A.O.S.A. 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

Part Two

Two relative newcomers to the reunion scene, Alex Wood (1991-96) and Alan Smith (1989-95), relate the experience of returning to Ayton for the first time since the school closed

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Alex (left), and Alan (Right)
with fellow contemporary Andrew Vaux(1990-97)

After much anticipation (and a bit of very last minute ticket and B&B booking on Alex's behalf, being as organised as ever) the Friday of the reunion was finally upon us. After frantic begging with his manager to let him finish a bit earlier, Alan rushed off to meet up with Alex. The two old friends arrived at the same bus station that had taken them to and from school on those many PL weekends, adding to the nostalgic reminisce over old times.

On the journey down, the weather seemed decent, and as soon as we saw Roseberry Topping we knew we were almost ‘home’. Alex quickly dropped off his bags at quite possibly the dodgiest B&B in Middlesbrough (ah, the joy of last minute booking), and then they quickly made their way to Whinstone. Once there, Alan set about putting up his tent in the usual place, under the big tree next to the car park.

On the evening we decided to venture into Ayton for a few drinks. Whilst Alan had been a regular Reunion goer, this was Alex’s first time there in seven years, so there were a few subtle changes to be seen. The Tile Sheds, the only pub we know of that would serve you whilst still in your uniform (ah the innocence of youth, apparently), had changed hands and name. A few new houses has been built also, but luckily Gulliver’s, the Fish and Chip shop, was still there, and suddenly reminded us that maybe having something to eat before a drink might a good idea.
Once on the Green though, all the memories really did come flooding back, walking past Worthy's and a glimpse of the back lane where all the smokers would nip off to hide from the teachers. Lynn's who made the most fabulous Peach Melbas. Heagneys where we would sneak in every Saturday to buy some cans of lager so we could sit on Richardson Hall roof (always thinking we were very sneaky to get away with it, but Mrs Chalmers and Mr Barton knew really). Of course, the main school building, still looking as it always did, only with one important item missing, the old sign above the main door, a subtle reminder to all of how time has passed. But the main goal, however, was the Royal Oak. It still felt funny, over ten years on, to be in there, the place that everyone in the boarding house had tried to get into. You still felt a bit naughty as you walked through those doors. Almost expecting to still see the greatly missed Mr Clennell in the corner with his lovely wife. As the night ended, Alan made his way to the camp site, whilst Alex had to get all the way to Middlesbrough to see if his belonging were still in his B&B room (that’ll teach him to put his nose up at camping)!

James Slater (1974-78), Huw Jarvis (1972-1978),
Richard Wilkinson(1972-78) and
Sarah MacKin (1973-77)

On the Saturday morning, Alan awoke and headed out to the village to meet Alex and Andy Vaux, District Secretary, off the bus. On the way to meet the others, a voice called out Alan’s name some way behind him, and to his surprise it was Mr Pickston, our Chemistry Teacher, and his wife. They chatted for a short while before Alan continued on to meet up with the others. Just as Alan arrived at the rendezvous point though, the heavens opened. This would be the first of the weekends many downpours, and all Alan could do was helplessly wait under the arch next to Heagneys (Bell Store) and stay put until Alex arrived. Of course, a visit to the village is not complete without a visit to Suggits, so once Alex arrived, the two of us scurried over there in the pouring rain to wait for Andy, and have some much needed warm drinks.

Once Andy had arrived and the sun had come out, the three of us traipsed over to a B&B in the village where Alex was staying on the Saturday night. The contrast to last night's dive was staggering, and it certainly was the picture postcard establishment you almost seem to expect in a lovely village like Ayton. After booking in, and leaving Alex’s many bags, we went off to the Meeting house to see the Memorabilia Museum, dedicated to the school.

Sally (Weschenfelder) Tierney (1980-87),
Chris Jackson (1980-85) and
Guy Weston (1980-87).

It was great being to see so many familiar objects, from Mr Cook (the Headmaster) dinner bell, to a bottle from the Chemistry lab (making it all the more poignant with Mr Pickston being there, and both he and Alex had time to catch up on old times). A vast array of photos from every era of the school were available to see, and it was great being able to look over old photos of yourself and friends (and find those that you never even knew existed of yourself). There was even the opportunity to add your class mates’ names, so their memory would continue on with the museum (and the hair styles too, ah the Nineties)! With a massive, but much needed, dose of nostalgia over and done with, it was back off to the camp site for Andy’s Committee Meeting.
Unfortunately we were just in time for a second bout of rain, and this was by far the worst of the entire weekend. Heavy downpours for over an hour made you very grateful that Whinstone had erected a covering over their bar just a short time before the reunion. Whilst having a bit of the ‘Hair of the Dog’ at the bar during the rain, Alan made regular trips to see if his tent was okay, whilst Alex and Alan waited for Andy. But within a gap of half an hour, his tent had been completely surrounded by a lake of rain water, becoming its own island state! Whilst it seemed that Alan’s luck was out (his being the only tent to be affected), his luck did change for the better when we realised that the things inside the tent had managed to remain untouched, so far. So in they both waded, through ankle deep water, to rescue Alan’s’ belongs before the water started to flood the tent. Once everything was rescued, we headed back under cover, just in time to see a washed out committee emerge from the marquee.

Simon Pettit (1981-86), Mark Garry (1980-85)
and Carolyn (Drabble) Blanchard(1980-85).

Once the torrent of rain finally stopped, the three of us headed back into the village, to Alex's B&B. It was obvious that Alan could not sleep in his tent, so we went to beg the lovely lady who owned the B&B if Alan could sleep on Alex’s floor for the night (thank god his sleeping bag was still okay). Luckily she said it was okay (a big thank you was given), and the three of us quickly got changed before heading back for the evening meal.

The evening meal had to be held in the Whinstone function room and terrace due to the marquee being washed out, and the quiz seemed to be a non starter with Old Scholars being in two different places. The meal was pleasurable though, and a lot of catching up was done. There was a raffle too, for which Alex was incredibly lucky, winning chocolates and strange and unusual bath products (leading him to discover the underground prize swapping ring that had formed on the terrace). Unfortunately Alan won nothing this year (must give a bigger bribe next year), but the whole event was enjoyed by all.

On the Sunday morning we attended the morning meeting for the first time in over ten years and it brought memories flooding back of school days - the longer Thursday meetings, the uncomfortable benches and never being able to stay still for too long. You’d think these were bad memories, but reliving them again, albeit in a very different meeting house, was amazing. Alex even had the courage to stand up, after much sweating of palms, and false starts to stand up, whilst he muffled his way through reminding everyone how wonderful it was to see people from so many different backgrounds gathering for their one commonality because of their love for the school, and how it may not exist in actuality anymore, but with so many people's fondness for it every year, it will never really go. The emotions of the weekend obviously having brought out the sentimental side in Alex.

Lunch at Whinstone again was enjoyed by all, and following that was a visit back at the meeting house for the Annual General Meeting (AGM), followed by coffee and tea. It was that time when we all started to say our goodbyes for another year, may we continue for many years to come to make this weekend a special occasion, when F(f)riends young and old come together to mark a special occasion.

Alex Wood (1991-96)
Alan Smith (1989-1995)

Go to: Summer Reunion Part One

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