Notices. Phil has produced a notice to be distributed to all local groups/clubs informing them of the intention to produce a book on the history of Upton and inviting them to submit any material they feel would be of interest. Copies of the notice available from secretary. Memberships can be renewed tonight, with the membership secretary.

Phil them welcomed Joyce Cook as our new President and presented her with a ‘chain of office’, which consisted of a substantial silver chain holding an engraved pendant and an antique whistle (a symbol of Joyce’s teaching career). Joyce was almost overwhelmed by this and accepted it graciously. Phil then blew the whistle and the doors of the hall opened, allowing approximately 20 of Joyce’s former pupils entrance to the hall (at this moment she had to sit down). One by one the ex-pupils introduced themselves and all were taken aback when Joyce could remember something about each of them, such as, “I remember you had a sister/lived down the road/were good at music”, to one pupil she said “I remember you sang solo in the choir” to which he replied “Only because you made me!”. An extremely enjoyable evening followed. Paul Wilbraham presented Joyce with a photograph album, which he had collated with pictures of Joyce’s time in Upton. Pat Parker, who also taught at Upton Heath School, and knew some of the pupils, played a selection of tunes (on the piano) which would have brought back many memories to pupils and teachers alike. A photographer from the Chester Chronicle arrived to record the event and hopefully produce a piece in the paper. Mrs Owen (present head of Upton Heath School) voiced her appreciation of Joyce, and said the school owed much to her and please would she visit the school whenever she was inclined. Phil thanked Paul W for his efforts in getting the ex-pupils together, mainly through ‘friends reunited’ on the internet.

Following these events, Joyce gave a short talk. She was, she said, honoured to be a President as she had never held such a position before. Joyce told of when she first saw the original W.I. book in 1951, which is held at the records office in London, and was very impressed with its contents, and was thrilled to be presented with a copy.

She went on to stress the importance of writing things down, for historical purposes, and to do it at the time things happen, don’t rely on memory, as more often than not most of us forget things. Joyce herself has kept a diary since early childhood, which she still holds today. She started tracing her family tree in 1973 and, to date, she has 7 volumes of fascinating family history. For the past 20 years, Joyce has spent time each week, at the Cheshire Records Office transcribing ancient documents; and she says it never fails to thrill her when she holds these old documents in her hands. Once transcribed, they are made available for the general public to see and read, either on the internet or in paper form.

Her parting gesture was “Let’s do all we can, to keep history alive”.

Following refreshments, group members and the ex-pupils were left to wander around the school and reminisce, while a video of past school events played in the main hall, and all had fun trying to find themselves on one of the many photographs Mrs Owen had put on display. Speaking to several of the students, they all seemed amazed at how little the school’s fixtures and fittings had changed, several mentioned the cloakroom; the staging in the main hall; and the windows; all are exactly the same as they remember.

An evening thoroughly enjoyed by all.