A.O.S.A. 2006 ANNUAL REPORT

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For some the weekend always starts early and needs to when distance is involved. Dick Dennis (1944-52) collected Gill Jackson (Hinds) (1950-55) from her home in Bromborough and motored over on Thursday 23rd so as to ensure a good pitch on the campsite and settle in ahead of Friday when many others were due to arrive. Many regular campers had booked into hotels and B&Bs following last year’s sodden conditions, only to be outsmarted by the weather gods again; the weather for the weekend turned out to be splendid.

Harry Snalam (1946-52) - an old chum of Dick Dennis in the 1940s and 50s - arrived at Manchester Airport on Friday morning, having flown overnight from Vancouver, British Columbia. He had travelled especially for the Reunion and just for the weekend. He was met by Derek Barnes - another from the 40s - arriving in Ayton Friday afternoon. Chris Rose and his wife Sara set up camp Friday, but they'd only had the drive from York to contend with. Abdul Irvani (1979-81), who lives in London, got on a train with his tent and clothes on his back, and many others - choosing more convenient transport - came from all over UK. Alas having arrived, Abdul’s trials were not over, the instructions for his new tent were written in microscopic text with diagrams to match. However, he was not to be defeated, and managed to work out how to erect the tent for himself.

Several OS from Canada arrived at the Reunion, including Harry Snalam already mentioned plus Sue Lithgow (1956-62) combining the Reunion with a visit home. It is amazing just how many make the long journey back to Ayton each June, like migrating birds coming back to their early home.

Reunions begin on Friday evenings for many and this year was no exception, with a table for eight at Whinstone View. Diz Dexter (1960-65), Suzanne Potter (Morgan) (1960-67), Mary Kidd (McClure) (1962-67) and John Kidd and others met for an après-Reunion supper at their hotel outside the village.

My gang and I arrived on Saturday evening, just in time for pre-dinner drinks. Like others remembering last year’s weather, we stayed in a very comfortable local bed and breakfast, (The gang being myself (1975-1980), Jane Ashworth (1976-1980), Simon Ashworth (1979-1984), and Karen Hodgson (1974-1976, ex-head girl and my sister). Abdul Irvani appeared, having mastered his tent. Following the handing over of the President’s Badge by Robert Campbell to Maeve Hird (1963-1970) we had dinner in the marquee and met 1970s-ers Rachael Robinson (Cordingley) (1973-80), James Slater (1974-78), Mandy Morgan (Wilson) (1971-78), Phil Ramsey (1971-76), Adrian Ellerby, and Chris (1972-1974) and Sarah Rose.

Also present and having travelled a very long way to get there were Philip and Sarah Bergem (1970s) and respective spouses. When I was at school the fact that they were American had somehow escaped my attention, however they had travelled from the USA for the reunion.

We formed a team with Chris and Sarah, Harry Snalam, and others for the quiz, but did not win (swiz!). Sunday morning Meeting was well attended, and there was a good chance to chat to a lot of the other Old Scholars and swap memories, and look at the excellent little museum. There were quite a lot of photographs in albums, and OSs were having fun trying to put names to all the faces. I bumped into Canon John Douglas (1937-40) who I see quite a lot around Thirsk where I work. This reminded me of his charming tale of the Norwegian boy who when having to give a lecturette on "Fish and Chips", had misunderstood and opened his speech on the subject saying "the fish swim along under the water, and the ships go along the top of the water".

On Sunday I noticed a particularly familiar impish grin on the far side of the marquee, and to my pleasure found it was John Herriman (1970's again) who hadn't bothered to turn up for the Saturday evening do because he thought there'd be no-one there he knew (rubbish John! There's always a decent count of seventies and eighties people, and a bar too). John is working and living in Newcastle now.

Absent, but having promised to try to make it were Julian Scott (1975-80) and Mark Dickinson (1975-82) who had to look after his son, so I'll give them an honourable mention. They both promise to attend next year.

Adrian Hodgson

A little relaxation in the sunshine during the 2005 Reunion. Left to right: Lina and Phil Ramsey and Pamela and James Slater.

As one can see, there is a crowded marquee, taking a rest after supper. And this is a busy table. Pictured at this table L to R: Andrew Vaux; Kathrin Ashworth; Jane Ashworth; Adrian Hodgson; Simon Ashworth; Abdul Irvani; Sara and Chris Rose - Chris making an important point; Granville Bell; Harry Snalam; Avril Bell; and finally Derek Barnes.

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