How time flies! The now traditional 5-yearly Class of ’84 meet up seems to come around more and more quickly, this time for our 35-year reunion back at the school. The school kindly lent us the loggia for the event and the OI Club a substantial amount of money towards food and beverages, enabling us to not charge anything to those attending on this occasion. Some 20 OIs were able to make it, along with several better halves and relatives for what was a hugely enjoyable event. Perhaps it was the superb catering, or the choice of alcohol and soft drinks, but most likely the pleasure in seeing each other again.

Neil Armstrong won the award for travelling the furthest to be there (Saudi Arabia), though he probably got there as quickly as Michael Elwell did (from Lancashire). An excellent and informative tour of the school resulted in some groups of people inevitably going AWOL, perusing parts of the main building that have thankfully been refurbished since we were there. Mystery still surrounds the current whereabouts of the 4-yearly whole-school photos that used to adorn the main corridor walls from the staff Common Room through to what was the Holden library. Thankfully everyone reassembled in time to see and be moved by the Great War Remembrance Doves installation in and outside of the chapel.

The five hours of the event flew by, with the majority then carrying on at The Greyhound afterwards. Even the diversion of several people changing a very flat tyre on my car during the day didn’t dampen the occasion, and my thanks to them for reminding me on how to do this! 

A lot of very positive feedback has since been received from those who attended, and everyone is looking forward to the 40th in 2024. Our very grateful thanks to the school Development Director Nikki Brown for taking out most of her day and running this for us, along with Bob (“Lads”) Clayton for attending on behalf of the OI Committee. Our sincere appreciation too for the school and the OI Club in supporting this event: it almost certainly wouldn’t have taken place without you.

Iain Chesterman
Class of 1984