SCHOOL memories dating back 70 years were exchanged at a reunion.
A founders' lunch at The Hawthorns School in Bletchingley attracted 23 former pupils who attended between 1935 and 1966 when it was based at Gatton Point in Redhill.
The school was based there until 1961 before moving to its current location in Pendell Court.
After a lunch, the past pupils pored over a large display of archive material which included school photos, entertainment programmes and school reports, as well as details on war-time rationing and air-raid procedures.
It appears that once a Hawthornian, always a Hawthornian.
Two ex-pupils Geoffrey Learner and Tim Johns went on to become headmasters of the school.
Mr Johns has been head since 1991 and retires next July.
Another pupil Chris Parker was head of science until 2000.
Four of the former pupils went on to send their own children to the school, and another has grandchildren there.
Debbie Kingerlee from the Old HawthornianAssociation said: "It was wonderful to see so many former pupils catching up with old friends, and in many cases renewing old friendships first made nearly 80 years ago.
"We were delighted to hear so many guests comment on the wonderful welcoming, family atmosphere that pervades the school, just as it did in their schooldays at Gatton Point."
