WHEN 150 former pupils of Chantry High School met up with each other for the first time in 15 years at a special reunion the stories and reminiscences came flowing.

By Seb Short

WHEN 150 former pupils of Chantry High School met up with each other for the first time in 15 years at a special reunion the stories and reminiscences came flowing.

The pupils, now in their early thirties, met at the Paul's' Sports and Social Club in Stone Lodge Lane.

The memories included such things as the teachers strike which took weeks out of their final year, and the shenanigans that took place on school trips abroad.

The reunion was blessed with a disco that as well as featuring music from the 21st century, also saw the hits from the 80s', such as Wham's 'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go' and Soft Cell's 'Tainted Love'.

More than 100 people turned up for the event, which ran from around 7.30pm to 11.30pm on Saturday.

Around 70 people had purchased tickets, but as most of the former pupils still live in Ipswich, word spread very quickly, and many people who had not been contacted were able to make it.

Chantry High School were unable to help trace the former pupils, but organisers Tracy Horlock (nee Farthing) and Jayne Studd (nee Westley) used a variety of ways to contact former friends.

"We used a website called friends reunited," said Jayne. "That was very helpful. Also we advertised in the Evening Star. Once a few people had heard about it then they were able to contact people they were still in touch with and the numbers grew and grew. We also went to the local radio stations to advertise and that helped too."

Jayne added: "We had quite a nice year at school and I was waiting for a reunion after 10 years. When 15 years came about I thought it was high time we did something. Everybody has had a great time tonight. The drink is flowing and most people are remembering what they got up to when they were 16."

To see pictures and read the stories of pupils from 1986, see the two-page spread in tomorrow's Evening Star.

On Wednesday we will also feature the 25th Anniversary celebration of the unique Ipswich Hospital Band, which took place at the Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe, on Saturday night.