Friday 8th April 2011
Contents
The Gallery
The sun came out to welcome back to College over seventy former pupils and staff from 1951 -The Trail Blazers - to start celebrations for the 60th Anniversary of the College. On arrival everyone reported to the Library to adorn themselves with name badges and a special 60th Anniversary pin. Coffee was served and the reminiscing started. Once everyone had arrived a service was held in the College Chapel where we were joined by Lady Ralphs and Mrs Joan Sperring (nee Tebbutt), former Head of the Grammar School. Two current sixth formers Will Arundell and Mollie Narayn performed wonderfully for us, Will singing pieces by G F Handel and Samuel Barber and Mollie playing Praeludium and Allegro by G Pugnani-Kreisler on the Violin. Mike Herring, Chairman of the Old Wymondhamians, gave a short talk on the Early days (reminiscing about central heating and the bath rota!) and the Lessons were read by Bill Hammond who joined in April 1951 (and read one of the lessons at the first ever Chapel service) and the current Principal, Melvyn Roffe. The College Choir gave an uplifting rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus by G F Handel and Mrs Joan Sperring led us in The College Prayer. We finished by singing The College Song.
Due to numbers (130 of us altogether), we were then split into two groups. While one group were served a delicious lunch of Roast Beef followed by Apple Crumble in the Staff Bistro, the other group enjoyed a college Tour led by current sixth formers. Needless to say, there was not much left which the Trail Blazers recognised - Chapel and Water Tower mainly - but everyone was impressed at how the College has evolved over the years.
After lunch we were taken in Vintage buses to The Wymondham Heritage Museum where Ann and Adrian Hoare have put together a Wymondham College History display, which was officially opened by Jack Smith , first Head Boy of the College, and the current Deputy Head Boy and Head Girl. Part of the display showed the map of the College as it would have been in 1951 and this was pored over by many who had been trying to work out what used to be where! A welcome cup of tea was waiting for us on return to the College for more reminiscing.
A very enjoyable day was had by all the former students, staff and their partners or friends who had accompanied them. Special thanks go to the Principal, Melvyn Roffe, for hosting such a successful day, to Jackie Glenn and Caroline Hall for their wonderful organisation, to Bob Bale and his catering staff for providing the delicious lunch and finally to the Sixth Formers who gave up their time to help.
Jackie Isted (nee Gray), Joyce and Brian Pycroft, Phil Robinson and David Spinks have kindly sent in photos. We have hopefully got all the names right but do let us know if not. We would love to receive more photos or stories from the day so do please get in touch with Julie Harding or Jackie Glenn if you would like to send something in.
There are also 255 photographs from the day on the Kodak Gallery website which allows you not only to view the photos but also to order prints of any that you may want to keep. The link to access the site is: http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/Welcome.jsp and the password that you need to use in conjunction with Caroline's email address is oldwymondhamian. You then need to click on ‘My Gallery’ which will take you to the screen where you can find the ‘Trail Blazer Day album’. If you have any problems or questions related to this then please do not hesitate to contact Caroline and she will be pleased to help. If you do place an order, please make sure you give them your email address otherwise your order confirmation will be sent to Caroline!
Click on thumbnail images to see larger versions and use your <back> button to return.
Meeting Up Again
Jackie Isted nee Gray, Miles Baron, Eileen Baron nee Fox, Phyllis Whitney nee Barker and Sylvia Gambling nee Caston Jackie Isted nee Gray and Joyce Pycroft nee Daniels with the vintage buses in the background
Group on the College Tour - The Chapel can be seen behind
Mr Thetford, Pamela Thetford nee Wegg and Jackie Isted nee Gray Pamela Thetford nee Wegg, Jacqueline Hearle nee Savage, Jackie Isted nee Gray and Jennifer Talton nee Sayer
Jackie Isted nee Gray and Dorothy Weston nee Ducker
Jackie Gray, Joan Petchell nee Gibson and Velma Lambert nee Miles Group on the bus to the Museum. Seated behind is Frances Chaplin nee Willmot - need help with the others please!
Terry Coppin and Jackie Isted nee Gray
Left: Jackie Isted nee Gray, Sylvia Gambling nee Caston and Peter Woodyard
Right: Anne Chambers nee Bean and Jackie Isted nee Gray
The two vintage buses for transort to the Museum. The sponsors of the bus caused a few smiles! A Group on the tour of the College Waiting in the sunshine
to get on the buses for the
Museum.
Patricia Robertson and Brenda Collins
Betty Newland nee Watling, Judy Sowter nee Harris, Miles Baron and Eileen Baron nee Fox
Lincoln Hall Kett Hall Catering Block and Water Tower Jenny Talton nee Sayer and Jacky Hearle nee Savage Tony Collins and Kevin Westnott Peter Robertson, Brenda Collins and Patricia Robertson Judy Sowter nee Harris,
Phylis Whitney nee Barker, Betty Newland nee Watling, Joyce Pycroft nee DanielsPatricia Robertson, Brenda Collins, Kevin Westnott,
Nancy Jewitt nee Carman,
Mary Elsey nee Scott,
Betty Newland nee Watling,
Phylis Whitney nee Barker, Judy Sowter nee HarrisLibrary in the background Mike Herring behind Patricia Robertson and Sports Hall in the background Margaret Shipp nee Smith, Anne Chambers nee Bean, Janet Couperthwaite nee Wing, Pat Wooldridge nee Dack Left: Mr Isted and Jackie Isted nee Gray
Right: Brian Turner
Left: Tony Collins, Kevin Westnott and Joyce Pycroft nee Daniels
Right: Jacky Hearle nee Savage and Jenny Talton nee Sayer
David Spinks, Joan Tebbutt nee Sperring, Terry Coppin at the back of the bus!
Wymondham College Remembered
