AGM 2017


By Catherine Stokes (née Hunt) and Pippa Lacey who both attended Sibford from 1969 to 1974


Catherine: “I have always felt that my time at Sibford was the best years of my life. I felt so privileged to have gone to a school in the heart of the Cotswolds. Without the help from the Quakers this would have not been possible. So I am thankful for that. “Sibford taught me to be independent, treat everyone as equal and have respect for others. I met some wonderful people and made some friends for life. Sibford certainly set me up for my journey in life. “I have attended numerous


reunions at school and at other venues, all organised by Ashley. He’s certainly been the back bone in keeping us all connected and I thank him for all his efforts. Not an easy task!”


Pippa: “Like Catherine I look back with great affection on my days at Sibford, and the lasting friendships that were made. “I am dyslexic. Dyslexia was only just beginning to be acknowledged when I started at Sibford.


The school was very sympathetic to people with learning problems. Ken Greaves had a great interest in it and since then Sibford has gone from strength to strength. I was never made to feel ‘could do better’ but rather ‘let’s find a way round it.’ I try to keep true to the school motto ~ Truth, Honour Freedom and Courtesy ~ in all I do and I have just read Michael Finch’s book ‘A View From the Hill’.


REVIEW OF THE ANNUAL REUNION


Then and now ... Catherine (pictured top left) in the netball team and with Annie Broe (centre) and Pippa Lacey (right) at the 2017 Reunion


Highlights of the day ... elected, which included Annie.


This year’s reunion was the 175th anniversary of the founding of the school.


It was also a sad one as we


remembered an old friend who had sadly passed away this year. It’s hard when you lose friends of your year. However the sun shone and it was a glorious weekend. Pippa and I arrived together and


met Annie Broe (née Barth) at the school. We are so proud to see how, over the years, Sibford has flourished, with new buildings and so many more opportunities. Coffee was served on the playing


field, an ideal opportunity to catch up with fellow Old Scholars ... not so many this year but those that were there really made the day. We took a tour around the school reminiscing. Buffet lunch was served whilst we were entertained by Sedleigh. How school meals have changed! In the afternoon we attended


the annual meeting, Ashley’s last one as president. He does such an amazing job. A new committee was


Toby Spence (the new Head)


gave an address which was very entertaining, but we were saddened to learn that Friends School Saffron Walden was closing. Catherine’s Mum was matron in the Sanatorium at Saffron Walden for many years. In the evening we joined together for dinner. Ashley made a very heroic speech – ‘A testing friendship’, which told the story of a friend who he had given support to in his last years before he died. That’s what Sibford did for us; taught us to be supportive irrespective of circumstances. Entertainment was shuffled by


Navid with his amazing card tricks. The finale was performing ‘Rockets’ outside. ... if any of you don’t know what this is, then come to next year’s reunion and find out! An enjoyable day and we look


forward to next year where our year will be celebrating 60 years of age. Where has that time gone? It all seems like only yesterday.


The Sibford Rocket / 21


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