11 Nov 2006 - A lovely evening at Burntwood.
If you would like to add a comment about the evening, please let the site have your thoughts.►Have you ever walked along a street at nightfall and automatically glanced into a room when a light was switched on by the house owner? Imagine doing that and finding that the interior you are seeing is familiar and belongs to forty years ago. Furthermore, imagine you continue along the street and the same happens at each house, and inside you are seeing people from your childhood who are acknowledging you and reinforcing your memories of another time, another place. Such were my surreal experiences last Saturday evening at the Burntwood Court Hotel in Brierley. The second reunion organised by Arthur Gilbert was once more a pleasant coming together of friends and acquaintances, all with the shared knowledge of life at Hemsworth Grammar School in the 1950's and 1960's.
Not being in the 'A' stream for remembering names, I won't be able to give a comprehensive list of who was there on the night. All I can say is that I met with Hilmians from Arthur's last get-together, and made contact with some new friends. Mr. Howdle and Mr. McCroakam were there, and our school website came in for a few compliments, which was gratifying. Knowing that new items and information are always welcome, Marrion, Ann and Alan have kindly entrusted me with photos and memorabilia to share with everyone. As the evening progressed, the noise levels grew as people relaxed and moved around, and Arthur discreetly wended his way here and there, taking photos, and capturing the enjoyment on the faces of different groups of Hilmians. I remember commenting to Terry that I could see the light of enjoyment shining out of everyone's eyes as they reminisced. Corny but true!
Time and again I caught snatches of conversation where the names of Miss Smith, Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Collette were being mentioned, always with respect and admiration, even when disciplinary measures had been taken by them. Did we ever realise what an exhausting job it was for them, guiding us all towards adulthood?
I gathered my things and intended leaving, convinced that there were no more stories to be gleaned, no more photos to be seen or memories to recount. I made my thanks to Arthur, and then I caught sight of a group of friends at the far side of the room who were sitting in exactly the same seats at the same table they occupied at the previous reunion two years ago. Again the surreal surfaced. Had they moved from there in the two years? With a smile I said hello, and an hour flew by in their good company. Roy, Alan, Alan and Simon, thank you for a pleasant end to a pleasant evening. If the next two years fly by as fast as the last two, I'll see you soon.
Sheila Kelsall
Time and again I caught snatches of conversation where the names of Miss Smith, Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Collette were being mentioned, always with respect and admiration, even when disciplinary measures had been taken by them. Did we ever realise what an exhausting job it was for them, guiding us all towards adulthood?
I gathered my things and intended leaving, convinced that there were no more stories to be gleaned, no more photos to be seen or memories to recount. I made my thanks to Arthur, and then I caught sight of a group of friends at the far side of the room who were sitting in exactly the same seats at the same table they occupied at the previous reunion two years ago. Again the surreal surfaced. Had they moved from there in the two years? With a smile I said hello, and an hour flew by in their good company. Roy, Alan, Alan and Simon, thank you for a pleasant end to a pleasant evening. If the next two years fly by as fast as the last two, I'll see you soon.
Sheila Kelsall