The Peele B House Reunion 10th June 2006
The Reunion was organised by Maurice Hall (43–50) and and Peter Bloomfield (44–51).
The 11th Peele B reunion was held at Christ’s Hospital on a very hot, sunny day.
21 Peele B Old Blues attended, together with 10 partners, one of whom, Mrs Sally Stringer (nee Lucas) also an Old Blue, was at Hertford in 1’s from 1967 to 1972. The span of years of those present ranged from the oldest member who joined the House in 1927 to the youngest who left in 2002.
The visitors assembled in Peele B for the roll call, a welcome by the Head Master and coffee hosted by Mr and Mrs Ian and Rosie Howard. Messages were read out from over 50 Peele B Old Blues who had not been able to attend.
Also at the gathering Maurice and Helen Hall presented a silver trophy to Dr Southern. The cup, which was a Golden Wedding Anniversary gift from their two children and their spouses, will be awarded, a appropriate, to ‘The Most Promising Young Athlete’.
15 of those present, including Mrs Sally Stringer, (having had a practice on the back asphalt), formed up to march into lunch at the rear of the House squad. John Murphy carried the House Standard during this rather emotional event during which the Band played magnificently, and independent reports indicated that we did not let Old Blues down.
After an excellent lunch in the Court Room, where our guests were Dr Southern, Mr Steve Launchbury (the Bursar), Mr and Mrs Howard with Tristan Franklinos and Luke Newham representing the boys, groups dispersed for various visits particularly Grecians West hosted by Mr Neil Fleming, the Museum hosted by Mrs Rosie Howard, and Peele B hosted by Tristan Franklinos. Others watched cricket.
The visitors reassembled in the Court Room for tea and a question and answer session fielded by the Head Master, the Bursar and the Housemaster before breaking up and heading for home or the Bax Castle.
Heartfelt thanks are extended to all our hosts who worked very hard to make our day most enjoyable and memorable (and in spite of the attraction of World Cup football!).
Through all of the 43 years I have lived since I left I have never failed to see the ENORMOUS benefit of growing up with a group of children coiming from all sides of live. Whether in my earlier career years as an Army officer or later in senior manageement positions, I have always enjoyed the position of being able to communicate on level terms... The family-like atmosphere at the school was so nice to observe and I was most impressed with the Headmaster too.
Ian Thomas
