Reunion Review 2011

Reunion Weekend Review 2011

Old Scholars Weekend - a snapshot

Friday 13th

A gathering in Bootham dining room of around 50 Old Scholars from both schools enjoyed a fascinating presentation about Penn House, its history as a Rowntree family home and as a school boarding house. This was followed by a visit to Penn.

Saturday 14th

9am My word! People are already arriving, only just time to open the visitors book and find the ties and cufflinks we've got on sale.

9.45 AGM – a time for the business of the day. There was news of the new Bootham Register which is still being compiled, you've got until the end of August to send your forms back.  It was also an opportunity to say a big thank you to BOSA Secretary, Val Allen who is handing over to Catherine Wragg and also to Michael Crook who has given many years of service to BOSA. The new President was announced as Michael Johnson. Michael will take over from Colin Henderson. A special presentation was made to Julian Bedford who has been a stalwart member of the BOSA executive for over 40 years, holding many positions including that of Chair for the past 7 years. Julian was presented with a specially commissioned painting of the front of Bootham School by local artist Allan Stuttle.

10.30am Still more people arrive and it's time for a coffee and catch up in the Dining Room. It's wonderful to see so many past and present members of staff including Geoff Easton, Doc Moore, David Robinson, Michael and Val Allen. Peter Warn, Rodney Wills, Colin Raper, Chris Dobson and many more.

11.15am After coffee the Head Reeves, Dominic Walker and Lindsay Rose, gave a highly entertaining review of the year at Bootham. They had identified how alike some members of school were to some well known ‘celebrities’, illustrated with photos, and couldn’t resist one or two gentle digs at prominent members of staff. They received a round of strong applause from the assembled audience.

11.30am Now a chance to see the school at work before the bell goes for lunch. College II students show everyone around and for anyone who hasn't been back for a few years they'll notice some big changes.

12.15pm It's photo time. A bit late starting but we mange to get some lovely group shots including the 1991 leavers with their families.

Back:Jonathan Amery, Tom Richardson, David Stanton, John Best, Beachie Bagenal, William Whiting, Peter M Smith, Keith Walker, Martin Hadley, John Simpson, Chris Scaife 51-58, James Bentley, Rob Stanley, Jeff Berenak, Richard Smirthwaite, Colin Brighton, Stephen Sanderson, Nick Gordon. Third Row; Susan Robinson (Johnson), Janardhan Rao, Graeme Reavley, John Bannister, Rebecca Taylor-Burns, Claire Myers, Katie Walmsley (Walker), Lucy Davies (Schofield), Kate Isles (Brown), Zoe Hickson (Burgess), Peta Jones (Robertson), Andrew Graveson, Martin Forrest, Dan Aspinall, Anthony Isles, James Naish, Matthew Warn, Peter Warn, Geoff Easton. Second Row: Sarah True, Mark Crowe, Julian Bedford, David Bayes, Michael Johnson, John Murray, Gavin McPherson, Ted Killick, Alex Webster, Richard Taylor, David Allan, Michael Richardson, Trevor Kay, Ellen Scargill (Rothwell), Sophie Hicks (McGill), Catherine Wragge, Peter Hunt, Andrew Robinson. Front Row: Gerard Wakeman, Carl Maufe, Ambrose Maufe, Richard Hobson, John Hume, Harold Kirkby, Colin Henderson, Simon Hetherton, Fiona Plummer, John Gray, Bill Sessions, David Gray, Victor Watson, Val Allen, Michael Allen.

1991 Leavers. Back: Matt Warn, Zoe Burgess, Ellen Rothwell, Jeff Berenak, Andrew Graveson, Anthony Isles. Front: Dan Aspinall, Lucy Davies (nee Schofield), Claire Myers, Fiona Plummer, Martin Forrest, Kate Isles (nee Brown), Peta Robertson

And with their children....

David Stanton and John Best

President and Past Presidents. Front: David Allan, David Bayes, Simon Hetherton, Back: Julian Bedford, Val Allen, Colin Henderson, William Sessions, Michael Allen.

 1pm Thankfully the rain holds off and the Old Scholars XI are sent out to bat against the school team. Ben Warn the Old Scholar's Captain looks confident...or maybe he's just thinking why me!!

1.30pm The bouncy castle is as popular as ever and the ice cream van is  doing a roaring trade

2pm  The Swimming Gala gets under way and so does the rounders. The Old Scholars team had an age range of 5 – 35 with little Milly Plummer (with a bit of help from Lis Hooley) scoring her first ever rounder.

2pm The access all areas tours head off to explore the nooks and crannies of the school. There's also a special trip over to Penn House for possibly the last time.

2.15pm The Old Scholar's notch up 100 runs with a magnificent innings by David Gibson, no one looked more surprised than him! The supporters look forward to the second innings.

3pm The pool is open for the Big Splash. Out come the inflatables and fun is had by all.

3.30pm Despite a gallant effort by the OS team, Bootham School snatched a victory. A great time was had by all and plans for retaliation next year are already under way.

3.45pm The Legendary Afternoon Tea has reached new heights - a feast of sandwiches and cakes were devoured whilst everyone caught up with old friends.

Saturday 14th

7.30pm  Over 100 people attend the Joint Reunion Dinner at York Racecourse. The Heads from The Mount and Bootham were on form again, this time featuring school inspections and looking back to the equivalent situation in the 1950s. Cathy Killick, MOSA President gave a wonderful address, an account of her time at The Mount and at the BBC as a news reporter. Supported by a table of her friends, she recalled a typical day at the Mount and some of the fun they had together. Her career at the BBC ranged from the serious – a potential obituary for Nelson Mandela – to the slightly ridiculous – an interview with John Prescott, a hug from a gorilla plus her now famous report on show jumping rabbits which became an internet hit. Cathy clearly enjoyed her time and the Mount and she was joined by her parents, sister and brother. The Bootham President accepted a presentation of a bouquet of flowers for his wife, Jane, who had been seriously ill but was recovering well.

Edward Killick & Elizabeth Killick, Jeremy, Cathy and Jenny Killick

David & Caroline Bayes

Julie Lodrick & Jonathan Taylor

Across the generations - Charis Campbell (Mount 96-01, Bootham 01-03) Harold Kirkby, Bootham (1933-37)

8 til late Around York groups of friends catch up in bars and restaurants. Fun is had by all, numbers are swapped and future dates planned.