School reunion of classmates from 1949
THERE was an incredible gathering last week of a group of school friends who have known each other since 1949 or 1950 some 75 years ago!
Some were far travelled for the special get together at the Woodhouse Hotel in Largs with Robert Joliffe coming all the way from the Black Isle, while Wilma Ingwalson (nee Muir) travelled much further, coming all the way from San Diego, to be at the unique occasion.
All taking part are celebrating their 80th birthday this year making it a good opportunity for a get together organised by Hugh Blair.
A total of 14 were present including the following (maiden names used): Sandra Harvey, Wilma Muir, Rachel Grey, Jane Lyle, Anne Wishart, Margaret Dixon, Ian Dippie, Margaret Mctaggart,
Marjorie Mcgregor, Hugh Blair, Jim Barr, Robert Jollife, Neville Honeyman and Byna Murdoch. Hugh’s family friend Anne Crawford also attended.
Marjorie and Byna were there as friends but they were from a different class.
The original class all started off at Largs Primary and then moved on to Largs High School which eventually was destroyed by fire in 1990 when it was Brisbane Primary.
Hugh said: “We had a wonderful time in the sunshine sharing memories and looking back over some lovely photographs
An afternoon tea was served by the Woodhouse Hotel and it was excellent including sandwiches, sausage rolls, strawberry tarts, meringues and sponges as well as coffee and tea, Thanks to Willie Wood and staff for a lovely afternoon tea.
“We had another reunion 20 years ago when we all had turned 60 and sadly there was not as many here this time around as a few have passed away.
“Our original class had 50 pupils - can you imagine that nowadays with one teacher trying to teach 50!
“I am a bit nostalgic and like to keep in touch with everyone and through Facebook and old phone numbers I have managed to keep everyone in my contacts and it has been a wonderful thing to come together and reminisce.
“Wilma married to Carl Ingwalson and they live in San Diego in California and that’s why we were able to have the reunion as they were coming to Scotland for a wedding and it seemed too good an opportunity to miss to get everyone back together for this special milestone of us all turning 80 this year.
“It was great that we managed to have a reunion so many years after we all started off at school together 75 years ago - where does the time go?”
Hugh spent most of his working life at Inverclyde Sports Centre in Largs where he was a facilities manager.