On 19th May, the Year of ’76 celebrated 50 years since leaving school. A WhatsApp group (Yr of ’76 (BSG)) was set up to help connect as many of us as possible, and exchange information about venue and travel, including buses and boats as a tube strike was planned for our chosen date. Understandably some were unsure whether to risk the journey but eventually 19 ladies made it to the Wright Brothers restaurant at Battersea Power Station …. and then the strike was cancelled!

Jo Serra (Wright) (Churchill) had come from Mexico and Mel Rees (Moon) (Russell) from Australia, others had made long train journeys to join the celebration. Alison Baverstock (Scott) (New Stede) gathered us together with reminiscences and thankyous to our parents and teachers and lovely poignant memories of friends who we’ve lost. Three hours of fun, laughter and animated conversation followed in a perfect setting; a private room with a delicious buffet. As Cortina Butler (Head Girl) wrote afterwards it was so good to catch up with such a wonderful group of brilliant women!

Ruth Cook (Lambert) (Russell) had collected and presented a rolling PowerPoint of photographs from school and other reunions over the years. She also masterminded the venue and menu. Jen Wiles (Crowhurst) (New Stede) had taken charge of accounts. A huge thank you to them both.

The Year of ’76 was a happy group, many of whom are regularly in touch – but thanks to this celebration many more have reconnected and have vowed to keep in touch. And some of those who couldn’t make the date are keen to find a future time to celebrate before the end of the year. If you missed linking into the Year of ‘76 WhatsApp group and would like to do so, please contact Hils Humphry-Baker (Wright) (Churchill) by email humbaker@gmail.com

Finally, Robin Kelly (Macpherson) could not make the journey to the UK for the reunion but instead made a donation to the Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted which was founded by her mother in 1979. Her donation was in memory of the school friends who didn’t make it to 2026, and her contribution will go towards work in the Healing Garden.