2015 Reunion

Rhyl Grammar School Reunion

8^th to 10^th May 2015

Some are surprised that we still hold school reunions and wonder what it is that has created such a bond with the school and our fellow pupils. Those of us who went to Rhyl Grammar School (RGS) don’t need to justify it, we just know that it is important.

The reunion this year took a form which was somewhat different from those of previous years whilst maintaining the focus on the Saturday evening event at The Oriel House Hotel in St Asaph. Alan Nuttall approached the current head of Rhyl High School Claire Armitstead for permission for a group of former pupils to visit the school on the afternoon of the Friday preceding the reunion so that those who were interested could visit their old stomping grounds and see how it had changed since we left it some 50 to 60 years ago. The Head teacher not only gave permission but offered to take the group around herself, anticipating that a group of the order of 15 would be involved.

In the event it proved so popular that twice this number wanted to go. At this point, David Roberts, who is a former pupil of Rhyl High School and currently in charge of IT there, stepped in and offered to take a second group around.

The group assembled at 3.30pm in the building which replaced what we knew as ‘The Old Building’ which sadly had to be demolished some years ago. The two groups walked under ‘The Covered Way’ to what we knew as ‘The New Building’ and split into two, one going clockwise around the corridors the other anticlockwise. Discussions became very animated by recollections of teachers and episodes from the distant past. What struck many was that many classrooms and laboratories were still used for the same subject that they were in our day. Biology, Chemistry and Physics labs, the Domestic Science and Woodwork rooms (with original benches?!) are still in use as such but with names which are now rather different.

What had changed was the presence of arrays of computers which are so much part of life these days but were not part of our education over half a century ago. We reflected that our lives had spanned the dawn of the computer age.

The groups converged at the school hall which was laid out with desks in preparation for exams so our minds were all transported back to moments of apprehension and panic associated with such times. The hall itself took us back to school assemblies, concerts, plays, Gilbert and Sullivan operas and school dances. The group posed for photographs in front of the stage and at the desks they too once occupied.

We all have recollection of the school which no one can take away and the head teacher appealed to us all for any information, memories, documents and photos from our time there. It would appear that there is a dearth of information about the school over the 40s to the 60s that many of us could fill and it could be part of a project for the current pupils to research those times, drawing on live historical sources.

The building work on the new school is well underway with completion due in early 2016. It is located in what was part of the playing fields to the south east of what were the main pitches. The head teacher extended an invitation to the RGS group to attend the official opening and this would be fitting as a way of showing the continuity of education at the site from Rhyl County School to Rhyl Grammar School and on to Rhyl High School. It is a very special place to so many of us, opening up so many opportunities. It is good to see how well the school is doing under the leadership of the head teacher and her staff.

Many travelled to the reunion from their current homes throughout the UK but others travelled from as far afield as California and other parts of the US, New Zealand, Sweden and France. They stayed locally with friends, relatives or in hotels, some at the Oriel House Hotel where the reunion was held. During the day of the reunion the opportunity was taken to visit relatives or friends and to take in places such as Bodnant Gardens in all their glory

Oriel House was chosen as the venue for the event following assessment of a number of venues by Mike Demack and Howard Maltby in consultation with Alan Nuttall. Sadly, Mike Demack who had taken over the role of treasurer from Margaret Jones, died suddenly shortly after making the arrangements. Luckily Sandra Jones (nee Clouston), who lives in Leeds, took on this role and handled the letters, bookings, and payments for the event. Alan Nuttall took on the role of updating the database of members, making contact with those who had shown an interest in attending the event, making the various arrangements for the weekend and liaising with the school and the hotel. A particular feature was in providing support to Glyn Thomas who now lives in France. His wife Catherine who is from Russia had some difficulties with a visa to enter the UK. Many signed a petition in support and whether it was through this or other means we were pleased to see them at the event.

On the Saturday evening the first guests began to arrive before 6pm and as individuals and guests arrived conversations became animated, complemented by hugs, kisses and exclamations of recognition. Before the meal at 7.30pm Alan Nuttall made a speech welcoming over 80 guests, thanking those who had helped to make the event happen. After the serving and consumption of excellent food a new element of singing of Welsh hymns and songs was introduced, with accompaniment by Roger Nuttall who is currently the choirmaster of his local Church. Len Threadgold produced a song sheet with the words and the English versions of some so all were able to join in. Calon Lân was followed by I Bob Un Sydd Ffyddlon and many others by popular request.

Nev Jones’ rendering of the Amen following one of the hymns was particularly memorable! The session ended with a magnificent rendering of Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau with everyone rising as one to sing it. This part of the evening gave a real feeling of Hiraeth and of being at home with a common link to a school to which we owe so much.

The evening continued afterwards with photos being displayed on the screen, and various others being passed around together with copies of The Shield, the old school magazine. Pat Karvic (nee Barrodale) celebrated her 75th Birthday on the very day of the reunion and all sang Happy Birthday to her. The opportunity to have a photograph of those attending was taken as a memento of the evening. The event drew to a close sometime after 11pm when some retired to get their beauty sleep whilst others lingered into the small hours. The event was deemed a great success.
The main feature of Sunday was lunch at St Melyd Golf Club which has now become part of the tradition of reunions. Before that, some took a walk along what was the old railway line which skirts the slopes below Craig Fawr whilst others visited Rhyl prom and admired the impressive re-generation of the Foryd harbour with its lifting cycleway bridge connecting the promenade, with extensive new sea defence and reclamation works, and the west bank of the Clwyd. Such work shows vision and the belief in a bright future for Rhyl. A steel sculpture at the end of the bridge features as one of its components Sir John Houghton, Nobel prize winner, pupil at RGS from our time there and son of “Hock”, one of the masters.

Although feeling a degree of exhaustion there was an intense feeling of enjoyment of a really great weekend, remembering the past, renewing acquaintances and looking forward to a bright new future for the school we know and love. We’re already looking forward to the opening of the new school and associated celebrations and to the next reunion.

Len Threadgold