Picture gallery: Barnstaple ‘Old Boys’ school reunion is a roaring success

The 25th anniversary of the popular Barnstaple Boys Secondary Modern School reunion has been hailed a great success with ex-pupils into their 90s and even a former teacher attending.

The gathering at Barnstaple Rugby Club for any former students who went to the school between 1939 and 1972 saw almost 100 ex ‘Old Boys’ attend from all over the country, plus two from America and one from Canada.

Most of the ‘Old Boys’ who attended the school in Derby Road in their distinctive green and black ties are now in their 70s, 80s and even 90s.

The school had two headmasters Percy Heppenstal – who it is alleged had a fondness for the cane – and later Edward Blacksell, whose students called the school ‘Blacksell’s Academy’ or affectionately ‘Blacksell’s Academy for young thugs’.

Above: Getting together at the reunion. Credit: Tony Freeman

The reunions were begun by Gerald Thorne when he and a few friends decided around their 60th birthdays it was time to organise a school reunion.

Gerald stepped down two years ago but Paul Harris, now living in Los Angeles, has taken up the mantle, helped by Terry Trump, whose book Pursue Excellence chronicles life at the school and still back in North Devon, Tony Freeman, Derek Parnell and Mike Deakin continue to keep the event alive.

Above: Paul Harris, one of the reunion organisers, with visiting former ‘Old Boy’ Paul Ravegor, who had come all the way from Canada. Credit: Tony Freeman 

Tony Freeman said: “Many of those who attended the school in 1939 are now in their 90s. Amazingly, considering the age of those attending, just two short of a hundred turned up on the night this year – and even one of the teachers, Alan King, arrived to reminisce about all those he sent to detention.

“Thanks to the organisers and help from the Brend Collection group of hotels, the reunion managed to raise £860 towards the youth development at Barnstaple Rugby Club, which many who attended had played for in their youth.”

Above: The reunion also saw former teacher Alan King drop in to reminisce on how many of the ‘Old Boys’ he sent to detention! Credit: Tony Freeman

Now back home in LA, it is understood Paul Harris is already planning for next year’s reunion!

See more pictures from the night courtesy of Tony Freeman in the gallery above.