LARKFIELD GRAMMAR SCHOOL 

Our casual get together at the Lime Tree restuarant and coffee bar in St Mary's Street, Chepstow on the evening of Wednesday 4th December was a cosy affair.

 

Eight old school girls and boys turned out for the evening namely:-

 

Anne Sims - the catalyst of the event - all the way from Londinium

Richard Stapley - all the way from Swindonium on the evening - and all the way back.

Brian Tuite - drove over from Monmouth

Chris Knight - chauffeured in from Llansoy by Brian Tuite - I never did check out the fee involved!

Dennis Shepherd - Posh! Came by train from Caldicot and was kindly chauffeured home by Barbara and Anne

Barbara Woodfield - I'm not sure who drove the car from Caldicot

Anthea Longstaff - raced in after work from Ponthir and finally raced home again to be up for work at 6am!

Bob Avery - a ten minute walk from home and a fifteen minute walk back [three glasses of wine!]

 

Apologies from:-

Gerald Marsh - who normally does  all the organising but had to be in Norfolk that week

Peter Phillips - who also seems to be working harder, since he retired, than he ever did before that time.

Edith Maskell - I don't care whose party it is I'm coming - had to be in Germany that week

Rosemary Thomas - aka party girl who was out on the town with friends that night - hope y'all had fun.

Clive O'Neil - busy getting all the jokes out before Xmas - we missed you but keep sending the jokes [one at a time please]

Liz Dibaba [nee German] - headed off to the antipodes - not that I remeber her enjoying cricket

Chris Rixon - seems to think that a heavy snowfall in hometown Detroit was an adequate excuse but promises to be home in March 2014 for his mother's 103 birthday - now that could be a date for the diary!

Jeff Sweeting - playing at being grandfather again - anyone own up to being great-grandparents yet!

 

All of the above sent their best wishes to all of you who did and didn't turn up - so start writing more Xmas cards

 

No shows:-

Shirley Lewis- e-mailed that she was coming but didn't arrive - I realise it's a little late Shirley but I hope that you are okay.

 

Late apologies

Rob [super sleuth] Duncan - my fault I kept e-mailing him at the wrong or rather old e-mail address - sorry Rob, wont forget you next time.

Bill Trite - as seems to have become tradition in old age William was, and I assume still is, enjoying himself in New Zealand.

Cheryl Knight - well New Zealand seems to be a popular place this month - good on yer Ms K.

 

.... and just when you thought I had finished next come

The Minutes:

It was a warm evening. The room upstairs at The Lime Tree, which the management had set aside for the exclusive use of old Larkfieldians, buzzed with excitement, the room that is!

It was a warm room and didn't need the body heat of the assembled masses to ward off that winter feeling. We gathered around the centrally-featured sofa, which actually wasn't in the centre of anywhere, more like at the end of the room by the front windows! I digress. The eight of us, after the traditional pecks on all cheeks and,of course, the traditional handshakes with the girls, sat around and began to chat and chat and chat and chat and ....well you get the picture. Most of the conversation was about those of you who did not turn up, you know the 'I wonder what she's up to now?' 'I wonder if they still live in...?' and, I hope they are all well and in good health. So you guys and gals who didn't make it were not left out of the evening's events in any way shape or form.

As always at reunions the conversation lent toward age - are we all sixty-six this coming year or sixty-seven or, Bob and Ed, sixty -.... no I won't say it. We are all getting up there in age so in a funny way any reunion of sorts, whether it be a chance meeting in the street or a full blown 'best dress' reunion reminds reminds us of how lucky we are to still be able to meet up.

When the conversation erred toward the subject of reunions I think everyone agreed that even, at our age, perhaps a casual get together once a year could be in order, nothing formal, just a date and time and venue, casual dress and make it if you can, or want to. If you can't make it one year then you can always put it on your planner for the next year and so on for many, many years to come. Dennis Shepherd and I discussed the possibility of resurrecting the Larkfield 'Year of Fifty-Eight' website. I will keep you posted on that subject inasmuch as I may once again be chasing you for input in the form of pictures, stories or, Rosemary, poems. Watch this space.

We, the gathered few, all agree that we had an enjoyable evening albeit we were somewhat saddened when the manager of The Lime Tree called time at 11.00pm. Anne Simms commented, slightly under her breath, something about Chepstow still existing in the Dark Ages! Why what time do they shut tap in London???

Best wishes to all those who attended and all those who would have liked to and all those who are now cursing that they have only just found out about it.

Seasons Greetings to one and all and stay healthy.

Bob Avery