1987 and 2003 REUNION MEMORIES FROM GEOFF MARSHALL PUPIL AT GREENFORD 1957 TO 1962 (written in 2003) 1987 reunion I went with my older brother Denis, who also was an ex pupil and I remember we had a meal there in the old school hall which had not changed a bit. We enjoyed ourselves but neither of us met anyone from our respective classes. It was very weird going back after all those years. The headmistress invited anyone to give her a ring and visit the school during a normal school day. I don't know if she expected any takers but frankly I jumped at the chance and rang her and made an appointment. I was made very welcome and assumed there would be a few of us and we would be shown round by a 6th former maybe. I was wrong on both counts and shown around individually by the Deputy Head! I remember one class possibly 1st formers having a lesson modelled on Victorian times, having to sit at their desks rather like we had to in the late 1950s. They probably thought I was from the Victorian era too. The Lecture room still had the raised seats. (Remember Miss Heap, French Lessons there?) Do you remember the double doors on the ground floor we went through to get to our huts in the first form? Well we went through them and the huts had vanished and a more modern block was there. The old woodwork room was a library. The old Gym was at that time still in use but they had mixed games going on. Young 16 year old boys and girls playing basketball together! Wow not in our day! The new woodwork/metal room looked brilliant and I had a long chat with the current teacher there. Charlie Sutcliffe had long gone. What affected me most was the old Bugs Lab which was then in 1987, and still again in 2003 exactly as we knew it. I went home very much affected by what I had seen. 2003 REUNION We all met about 5pm in the old hall, and all were given large name tabs to assist recognition after 40ish years. I parked my car in the mixed playground, and immediately was aware of many portakabins on the field. They did not look very attractive. A hotchpotch of miscellaneous temporary structures. The Gym had graffiti on it (see photo) but appeared to be deliberate rather than malicious. Unfortunately there was no one from my class, but I spoke to Rosemary Olney, and Rick Fox from my year. John Hibbert sent a message to us all from Cape Town. I spoke to many other people from other years, some I knew at school, some I could not remember, especially if they were 2 or 3 years younger, as 16 olds and 13 olds are a world apart! We were all taken in groups of about 20 for a tour of the school. In total I think there was about 100 of us. We went into the new hall, which was beside the Gym, and very much larger than "our" hall. Much more modern, very impersonal. The new Gym could not be visited as after school hours members of the public have use of it (for a fee) We then went back into the old building and were taken right the way round it, upstairs and downstairs. Upstairs I could remember my form room with Mr Allet. The art room is now(2003) a Staff room, the old staff rooms are 6th form rooms. Downstairs the woodwork room is now 2 classes. I almost expected Charley Sutcliffe to spring out of the door as we opened it! The Lecture room with the chairs at different heights is now a standard classroom. The Biology Lab was the most interesting as it is "just as we left it". It even smelt the same. 7pm we started noshing the Buffet. Large photos of the school were on the wall. 1961, 1963 and 1953. Someone brought in an old school cap, and scarf. Various photo albums were on show of schooltrips etc (not my year) I was particularly interested in the 1953 photo, and managed to find my sister on it. We were told that "our" building is to be pulled down and a new school built on the field. Timescales not known. Some 60s music was played and it was funny to see some of the "girls" of about 50 plus, all springing into action just like teenagers again. They really looked like school girls again, no question about it. 1 Teacher was present. Colin Thornton (Noddy) He did not teach me, but I remember him. 1 girl came especially from Geneva, sorry forgot her name. A Raffle was organised and the top prize was a pair of goblets engraved specially by one ex pupil (either John or Bob Stanbrook) with a picture of the school on it. I won the second to last prize which was some chocolates. Well I think that just about covers it. Both reunions were very enjoyable. Geoff Marshall 2003