Sir, Re: The Narberth County/ Grammar/Secondary Modern School Reunion which will be held at Nantyffin Motel, Llandissilio, on the afternoon of July 5, so far the response has been good. Many old pupils have responded positively, others hope to respond positively nearer the date or confirm their attendance because many of them seem to be looking over their shoulders and wondering what 'Old Father Time' may or may not have in store for them. It has been an interesting and rewarding week with a phone call from an old pupil in Peru; a letter from America; a phone call from Canada and a letter, also a letter from Australia. The letter from Australia came from Dilwyn Griffiths (Llandissilio originally), a retired Emeritus Professor, Class of 1944. He is not able to make the reunion this year, neither is his sister, Heulwen, now living in New Zealand. A family wedding prevents them. Dilwyn asks: "Has anyone written a history of the Old School, i.e. originally the County School, then the County Intermediate, Grammar School and Secondary Modern before it closed (hearsay, was that it was a political reason) in the '60s? If so, how can I get a copy? And if not, someone (with access to archives) should definitely set about it, the sooner the better." Dilwyn goes on to try and recall how many were in his first form, about 30, six or seven boys and the rest girls - gender balance had clearly not been invented, he says. He tries to remember the names. He hasn't done badly, has most of the boys, but just 50 per cent of the girls. I have been able to help him out to some extent, pointing out those that have left us for 'upstairs'(?). In many cases I have been able to tell him (or I will in time) of many of the girls, where they are etc. It would be interesting to hear from any of the young ladies of the Class of 1944. One, whose name crops up, is Margaret James, who attended Llandysul Grammar School and then the Narberth County Intermediate. Cardiff has been mentioned, but nobody seems to know where she lives now. Would any of your readers know the answer? Dilwyn has requested that I send him a list of the attendees at the reunion and those who sent apologies. It will be nice to see how many he and sister, Heulwen, can remember and a way of keeping in touch. Dilwyn lives at 2/4 Fraser Terrace, Highgate Hill, Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia. He meets up with two nieces of J. Ivor Jones, a former teacher and the fourth head of the Old School, who also live in Brisbane. Those who have already accepted the invitation include Ruth Francis (Dr. Chilcott), daughter of Tom (Fanny) Francis, the second Head; Beryl Evans (Dr. Banner) and Catherine Evans (Dr. Perry), daughters of Sam Evans, the third Head of the school. Catherine is coming over from Canada and hopes to meet up with many of her old school pals. Former war evacuees attending will be David Riley and Jean Atkins. The reunion will also be an occasion for some mini family reunions, the Scourfields travelling from Swindon, Bognor, Lamphey, the Williams' from Biggin Hill, the Midlands and Aberporth and, possibly, the Lewis family from Farnworth, Swansea, Stroud, Tenby, Pentlepoir and Haverfordwest. Oldest person attending will be Alban Prickett (90 on March 14, 2008) from Brynhoffnant, Ceredigion and he'll have a couple of youngsters (a year or two younger) to keep him company, ie Eric Day, Tenby and Max Jenkins, Penrhyncoch. There may be many old pupils who read the Observer who would like to attend the reunion, but have not received an invitation. All they have to do is get in touch with myself, Terry Griffiths, phone 01559 362625. It is a school reunion not a class reunion, so anyone who attended the Old School up to the time of its closure in the '60s is welcome. Partners are also welcome. Those attending are encouraged to bring along any old photographs. Very welcome, too, are former members of the teaching staff. An opportunity to find out how well their former pupils have done in life and what they have achieved.
Terry Griffiths, Reunion organiser, Ceredigion.