The Old Tamensians: Reunions

Reunions for 2006

Reunion for the Over 50s circa 1950 to 1970 leavers (those who might have a little more time on their hand!) 6th July 2006

The format is similar to that used in our 3 previous events:

- Meet for coffee etc at The Barns Centre, Church Road, Thame (between St Mary's Church and the old grammar school)

- Informal buffet lunch at 12 noon, pay bar available.

- The School v OTA cricket at 14:00, venue to be decided nearer the date when the condition of the school pitch is known. If unsuitable the game will take place at Thame Cricket Club.

- Tea provided at 16:00

All are welcome!

Please contact John Maris via members@oldtamensians.info

The 70s - not the over 70s but those who left during the 1970s. Remember not to forget the 22nd April 2006. This is the date of the Spring Luncheon and this year we are linking this to the OT Football Match, if we can. In previous years the Spring Lunch has acted as a mini-reunion for those who left around the 1970's and we have had some good numbers. However, if you feel like getting a group of your year together for a cold buffet lunch and a couple of glasses of wine then why not come along. If you are planning to come then do let us know so we can cater accordingly. Just drop us a note back and I will pass on the details! There is usually a small charge of £8 just to cover the cost of food and drink etc.

Founders Day 2006 If you want to organise a get-together then Founders Day is a ready-made opportunity. The service in the morning is short, you can retire to the Six Bells, have lunch in the School Hall, look round the School, watch the games during the afternoon and return to the Six Bells in the evening.

Rob Bridgman and Linear Motion -1973-1980 I am writing to arrange a reunion of Linear Motion and friends. Dave Sharp and myself were in the band while at the school and would be keen to fix up an evening to gossip over old times and perhaps strum a few chords! We would like to hear from? past members of Linear Motion and other bands and friends of those times. We will fix up a date and a venue when we have an idea of numbers and suitable locations. I was a boarder at the school from 1973 to 1980 which was good fun, I then went on to get a degree in Philosophy (and a bit of Pure Maths) at Leicester University. Since 1983 I have been in computing. On the music front, I have released an album with a band called Dangerous Age, which was with a German rock label and has been sold in Germany and Japan (but not in any sort of numbers that would give Robbie Williams any sleepless nights!). Mailto: RobBridgman@aol.com

Some Previous Reunions

A Reunion for the class of 1988-1995 Anyone who completed their ‘A’ levels in 1995 might have worked out that we’ve been away from Lord Bills for 10 years. For those who left earlier it’s been even longer and therefore it’s high time we had a reunion. Come along for an informal gathering at the Six Bells in Thame (our old haunt) on Saturday 6 August 2005 from 3pm onwards. All invited, with partners, and children too where applicable! Please contact Margaret Ridgway (M.H.Ridgway.96@cantab.net) with any queries. In case you've forgotten: The Six Bells, 44, Lower High St, Thame, Oxfordshire OX9 2AD , Tel: 01844 212088

30 this year? Kendra Simpson is organising a meet in the evening at Murphy's Craic (behind the Abingdon Arms) on Saturday 2nd October 2004. 'Tell any school friends you're still in touch with.' (Following uni' I taught for three years then gave up to become a mum! Pete and I now have two children, Luke and Emily.)

Pub Lunch for 1947 As a last minute thing we are planning a pub lunch on 20th August 2004 for our intake in 1947, meeting in the Thame area.
It started with Ted (Phillip) Shewry and myself meeting for a pub lunch and has grown a little. The next one will be announced in more time and publicised using friends reunited
Our list is based on a form picture taken in Sept 1947
In no particular order we have confirmed the location of -Ted (Phillip) Shewry, Brian Wallis, Leggy Seymour, Paul Martiensen, Jabez (Jim) Howes, Alan Morton, Ken Surrage, Alan Gillard, John Osborn, Patrick Alsworth, Jake (John) Maxton and me Alan Osborn We have a lead on Charlie Cross. We are fishing about for Brian Williams, Ian Gordon - a Boarder , Tony Kingston - from Thame , Bob Cherry from Brill, Brian Doman from Princes Risborough, Arthur Triggs - a Boarder , ? Fantham - a Boarder , ?Griffin - a Boarder , ? Finney - a Boarder , ? Clerk - a Boarder . ? Murphy a Boarder is believed to have died, Eric Pym from Risinghurst died a few weeks back from a heart attack whilst on holiday in Bermuda.
Any help will be most welcome. Alan Osborn - known as Osborn 1 at school formerly living in Thame now in Berkhamsted.

A Colin Brookes celebration: 1968-1990. Colin Brookes is delighted that we're having a gathering to celebrate his many wonderful productions including Iolanthe, Mikado, Patience, La Vie Parisienne, The Boyfriend, Godspell, Salad Days, Sixty Plus, HMS Pinafore and many more.

This will take place on Founder’s Day, Saturday 6^th November 2004 and Colin will be there.

And it's all very informal: just turn up at the School Hall and be prepared to indulge in some memories.

If you want lunch then this will start at 12.00 and please let Bridget know on ota@waitrose.com (If you wish to attend the Founder's Day service this will start at 10.00am).

Otherwise, the celebration will start at 1.30pm.

La Vie Parisienne - the cast.

(As a reminder of one of Colin's productions).

Gabrielle: Dawn Roper

Baroness Gondremarck: Liz Thorne

Metella: Karen Draisey

Pauline: Kate Bacon

Louise: Annabel Overton

Raoul: Nigel Cooke

Bobinet: Ash Goodall

Brazil: Richard Adams

Baron Gondremarck: Colin Brookes

Marcel: Eddie Smith

Pierre: Graham Thomas

Jacques: Anthony Ireson

Stationmaster: Basil Ward

Porter: Chris Stuart

Joseph: Simon Waite

Alphonse: Terry Connor

Chorus: Jo Woodrow, Pat Ray, Helen Beazley, Caroline Horton, Jane Thompson, Nona Hawkins Smith, Kim Bostock, Miranda Davies, Catherine Fowler, Jane Andrews, Julia Freeman-Clarke, Claire Dickenson, Amanda Brookes, Fay Lincoln, Jane Daniels, Cloe Tibbets, Madeline Hutchings, Valerie Holdstock, Adrian Jackson, Graham Corney, Andrew Matthews, Martin Lilley, Ian Beverley, Anthony Saunders, Andy Tofts, Peter Oakley, Ben Forster, Chris Giles, Paul Glenny, Andrew Carruthers, Julian Stevens, Paul Sargeantson, Richard Smith, Louis Busutill, Dave Jarvis.

Back Stage: Graham Beard, John Saunders, Jeremy Green, Stephen Tofts, Barry Shannon, Simon Taylor, Laurie Campbell, Tim Trodd, Tony Yates.

1991 Leavers - 2004

Sarah McVey would be interested in a reunion for leavers of 1991 in 2004 - anyone else? Please contact Bridget our Membership Secretary.

Pre-1960 leavers: July 2004

At our last get-together in 2002, several attendees asked for a repeat performance as soon as possible! The organisers (Derrick Hester, John Maris & Michael Saich) have capitulated under pressure and agreed to arrange another event in July 2004.

The format will be the same as on the two previous highly successful days based on lunch at the Masonic Hall and the School v. the OTA cricket match in the afternoon.

Michael Saitch is organising this reunion. Please contact him via the Membership Secretary if you're interested in participating. e-mails will also be sent out to those on the OT list.

Will Cooke A band of old-farts lunched together at Will Cooke's Mum's house in late August: Will Cooke, Nigel Cook, Paul Hyland, Dave Higgs, Greg Pugsley, Graham Thomas, Karen Draisey, and assorted partners and children. Hick hick.

1971/2/3 - leaving year A happy group gathered at The Birdcage on 5th July. The Birdcage is the only pub in the centre of Thame which has remained essentially the same over the last thirty years. Jerry Green, Jon Archer, Bob Overell, Pete Voght, Janice Bowles, Pete Wynn were among those present. And Elaine was there. Well, Elaine wasn't Elaine when she was at the school but Andrew. He has gone on to become the school's first transexual.

1970 - 80s The reunion took place at the Spread Eagle in Thame on 28th June. Clive Peacock speacock@longsandsreunion.co.uk was the organiser and some 100 people turned up. It was a great night that went on to 1.00am, with abba and Duran Duran particular favourites on the disco floor. Bridget Trueman (Membership Secretary) and Graham Thomas (Vice President OTA) were there as well, looking slightly older than most of the crowd. Photographs have now been uploaded to: www.letshaveareunion.co.uk Clive is happy to organise reunions for any range of years. See his website at

www.letshaveareunion.co.uk

Organise Your Own

The many activities held by the OTA provide the opportunity to build a reunion around them. Please contact the Membership Secretary and she will be happy to advice. (In particular, Founders Day is recommended as lunch and school tours will be available).

6 November: Founder's Day, AGM, Rugby, Hockey and Netball matches.

July 2004: Cricket

Headington Girls’ School Oxford - latest update

Calling all Headingtonians.

We were delighted to hear from some Headingtonians through the Old Tamensian in 2002/3 and pleased to have this opportunity to update you on our activities. We have had a exciting year with a number of very successful events for Headingtonians, including a London Reception at the Oxford and Cambridge Club, two evening lectures in the new Theatre at Headington and, of course, Headingtonians Open Day. With our new database in place, we have been able to help organise some reunions, including a group from 1973, who met in the Leander Club at Henley in October 2003. The Headingtonians Newsletter has also been completely revamped and we would be delighted to send a copy (free of charge) to all Headingtonians who do not receive it currently. Headingtonians are also welcome to attend any of the events held in the new Theatre, which has an extensive programme of concerts, theatre and lectures. Amongst the many highlights this year have been the "Reduced Shakespere Company" and a Masterclass on King Lear by Sir Timothy West. For a Theatre programme or a copy of the Newsletter, please do contact the Development Office vie email (development@headington.org) or phone us on 01865 759191. We would love to hear from you. Alison Parker.