New members – David Potter (1950 entry) has been enrolled as an honorary member, having attended our reunion lunch with David Shadick.
Still no response from Charlie Pattinson, Charlie Gould and Brian Johncock who have all joined FRU. I also wrote to Brian Richards in Luxembourg but
no response from him either. Perhaps an approach from a member who knew these chaps at school would lure them into joining us?
no response from him either. Perhaps an approach from a member who knew these chaps at school would lure them into joining us?
Fred Reader also signed up to FRU (pharmacist in W. Sussex, 3 children, 4 grandchildren) and I’ve sent him a message.
Current membership – there are now 25 active members with nine contacted or lapsed, around 35% of the 1951 entry in total. I feel we’re
getting close to bottoming out in numbers, bearing in mind a few deaths, emigrations, computer illiterates, and many who want to forget all about their
experiences at GGSFB. I’ve attached a complete listing of all contacts (not for the website) to this missive.
getting close to bottoming out in numbers, bearing in mind a few deaths, emigrations, computer illiterates, and many who want to forget all about their
experiences at GGSFB. I’ve attached a complete listing of all contacts (not for the website) to this missive.
Website – the ‘then and now’ photo gallery has grown significantly, especially since 29th June, when Arley got busy with his camera. There’s
also a nice picture of the COFOC XV taken by Celia on the site. Every time I go into the site, the number of hits has grown considerably – we must be
getting visits from some non-members.
also a nice picture of the COFOC XV taken by Celia on the site. Every time I go into the site, the number of hits has grown considerably – we must be
getting visits from some non-members.
Mini-reunion – report from Ian Raymond
Consule Cunctis : think of others first? Well, that’s what Bill Bradshaw and Paul Mitchell did, arranging a mini reunion lunch in Gravesend on June
29. So fifteen ageing, balding teenagers (we wish) arrived at the Woodlands Hotel at around midday, four of us accompanied by our wives, and all
intrigued to see what the ravages of time had done to each other.
intrigued to see what the ravages of time had done to each other.
The first major problem was identification – although we all knew what Bill looked like, some of the others had changed somewhat – indeed one
innocent passer-by was most affronted to be accosted and challenged as a possible member of COFOC! The main exception was John Foster, who
seems to have expanded a little but is still immediately recognisable.
innocent passer-by was most affronted to be accosted and challenged as a possible member of COFOC! The main exception was John Foster, who
seems to have expanded a little but is still immediately recognisable.
As the group grew, we renewed old acquaintances and caught up on some of our individual activities over the last ??? years – a process that continued
over the excellent leisurely lunch provided by the hotel. There was a great deal of catching up to do and much reminiscing about the various
characters – both teachers and pupils – whom we remembered for one special reason or another.
over the excellent leisurely lunch provided by the hotel. There was a great deal of catching up to do and much reminiscing about the various
characters – both teachers and pupils – whom we remembered for one special reason or another.
It was no surprise that lunch lasted from about 1 p.m. until after 3 p.m., since no-one was in a desperate hurry to leave, not even the wives. A great
deal of time was spent inspecting Arley’s gridded copes of the 1953 school photograph, trying to locate the various individuals present and fill some of
the gaps in our collective memory. Copies of the Miltonian from the relevant period were also passed around and produced several comments “I’d
forgotten him…” and so on.
deal of time was spent inspecting Arley’s gridded copes of the 1953 school photograph, trying to locate the various individuals present and fill some of
the gaps in our collective memory. Copies of the Miltonian from the relevant period were also passed around and produced several comments “I’d
forgotten him…” and so on.
A couple of photographs were taken at the table and then Bill ushered us outside for an “official” photograph, complete with suitably labelled rugby
ball. A commemorative photograph will be found on the website, courtesy of Arley.
ball. A commemorative photograph will be found on the website, courtesy of Arley.
There was more conversation and some exchanging of addresses before the party broke up, somewhat reluctantly, at about 5 p.m. All in all, the event
was a tremendous success and our thanks are due to Bill Bradshaw, firstly for getting us all together in the first place and then for persuading us to
attend. There are already plans afoot for a repeat event, perhaps next year and hopefully with even more taking part.
was a tremendous success and our thanks are due to Bill Bradshaw, firstly for getting us all together in the first place and then for persuading us to
attend. There are already plans afoot for a repeat event, perhaps next year and hopefully with even more taking part.
For the record, those present were: Bill Bradshaw, John Foster, Arley and Celia Bushill, Paul Mitchell, Dave Shadick, Keith and Brenda Done, Alec Crighton, Dave Potter, Ian and Elizabeth Raymond, Roger and Lorraine Shade, Eric Miller, John Neads, Graham Dyer, John Ramsey and John Dadson
Bill Bradshaw 12th July 2002