Class65 - Events
	TIME TO RECONNECT Would we ever meet again? The A level exams had just finished in November/December 1967 and at our regular meetings at the Mona Lisa coffee house the talk was invariably what now. Some of us spent some of the time planning where shall we go on holidays, some thought a good idea to find a job as a teacher in an African school in places like Aherro or Luanda or some place in the bush. It meant travelling in one of those taxis squeezed in between some fat mamas or sitting on the right side of the driver who with his 14 passengers in his Peugeot travelling at 60 MPH was quite an experience. 600 shillings salary per month was an attraction too. It all changed so suddenly that most of us did not say our goodbyes and within a few months had settled in various parts of England and not knowing where everyone was. Some of us who did meet from time to time always thought would it not be a good idea if we could arrange a gathering of all the school friends and see what they were up to. It did happen- 11 years later !  the 1st Runion The idea was in the making for five to six years and finally in 1976 we had our first reunion organised at the Taj Mahal Tandoori(nr Warren Street Lt Stn) one Saturday evening. A very enjoyable evening it turned out to be. We had such a great turnout, most came with their wives or their friends and we all  had tremendous time. There were nearly 50 people and meeting and talking to them all about their married lives and their time in the UK since their arrival was an interesting experience. The evening went really well with the singsong to finish late into the night and a promise to continue having such get togathers as often as possible. Invariably as it always happens, we all agreed to meet soon and keep in touch but the reality of the everyday life and the struggle to raise young families was keeping us all very busy and whilst the intention to meet was there not much happened. However, some of us did meet in small groups of six or seven in various places in London in Indian clubs, which were sprouting all over the place. And it happened again - 25 years after the first !  the 2nd Reunion The second major reunion eventually took place at the newly opened Rameses Club in Edgware, which was owned by our own Ramesh and Kanti and it was partly due to their efforts in making the venue available that about 20-24 people got together one Saturday evening in the year 2001. Despite all the efforts in contacting people and the promises made by certain people it was very disappointing that few people living locally did not attend especially when some of our friends from as far as Liverpool, Leicester and Nottingham made the journey. The evening was a great success and again as is always the case with tremendous enthusiasm we agree to meet again soon! We wait and see…… The plan is for another one soon ! .... Pravin Taank

       


Contact  mangal@jadeja.co.uk

Kisumu-Home

Class65-Home

Test

Contact