WOW What a night - That won't be forgotten in a hurry! The Westcoast Rock Cafe lived up to its name as the 1971 Collegiate Re-union partied late into the night. In fact it was more like the early morning. At 3am the party was still thumping.
The whole thing started 9 months ago when Linda and Gaynor met in the cosmetics isle at Boots (they had to share the last bottle of anti-wrinkle cream). The plan was hatched over a bottle of wine (or two or three....) and a quick trip around the Collegiate website. They would use the Modern Technology of the Internet (with Martins help), and try to increase the list of 1971 starters from the original 5 names to, well, however many they could find. Not everyone has access to the Internet so other tactics were used, leafing through the telephone directory, accosting people in the street etc. The net result was over 200 people contacted.
The party was always going to be a success, after all with Linda and Gaynor at the helm it couldn't fail !!! The party started at 7pm and by 8 o'clock the room was full of excited people meeting up with old "chums" they hadn't seen for 24 years. Cries of "OH MY Gosh" - "You haven't aged a bit !" - "Do you remember when" and that old favourite "Who are you then" (often heard being uttered by Linda since she was too vain to wear her glasses ! - to be fair it was a little bit dark and the badges were very small !).
There was a good Teacher Pupil ratio on the night with 8 former members of the teaching staff there to ensure good behaviour, Including Miss Roberts and Dr Wilkinson. Most people behaved well but it is rumoured that a small minority of delinquents were caught in the Boys Toilets smoking and some Girls were seen putting on makeup. This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated in future !
Out on the dance floor it was reminiscent of Friday night at the Casino or the Mecca on Sunday night, back in the 1970s. As the former pupils re-lived there teenage years to the sound of Northern Soul Music.
Linda and Gaynor climbed onto the stage and were let loose with a microphone. Every one listened intently !!! as the traditional honours were presented. It was undecided who had travelled the furthest since Ray Schofield was sporting a strong Californian Sun Tan and Steve P Taylor was sporting a set of snow shoes all the way from Canada. Jayne Clayton had to borrow some Jumpers from Linda since it was still summer in Spain when she left, Malcolm Giles was demonstrating how ze Germans drink ze bier over in Dusseldorf and not forgetting Chris Pryce who travelled all the way from the land of the leprechauns and more importantly GUINNESS. That world famous American, Russ Hagan donated a pair of teeth for every one..... (sorry Aperitif).
The night progressed into the Morning and the bar Staff were just at the point of giving up any hope that the party would ever end, when the final time at the bar was called. Phil Drabble claims he was the last one to get a drink at 2am as the last bar person (very PC) collapsed with exhaustion. This didn't put off the gallant revellers who continued to party for another hour and a half. The last ones were thrown out (Linda and Gaynor) at 3:30am.
WOW That was some night !.....maybe we could do it again soon.
Love
Linda & Gaynor
1971 Reunion Night Index
Email: Linda or Gaynor
1971 Prime Contacts
- Martin website editor
page updated 18:00 14/11/00