Chance to revive school memories

Apr 9 2008 By Gary Fanning

FORMER pupils at a Hamilton secondary school are set to hold a reunion.

Ex-St John’s Grammar pupils will have the opportunity to reminisce about school days with old pals at the event to be held at the Bothwell Bridge Hotel on May 31.

The reunion is open to all pupils and teachers who attended or worked at the school, which later became Hamilton Grammar School. Organisers have lined up a full day of events.

A ‘meet and greet’ coffee morning will take place at the Bothwell Bridge Hotel from 10am till 11.45am.

Former pupils will then be given a tour of their old school.

The school, in Hope Street, is currently being used by pupils decanted from St John The Baptist Primary in Uddingston. The main event of the day, meal and drinks, will take place at the Bothwell Bridge Hotel from 7pm. It is the second reunion of St John’s Grammar.

About five years ago, more than 50 people attended the ‘meet and greet’s at the Avonbridge Hotel.

They also toured the old school building and were able to rekindle memories of time spent in the classrooms.

Many of those taking part then lunched at the hotel.

In the evening, Andrew Chapman opened the dinner and those assembled joined in a series of toasts and listened to speeches.

Former teacher Andrew Goodwin amused the company with his speech on behalf of the staff.

Guest speaker John McKelvie then entertained the guests with more schoolday stories.

A coffee morning is expected to take place again this year.

One of the organisers, Irene Prior, of Barncluith Road, Hamilton, a pupil at the school from 1962 to 1967, said they were looking forward to another successful reunion.

She added: “We just want to let everyone know about the reunion and would like to meet everyone and catch up with people we haven’t seen for some time.

“It was a very successful reunion last time. People were happy to meet up with their old friends that they hadn’t seen for 35 years.

“Some people came from all over the country and others as far away as Canada, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Australia for the reunion.

“After the reunion, others said that they wished they had known about it so we want to give them an opportunity to do so.”

For more information contact Irene on 01698 425350 or e-mail Linda Steel on lindasteel1@hotmail.com or call her on 01228 541628.