2006-2007

Our Annual Reunion, held each year on the final Saturday in June, proved to be another really pleasant afternoon.  We were walked round all the haunts of our youth by current pupils - a delightful group they proved to be and most informative. After that we retired to the new Small Hall where a sumptuous spread awaited us.  Those present this time were mostly leavers from the Sixties, but one OG had brought along her OG daughter with her which broke the mould very agreeably. Also we had Pat Saunders from  South Africa, Jackie Malone from the U.S. and Susan Hardie from Vienna.  Sadly Barbara Edwards, now living out in the British Virgin Islands, failed to materialise and we missed her.  Where are you, Barbara?

This past year our new venture, the Local Activities Group, has been particularly successful and we meet once a month for lunch at a local hostelry  in Raby Mere and now have a monthly programme of outings on Wirral and further afield.

This coming year we will be visiting the Hatmaking Museum in Stockport, the red squirrel reserve out in Formby  in the dunes there, St. Deniol’s Library in N. Wales, and as many Heritage Walks and Trails as are available + another six outings.  Additionally, last December 18 of us met for a Christmas Lunch  for the first time and a good time was had by all.

Our London Lunch was again a huge success in late April at the Regency Hotel in Queen’s Gate.  School officials descended on the metropolis for this and reported back on life at BHS.  Next year’s Lunch, organised by Diana Apps, our efficient London Branch Secretary, will be at the same venue and all former pupils are welcome! Contact Diana on 01305 812 487 or e-mail her at: diana@medipost.co.uk to go on her mailing list of London area Members of the Society.

Despite our membership slowly increasing to just over 1,700, it does seem difficult to persuade our School Leavers these days to join our ranks.  I wonder whether other Trust schools have some good ideas as to how to attract these young people, particularly when communication generally appears to be getting easier and easier. 

Any ideas most gratefully received!  Another aspect is that of subscription levels which here at BHS is £35 for Life Membership, having recently been slightly increased. It represents excellent value for a lifetime of contact and provides such pleasure when we all meet again.

Erica Bastow, Chairman of BHSOGS