30 Years On – Hertford 1976 Leavers’ Reunion 20th May 2006
It is 10 years since we last held a reunion for our year, so this one was long overdue, but 2006 is a special anniversary, for it is 30 years since that long hot summer when we left CH Hertford.
Everyone who attends these get-togethers does so with mixed emotions, but although some of us had not seen each other since leaving school, the three decades melted way to reveal the shared experiences which bind Old Blues together.
After limbering up our tongues over coffee in the Court Room we progressed to lunch next door in the Dining Hall. In our day we once went on strike over the food at Hertford (tinned tomatoes and Spam anyone?) but times have changed and we enjoyed a delicious meal.
The weather then cleared up long enough for us to watch the Band, on top form as usual, and the pupils marching into lunch.
Jaws still yakking nineteen to the dozen, our next stop was the museum, enlivened by a really informative introduction about the founding of the School from Rosie Howard, wife of the housemaster of Peele B.
The Museum is fascinating, and beautifully laid out, though the nadir of the day was discovering in it a photograph of ourselves marching through London one St. Matthew’s Day. We left before we were retained as exhibits, not so much Yummy Mummies as Rowdy Wrinklies!
We pressed on to Peele B, escorted by our knowledgeable guide Tristan Franklinos. We were not quite sure whether to be horrified or reassured by the comforts provided nowadays. Hand washing with Sunlight soap has been replaced by washing machines and tumble dryers, and mobile phones have replaced queues with 10p pieces.
Finally, we reconvened in the Court room for tea, including some very un-pc cream and jelly cake which disappeared long before the crudités. If we had not been gently booted out to make way for preparations for a music exam we would still be there, still talking.
With massive thanks to Wendy Killner for making it all happen.
We have decided that the next reunion is to be in 5 years to avoid the expense of stair lifts!
Diane Worth
Helen Stewardson and Judith Debenham in Peele B with our guide Tristan
Judith Debenham and Amanda Reardon
