FOUR decades of The Meridian School were celebrated at a recent reunion. Staff, students, and governors, past and present, shared memories, laughs and refreshments at the event, which marked 40 years since Meridian opened as an upper school in 1969. A spo

FOUR decades of The Meridian School were celebrated at a recent reunion.

Staff, students, and governors, past and present, shared memories, laughs and refreshments at the event, which marked 40 years since Meridian opened as an upper school in 1969.

A spokesman for the school said: "As the beer and wine flowed, tongues were oiled and stories came racing along.

"Staff renewed acquaintances with students, often not seen for 20 or 30 years or more. Over 250 guests enjoyed the occasion, some having travelled many miles, from the south of France, Cyprus and Portugal."

A large number of the visitors took a tour around the building and grounds, led by a group of sixth form prefects.

During the evening a rolling film presentation of archive material was shown, while music was provided by Rob Wilcox, a student who left in 2005 and is now a music teacher, and Michael Heasell, a student leaving this year.

Three generations of headteacher were also present, with original principal Peter Stone, who was in the post from 1969 - 1983, joining Graham Kingsley (1984 - 1994), and current head Dr Michael Firth.