Firstly it was very kind of so many of you to send messages of thanks for the organisation of the reunion. I suppose my job as teacher at Collegiate made me the prime candidate. I can’t remember anybody getting even remotely offensive when I first got in touch; indeed, the overwhelming majority of the 66 starters were well up for it and it was a pleasure to bring you all together. Just a bit sad that some people didn’t turn up after sounding so enthusiastic.

I was a bit worried that the room might not have enough seats but, as the vast majority simply stood close to the bar for four hours (old habits died hard), my fears were groundless.

Furthest travellers were Penny Hodd (Paris) and Dave Pryce ( Brussels). Many of you had to travel a fair distance by road so thanks for making the effort otherwise the evening would have been less successful. One absentee was Janet Brigden who runs a business in Manchester and desperately wanted to come but had to work that weekend. I was supposed to handout her address to anyone who was interested but managed to forget. So if any of you would like to contact Janet, please let me know. Indeed, if you want to get in touch with anyone on the "contacted" list who has not given their email address then I can pass on their details. Two people have already done this. I’ve even had a former pupil from another school contact me for the addresses of some of her old friends. ,

Quite a few of our former teachers wrote to apologise for their absence namely Jeff Holland, Mrs.Elizabeth Noble( 6th Formers will remember her as Miss Burrows), Miss Kay Walmsley, Miss Kath Berryman and Mrs. Catherine Harker. It makes a change for the teachers to send in an absence note to their pupils. ,

Many of you enjoyed yourselves so much that you wanted to know when we might meet again. One suggestion was to hold a reunion in our 50th year, which for most of us would be in 2005. Another approaching anniversary is the centenary of the original school (Blackpool Secondary School at Raikes Parade was a mixed school from 1906 to 1925. The sexes went their separate ways with the opening of the Beech Ave site.) I welcome any suggestions, particularly regarding the time of year so that those unable to make it last time might have the opportunity. ,

The more observant of you will have noticed that we are currently sponsoring this web site. The money is simply what was left after paying for the room and the buffet. The site was, and is, indispensable for organising a reunion so it is important for all former pupils that the site is kept going. If any of you who live in far off places should call in at Blackpool, please put the details on the message board or email me. An informal reunion can quickly be arranged at a local pub for those who live nearby or within commuting distance. At least one year have already done this. ,

Since the reunion, two ladies who unfortunately missed the boat have contacted me to add their addresses. I am quite happy to collect addresses for all our year so that as many of us as possible will have the opportunity to attend any future event. ,

Best wishes to you all, ,

Mick Forshaw

Thank you to Mick for his generosity in donating the surplus funds from the Reunion to sponsoring the Meliora Website. I also enjoyed ‘your’ Reunion and had the pleasure of bringing Joe and Margaret Grindrod. The comments regarding the website as always left me blushing. It was a delight to meet so many of you in person having corresponded with you by e-mail over the years.

I am sure that you will agree that Mick did a splendid job organising your Reunion and creating a ‘night to remember’.

1966 Reunion Organised by :- Email: Mike Forshaw

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