During my visit to the UK in the Summer of 2001, my sister, Sandy, told me about a website named Friends Reunited on which one could register and join a list of students who attended schools from Infants to High School throughout the United Kingdom.
I was very excited as I had lost touch with all my classmates from Twickenham County Grammar School for Girls and was anxious to regain contact with as many of my close friends as possible. My dream was realised when several of my friends quickly registered and we were able to catch up on all those missing years.
We planned that when I returned in August of 2002, that we would meet and, at the time, the reunion seemed ages away. However, the months passed quickly and we corresponded meanwhile to update each other on our personal situations and experiences.
Soon August was very close and we were in frantic contact to find a mutually convenient date and to gather as many of us as possible. As I left the Bahamas, I was hoping to see at least five friends but it actually turned out to be eight of us altogether, including Shelagh and Sandra who had left at the end of the fifth form.It was a wonderful experience!
The anticipation was a mixture of excitement, trepidation and sheer joy. Rosie, Tis and I arranged to meet at Waterloo and this enabled us to travel together to Twickenham where Sue Spencer had kindly offered us her home as a meeting place, from which we would venture to retrace our footsteps of nearly forty years ago. We shared photos of times long past and laughed at pictures of ourselves in our late teens. Our fellow passengers must have wondered what was amusing us so much and why three middle-aged women were behaving more like excited teenagers. I think we were actually transported back into that time when several of us had to travel to school by train and acted accordingly.
Some of us had heard some horror stories of such reunions but I feel sure that all those of us who were together on 18th August felt comfortable and left with happy memories as I did. I hope we can do it again....

Enjoy the photos.......I wanted to include Jerusalem but the file was too large and copyright

This is Mendip Lodge where we had our classrooms for A’ Levels. Sandra is standing at far right.	This is the roof of the school..we were horrified to hear that Rosie got drunk on it one time....and she was a prefect...in fact, she was the only prefect among us!!!! Sorry Rosie...could not resist!!
I was upset because my name was nearly erased...is someone anxious to forget me!?	Both Rosie and Caz got distinctions in one of their subjects
We asked the caretaker to take this picture. Unfortunately, his hand was not too steady! He was kind enough to let us into the hall where we used to attend assemblies, sing Jerusalem and act out our parts in Shakespeare.	Here we are, sitting in Sue’s living room. Shelagh, Ali (that’s me), Tis, Caz and Sue are seated. Tammy and Rosie are standing. Sandra had left but you will see her in other photos
What was amazing was that everyone else seemed to recall aspects of the school. I remembered nothing except the hall. It was such a strange feeling to be in a place where I had spent seven years and not recognize much at all
Having visited our old school, we went to lunch at Sue’s local Italian restaurant...we were so noisy that I hope that Sue is not now banned from that establishment! We then sat in Sue’s lovely garden while her husband, Brian, cheerfully spoiled us. We shared photos, memories, our joys and sorrows in a light hearted banter. I know that, were we to share our experiences in a more intimate setting, deeper feelings would emerge, but that day we were all determined to enjoy our reconnection to the fullest.
Some of us had raved in our youth over on Eel Pie Island, where Rod Stewart and Long John Baldry had performed in the early days of their career. We walked along the river to recapture those memories. We even passed the church in which Rosie was married. Apparently I attended the wedding but have no recollection!! Scary! As the afternoon proceeded, some of us left, having travelled some distance. As for myself, I did not want the day to end! We ended up in a pub for a drink and then returned to Sue’s for a last session of filling in the missing years. At last it was definitely time to leave and Brian and Sue and Rosie, who was staying the night, drove me back to London. I felt thoroughly spoilt and it gave us a last chance to share our thoughts and experiences. I thank you all for a wonderful day. We must do it again but it would never be quite the same as this day. We must stay in touch! Thanks also to Friends Reunited for making it possible!
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