Haberdashers’ Aske’s Girls & Boys 1984 Leavers Reunion

It really was just like being back at school . . . there was drinking, smoking and the odd smattering of ‘chemistry’ as the evening wore on . . . .

Same old, same old . . . yup, pretty much, the School Captain looked eminently presentable, the sub-prefects smoked with gay abandon and critique of all things Haberdashers, was no more or less intense than it had ever been.

In fact, the evening’s atmosphere could not have mirrored the year’s relaxed approach to matters pastoral, in any greater clarity . . . wine served by the screw-top bottle, almost definitely not the best beer in the world, chilled in cool boxes and Pimms elegantly and capably concocted in school jugs fashioned from the left-over alloys of the moulds in Mr Dinsdale’s metal workshops – long may they reign in the dim and distant memories.

Tucker was equally informal, with a selection of BBQ’d meats and salads beautifully cooked and presented by the evergreen pairing or Mr and Mrs DI Yeabsley. Once again, as with our aptitude for the task (non-specific) in the 80s, consistency and excellence were (more or less) our watch words, as in planning the feast, we failed to take account of any particular personal requirements or my own combined version of the F-plan and the Atkins diet.

The only other formality during the evening was the perfectly or perhaps wrecklessly-chosen words by Mr Richard ‘Nobby’ Carlowe, addressing those present at a suitably late hour. Baffles me that he chose on the one hand to eulogise colourfully about the school’s opportunities for extra-curricular activity, but on the other to dash the rumour surrounding the overtly sexual mystique of his nickname, to the ladies present. Schoolboy error, or double bluff . . . we may never know.

Many snippet-type memories will remain from the evening and remain they will, as the majority of us were driving. Impressive entrances were few and far between save for 2 stand-outs, one from each school, so to speak.

Jonathan Musgrave arrived in something that ressembled a stealth bomber . . . though I didn’t see him leave . . . anyone shed any light there ? He also won the accolade for most unrecognizable attendee . . perhaps not surprising as he was the longest-departed from all present and therefore seemingly most loyal, to have even ventured back at all. Nice one Mr Musrgave, our French lessons with Mr Brownridge were never quite the same once you moved to pastures new.

Representing the greenies from over the wall, was the arrival of 1984’s very own Charlie’s Angels, who emerged backlit with dusky sunlight, from a place which I’m sure used to be the coach park, striding purposefully toward to the happy and disparate throng, with the kind of oestrogen-fuelled confidence that used to scare me rigid (almost carefully-chosen word), on my flicky-haired, taken-in-trousered, black-suede-shoed strolls to the girls’ school car park (thanks Mum, but should have got the coach all the time really).

Naming no maiden names, Kay N, Sarah V and Catherine H caused quite a stir, then just osmosized effortlessly into the party, swallowed up as if time had transported them back to the aforementioned coach park and the bustling queue for the Harrow Weald, Pinner and Ruislip area routes.

As you’d imagine for such a group in close proximity to alcohol and various smoking locations, the talk quickly turned from small to tall, as stories unwound about what we’ve all been doing since stepping off the Elstree merry-go-round back in 1984.

For those that were there, you now know, for those that couldn’t make it, maybe next time. I’ll promise you one thing, it won’t get any more organized than this.

As is often traditional with these gatherings (well, if you’re a bloke) and traditional amongst evil, teenage independent schoolboys, some virtual awards have been proposed, seconded and agreed upon and are verifiable in most cases, via independent viewing of the photos above. (Any more, please send to Martin Hill at 1984@binamic.com)

Notable hair retention – Jonny Green – by a country mile, what's the secret JG?
Notable hair growth – Robert Marcus – a real bohemian rhapsody of follicles
Notable hair loss – several contenders and difficult to pick an outright winner, but given the start point some years back and for sheer striking colour, John Palmer sneaks it
Notable weight gains – I’d hope both your organizers (male) might battle that one out
Notable weight loss - Ted Dawson (‘Russell Crowe, who he?’)
Notable fashionista – close, but Burny pipped Harvey Brown, with the shorts
Notable lack of names remembered – John Marshall – probably concentrated on other more important things than anyone else at school though...
Notable, mysterious arrival – Jonathan Musgrave
Notable, commendable arrival – John Palmer, legged it from Harrow by bike

others ?????????????? trying not to be too rude

Simon Gresswell