunch, accompanied by red and white wine, which was soon devoured by these hungry former pupils. This lunch was provided gratis by the Headmaster, Andrew Davies, who has been in charge for something like 4 years, and a very good friend to the Association he is. After lunch Andrew spoke a few words about the school, its ethos, hopes for the future etc. and then invited us to accompany some year 9 pupils who took us on a conducted tour of the school facilities. During this tour we were able to appreciate Andrew’s comments about the state of some of the buildings.

Part 2 of the day was a dinner at The Boatman Restaurant Bathwick, owned of course by that redoubtable 48er, Terry Hardick. For the dinner, several had to decline due to long journeys, but there was one addition, bring the total at dinner to 18.

Those who did attend were;- [David Francis Atworth attended the evening only]

Brian Baker Bath Bill Gunning Dorking John Russ Claygate

Ray Beazer France Cecil Hallett Tewkesbury Gordon Sellick Bath

Alan Blake High Littleton Mike Hucker Frome Derek Swift Sydney Australia

Cyril Bush Bath Terry Light Bath Peter Swift Ruthin

Peter Bush Oxted Mick Moore Norton St Phillip Brian Thomas North Curry

John Cashnella   Studely Pete Powell Bathampton Jim Turner Luton

Mick Chaloner Ramsgate Lionel Roberts Tunbridge Wells Brian Wetten France

Editors Note: Photos will be added in due course