Alumni returns for coffee, pastries and reminiscence

We held our Alumni Coffee Morning and it was lovely to watch as some former pupils were reunited their ‘old’ school friends.

Gary Jackson (Class of 1966) caught up with Ian Heyes (Class of 1968) as the pair last saw each other at school.

Ian said: “I haven’t seen Gary since I was at school and I recognised him immediately! I love coming back, I came back to the 50th and 60th anniversary events.

“From school, I remember I used to water the plants of Mrs Caine, who was my form tutor in C13. The prefects used to let me in to do it in the winter! I continued my love of plants as I have a nursery. I was also cross country captain."

Gary said: “It’s my first time back in 58 years. I was a bit nervous walking down the corridor to the meeting room as it used to be the staff room!  I wasn’t very academic or sporty and so there were good times and bad times I guess.

“I was a fitter machinist and then I joined the prison service and I have lived in Penwortham all my life. I saw Ian and remembered him straight away."

Brian Drury (Class of 1963) enjoyed Science and French when he was at school.

“Science was my best subject and I did not enjoy French, learning it academically, but I do pick up languages quickly!  When I left school, I was a Data Systems Engineer and now I am the Ecumenical Leader for the Baptist Churches in Lancashire, so I travel around meeting other denominational leaders. It’s a bishop’s role really.

“I remember at school a group of us wanted to do weightlifting so we started a weightlifting club under Mr Bray, the PE teacher. I kept at it and it helped me as my first job was digging the roads!”

Susan Watson (nee Ramsay), Gillian Gillbert (nee Baker) and Vanessa Hodson (nee Hill) are all Class of 1980 and have stayed friends.

Gillian said: “The school is completely different now, it’s a lot more modern. I was a legal secretary in London for 20-odd years and worked at UCLan as well before I retired.”

Susan said: “I worked at the water board, lived in Spain and worked in travel for a lot of years.  A number of us have kept in touch and recently Gillian, myself, Helen Hobson and Valerie Bamber (their maiden names) went on a cruise for our 60th birthdays.  We also meet every Thursday for a quiz!”

Geoff Rowbotham was Head Boy in 1974  - and admitted he was shocked that it was 50 years since he last walked into school.

“I haven’t been back just because, after Priory, I went to Hutton Grammar School and then we moved to Lincolnshire.  I was in management at Marks & Spencer’s for 24 years and set up my own business consultancy, working with the NHS.

“I remember the buildings, some of them haven’t changed, and the corridors seem a lot shorter! I remember they seemed a long way when I was a pupil.  There was also two Mr McCann’s – one a woodwork teacher and the other a metal work teacher. I loved sports – I played in the football and cricket teams. It is a bit surreal coming back.”

Vera Shacklady (Class of 1959) said: “I came here and so did my children and grandchildren so they kept up the Priory tradition. I have been back for presentations and to pick them up.

“School has changed a lot. I remember being happy when I had to do a week’s housekeeping in the flat at school – washing, ironing, cleaning and making food for the teachers.  They were basics which are still needed but not taught today.

“My dream career was a nurse in the RAF but I had to leave school as my dad was ill and I had to work on the family farm. I met my husband there so things have a way of working out.”

Pam and Michael Woods (Class of 1974) met at school and will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary this year.

“Our two girls came here,” said Pam, who became a midwife.

Michael said: “I enjoyed sport and practical lessons here, I ended up being an engineer before I became a Church of England vicar and have just retired.”

Margaret Johnson and Pat Lee (Class of 1967) are good friends and meet up with other former classmates.

Pat said: “We met at primary school and stayed friends through high school. Then a number of us went different ways but we came back together through Facebook around five years ago and it’s like we were never separated!”

Margaret went on to teach business studies – she excelled at shorthand and typing at school – while Pat worked in social work.

Pat added: “It’s nice to come back, education has changed a lot and it’s good to see. Here they really take a holistic approach and look after the whole child, which is to be commended.”

While pupils visited from many years ago, there were some Class of 23 returning.

Jack Norton is at Runshaw College studying travel and tourism, Courtney Moorby wants to be a criminal psychologist while Sam Wright is at Myerscough studying Agricultural Engineering.

"I enjoy coming back," said Sam.

Principal Mr Eastham said: "I am grateful to everyone who comes to these Alumni events, it's wonderful and really important that everyone who is a former Penwortham pupil feels the connection to the school as they are part of it, no matter when they left us.

"It's a powerful message to our current pupils that it's their school for life. It's the same site, it's in the same place, but we continue to evolve over time."

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