The whisperings of a Reunion started to emerge in 2010, once I’d got our database up and running and the girls were chattering amongst themselves both by email and on Facebook.  Could this really happen, our very first Reunion ever?

The more talk that took place the more it became a reality until one day I realised that living closer to the school than anyone else, I was the obvious person to organise it.

The date was finally set for Saturday 18th June 2011, to start at 2pm at our school in Lightwater, where the girls and their families and friends could wander around the grounds and into School House, take photos, reminisce and meet other former Paddock Woodians. 

From here we all drove - excepting those who didn’t have cars, we hired a coach (just like the old days), and chauffeured them around - into Camberley, to the Civic Offices to have Champagne Bellini’s with Tim Dodds, our now Mayor of Surrey Heath.  He treated us to a warm and welcoming speech in his Council Chamber, then joined us all at the Pennyhill Park Hotel for a private, silver service, 5 course dinner.  It was simply, a very special day for all who attended.

35 girls from 14 countries Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Guernsey, Holland, Isle of Man, Mexico, Paris Portugal, Tenerife, Venezuela, Zurich as well as England), met on a glorious day, to celebrate their former school.  Some hadn’t seen each other for 50 years but all were eager to relive the hundreds of happy memories they shared at Paddock Wood Finishing School, Lightwater, Surrey with 17 family members and friends they brought with them.

My very good friend Tom Greenwood took many photographs; he’s got a great eye for detail and bringing out the best out in people.  Tom has given us a wonderful collection of memories to keep forever, over 150  of which can be seen on his website; you may see someone you know:

And in case you’re wondering, the Reunion attendees were as follows:

Alison Goodere ’75/6                                        Melanie Haffner ’75/6

Anne Povey ’75/6                                              Michele Baum ’77

Barbara  Cormack ’75/6                                     Pat Barr-Taylor ’70

Carmen Cecilia Guillen 75/6                               Patricia Smitheram ’75/6

Debbie McNicol-Outch ’75/6                              Pippa Anderson 75/6

Domille Denard ’68                                            Renata Calil ’77

Edith d’Agostino ’80/81                                      Rosemary Sharp ’70

Fernanda Calil ’78                                              Rosie Thornton ’75/6

Fiona Kemp ’75/6                                              Sally Blackwell ’75/6

Flick Armitage ’68                                              Sera Mendelsohn ’75/6

Gill Willis ’64                                                     Sue Barclay-Edwards ’64

Isabelle Leroy ’75/6                                           Susan O'Sullivan ’64

Jila Tale 1973                                                    Suzanne Barsamian 75/6

Jaklin Tale 1974                                                 Vicky Benavides 75/6

Joannette Eijkman 75/6                                      Yasaman Amir Parviz 74/6

Maria Lucia Saaibi ’79                                       Yvonne Brander

Just some of the many comments from the girls had after the Reunion:

From Maria Lucia Saaibi:

It was a dream come true to be able to come back and meet you PW girls wonderful people with whom I share special moments.... Thanks Pippa .....

Trish Smitheram wrote:

 

It was such a wonderful mix of emotions seeing everyone again; I’m going to get in touch with Fiona and was also really pleased to see Rosie again and hope we will keep in touch now.

 

A big thank you again for having me to stay and for all your hard work in making the weekend the enormous success that it was.

From Fiona Mealin...

Home again on the Isle of Man but want to sincerely thank you for making both Clive & I SO, SO welcome last night.  I loved meeting everyone.

Peter Royce - Chairman of the Paddock Wood Residents Association:

What a great day I am sure all the "girls" really enjoyed themselves.

Congratulations on your brilliant organisation and the  totally unexpected message from Val in Monaco which was very moving.

I trust the dinner went as well as the rest of the day and you at last managed a good nights sleep.

Pat Barr-Taylor wrote:

Many thanks for a simply lovely day.   Hope you enjoyed your day as much as we all did.