A bright summer’s day welcomed around 70 1980s leavers back to School on Saturday 12^th May. Guests from each leaving year gathered in the Marjorie Hulme Arts Centre, almost exactly thirty years after it was built. After a welcome and update on School today from Clare Flynn, Development Director and former pupil,Anne Kirkham, former pupil and School Governor shared her past and current
experiences as old girl, alumnae association committee member and Governor, highlighting fond memories and interesting anecdotes.  Hits from the 1980s played out over thespeakers in the Arts Centre, which many guests remembered being constructed and then opened by the Chalmers sisters. Former pupils also took the opportunity to  browse School archive, and photos and newsletters from their year.

The dedicated 25- year and 30-year anniversary reunion groups for 1987 and 1982 leavers gathered together for group photos before some guests took a peek around School to see some of the changes which hadtaken place since they left.

All guests were then treated to a ‘School lunch’ of sweet potato andcranberry soup with homemade olive bread, followed by a hot and cold buffet withhomemade salads and finished off with champagne chocolate mousse in a chocolate cup all prepared by Neal Pheasey and the catering team at WGS. Guests caught upand reminisced while completing a 1980s quiz, which was won after a close tie-breaker bythe leavers from 1982, all who went home with a little prize from Withington. After lunch a short presentation was made to Laura Firth, Development Officer, who has left Withington and taken up a position at Bolton School.

Following lunch, Anne Kirkham with Monica Hastings and ValHempstock, former teachers, led tours around School taking in the historic buildingssuch as the gym, art room, library and classrooms while pointing out the newadditions such as the sixth form centre, built in 2010.

Many old friendships were reignited and new acquaintancesformed on a very lively day.  It wasgreat to see many new faces at Withington, and we look forward to seeing them andmany more back at School again soon.

Thank you to those who have sent in photos after the event and to the Withington Onwards Committee for helping to make the day a wonderful success.