RGS Reunion 6 May 2006

Graig Park Country Club

Over the years the weather at the time of the reunions has been great and this year was no exception. Early May shows North Wales at its best and for those returning to the world of their youth, happy memories flood back.

The Graig Park Country Club between Dyserth and Meliden has been extensively renovated over recent years and proved an excellent venue for the Reunion. Many stayed in the hotel or in the well appointed timber chalets. Informal breakfasts and other meals allowed the catching up process associated with reunions to flourish and extend over the whole weekend.

During the day on Saturday those visiting from afar took the opportunity to see friends and relatives whilst others visited old haunts or went over to Bodnant Gardens to see it in its springtime colourful glory.

In the early evening the photo display boards maintained by Margaret Jones were set up together with a PowerPoint projector which displayed the Reunion archive of photos from our era at school as a slide show.When that was too rapid, they were shown as a series of stills which allowed the use of a laser pointer and "identification" of names of those featured.Some were obviously somewhat younger versions of those present and easily recognised, others were "somewhat changed". The display was a source of interest during the whole evening.

		The hot buffet was served from 7pm and eaten at round tables which allowed the chat to continue unabated. Geoff Byrne entertained on the keyboard which he thoughtfully brought with him from his Scottish home. Nature put on a magnificent sunset which could be viewed from the windows at the end of the room.

Margaret Jones organised two Reunion cakes showing the RGS badge on one and the old school building on the other and we had a ceremonial cutting prior to distribution of slices to all present. The babble of voices continued until "lights out" at midnight.

The Reunion was attended by some 90 former students and their partners who travelled from their current homes in the local Rhyl area, throughout the UK, and from France and Canada. It was very memorable. It was unfortunate that some were unable to be there due to the celebration of significant birthdays of close relatives, due to other engagements which were difficult to miss or due to late notification/awareness of the event.

Direct notification of the event was made to those registered on the database by email or by post, there was also a belated announcement on Friends Reunited. An article by Alan Nuttall also appeared in the Rhyl Journal for local, ex-RGS pupils. It remains vital that those who know about the event communicate with those who may not in order to spread the word. For those who like to plan ahead the next Reunion has been booked at the Graig Park for 10 May 2008, tell all your ex-RGS friends!

	The Reunion continued into Sunday for those in the hotel who enjoyed a latish breakfast, and for others who took advantage of the location to climb to the top of Graig Fawr (from the car park near the top!) to enjoy the magnificent views and subsequently to enjoy a leisurely lunch with 25 others at Meliden Golf Club.

At the main event Alan Pennington highlighted the current poor state of the war memorial which still exists at the front of the school and is arguably the last remaining physical record of the name Rhyl Grammar School. It was proposed that steps be taken to approach the appropriate authorities to lend support towards the repair, refurbishment and maintenance of this tribute to those from the school who served and died in the 1939-1945 war. It is hoped that working parties of ex-RGS pupils can be arranged in due course as part of this effort. Watch this space!

In organising such an event it is necessary to review possible venues, decide on the level of catering to be provided and hence to set a price for tickets which would be acceptable. For this year, it was decided to have a more substantial hot buffet rather than the finger buffet ordered last time but to limit provision to a main course with a slice of RGS cake to follow in order to limit the ticket price to £15 for those eating and £5 for those choosing not to eat. Many have suggested that a higher price with provision of a sweet and coffee would not deter those who would like to attend such an event, bearing in mind the two year interval and the costs implicit in travelling and accommodation. For many the cost of the event is a relatively small proportion of the total. We would welcome your views on this.

There is significant effort in arranging the Reunion and a number of people were involved notably Margaret Jones who organised the issue of tickets, the display of pictures and the commemorative cakes and Anna Leigh who works with Len Threadgold and, although not an ex-pupil, organises the website, pupils' database, production of tickets and name badges with unflappable good humour. On the night, the administration and issue of name badges was also handled by non-RGS members, Maureen Nuttall, Linda Nuttall and Margaret Threadgold (the wives of Roger, Alan and Len respectively) to allow their husbands to mingle, amongst other things! They are all honorary members of the RGS Reunion group and we are truly grateful for their work.

We continue to be pleased to receive copies of old school photos to add to the archive as well as copies of photos taken by those at the event so that we can publish them on the website. If you would like a copy of the members database please let us know. Your views on this and on future events would be most welcome.

Until the 10 May 2008, au revoir!

Len