Other Reunions
Your reunion accounts and photos
O Level ‘A’ Team of 1962/63
Alastair Stewart
RISING
from publicity firstly about the Friends Reunited
website three old boys of Lewes made contact in the Autumn of
last year and met up for a drink at the Juggs Arms at Kingston.
The idea was hatched at this meeting to try and trace the O Level
class of 1962/63 and the initial three individuals Alan Butcher,
Tim Martin and Alastair Stewart set about making enquiries.
E-mails were sent, the internet and Companies House were
searched, 192.com came into play and enquiries were made of
universities, telephone directories and just about anybody we
could find who had a connection with the school. The information
on the Old Lewesian site itself was useful. In particular we
looked through the Barbicans for any clue as to the type of
career or interest of individuals who we had lost touch with on
leaving the school.
We came up with a list of 34 names, which we think was the
definitive class list. We were soon joined in our research by two
other classmates, David Beattie and Malcolm (Plum)
Chalmers.Within six months we had traced some reference to all
but three members of the class - one further classmate
unfortunately having died in an accident whilst still attending
the school. Amongst the former classmates there are four
professors, one of Mathematics in America, one of German in
Canada, one of French in France and one of Biology here in
England. We appear to only have one solicitor who is currently
retired and living in style in Grand Cayman, having sold his
firm. We have one Chief Executive and rather sadly three
accountants! However, the most popular profession for the boys
was teaching, as, in addition to the four professors, there are
at least four teachers amongst us. We have one architect, a
couple of entrepreneurs and others who of course might
understandably wish to retain their privacy. Probably the most
unusual post currently filled by any of the former classmates is
that of Receiver General at Canterbury Cathedral.We then decided
to try and set up a mini reunion and this was arranged for
Saturday 8 June 2002 and held at Shelley’s Hotel in Lewes.
Due to a combination of Christenings, weddings and hospital
operations several that had hoped to make it were unable to do so
but nine former pupils met for lunch and I think a good time was
had by one and all. Attached with this summary a photograph of
the nine who, in the order they appear in the photo from left to
right were: standing Alan Butcher, Duncan Greenland, Ian Stopps,
Adrian Frost, Tim Martin, and Alastair Stewart and seated Malcolm
Chalmers, Alan Voyce and David Beattie. Another meeting of the
organisers is planned for November and we will try and set up
another mini reunion for 2003. If any other former classmates
have similar ideas and would like more detailed information as to
how we set about the tracing of former classmates, please e-mail
me and I will be in touch.
Photos taken at the Reunion, September 2000
Fred Palmer and Cap with his Friends
OME
years after leaving school, when long hair suddenly went out of fashion,
Fred went to the barber's for a short-back-and-sides-and-plenty-off-the-top.
"Excuse me, Sir," said the barber, "did you used to go to Lewes
County Grammar School?" "Yes, I did," said Fred, "how do you
know that?" "Well," said the barber, "I've just found your school cap
. . . [© Ken Dodd]