Old Penwithians Reunion 2015

Undeterred by a raging gale, horizontal rain and the sea crashing over the Promenade, almost 40 old boys and former staff of the old Penzance County/Humphry Davy Grammar School made their way to the Queen’s Hotel in Penzance for their annual reunion on 29th December.

There was a display of photographs and other memorabilia from the Old Penwithians Archive, including an old cricket score book and the cricket cap which old boy Jimmy White (32) had worn when he represented the school. The association’s digitised collection of photographs was also available, on a laptop computer, and old boys were encouraged to browse through them and add missing names if possible. A number of old boys were attending for the first time including Dave Gilbert (56), returned ‘home’ to live in Cornwall from Belgium, and Wilfred Jim Major (40) from Truro, but the furthest traveled was probably John Nicholls (44) visiting family in the area from his home in Oxford.

After calling for a period of silence in memory of Old Penwithians who had died since the last reunion, particularly former member of staff Brian Blackler who died in such tragic circumstances at the beginning of the year, Larry Magor (66) delivered his first report as chairman.

For the second year running the Old Penwithians Golf Tournament, planned for November, had had to be cancelled and arrangements had now been made with West Cornwall Golf Club to have the 2016 tournament played in the spring or autumn when better weather might be expected.

The Old Penwithians Archive now contains so much material that a permanent home is needed for it. After discussion with the Morrab Library arrangements have been made to deposit the collection with them as a permanent loan.  We will have to sort and list it ourselves then it will be added to their catalogue.  Our digitised photographic archive will also be deposited.  Larry thanked the Morrab Library for their advice and for agreeing to house the collection.

Larry thanked John Richards (59) for his work in producing the New Penwithian annual newsletter, which this year had been printed for the association by Humphry Davy School and John appealed for articles for the 2016 newsletter. Larry thanked all members of the committee for their support, saying that he had enjoyed his first year as chairman, and extended an invitation to anyone who felt they would like to get more closely involved with the running of the association to join the committee.

John Coak (52) read a message of good wishes from Arnold ‘Derry’ Derrington (33) who for many years has been the most senior old boy in attendance at reunions. Derry had a fall at his home in Pendeen and was in hospital for a check up. John had also organised the very successful raffle.

The evening ended with the traditional singing of the School Song accompanied by Stuart Guppy (52) on electronic keyboard; which sounded remarkably like a piano!