25 PICTURES: BRIGG SCHOOL REUNION BRINGS BACK MEMORIES FROM FIVE DECADES

 

People who were educated in Brigg decades ago attended a school reunion held at the weekend.
More than 60 enjoyed the 45th annual dinner hosted by the Briggensians' Association for former pupils and staff of Brigg Grammar School, Brigg Girls' High School and Sir John Nelthorpe School.
A three-course meal was served in Elsham Golf Club's Millennium Restaurant on Saturday evening (March 19, 2022) prior to speeches by ex-pupils Helen Flewker and Matt Mosey.
Matt, who is now head of the sixth form, was a pupil from 1988 to 1993. He updated Briggensians about Sir John Nelthorpe School's recent achievements (including the restored front entrance off Grammar School Road, pictured below) and future projects.
 

 

As members of her family looked on, guest speaker Helen, a pupil from 1992-1999 who went on to join the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, explained her wide-ranging role as a diplomat and mentioned countries she has visited. Her talk was entitled Resilience, Interpersonal Relations and Diplomacy.
Those attending the dinner were welcomed by Clive Thompson, a pupil from 1975-1982, who is chairman of the association.
John Hastings (Brigg Grammar 1961-1966) was the toastmaster and invited those present to join in singing the Brigg Grammar song, Fortitudine.
It pays tribute to "our founder" (Sir John Nelthorpe) who left "broad acres" (land to be rented out) in his will to establish and then help fund Brigg's first free school in the late 17th century.
Some BGS-educated guests could remember the verses and did not need to glance down at the words printed on the back of their dinner programmes.
Current sixth formers assisted with a fund-raising raffle, which was well supported and offered a wide range of prizes.
Before, during and after the dinner and speeches there were opportunities for guests to chat with former classmates, some of whom they had not seen for many years.
Present were guests who had been pupils in the 1950s, many others who were at school in the 1960s and 1970s, and also ex-pupils from the final two decades of the millennium.
The introduction of comprehensive education by Humberside County Council removed the 11+ exam and saw Brigg's Grammar and High Schools replaced by Sir John Nelthorpe School, established in 1976.

PICTURED ABOVE: Top left -  Helen Flewker being welcomed to the dinner by chairman Clive Thompson; top right - Matt Mosey with SJN assistant head Alex Smith and Coun Jane Gibbons; lower right - David Harness, George Jewitt and Ross McFarlane enjoying the event. 

 

 

 

Sir John Nelthorpe mugs, Briggensian ties and pin badges were promoted during the annual dinner.