Verdala Reunion Update

 30 November 2002

Confirmed Attendance

 As you can imagine, there has been a lot of interest in the Reunion from the 400 or so people that we have been able to contact via the Friends Reunited and Verdala websites and attendance numbers are building steadily. 

We’ve also received dozens of emails from pupils all over the world who can’t come but who send their best wishes and want to be remembered on 30 November. See section on Greetings from Abroad below. 

However, we’re very aware that we have only been able to reach a tiny proportion of ex-pupils and staff and would welcome any assistance you can give to tracking down others. 

Below is a list of people who have confirmed their attendance together with several others who have expressed their wish to come. We’re aiming for between 60-100 people to attend so we are well on our way to achieving this. 

We realise that the costs may seem a bit prohibitive for some people, particularly if you have to add the cost of travel, but, having visited Wiston House, please try to think of the Reunion as not just an  opportunity to meet up with old friends but to get away from it all and enjoy a weekend in beautiful surroundings. 

Both Wiston House and its grounds are stunning and the quality of the accommodation is truly luxurious. So why not treat yourself? Instead of spending the weekend flogging round Sainsburys, ferrying ungrateful children backwards and forwards, or sitting slumped in front of the TV watching some ghastly popstar wannabe, get away from it all and do something just for yourself. 

Over the last few weeks, we’ve received lots of queries about the event, so here are a selection of FAQs: 

What is the dress code? 

There is no dictate on this but ‘smart casual’ is recommended.  

Can I bring my partner? 

Again, entirely up to you. So far, roughly half are bringing their partners, some of whom will be joining us and others who will be doing their own thing. If you think that your other half will enjoy it and you would enjoy the weekend with them, then bring them along. If you think you’d have a better time without them, then come on your own as the rest of us are. 

After-dinner entertainment 

We’re hoping to screen a selection of pictures that people have brought after dinner if we have enough material. Gordon Husbands has been pressured into volunteering to scan material onto his laptop on the day. As this may mean that he spends his entire afternoon on the computer, do please send any photographs that you would like to show through to Christiane Morris, 3 Parkside, Ravenscourt Park, London W6 0UU before the event and we can then return them to you on the day. 

Music

Depending on numbers, we are also thinking about having a disco or, at least, some music in the Great Hall after dinner. As we have the run of Wiston House, this won’t interfere with anyone who would prefer to continue chatting in the library, common room, bar or conservatory. 

What if I don’t know anyone who’s going? 

As the vast majority of us haven’t met for between 25 and 50 years, we are all going to be in the same boat. Many of us have corresponded via email over the last weeks and months but have either not met since we were children or have no recollection of each other at all! Don’t worry. The 30^th November will be a mass platonic blind date for all of us! 

Confirmed Attendance

Staff