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Salisbury Reunion at Wilton House

Leaving Years 1946 to 1964 and also 1986 were represented by those Old Girls who attended from Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, as well as from further afield to support this excellent reunion organised by Sue Bourne (Clarke), in the centre, Judy Wheeldon (Fawcett), on the left, and Liz McDowall (Dunn), on the right. Sue attended the reception for Area Representatives at Malvern St James in November 2010 and soon after her return, contacted Elisabeth with the plan to hold a reunion at Wilton House, which is a super venue to attract Old Girls living in the area. Sue, Judy and Liz are all of a similar ‘vintage' and it was great that this encouraged their contemporaries to support the reunion also.

Wilton House was a brilliant choice and the cost of a ticket to the lunch also included entrance to the beautiful gardens. The lunch was held in the restaurant which was virtually our own. Everything had been chosen to perfection – a delicious meal with the tables looking so pretty with summer flowers, especially chosen in the Malvern St James colours of blue and gold.

Trish Woodhouse, the Headmistress, with her husband Steve attended, as well as Elisabeth Rambridge, the OGA Secretary, with her husband Andrew. Trish and Elisabeth both spoke briefly after the lunch. It was very good to see 'Willy Nilly' as elegant and lively as ever. Delia Williams taught Biology in the Fifties and became Head of the Science Department, and was also Assistant Housemistress of Summerside. She thoroughly enjoyed recognising many people.

Trish Woodhouse, the Headmistress

Delia, Jenny and Desmond Longfield, Andrew and Jenny Lobb

Tricia Wilkinson, who, as the Honorary Social Secretary, keeps in touch with the Area Representatives and has been encouraging them tohold reunions, came to the lunch – all the way from Yorkshire. Her support of these occasions is fantastic.

Judy, Tricia Wilkinson, Sue

It was actually a very co-ed affair and super that so many husbands were there – and inevitably all sorts of contacts were made and coincidences found. Liz's husband Robert McDowall and Judy's husband Peter Wheeldon were a great support during the preparations and on the day. Many of the photos below were kindly taken by Peter. Steve Woodhouse is also a keen photographer and other photos are taken by him.

Elisabeth was delighted to see Hermione Gulland (Grainger) again, after Hermione had visited MSJ recently and also to meet Christy Page-Turner (Tetley). It was very good of Christy to attend, with her husband Noel, as this is a very busy time of year for them. Eileen Hubbard (Rowley) was there, having very kindly represented the OGA at the funeral of Joan Bonfield (Greasley) earlier in the month. It was very nice that there were two generations there – Rosemary Blackham (Jemmett) with her daughter Nicola Barker (Blackham), who lives locally, as well as Anthony Blackham.

Lizzie Aston (Mark-Wardlaw) and her husband John were present; Lizzie is an Old Girl of St James's and it was really lovely that she attended the reunion.

Those who were unable to come because of other commitments or health problems said how glad they were to be invited and so glad to be remembered and wanted to be kept in touch.

Hannah was very sorry that she could not be there, but is very appreciative of all the hard work that Sue, Judy and Liz put into organising the reunion and for their fantastic support of the MSJ OGA.

The following also attended the lunch: Jane Clark (Toogood), Angela Durrer (Sheraton), Penny Figgis (East) and Dermot, Sally Fontes (Tickle) and Richard, Jenny Hawkins (Tolhurst) and Mac, Julia Hicks (Slater), Gillian Horton (Ferris), Heather Humphrey (Ferris), Jenny Longfield (Spencer-Thomas) and Desmond, Gillian James (Mullins) and Kenneth, Jenny Lobb (Luke) and Andrew, Pat Lush (Cordwent) and Christopher, Joy Hussey (Humphreys), Primrose McCann, Sue Morris (Boardman) and Marise Woollard (Webb).