Ten years ago Maureen took the initiative in arranging a reunion for those of us who started at Romford County High in 1950. Nearly thirty of us, then aged about 60, met in her garden in Gidea Park for a marvellous time of meeting old friends and remembering past days. She even managed to produce a pair of the voluminous ‘gym knickers’ which were then worn for all sports, including ballroom dancing, much to everyone’s amusement.

Maureen had begun her career as a fabrics designer, and subsequently had also excelled in flower-arranging and many types of crafts. But sadly in recent years she had had to cope with cancer and all its unpleasant treatment and side-effects.

Each year she had been sending out a very full Christmas letter, keeping us all in touch. But in her letter last Christmas she described the terrible year she had had, with the re-emerging onslaught of liver cancer and bone cancer, but with hope that it still might be conquered. Amidst all this she had managed to fill her life with events at which she had exhibited craft-work and put on imaginative displays at flower-shows, raising money for the local hospice. Her letter was full of thanks to friends who had supported her. Not only had she kept in touch with old RCHS friends, but amazingly with two groups from Junior School, and more recently with golf friends, with flower club friends, with neighbours, and of course with family.

Maureen had been hoping to arrange a Reunion in 2009 for the 70th birthday of her RCHS friends, but in January this year, 2008, we heard that she had died. What a fight she had put up!

Some of us thought that it would be a pity to let the occasion slip by, and Sylvia Chumbley (née Ridd) with the help of Christine Norris (née Rosier) and Valerie Foote (née Waeland) have arranged a 70th Reunion at Sylvia’s house in Caversham, Reading, Berkshire. The date is Saturday 6th June 2009 from 12 noon onwards. Anyone reading this who started at RCHS in 1950 will be most welcome.

If you haven’t been contacted and would like more details, please email Sylvia at : cschumbley@waitrose.com or phone her on: 0118 9470762. Reading is on the main line from Paddington, and Caversham is right by the River Thames, a pleasant spot to spend a short break, with many hotels and B&B’s nearby. Hope to see you!