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Swanage Grammar School Association

5th Reunion 3rd. July 2004

Well, what a splendid reunion it was! The reunion started at about 10 AM when all the participants registered (over 250 former pupils) and had a cup of coffee. At about midday we all sat down and enjoyed an excellent Luncheon provided by Sara Redout (1964) of "Sara's Kitchen", Studland and she also made and donated the Celebration Cake which was decorated by Nigel Dragon (1967) of "Dragon's Bakery", Corfe Castle. Afterwards there was a service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance conducted by the Rev. Paul Brown (1948); others involved in the Service were Dorothea Jones (1929 - member of the first intake, first Head Girl and first girl from the school to go on to University), Nina Scudder (1930), Ray Broome (1949), George Brown (1950) - playing the organ - Gillian Chapman (1952) and Nigel Clarke (1967). There followed a ceremonial cutting of the Anniversary cake by Frank "Lofty" Stretton, Gwen Rawlings (our Patrons and ex-staff) and Dorothea Dolphin (1929).

Best Wishes were received by letter and email from members as far afield as France, Sweden, Canada, U.S.A., Costa Rica, Australia and New Zealand. Quite a number of former pupils attended for the first time this year, having heard of the Reunion (and for several, of the Association) through the SGSA website and through Friends Reunited. Chris James (Hon Secretary) would like to thank everybody for their apologies and best wishes prior to the reunion, and subsequently "thank you" cards and letters.

After this, the General Meeting of SGSA members took place and one new member was proposed and elected to the Committee and your webmaster was unanimously re-elected to continue running the SGSA website on behalf of the members. (Thank you all - from Dermot!). The weather was fine and dry but very windy but the official photographs were taken outside as planned. After this, former pupils were free to chat and reminisce and the old school had been opened up so that former pupils could look around and re-live old memories and see how the inside had changed over the years.

In the evening, a very tasty and varied barbeque was served, which included Dorset lamb and was prepared by Paul Loudon, Wilkswood Farm, Swanage and then the photographer brought the proof prints of the year photos and people were able to order and pay for their own copies that would be posted to their homes within a week or two.

Throughout the day Dicky Riding had mounted a splendid exhibition of old school photographs and memorabilia and many people enjoyed looking closely at them. Robin Whiffen had made three excellent DVDs of the school reunions of 1988, 1989 and 1999 and they were on sale. For those who did not buy a copy, or copies, then please contact Robin at robin.whiffen@btopenworld.com  Also, throughout the day and evening, there was an excellent bar open where anyone could buy drinks to their tastes.

In the latter part of the day, many former pupils came to the reunion with their spouses and some with their children and altogether a splendid day was enjoyed by everyone present. Special thanks must be given to the caterers, the bar staff, the photographer and to everyone who worked so hard to make the 2004 reunion on the 75th anniversary of the founding of Swanage Grammar School such a success.

Finally, I would welcome any more contributions to the Reunion 2004 web pages. So, if any of you have any interesting photos, interesting or amusing tales of your day, or anything you think will be of interest to other former pupils then please send them to me, either by e-mail to webmaster@sgsa.co.uk or you can post them to me at 10, Torksey Walk, Manchester, M9 0NN. Thank you very much, your friendly webmaster, Dermot.

On the following pages are 28 photos taken by myself and Jean Smith (nee Lander) and after you have looked at a picture, just click on it to see the next one in order.

 So, start looking at the photo gallery Click Here . Best viewed Full-Screen (F11). For those of you who want to look at the SGSA 1999 Reunion and photos, please click here

At last I have uploaded copies of the official year photos taken at the reunion, so to start looking at them, please Click Here