MORE than 70 former pupils of Copleston High School for girls have reunited for the first time since they left in 1962.They converged on Newton Road Conservative Club on Friday to enjoy a buffet and disco music from the 1960s and 1970s.

MORE than 70 former pupils of Copleston High School for girls have reunited for the first time since they left in 1962.

They converged on Newton Road Conservative Club on Friday to enjoy a buffet and disco music from the 1960s and 1970s.

For many of the girls it was the first time they had seen each other in 40 years and there was plenty of catching up to do.

Diane Chaplin (nee Hitchcock), 55, of Shetland Close, Ipswich, has been organising the event for the past year and was thrilled at the turnout.

She said: "We contacted a lot of people and it is great to see them all. We even managed to contact four teachers but unfortunately they were not well enough to come along."

They contacted Mrs Brooks, Miss Duncan, Miss Moody and Miss Bloomfield.

Annie Hall, 55, of Falmouth Way, Ipswich, assisted Diane in preparing the event.

She said: "I am really enjoying it. I don't always remember the names but a lot of faces I can remember. I was quite sporty so I remember the sporty ones."

Zonia Brunning (nee Meier) emigrated to Australia 25 years ago and flew in to attend the event.

She said: "We were planning to come over anyway but then I heard about this and decided to make sure our trip coincided with tonight.

"This is absolutely wonderful. It is great to be together again."

Jenny Coates (nee Trinder), who lives on Hadleigh Road, East Bergholt, has remained in contact with Zonia.

She said: "The 40 years have gone like a flash. I have managed to keep in touch with a few girls but this is super. It's great to see everyone and we haven't stopped talking since we got here."

Suzan Bradbrook (nee Pack), of Princethorpe Road, said: "A lot of us have managed to see each other because we have lived in the same area but there are so many that we haven't seen."

The girls left the school, on Copleston Road, Ipswich, in 1962 and were the last age group to be segregated from the boys at the school.

Diane, who was the former hockey captain, said: "My children had boyfriends at school but we couldn't do that. If the boys used to go past we would have to crane our necks to look out of the window!"

If you are having a reunion with your old school mates why not let us know and we will help you in your search for former pals.

Contact Old School Ties, The Evening Star Newsroom, 30, Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN. Or e-mail star.news@eveningstar.co.uk