Class of 72 reunited

THREE decades after leaving Tideway School, the class of '72 has reunited.

A reunion party at the Ship Hotel, Newhaven, for former classmates was organised by old school pals Dianne Dudley and Paul Evans.

Dianne, from South Heighton, said: 'With our spouses we often socialised together and on many occasions met other ex-pupils who we were at school with.

'A reunion was always mentioned between us until my husband said it would never happen. That spurred us on to arrange it, especially with the 30-year anniversary looming.'

Dianne set about tracking down her old year group by going to the county records office in Lewes. She said: 'It was quite a blast from the past, so many old names which I suddenly remembered.'

But then the real investigative work began. The Internet and personal ads were used to track down long-lost friends.

Dianne said: 'The hardest bit was contacting the girls as we only had maiden names to go by. We told everyone to spread the word. In the end over 100 people were found and just over 80, including two teachers, were there on the night. A minute's silence was paid to those who sadly are no longer with us.'

The evening was a resounding success, with many proving they still had the stamina to party the night away. Dianne said: 'After the pub closed, many headed to Liberty's night club to finish the evening off. There is still life in the 45-year-olds.

'The evening went off really great and many have sent their thanks and asked when the next one is going to be.'

The class of '72's first year at Tideway coincided with it becoming a comprehensive school before it was known as Newhaven Secondary Modern. The new school name also heralded a new uniform of bright orange and grey with black capes with orange lining. Fortunately for later generations it changed to a more subdued navy blue.

The year group was also the last to be part of the Young Citizens scheme which allowed students to leave aged 15 without sitting exams.