Ridings reunion

FORMER pupils of the Ridings High School who are about to turn 60 are being invited to a reunion.

In 1995, Suzanne Wembridge, Kate Ackerman (née Counsell) and Jane Cooke (née Wise) organised a '30 Something School Reunion Party' for everyone who started at the Ridings High School - now known as Winterbourne Academy - in September 1975.

Jane said: "At the time there was no internet, so we sat down with a list of names from the first-year register and a telephone directory to find fellow pupils.

"The reunion party at BAWA Leisure Club in Filton was a great success, with 160 attendees.

"It’s now nearly 30 years since that reunion, so we have decided to have another one with as many of the old school year together again for a catch-up, as everyone will be reaching the big 60 in the coming school year.

"Hopefully this time, with the help of the internet and social media, it should be easier to get the word out to make this a success."

The reunion is only for pupils of the Ridings High School born between September 1 1963 and August 31 1964, and teachers who taught there during the same years.

Miss Sedgwick was the head teacher at the time.

The event takes place in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on September 2.

Jane said: "It holds 200 people and we currently have 140 registered. It would be great to fill it!"

Anyone who started at the Ridings in September 1975 and would like to attend, or is still in contact with anyone else from that time who might be interested, is being urged to get in touch and pass the information on to old school friends.

The organisers can be reached at ridingsreunion@gmail.com, by anyone who wants to register an interest in the reunion.