2nd October 2004, Romanby Golf Club
 

It was back in February that we first started to organise the reunion trying to track people down all over the country to see if they were interested in another Allertonshire School Reunion. We had organised the first one 12 years ago and this year it would be 30 years since leaving school at the tender age of 16.

The response from people was, on the whole positive, so we decided to push ahead with organising it. The venue was booked and all we needed to do was get people to be there on the night. Firstly we tried to contact all those who attended the previous reunion in 1992, then traced people through the internet, contacted people who hadn’t attended the last reunion and, arranged editorial in local papers and radio. Most importantly however, we had an offer to advertise the event through the power of the Internet on Northallerton’s main website, Northallerton Web. The link was set up with a list of everyone we were trying to contact and regularly updated with the names of those attending plus many old school photos and some photos from the 1992 event. All in all we contacted in the region of 220 people and eventually sold 163 tickets. We were now set! The ingredients were there for a good night to be had, good company, a bar, buffet and a brilliant disco run by our very own ex-pupil Richard Bunn and running from 7pm to 1am.

It had been more than 30 years since some of us had last met and whilst time has a funny was of making us all appear somewhat older most of us are still young at heart and able to “boogie on down!” Guests started arriving from seven o’clock, some came with other ex pupils – friendships that had spanned more than 30 years! Others arrived with their partners but the bravest of all arrived on their own! It was obvious from the beginning that everyone turned up with the intention of having a good time. Old friendships were renewed and countless stories told of times enjoyed over the years. The dance floor stayed busy all night until, unfortunately, we had to wind down at 1:00 a.m. Even then it was almost an hour before everyone had said their goodbyes, including the Brompton hardcore who were singing Irish ballads and probably would have been happy to stay ‘til dawn. We wouldn’t embarrass them by naming names but, what the heck, John Murray, Pete Wilson, Trev Harker, Les Lonsdale plus wives!

Judging by the telephone calls, emails and thank you cards we’ve received we know the evening was an absolute success. However it wouldn’t have been possible or so successful without the help of certain people. Many, many thanks to Richard Bunn who did a brilliant job on the night keeping everyone up on the dance floor playing hits from the seventies. No mean feat bearing in mind some of the dire stuff that was around then! As Richard would not accept any payment this has helped increase our donation to the Allertonshire School. We do appreciate the many hours he put in ensuring the play list was appropriate and dealing with the many requests made of him.

Our thanks also go to two others who provided us with endless points of contact and information on ex-pupils or the whereabouts of pupils parents, siblings, family relations etc all of which helped tremendously. The amazing thing is they didn’t even attend our year but, were fortunate enough to marry two boys from our class of “74”. So special thanks must go to Mandy Lambert and Lynne Poulter.

After paying for the event we will have a small amount left. We have agreed to donate this to the Allertonshire School suggesting they purchase something that will last! The Head has indicated they would like to purchase a Trophy display cabinet for the foyer and have promised to fix a plaque noting it was donated by the “Class of 1974 School Reunion 2004”.

Last, but not least. We would like to thank everyone who travelled to the reunion, some only from Northallerton but others came from far and wide. Without you the night wouldn't have been the success it was.