Boys Grammar School reunion rekindles old friendships

Back Row from left to right: Geoff Brown (Rochdale), Roger Bowmer (Littleborough), Geoff Kindon (Rochdale), Dave Stansfield (Glasgow) and Dave Ternent (Bury). Front Row from left to right: Peter Matthew (Littleborough), Pete Suthers (Ocean Grove, Victoria, Australia), Dave Melhuish (Chorley) and Garry Hargreaves (Littleborough).

Following the visit to Rochdale in October of last year, of a former Rochdale Grammar School for Boys pupil, Paul Stott, who now resides in West Vancouver, Geoff Kindon met his former classmate for first time since 1959.

This prompted the idea to try and get in touch with other ex classmates who entered the school in 1954 and progressed into the fifth year (A stream) and the lower sixth. via the Remove Class, i.e those who were still at the school in 1959.

Originally Geoff and Paul were looking for 45 classmates from the same academic year. Of these they found 32 unfortunately six of whom have died. From the remaining 26 they located one in Canada, one in South Africa, one in Menorca and one in Australia. Apart from the others still living locally, the current geographic locations of others included, Bath, London, Hornchurch, Newbury, Gloucestershire, Buxton, Cricklade and North Yorkshire.

On Wednesday 29 May a reunion was held at the Healey Hotel.

Geoff said: "We partook of 'a small libation and a little light supper.' The Healey provided a wi-fi link which enabled us to Skype Paul.

"The evening was a great success and we are hoping to hold the second reunion in October/November this year, when hopefully some more of the local and the not so local can attend."