Sir, – With reference to the Bedale School 50th anniversary reunion, may I say a big thankyou to the organisers and a special thank-you to Ken Billings who pushed to get the event off the ground.

I started at the school in 1959 as a first year pupil and going back 49 years later felt proud when my wife and I were greeted by the present pupils (helping out for the evening) saying “Good evening, Sir”.

Entering the foyer we were then given a silver inscribed plaque and name tab by more pupils. We were given wine and nibbles and taken on a conducted tour by more pupils who explained about new equipment, gym, swimming pool, IT rooms to name but a few.

I am sure Mr Turner and his staff must be very proud of the children in this day and age when there are so many terrible things happening elsewhere.

Adrian Grayson was a student teacher of 18 when I attended and came back that evening out of retirement to give us an excellent speech on past times.

During the course of the evening I met a lady, Elizabeth Bowers, of the same age (60) who went to Burneston Primary with me when we were infants.

In the early 1960s she moved away, this is the first time I have had any contact with her.

Another lady mentioned in one of your previous reports about the reunion who came over from New Zealand, Kathleen or Katy Spedding also attended Burneston Primary, 40 years also with no contact.

What an excellent night it was all round and I am sure all my fellow pupils must have been as proud as I was. A big thank-you.

COLIN GARNER Iddison Drive, Bedale.