SCHOOL discos may be all the rage in Ipswich, but the preparations are under way for a real step back in time for Northgate pupils.School uniforms may be long past fitting for some, but for those who left the school in the fifth year in 1980 or sixth form in 1982 there is a chance of a get-together to relive those memories of the good old days.

By Jessica Nicholls

SCHOOL discos may be all the rage in Ipswich, but the preparations are under way for a real step back in time for Northgate pupils.

School uniforms may be long past fitting for some, but for those who left the school in the fifth year in 1980 or sixth form in 1982 there is a chance of a get-together to relive those memories of the good old days.

A whole afternoon of nostalgia is being prepared by former pupils Sue Woodgate (nee Eden) and Louise Bishop (nee Hardy).

Although they never knew each other at school, Sue (who left in 1980) spotted a message from Louise on the Friends Reunited website encouraging people to get together for a reunion of people who left the sixth form in 1982.

Sue, 37, who now lives in Hornchurch, Essex, said: "We had a mini get-together at Christmas to do a bit of research into what people wanted.

"There were about 16 of us and a lot of them said that they didn't really want a party, but just somewhere they could sit and chat."

So far around 200 people have been traced and Sue has been doing her detective work to track down people's parents from the electoral roll.

But no one is safe! Sue said: "I have scouts all over Ipswich looking out for people who might be working in shops or something."

There are people hoping to come for the reunion from all over the world.

Sue said: "There is one guy who is coming from Singapore, another one coming from Hong Kong and someone else from Gibraltar.

"They have all said they want to come, they just have to sort out the logistics."

This is not the first reunion Sue has organised, there was one in 1990.

She said: "That was before e-mail and only around 80 people turned up.

"It was really good, but I think this time will be more scary because we all think we haven't changed and I'm sure we all have."

The reunion is being held on June 29 at the Kesgrave Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, from 3pm until 11pm.

It costs £10 per person, payable on the day, and includes afternoon refreshments, an evening buffet and background music. A bar is also available.

Anyone who wants to go is asked to get in contact with the organisers by May 31 so they can arrange the catering.

If you left Northgate in 1980, contact Sue Woodgate on 01708 447756/07718 968484 or e-mail davidsue18@aol.com

If you left the sixth form in 1982, contact Louise Bishop on 01784 434745/07974 018160 or e-mail louisebshp@aol.com

n If you are arranging a school reunion, write to us at Old School Ties, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk