Reunion

[horseshoes]

Also posted in Travel.

Have any of you ever organised a reunion? We're planning one later in the year for our old Grammar School class mates. Haven't got a clue where to begin, other than tracking people down, which is already under way!

Obviously, we're fairly scattered these days, mostly in UK but not all. Chester has been suggested as a venue.

Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

[ummmm]

Have you started a group on facebook?

[237SJ]

I haven`t organised one but I went to the one that our year held. It was quite a while ago before everyone was on Facebook. I spoke to the three girls that organised it and they started by picking a potential venue which was in the same town as the school rather than some central part of the country. That way, people who had left (such as myself) didn`t have to worry about accommodation - they could stay with family or friends who were still in the area. Friends Reunited was still going then (don`t know if it still is) and it was posted on there. The local radio station DJ (who conveniently happened to be one of our classmates) gave it a few mentions on the radio. Then it was just a matter of everyone telling anyone that they were still in touch with (easy with Facebook). It was in the spring. They didn`t want to do it in high season (it was a coastal area) or near christmas when people were busy with parties etc.

[MargoTester]

I went to an all girls school and we had the reunion in our old school 25 years after our form left. It was brilliant to actually go around the school finding our classrooms etc etc. I didn't organise it but the girl who did put notices in all the local papers and we took it from there, each contacting girls we were still in touch with. One girl actually came over from Austria and others from all over the UK. Those of us who still lived locally put people up or could suggest reasonably priced accommodation.

[horseshoes]

I've thought about that Margo; problem being is that after we left, our all girls school became part of the comprehensive school (taking in the Welsh speakers). It would be fantastic if we could do that though, although I doubt the old school looks the same.

[DTCwordfan]

still worth a visit though to the old school horseshoes....

any chance of putting something like a hockey team up to play the current pupils?

other things - that each of you could take on mentoring to this years 6th form girls perhaps.

Local press for articles.

Anybody got souvenirs of their time at the school, even old class books or essays, even better a nicked ink well and the likes of that?

Each of you to write something, say ten lines, about your teachers or reminiscing about old times and then have copies bound....

Lunch in the school - is there a prize day you could lien with, a guided tour from the Head or Head Girl

Dinner in the evening and invite the above.....

[MargoTester]

Horseshoes - my school (old high school) also became a comprehensive after we left, but we were allowed to use it. It was a fairly old building when I went there and in some ways it had changed very little. The main hall where we had assembly every day was virtually the same, but obviously some things had been updated. You can well imagine a large group of women ambling about reminiscing about all the daft things we did. It was a pretty big school for those days with upward of 1000 girls. Unfortunately the girl who organised the whole thing died several years ago or I would try to find out more for you. I really hope it goes well for you, I found it a terrific experience. Ask everybody to bring photos and any other bits of memorabilia - I still had my school hat and blazer badge!!

[horseshoes]

Our school photos are ALL OVER Facebook at present; I think that's what has spurred us on: that and the fact that at least six are no longer with us! I'm going to contact the school tomorrow or Friday;-)

[237SJ]

One of the things that they did at our reunion was interrupt the music on the stage to make a little tribute to the pupils that were no longer with us. I thought that was nice.

[MargoTester]

I'm showing my age here but Facebook did not exist when we had our reunion!!
Come to think of it I don't think we had mobile phones either. How did we manage. But then I remember going to the (old red) phone box to make a telephone call before we had one at home, like I say I am getting on a bit.

[horseshoes]

Well we're all 61; we really should have thought to do this last year, but hey ho! Better late than never as they say.

[bhg481]

Are you going to invite partners? You need to think about it. (I wouldn't go, if not)

[horseshoes]

I wouldn't have thought so bhg. My OH for one, wouldn't enjoy it. Too many jolly hockey sticks. The men wouldn't get a look in; I wouldn't think they'd enjoy it one bit!