1975 – 50 Year Reunion: 05/09/25

1975 - 50 Year Reunion: 05/09/25

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1975 Reunion – 50 Years of Memories at The Grove!

What a heartwarming celebration as we marked 50 years since starting at The Grove with the unforgettable reunion on Saturday 6 September 2025.

Old friendships rekindled and new memories made as we toured the iconic Brontë House and The Grove, revisiting the very spaces where the boys’ dorms and common rooms once stood (now classrooms and locker rooms!). We even took a peaceful moment in the chapel, where we used to gather twice every Sunday during our school days.

Delving into the archives brought back vivid stories: wearing caps in first year, preparing for rugby matches, the adrenaline rush running out from the changing rooms (and the smell of deep heat!), the legendary communal rugby bath and yes – the infamous drainpipe in the yard that doubled as a cricket wicket!

Some more vivid shared memories:

Queuing for lunch at the bell door
The covered shed, a familiar refuge
The old swimming pool, echoing with laughter
Elam Tower, with its ever-noisy rooks
The forbidden zones, tempting exploration
The dining room, with its one-way system walkway
Benches in the dining room (not chairs), a detail remembered by all

We reminisced about crossing the underpass to visit the art building opposite the chapel, sharing laughter and heartfelt stories of those days gone by. The Grove wasn’t just a school – it was home to boarders, a place where lifelong friendships were forged and continue to thrive.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating this milestone, here’s to many more years of friendship and memories!

Old Grovians in attendance:

Andrew Allison

Philip Blakemore

Steve Burnhill

David Cardus

Stefan Cockerill

Mike Fatkin

Richard Featherby

Malcolm Gray

John Haigh

Mark Hammes