A.O.S.A. 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

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Personally, the build up to the annual Ayton Old Scholars’ Reunion Weekend begins in November.  It is at this time of year that I start the organisational ball rolling by booking the marquee.  I have to admit that marquees and sunshine always seem so far off at that time of year, but as Old Scholars’ weekend is always the last full weekend in June and therefore prime wedding time, we need to get our booking in early.

We all had high hopes that this year was going to be a big Reunion.  There were a large number of groups that had 2006 ear-marked as special for them.  On a personal front it was 20 years since I had done my “O” levels at school and I was confident that others from my year would come along to help me celebrate/commiserate the passage of time by having a good walk down memory lane.  This year was also the collective 70th Birthday Party for all who were born in or around 1936 and who came to Ayton in 1944 and the years following.

Old Scholars’ Reunion begins for some on the Friday night and this year was no exception.  As always there were a few brave souls camping and some others who decided that camper vans provided a few more creature comforts.

Whilst many of the 48/49s gathered for lunch at the Dog and Gunn in Potto, for others the Saturday afternoon saw yet another fantastic round of the village quiz, organised by Diz Dexter(1961-65) and Suzanne Potter.(Morgan 1960-67).  I struck lucky with my team mates as they were all from Ayton and therefore had the home advantage (Tessa Snowdon [Greenwell 81-88] and 2 of her children Maisie and Owen). It did seem to work in our favour as some of the picture clues were immediately recognised.  We had a fun time trying to spot all the others as well as collect our Scavenger items (no complaints from the children on collecting the Suggitt’s Ice Cream Tub).  As we headed back down across top field and down onto bottom field, Tessa and I spotted some familiar faces, Mark Garry (1980-85) and Chris Jackson (1980-85).  Although they were unable to stay for any of the rest of the weekend, we managed to do a lot of reminiscing and also persuaded them that next year they should come for the whole event and preferably bring back as many of their old school friends as possible.  They also both joined the Association.

Also over the afternoon Jane Campbell (Bye)(1953-60) once again kindly opened up the Memorabilia room. For those of  you who have yet to visit this treasure trove of Ayton history, make sure you give yourself some time there next Reunion.

Saturday night came, along with the pouring rain, and although the venue was the same this year, we tried something different with the food.  Instead of the usual BBQ we had a choice of 2 main dishes.  Judging from peoples responses this seemed to go down well.

We began the evening with the official hand over. This year Maeve Hird(1963-70) passed the badge of office over to Martyn Gaudie(1935-38).

Unfortunately not many from my year did turn up on the night, but those of us that did had a good time.

Whilst we all enjoyed our food and catching up with old friends (or should that be Friends) we had the added fun of a General Knowledge quiz prepared by AOSA Hon Sec Jill Wheeler (Rhodes)(1949-56).   This year the quiz was left on the tables so we could take our time over the answers.

The winners were our immediate past President Maeve Hird and another member of the Executive Committee, Suzanne Potter……and no, it was not a fix!

On Sunday the Meeting room was almost completely full as Old Scholars joined the regular worshippers.  Afterwards Old Scholars were invited to walk in the Meeting House graveyard.

We then headed back to Whinstone View for a much healthier style Sunday lunch which was attended by many.  Cordelia Stamp (Mundahl), at School from 1936-39, runs a publishing business in Whitby. She specialises in the life of Captain Cook and related subjects and she had brought a selection of titles to the Sunday part of the Reunion to be sold for the benefit of Ayton Old Scholars' Association. The proceeds amounted to £50. Thank you very much Cordelia.

After lunch we had the AGM where Martyn Gaudie became our new President and entertained us all with his speech. I’m already looking forward to Tessa Snowdon’s (Greenwell)(1981-86) speech at next years reunion, 23rd-24th June 2007 please come and join us then.

Jenny Summerfield (Smith 1981-1988)

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