1974
A time of flared trousers, glitter rock and very, very dodgy haircuts. And the year in which the ten of us who convened in the School car park on a sunny day in July had left. Forty-five years on and the dodgy haircuts were no more, but remarkably we were, each one of us visibly and quite clearly recognisable as the young men we once were. There was also an air of tremendous goodwill – a bit like meeting family you haven’t seen since you were kids. You can’t recall how you were together, but you know you had a connection. 

Some of us started the day with a visit to the remarkably unchanged Greyhound, before returning to the School to sample some beige food (aka sarnies and sausage rolls) and to talk. A flood of names long forgotten were raised and discussed. Some good news was shared, some not so good. And the talking continued as we walked round the School, astonished that the pool was still in operation, absorbing and remembering places not seen in decades:- the chapel, the Sherwood building, the Great School – and ending our tour on the restful benches in the pavilion. 

An excellent day all round.

Chris Hyde OI
Class of 74