That affair...more details emerge

She was, of course, excellent company all the way up the old Fosse Way (no M5 then). It was the closest I ever got to an elopement.
David

Of how we spread our wings...

Thank you so much for 'revealing' the names of the contributors to the blog. It makes such a difference to read the posts and have an image (albeit a slightly outdated one) of the writers. I am so looking forward to meeting up with everyone, but have to confess it's going to be a challenge to my memory, mainly because it (my memory) is hopelessly defective and I have forgotten far too much. I put it down to having moved countries so many times. Just catching up with Sue Turner, Sarah Wyatt and Dave Read has awakened all sorts of dormant images and incidents that I would never have thought possible to forget - but I had. What is even more appealing is that almost every one of our number has had a really interesting life. I can't wait to talk to Trudy about her craft works, not to mention her musical career too. And Dave Read as well. I happen to know he has a thing for vintage tractors, a passion I rather inconsequentially share given the fact that I live on a barge and no longer have any connection to things of an agricultural nature. Sue Turner (now Hackett) has also done some amazing things and just ask her about her connection to Cyprus. As for Sarah, she fills me with hopeless nostalgia with her accounts of horse riding safaris in Africa. You, too, Drain. I have so enjoyed your mails, and many of the others have also given great accounts on the blog here.

Maybe it was something Brian Manners saw in us all - the potential not just for music but for spreading our wings like the Silver Swan. It would be nice to think so, wouldn't it? The old photos are absolutely wonderful, as are the memories, but my feeling is that this meeting is going to revive and cement some very good an interesting friendships. I can't wait!

Warmest of best wishes

Val

John signs in

It would be good to join you on the 15th. I’m due to spend some time abroad around that time, but all being well I shall be able to come. I know I have a few photos somewhere so will see if I can look them out and scan them for the blog.

My daughter Rosie is now living in Exeter so double the reasons to come to East Devon.

Best wishes

John Denham

Trudy to David

Well, well, well to you too, Dave! Yes, I remember. As I recall you were more than a little embarrassed about the whole thing and steered extremely clear for the next however long! I really did get married when I'd been at Sheffield five minutes, so keen was I to get away from a) home and b) Sheffield! What a dumbo! - absolutely zilch to live up to....So what have you been up to? Trudy

It might have all been so different

Trudy Richards! Well, well ,well. There's a good story here. Brian was always an advocate of his own university, Sheffield. He managed to convince Trudy and myself that this was the place to be. Somewhere along the line, parents decreed that we could drive up together. The night before we left, a number of my so called 'friends' broke in to my father's garage and put a nice little 'Just Married' on the bumper of my little Austin A30 along with some suitable ribbons if I recall. This was fortuitous, the next morning, when I was doing the usual 55 through Yeovil. Only when we arrived at the big city did we understand why the police were asking us how yesterday went and that 'under the circumstances' they were going to let me off and the parting 'congratulations' from the kindly policeman. Mind you I'm quite glad I didn't marry Trudy, it looks as though I'd have had a lot to live up to! Looking forward to meeting up in October though.
Dave Read

short skirts...lovely legs

What an incredible surprise to get Drain's letter, and what an achievement to track us all down! I have often wondered what happened to us all after school, so reading all your news on the blog is a great joy. I do hope some of us get back in touch again. I'd love to hear from you and maybe meet up, other than just at the reunion, I mean. Will we recognise each other or are we all equally decrepit? I've been studying the photos on the blog. We're all so young, those skirts are so short...and the legs so lovely...oh dear!

A few quick catch-up notes. I did a Performers' LGSM and then, later, another music degree in Dartington 1986-89. Got married to Hubby 1 in 1970 (arrgggh!), then to Hubby 2 in 1978, which lasted 17 years, until he ran off with a ginger woman with 5 kids. Ha! I've been with Dave (NOT married, let's be sensible) for 15+ years. He's been around the block as many times as I have and now we're both into our dogs (2 Borzois) , cats (3) and large garden. We both enjoy playing folk music and Dave's CD is out soon, viz: www.daveholliday.me.uk. I've been teaching piano and voice for years, after singing professionally for a while. I hated the travelling. Dave and I now rent out some flats in Exeter. I still paint (pictures, I mean) and spend a lot of time on spinning, dyeing and fibre crafts generally. The days are too short...

I'm really looking forward to seeing you all again. And singing together will be very special. I too still remember the alto line to Amaryllis...

Trudy Richards

The latest news

I hear that Brian is feeling better and is now planning to come to the reunion. He is teaching again after some months of poor health: what good news.

I have written to Ernest but have not heard whether he can join us. Fingers crossed.

David Coates seems extremely fit and will no doubt jog to the reunion from Yawl!!

I believe I have got a message to everyone now from both Madrigal Groups about the reunion except Bobby Clark and Lorraine Coburn (Berlin) and Maggie Swaffield (Yugo). What a shame these three might miss out. Any ideas, ANYONE?

Gilly Warr has unearthed this photo of us on the Berlin tour.

I tried to focus in on the faces here:



xxx Adrian