A SCHOOL reunion after 50 years was a blast from the past for former Verdin Grammar School pupils.

Around 50 past pupils and staff arrived at Winnington Rec from around the globe including India, Australia and Canada to be reunited with their school playmates.

Although many of them had changed - whether it be looks or personality - they all had one thing in common. In September 1948, the group of apprehensive children presented themselves at Verdin School in Winsford for the first day of their secondary education.

The reunion brought happy trips down memory lane for the former students and it is now hoped that this will become an annual event.

Mike Maddock, a reunion organiser, of Dalefords Lane, Whitegate, said: "I have fond memories of Verdin.

"I first decided to organise the reunion when a chap from Australia, who used to go to Verdin, came across, and we decided to get a few school friends together. It went on from there.

"Because it was the 50 year anniversary of us starting grammar school this year, we wanted to have a big celebration."

He added: "I remember going from a little village primary in Whitegate to what I thought was an enormous school. We were frowned upon if we talked to girls. But it's all so different now."

The Verdin Grammar School building in High Street is still used for education by Mid-Cheshire College, which offers a wide range of adult education courses there.

Tim Parnell, head of adult and continuing education at Mid-Cheshire College, escorted the former pupils around the building.

Reminiscences included discussion over where the boys' and girls' toilets used to be located and the fact that in those days the girls and boys were discouraged from mixing. There was even a fence across the middle of the playground to segregate them.

In order to be accepted by the school, which was for 11 to 13 year-olds, pupils were required to take an entrance examination, and if any of them misbehaved they had to line up outside the head teacher's office.

MR Maddock would still like to hear from year of '48 pupils. He can be contacted at Beechfield, Dalefords Lane, Whitegate, Cheshire, CW8 2BL.

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