THE 1954 REUNION
(for pictures see below)
On Tuesday 7 September 2004, a group of 31 old boys - including a few grandfathers - gathered at the Melton Mowbray pub in Holborn. This was 50 years to the day that they first gathered, with varying degrees of trepidation, on the playgrounds of the Stationers' Company's School.
Although some have kept in touch over the years, many had not seen each other for over 40 years. There was plenty to talk about and catch up on - both reminiscences of school and more recent events. A good time was had by all with a delicious buffet lunch and Fullers' London Pride up to its usual drinkable standard!
We had a few copies of the 1958 school photograph on display and managed between us to identify 88 of the 100 boys in our year. There were also a few other contemporary photographs which jogged a few memories. A reunion brochure listing all the First Formers who joined in 1954 by House, plus pictures of Mayfield Road then and now, was distributed as a memento of the event.
During the afternoon, Roger Engledow informed the group about the OSA's events and encouraged non members to join and support him in his forthcoming year as President. A toast was made to "Absent Friends" and a few moments silence observed to remember those who had died since leaving school and those too ill to attend.
A quiz comprising 50 questions relating to "1954" had been sent out by Roger to those attending. This generated £85 in donations to Plan International, a charity supporting children abroad. Franklin Quispe and his community in Cachuma, Bolivia will be much appreciative. Despite some harsh marking, the winner was also from Caxton House, who have therefore taken the lead in the sexagenarian Cock House Cup!
Having congregated at around 1 o'clock, those who had travelled the furthest had to leave earlier than others, with trips back to Northern Ireland, North Wales and Yorkshire. By 8.30pm, nine stalwarts proved that they could still walk by adjourning to the Smithfield area for dinner. The "party" finished at around 10.30pm.
The re-run in 2054 will be at a different venue as it will require access for wheel-chairs, large boxes and small urns!
Those who attended were: Dave Adams, Barrie Bennett, Martin Brown, Dave Butler, Derek Cottrill, John Croker, Geoff Dawes, Alan Drake, Roger Engledow, Bob Harris, Tony Hemmings, Mike Hiron, "Ginner" Johns, Ron Johnson, Graham Ling, Richard Mavro-Michaelis, Tony McKeer, Roger Melling, Paul Noton, Neil Oliver, John Page, Richard Phillippo, Geraint Pritchard, Ken Saunders, Brian Simpson, Ian Smith, Bob Townsend, Bob Tracey, Peter Weeks, Andy Wick, Richard Woods.

Photos of the event (click on the image to see a larger copy - afterwards use your brower's "Back" button to return to this screen)
Group photo - full details on the enlarged copy)
Barry Bennet, Ron Johnson &Geoff Dawes	Graham Ling, Ken Saunders & Tony Hemmings
Alan Drake, Ian Smith & Roger Melling	Andy Wick, Bob Tracey & Roger Engledow