THE SCHOOL bell will ring once more at the Old School in Stoke Climsland when former pupils, teachers and support staff answer the roll call for a special reunion weekend in the summer. Organisers are putting together the event on June 21 and 22 and hope for a good response to their invitation to join in and catch up old with friends — some could be coming from anywhere in the world. The event marks the ten-year celebration of the rebirth of the former primary school in Stoke Climsland as a thriving community centre. Contacts have been made with students from as far away as Australia and the USA. The event has been organised by a group of people associated with the Old School, including Caroline Vuillamy, Heather Finney, Kat Bailey, former headmaster David Bundy, Derek Parsons from the parish website and chair of the Old School trustees David Short. It is hoped that former teachers and support staff, including former headmasters Colin Bray and Mr Cardew — as well as Mr Bundy — will be there to enjoy the occasion. This is the first reunion in the school's 154-year history. Attendees are invited to bring along memorabilia to be displayed on the day. On the Saturday there will a bar and live music in the evening, while Sunday will be for 'golden oldies'. Caroline Vuillamy, an Old School trustee and one of the organising group, said: 'It is difficult to contact many connected with the school as a thousand went there, but some are quite far away. Some are in the South West while others are hard to track down as we have no names and addresses. 'Since it was erected in the 1850s the building is very much as it was so those coming here will instantly recognise their old school. 'As it's such a unique occasion we are hoping to record people's memories to add to our archive, which can then be enjoyed by future generations.' The Old School closed down in the late 1990s and was used firstly by Duchy College before being used as a community and resource centre. The team are currently scanning in old photos of former classes and enlarging and enhancing them so they can be put on display at the event. Caroline, whose own children Betsy and Julian went to the school, said organisers would appreciate it if people going in June could bring along any memorablia or photographs to the reunion. For further information call the Old School Community Resource Centre on 01579 370493.
