Balderstone Class of ’96 reunited at The Spring Inn

Balderstone class of 1996 reunion
Claire Cocker, Kelly Robinson, Layla Mottram and Paul Grycuk

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Former students and staff of The Class of 1996 at Balderstone Community High School turned out from across the country for their 20 year school reunion on Saturday 1 October at The Spring Inn on Broad Lane.

Organiser Nicola Clarke wasn’t sure how many people would commit to the event, which played a part in deciding the location near the school’s former site.

She said: “As it can often be difficult to get people you haven't seen for 20 years to commit to an event, I thought it would be easier to just say we would meet in the pub near school one night.

“I invited people that I still know from school who invited people they were in touch with and it quickly snowballed.”

The event was due to begin at 7.30pm, but Nicola was surprised when many people were at The Spring Inn when she arrived shortly after 7pm.

The event attracted Mrs Tansey, who was Head of Year in 1991/1992, and Mrs Bamber, who was Head of Year for 1992-1996.

Mrs Bamber helped gather old photographs and brought name stickers to help recognise everyone.

Those who travelled to attend the event included:

• Head Girl Prefect Sadaf Ali from her home in London.
• Deputy Head Girl Claire McManus from Nottingham.
• Head Boy Andrew Swarbrick couldn't make it from Southampton, where he now lives but sent his apologies. 
• Deputy Head Boy Paul Grycuk, who lives in Sydney, Australia, attended as he was visiting the UK for a short period of time.

Teachers for The Class of 1996 who attended included:

• Deputy Head of Year and Science teacher, Mr Vile, who was also a form tutor.
• Geography teachers, Mr Albiston and Mr Hudson.
• Deputy Head and Drama teacher, Mr Steeden.
• I.T. teacher and form tutor, Ms Overend.
• Drama teacher, Miss Salter (now Mrs Wlison).
• Technology teacher and form tutor, Mrs Biant (ex-Mayoress of Rochdale).
• Languages teacher and form tutor, Mrs Donohue.
• History teacher, Mr Travis.

Nicola created banners for the night, replicating the old school letterhead and logo. She also scanned in many old photographs to be projected onto large screens or displayed onto a board.

Nicola said: "I would like to thank Dave and his staff at The Spring Inn for their help in organising photo projections and playing 90s music, and for all those who turned up to make the night a huge success."