Former Grantham school classmates reunite after 40 years
Former classmates from a Grantham school, which closed in 1978, have been reunited after more than 40 years.
The Boys Central School’s class of 1974 met at the Isaac Newton pub, Grantham, for a night of reminiscing and laughter.
More than 40 guests, including three former teachers attended the special reunion on Saturday, June 9, to meet old friends and share memories.
Getting everyone together proved to be a bit of a challenge after four decades apart.
It took former ‘old boys’ Phil Gadd and Paul Davidson two years to track everyone down for the reunion, which was planned to coincide with them all turning 60 years old.
Many of the former pupils travelled from across the UK, including the Isle of Wight.
The detective duo also managed to track down former teachers, Trevor Ireland, Bryan Roach and Brian Cowell. Brian, the school’s former metalwork teacher travelled from Cornwall to attend.
‘Old boy’ Robert Holland gave a witty and moving speech which set the scene for the night and reminded everyone about how quick the intervening years had passed by.
Organiser Phil Gadd said: “All participants were part of the 1969-74 cohort at the Boys Central School, then situated on Hill Avenue, Grantham. It was great to see so many people after 44 years and to see what they had done with their lives – already people have been asking about another one, maybe in six years when we are all pension age!”
The Boys’ Central School was built in 1928 on Sandon Road, which is now Little Gonerby Infant School. It closed on 18 March 1978.
Photo(reunion picture): Front row, Dave Wallis, Colin Tyler, Steve Beswick, Roger Church, Paul Davidson, Pete Brown, Phil Gadd, Steve Saunby and Richard Truesdale.
Middle row: Jamie Shaw, Gary Bowen, Simon Tunnard, Geoff Smith, Jes Sayer, Trevor Ireland, Brian Cowell, Simon Wray, Paul Johnson, Bryan Roach and Tony Defusto.
Back row: Anthony Brown, Nigel Lewins, Ross Northing, Andrew Silkstone, David Todd, Michael Sharpe, Richard Butler, Robert Holland, Tony York, Steve Morris, Derek Williamson, Mark Leverett, Sam Ballaam, Phil Allen, Tony Creswell, Dave Mallett, Steve Fenton, John Wright, Steve Beck, Ian Herbert, Graham Higgs, Neil Toyne, Andy Gadsby, Kevin Pearcey, Colin Hewitt.
