They say school days are the happiest of your life. It certainly seemed so, listening to the conversations at Tenby's De Valence Pavilion on Saturday night, when around 400 people between the ages of 49 and 60, from all walks of life, met up to reminisce about the one thing they all had in common. We were all ex-Greenhillians, and to prove it, we even sang the school song! Yes, 'Our School by the Silver Sea' rang out in a hiatus between the youthful present school jazz band, and the not quite so youthful 'Frantic Five'. Mr. Wilfred Harrison would have been proud of the harmonies in the last verse; perhaps it was something to do with the excellent accompaniment from the evergreen ex-Greenhill teacher, Mrs. Pauline Allen. What a night it was! From the moment excited groups came into the entrance and stuck on their stickers with maiden names and dates of entries, the laughter started, and it never stopped. We were greeted by two models, one a very strict school-marm, and one, an exceptionally tarty pupil, complete with satchel c.1950. The photo exhibition proved a focal point, with most of us giving in and putting the specs on to look at our youthful selves and those heart-throbs we sighed over so many years ago. There was talking, and dancing to the disco, then more talking, and dancing to the Frantic Five - and more talking. As the De Valence staff gently ushered the last groups out they were still talking. There must have been an awful lot of sore throats around this week! The reunion was the brainchild of Gaynor Hilling, who drafted Nicole Evans and Judy and John Morgan onto the organising committee, but thanks also go to all those who helped with the exhibition, and to the Greenhill Jazz Band who really started the night with a swing. Thanks, too, to Christine Brown, and the staff at the De Valence for all their help. Jason Thomas and Rhian Morgan popped up everywhere throughout the night, taking photographs to mark the occasion, and each member of staff present will receive one as a memento. It was good to see many of the old teachers, and in particular, Mr. Llewellyn Hill, past headmaster, who reaches 90 next year, though that seemed hard to believe on Saturday! Time certainly mellows our memories of teachers. Mr. John Bevan was delighted to be told by many ex-pupils what a good teacher he'd been, but quite philosophical when they added that they couldn't remember anything he'd taught them! To make the whole event extra special, over £1,000 was raised, meaning that Greenhill Jazz Band, Greenhill PE Department, and Greenhill Special Needs Department will all be presented with cheques for £350. It is good to think of old Greenhillians helping the new. Congratulations go to everyone involved with the event, particularly Gaynor Hilling. Here's to the next one - if we can get all those zimmer frames in the door!
N.E.