School Reunion 2025

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It’s late July, and that can only mean one thing! My annual School Reunion & AGM! 👍

Wary that last year’s journey out of Kettering resembled a sardine convention, I assumed that it had been a one-off – err, No! As the 9.11 with its 6 carriages pulled in, it welcomed enough passengers on the platform at Kettering to fill 10! What was going on? Note to self for next year: ‘Find out if there’s a different/earlier/later train’.

I stood all the way for the next 60 minutes where it all felt like being a commuter again – I think I’d forgotten what a horrid experience this can be! ☹️. The ‘cattle truck’ eventually arrived about 10 minutes late into St P, so I rushed down the escalator to ensure I didn’t miss my next connection! Phew! I made it! 🥵.

Actually, apart from last year, I don’t think I’ve been inside East Croydon Station for nigh-on 50 years! It was unrecognisable and somehow looked and felt much larger. Just like last year, I couldn’t see any signage for taxis, but I eventually located the rank, now along the side of the Station (they used to be out the front!) – Ahh! Progress! 🤔. I was exiting East Croydon Station at around 11am but did have to wait 10 minutes for a Taxi as the rank was empty.

Next stop? The BRIT School!

2025’s Event

By 11.15, I arrived at the Brit School. It was just about 2½ hours, door-to-door! 😁👍. And in spite of the crush out of Kettering, on balance, using public transport, was much less stressful and quicker too than attempting it all by car!

These days, attendance at the AGM is measured in double-figures rather than hundreds and in so many ways, that’s a real shame. But having said that, numbers this year appeared to be UP. I think I counted closer to 50 people by the time this year’s event got underway – including quite a few who showed up unexpectedly. However, the general lack of numbers is always made up for by a convivial atmosphere together with a well-oiled machine in terms of the organisation of the event. Cortland (my successor as Chair), together with the active Committee – Bob, John Valerie and Caroline – have got this down to a fine art and the event pretty much runs itself these days!👍😀.

Compared with my days in the Chair, this all felt a much more intimate affair – and that was a great thing! Best of all, Cortland has streamlined the AGM component to something much more efficient and productive, leaving much more time for people to actually ‘reunite’! 😁

Elsewhere, Lesley had been hard at work getting the buffet table ready – and when the time came, just after 12.30, as usual, it didn’t disappoint!

Amongst all the socialising today, there were two surprises in store for me. First: I caught up with Richard C, now Mayor of Croydon, but more familiar to me as part of the Committee during my tenure. We had about 10 minutes to cover the 10 years since we last saw each other! Second: Donald M turned up unexpectedly. He’d been Treasurer during my time and I hadn’t seen him for at least 10 years!

Another great feature of these annual events is the ‘guest speaker’. This year, at 2.15, we welcomed Professor Paul Goddard, who was at the School from 1961 until 1968. Rather than let Paul do all the talking, he was to be interviewed by ex-Head Boy, Neil Bennett (1960-67). It was a good format and probably brought out the best in both! Just before the start, Cortland gave a grateful (and well-deserved) thank-you to Lesley for her hard work on the catering.

We learned that Paul had had quite a career since leaving school. Qualifying as a Doctor, he also spent time in a Missionary Hospital in Nigeria followed by training as a Radiologist. A spell as an honorary Air Commodore was followed by time in Ukraine providing medical services. He ran an Air Base in Cyprus and has written 50 books! Oh, and he finished his session banging out a few tunes on his side guitar.

It made my 100 yards breaststroke certificate, milk monitor badge, and eventually, my role as a Prefect look rather pale by comparison. ☹️

I caught up with Ashley and Keith, completing the ‘New Addington’ table, where it was good to catch up with all their news since I first reunited with them at last year’s event.

At just before 3.30, with Paul and Ian’s (very!) entertaining piece almost over, I made a silent exit in order to ensure I got to my timed train home. In true tradition of the nation’s railways – one of my trains had been cancelled, necessitating an earlier departure than originally planned. My Uber was early and I was back at East Croydon in good time, followed by a smooth journey back to St P. My final leg was on time too, and I was soon heading north towards Kettering. Thankfully, with a seat (unlike the journey down!).

With Ann acting as an unpaid Uber, I was home with a cheese plate and a drink by 6.15pm!

A fantastic get-together! Thanks to all for another successful annual School Reunion👍. See you in 2026! 😊