FORMER students of St Joseph’s from across the UK and beyond had the chance to rekindle old friendships at a school reunion last Saturday.

The class of 1975 had more than 40 years of catching up to do when they got together at The White Hart Inn, Stratton St Margaret, for a drinks evening. More than 80 ex-pupils went along, as well as a couple of former teachers.

One of the organisers Eleanor Merryweather said: “The evening was amazing. By everybody’s standards it was a total success.”

All those who had been in the final school year which left in 1975 were invited.

People even travelled from America, Australia and Europe to be there.

Mrs Merryweather added: “It was such a joy to see people who had actually booked flights to come. For people to be so committed to it, one of the joys was seeing their faces so happy to be rekindling friendships and seeing people from school again.

“There was such a happy atmosphere during the evening, a lot of love in the room and a lot of joy.”

The occasion was open to anyone who turned 60 between September 2018 and August 2019.

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After an hour of mingling there was a minute’s silence held for those pupils who had died in the intervening years.

The individual names were read out, which concluded with a spontaneous round of applause.

“It was a very poignant and moving moment for everyone,” said Mrs Merryweather.

“Some people didn’t know various others had died and you could hear the reactions as the names were read out,” she added.

A slideshow running throughout the night displayed photographs people had contributed of their time at the school and the years since.

“Lots of people had actually gone through the school together all the way from primary school to sixth form, so there was a lot of history,” Mrs Merryweather said.

A backdrop of 70s music played while people met and rekindled friendships, which then became a disco courtesy of Clarry Bean.

“Before long all the handbags were put in the middle of the floor and the dancing started,” said Mrs Merryweather.

The organiser added: “It was such a natural connection.

“Some people hadn’t seen each other in 44 years, and no one was talking about what they had achieved in life or anything like that.

“It was just the pure pleasure of seeing people.”

Mrs Merryweather hinted that another reunion would be held in the future.