1960s Seniors Reunion

Those of us who had left Wycombe in the 1960s were invited by Mrs Davies to a reunion at the School on Sunday 15th May; also included in this generous invitation were any Seniors who had donated to the Development Appeal. And so it was, on a gloriously sunny morning, that 85 Seniors, mainly from Circles 92 to 122, were reunited forty years on.

The day started at 10am when we joined the whole School for Morning Service in Chapel. We appreciated that the Service itself was ‘personalised’ for the occasion by the inclusion of the school hymn - although maybe not all the Seniors present were still able to sing it without glancing at their hymn book! I feel sure that I can speak for the majority of Seniors when I say it was a moving and reassuring experience which made us feel that we are still very much a part of the School.

Coffee in the Fisher Library

We then gathered for coffee in Fisher Library (an appropriate place to assemble with Miss Fisher watching over us from her portrait!). The noise level was pretty high - and continued to be so throughout the day! - as we came across familiar names and faces neither seen nor heard for several decades.

Feeling refreshed in body and spirit, we divided into House groups and were shown round our old Houses by the girls. This gave rise to plenty of reminiscing; and certainly Emma, who showed some of us round Pitt, was wonderfully patient as we kept pausing to recall life in the Abbey all those years ago!

A Senior visits Rubens

Following our House tour, we enjoyed a glass of champagne in the cloisters outside Chapel, where the sun continued to shine down on us, and then we moved through to the old Abbey Dining Room for a magnificent three course lunch. Needless to say, the food we enjoyed throughout the day bore absolutely no resemblance to the food we were served in the 1960s, and for this we were most grateful!

Lunch in the old staff dining room

After lunch, there were tours of the School, including the splendid new Sports Centre. I was with a group being shown round by two Junior House girls, who were excellent tour guides. Our tours ended in LAC where it was time for tea and cakes. At this stage, some Seniors had to set off on their long journeys home. However, for those of us who were able to stay a while longer, there were further treats in store as we were invited to the Summer Concert in the Archer Recital Hall. This was an opportunity to sit back and enjoy the musical accomplishments of the girls, from the youngest to the oldest. The talent was breathtaking, as were the range of instruments played by the girls and the different styles of music. A perfect way to end the day.

Tours of the School

Tea in the Lancaster Arts Centre

For some, it was the first time they had ventured back since leaving some forty years ago. For all, our reunion was undoubtedly a very positive experience. The hospitality and warmth of the welcome we were given by everyone - from the Headmistress to the Junior House girls - were greatly appreciated. It is good to know that Wycombe is in such good heart.

To end on a personal note, I was delighted that Anthea Hewett (née Holden) was over from Canada and made it to the reunion, staying with us the night before. We met up with Jessamy Alexander (née Owen), Antonia Charlton, Louise Rhodes (née Melany) and many, many others - and naturally we all declared that none of us had changed in all those years!

Jane Corkran (née Paget, Circle 107, Pitt)

Photographs by Jane Martindale and Amanda Pang