Our 2011 Reunion
"Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not comparable to him: a new friend is as new wine; when it is old, thou shalt drink it with pleasure"
Ecclesiasticus 9 : 10
Ecclesiasticus 9 : 10
St Paul's Parish Hall
On 24 September 2011, 108 old Rusthall friends passed through the familiar doors of St Paul's Rusthall Parish Hall - many having travelled hundreds of miles.
Our event was comprised of an afternoon & evening session, the majority being with us for both.
Our event was comprised of an afternoon & evening session, the majority being with us for both.
Our Reunion had been 9 months in the making !
Nothing was lacking - even down to signs directing guests the few yards from the gate to the Hall - with subtle advice to "Grow Old Disgracefully" !
Jackie W, Heather M & Jackie Q
All were welcomed at the door by Jackies Quarrinton & Woodward and Heather Gray (maiden names are used throughout this account).
Armed with name badges, everybody was well prepared to recognise old friends that they may not have seen for 50 years.
Flagbreak
Shortly after 2.00pm, dozens of old Scouts and Guides assembled at the front of the Church Centre where our present Scouts, led by Kevin Powley, performed flagbreak - standing to attention, many saluted.
Within a few moments, the renewal of old friendships recommenced - and more came through the gates. For a while, most remained outside in the warmth of the sun.
Robin & Joe
Back in the Hall, Robin Boxall welcomed all with an opening address - with Joe Redhead providing an introduction to the day's format.
None were left guessing as to what to do should there be a need to evacuate the Hall !
...... a short pause for a photo of some of those that had organised our Reunion.
The hall was soon again buzzing with long-overdue conversations - tales of how the years had treated us since we were the young people of Rusthall - "I wonder what happened to ......." - "Do you remember when ........ ?"
To many the Hall was much smaller than they recalled from the days of their youth - but not too small for our Scout, Guide & SPRYF Memorabilia Corners - and to proudly festoon the walls with our flags.
During the afternoon, our present Cubs and Scouts manned the Scout Memorabilia Corner - and challenged their predecessors to tie five knots faster than them.
To many the Hall was much smaller than they recalled from the days of their youth - but not too small for our Scout, Guide & SPRYF Memorabilia Corners - and to proudly festoon the walls with our flags.
During the afternoon, our present Cubs and Scouts manned the Scout Memorabilia Corner - and challenged their predecessors to tie five knots faster than them.
 A small part of the Scout Memorabilia Corner |
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Our old trek cart was, of course, the rightful centre of focus for many photos.
 Joe Redhead & Malcolm Coppard |
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Upstairs in the old Vestry - a wonderful display presented by Dennis Penfold of the Rusthall History Society - many display boards crammed with photos and documents relating to our era in the village - so comprehensive that John & Gill Parkin even discovered a photo of their Gran at a street party.
Remarkably the Society have no record of SPRYF - in time we will provide Dennis with this - and a mountain of information regarding our glorious Scouting and Guiding days.
Remarkably the Society have no record of SPRYF - in time we will provide Dennis with this - and a mountain of information regarding our glorious Scouting and Guiding days.
 Janet Roffe, Elizabeth Cotton, Marguerite Browning & Christine Tanner |
Inside and out, old friendships were being rejuvenated. For some the years had been very kind - with absolutely no need to read name badges - after all, a married name might confuse old friends ! |
 Mike Redhead & Rod Bavin |
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 Elizabeth Cotton, John Baker & Pauline Bowler |
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 Helen Bigsby & Kevin Powley |
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 Sue Stacey & Andrea |
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Wendy & Harold Nutting
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 Rick Jones & John Bridger |
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Of course, there were absent friends - but many had sent messages to wish us all well - too many to mention here, but here's one from Paul Dobson in Nevada, USA : “WOW ! Look at us! What a worldly bunch we all are. Who would have known that little village we all still call home would have spawned so many world travellers !“
Throughout the afternoon and evening sessions, Mike Cotton and Nick Jeggo roamed - selling raffle tickets. The main raffles for the afternoon and evening sessions were comprised of many prizes, all generously donated by our local traders and those who had organised our Reunion.
A special raffle was held for a unique, beautiful Reunion commemorastive plate, very kindly designed and created by Heather McLauchlan. Afternoon and evening free raffles were held - for two framed Limited Edition prints of a panoramic view of Toad Rock, The Retreat and the Coffee House.
Throughout the afternoon and evening sessions, Mike Cotton and Nick Jeggo roamed - selling raffle tickets. The main raffles for the afternoon and evening sessions were comprised of many prizes, all generously donated by our local traders and those who had organised our Reunion.
A special raffle was held for a unique, beautiful Reunion commemorastive plate, very kindly designed and created by Heather McLauchlan. Afternoon and evening free raffles were held - for two framed Limited Edition prints of a panoramic view of Toad Rock, The Retreat and the Coffee House.
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Malcolm Coppard also roamed - gathering contact details, feedback and memories of our Scouting, Guiding and Youth Fellowship days - all in our Reunion Visitors Book.
Throughout the day, four continuously running slideshows were shown on our Big Screen - one regarding our Reunion itself - the other three full of memories of our Scouting, Guiding and SPRYF days in Rusthall - click on the buttons or logos below to see these.
We were extremely well fed - platters of sandwiches and other well-chosen food throughout the afternoon - Carl Rogers presenting a bounteous buffet for our evening consumption.
Sue & Elizabeth Latter
Our afternoon session closed at 6pm, but some who had planned to leave stayed on for the evening session.
The hour until 7pm was very well spent - afternoon and evening guests "overlapping", determined to see old friends that they might not have otherwise seen.
The hour until 7pm was very well spent - afternoon and evening guests "overlapping", determined to see old friends that they might not have otherwise seen.
Sunset was scheduled for and duly fell at 6.55pm - with flagdown performed by Chris James shortly after.
Our evening was again a time for the renewal of friendships - Elizabeth Cotton and Nick Jeggo had prepared a number games and activities for our enjoyment, but we were all very happy to simply chat - however, a well thought out 60s quiz did allow us a short break in our conversations.
The Rev Ronnie Williams, Vicar of St Paul's, drew the proceedings to a close by leading a brief period of reflection and a prayer.
Our evening was again a time for the renewal of friendships - Elizabeth Cotton and Nick Jeggo had prepared a number games and activities for our enjoyment, but we were all very happy to simply chat - however, a well thought out 60s quiz did allow us a short break in our conversations.
The Rev Ronnie Williams, Vicar of St Paul's, drew the proceedings to a close by leading a brief period of reflection and a prayer.
........ and so, at approximately 11pm, our 2011 Reunion closed - with much shaking of hands, many hugs and au revoirs - and, of course "Auld Lang Syne" !
