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AOSA ANNUAL REPORT 2001 |
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This Magazine Contents
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On the north edge of the Village, Whinstone was within easy reach for everyone and still in Ayton - a prerequisite for the Millennium Reunion - now that the demolition was over and there was a mostly completed redevelopment for Old Scholars to visit. Tessa Snowdon (Greenwell) - as Reunion' Co-ordinator - took charge of arrangements and organised a large marquee as a focal point for OS and an insurance against the weather. A barbecue and band was arranged for Saturday evening and a lunch in the Bistro prior to the AGM on Sunday. The camping part of the organisation was a bit of an unknown quantity, but the first arrivals on Friday 23rd June were those in motorhomes and caravans. It was surprising how many Friday arrivals there were; the Bistro catered for quite a few that evening. Saturday progressed with more and more arrivals and the marquee started to fill up well ahead of the evening's events. To get the Reunion formally underway Arthur Grainge was inaugurated as President, taking over from Dorothy Dawson (Easton).
Sunday - fortuitously Meeting House alterations were held up by local
government planning, so we joined Ayton Friends in the Meeting House we all remembered (but it
was to be the last time as planning approval came through at that weekend and work got under
way in October). There is often something very special about Meeting during a large reunion
weekend and this was no exception. All agreed it had been an outstanding Meeting and much
appreciated by everyone. So, during our days at School, what did we all do after Meeting - or at least most my generation and before? Go walkabout of course. There is no longer access from the Meeting House to the grounds so we walked around and in through what was the mill arch, now named Durham Gate. There were two parties of OS examining what Wimpey have done to the School and most seemed to approve. The general consensus was that the development had been handled sympathetically and was a credit to both the School Committee and the developers, as well as an asset to the village as a whole. After a traditional Sunday lunch back at the Bistro - enjoyed by 65 - it was time for the AGM. Sue Fox (Turner), our Chairman handled the business speedily and efficiently, including steering final changes to the AOSA constitution past a watchful membership. It was now Arthur Grainge's turn to give his Presidential address. Even those who know Arthur well could not have known what to expect. His address was unique witty, pithy, and very funny - and appears in full (almost) at the beginning of this Annual Report. It seems that the Committee's decision to centre the Reunion on the Whinstone site was popular. There were many caravans and motorhomes on site, whose occupants appreciated not having to do other than walk back from the marquee at an evenings end. The marquee worked well with mixed weather - only a few showers early on - and the catering received general approval. Not having School to provide a venue for reunions attracting OS back in large numbers was always going to be a problem, but crucial to the future of AOSA. It seems a formula has been found, with OS returning from, not just the British Isles, but from many other parts of the World as well. OS are clear they want to be in Ayton for their summer reunions and so similar plans have been arranged for June 2001. If you couldn't get back for the 2000 Reunion make a special effort for this year - I'm sure you will not be disappointed. Dick Dennis (1944-52) (There is a full Millennium photo report elsewhere) |
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Planning
Reunions starts a long time before the event and the Millennium Reunion had to be something
special, but without the School any more, and the likelihood of a Meeting House being
refurbished, this presented the Committee with a problem. It is said: Talk long enough and the
answer emerges, and the answer was to centre the event on Whinstone Country Club, Bistro, and
camping park.
Marquees
are not new for reunions, but this was the first time our Reunion had the advantage of a
marquee adjacent to an establishment capable of providing cooked food for large numbers. And
numbers were large: 165 OS and family / friends sat down for an excellent barbecue supper
entertained by an excellent band providing a variety of music for all tastes. OS of all ages
took to the floor for a dance step or two or a jive or three!