Kemnal Technology College, Sevenoaks Way, Sidcup, played host to a reunion of old boys who attended the site when it was Cray Valley Technical School, later Cray Valley Technical High School, in the 50es, 60es and 70s.
A small number of Cray Valley old boys have been meeting annually for a number of years and last year one of them, Mick Abbott, who now lives in Maidstone, asked the school for permission to video a school tour to show his colleagues at last year’s get-together.
The headteacher of KTC, Christian Markham, and the business manager, Tracy Cullen, were both supportive of the making of the video and suggested that this year the reunion could be held at the school in half-term.
Mick posted the video on the Cray Valley Technical High School website together with a request for one or two other close friends of the initial reunion group to get in touch.
It snowballed! Sixty old boys, from various parts of the country, attended this year’s reunion and enjoyed starting their day with a fruit bun, just like the ones they used to buy for a penny in the first break of their school day.
They all enjoyed a tour of the school to see what changes had been made since they left, some as early as 1959 and the latest in 1978.
One old boy discovered the grand piano and was sure it was the one at the school when he was there. He played the hymn He Who Would Valiant Be, which was one of the most popular hymns used in assembly in those days.
Then - one of the highlights of the day, school dinners! Shepherds pie and vegetables followed by - wait for it - gypsy tart! Gypsy tart was requested by so many old boys, who remember how the then-cooks made it. They weren’t disappointed!
Organiser Mick Abbott praised KTC management and caterers for ‘bending over backwards’ to ensure the old boys had a successful reunion.
“They have been so helpful and unbelievably enthusiastic for us”, he said.
Next year is the 60th anniversary of Cray Valley Technical School starting and another special reunion is planned. Any old boys reading this who want to attend next year should contact Mick Abbott on his email, michael.abbott4@btinternet.com
Based on information supplied by Michael Abbott.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here