Battersea Central School
HAWKLEY REUNION 2007
Saturday 7th July 2007
Hawkley was great and we three oldies met up again and had a wonderful afternoon. Just had an email from Bill Applebee with photo (below), taken on his camera by the local press photographer - a sweet girl who also took a photo of the whole group (we hope this will be on the site later).
Alex Cardogan, Vic Myers and Bill Applebee (all had left school before the evacuation)
Harry Withers was shepherding us all around, dishing out his labels, and at the tea in the afternoon said that 42 were in attendance. I didn't gather whether that was 42 evacuees, or 42 including wives and friends.
The day was fine, the Hawkley Inn had a notice outside the pub welcoming Battersea Central Evacuees; many of us lunched and drank in the pub or in the grounds.
They have certainly improved the toilet arrangements and bar areas since last year and they were first class.
WE all gathered in the Village Hall for tea, provided by the good ladies of the village and sat around chatting.
Harry is the one who knows everybody - I as a recent hanger-on chat away, although several knew who I was, the many I spoke to were, of course, just boys from 1939. I did have a long chat with Dick Raine (the headmasters son) and promised him photo copies of "The Torch" the School magazine for years 1934 to 38, I was pleased to meet up with Peggy Carpenter, who first introduced me to Hawkley some years ago, she managed to persuade another BCS "girl" to come, her name is Peggy Taylor (nee Conder), Peg met a couple of old friends and has promised to come again next year.
Sorry I can't provide any more details, such as names, but hope this will tide you over until Harry writes.
Vic Myers
List of attendees 2007 Draft list await confirmation from Harry Withers
APPLEBEE, Bill
BARBER, Doris
BETTLEY, Sue and Agnes
BLEACH, Joan and Bill
BRIDGEN Cyril
BURCHAM Charlie
CARDOGAN AlexCARPENTER Peggy
CROFTS, Jean
DANCE, George and Renee
DAWSON, Margaret
DICKESON, Peggy and John
GOVUS, Arthur
HOBBS, Peggy and Eric
JONES Ron and daughter Sally
JORDAN, Christine
KNOWLES Doris
MAY, Zoë
MYERS, Vic
PHILLIPS, Des
PHILLIPS, Joan and Jim
PHILLIPS, Lill and John
RAINE Dick
SIMPSON, Esme and Joe
TADMAN, GwenTAYLOR Peggy (nee Condor)
WITHECOMBE, Dorice
WITHERS, Sylvia and Harry
HAWKLEY REUNION 2007
Saturday 7th July 2007
I trust you are looking forward to this year's reunion with as much enthusiasm as me, so the date to enter into your diaries is SATURDAY 7th JULY.
The arrangements as usual, meet at the Hawkley Inn (Queen's Head to some!); hopefully weather permitting, a group photograph by the local Press; between 3 and 4pm assemble in the Village Hall where our devoted Ladies will supply tea and cakes; 'parish' notices and any other information, then bid our farewells as we depart, hopefully with a desire to do it all again in 2008.
The Hawkley Inn Landlord knows we are coming, likewise the two Petersfield weeklies thus giving them all, time enough to stock-up as appropriate.
Last year's gathering welcomed a few additional members and this coming meeting promises more extras as I have received telephone queries, we seem to be trawling some of our elder school chums from before evacuation and since the return to Battersea and of course they are all very welcome. In the same vein, an invitation has been given to our Girl’s School, now that they have finished official reunions of their own, to join us.
Do you recall how we were segregated in our Surrey Lane premises? A quick glimpse through the windows of the Carpentry Workshop at girls playing Netball was the nearest thing to co-habiting, so I have been told!
Some of us were invited to their reunions; I have no knowledge of how many actually did attend. On the same subject, it must be said that Peggy Carpenter has been a wonderful ambassadress for the Girl's School having joined, us over the past six years or so.
My usual request, please return the enclosed postcard, (or via the details on this website) even if you are not able to attend on this occasion. The known number of intending attendees helps our ladies with their catering requirements and my records. (For those who forget to put their names on the cards, please do so!)
Finally, I wish to thank you all for the 'get well' cards and Best Wishes following the intervention of a Hospital appointment which caused my absence from one of the best dates in my calendar.
Your best wishes are working well!
Harry Withers
28th February, 2007
If you have old photos please bring, also if you have not produced your memories for this site, please bring either on a disk or typed copy.
ALL are welcome who have any interest in Battersea Central School located in Hawkley during the evacuation period of the second world war.
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