Thirty people took part with emotions often running high as many hadn’t laid eyes on their ex-classmates for five decades.
Magical memories were shared as former pupils of a Coatbridge school got together for a 50-year reunion.
People came from as far afield as Canada and South Africa to look back on their time at St Patrick’s High.
Thirty people took part with emotions often running high as many hadn’t laid eyes on their ex-classmates for five decades.
The memorable occasion began with Mass at St Patrick’s chapel which was the last thing the former pupils did when they left school.
The priest conducting the Mass, Father Eamonn Sweeney, was also celebrating a 50th anniversary as he was ordained as a priest in 1969.
Terry Markwick, one of the reunion’s organisers, said: “After Mass we enjoyed a buffet lunch in St Patrick’s club, and our thanks go to the caterers and bar staff.
“The lunch gave us all an opportunity to put names to faces; believe it or not, some of us had changed fairly dramatically in 50 years!
“We then went to The Georgian hotel, where we engaged in conversation ranging form nostalgia for our school days to discussing how life has treated us over the years; we even talked at length about our old teachers – mostly very kindly!
“Some people brought along old photos which proved a great hit with many trying to identify who was who – and sometimes they got it right!
“There was also sadness as we remembered those who could not be with us.”
Terry added: “Charlie Madden went to the effort of devising a 60s quiz, which became so competitive that it laid waste to the old saying that if you remember the 60s you weren’t there.
“After the fun of the quiz it was time for an excellent four-course dinner; our thanks go to Brendan, Steven and all the staff at The Georgian.”
Terry and his fellow organisers are hoping to organise future reunion events – including “possibly one next year” – and invite anyone interested in attending to email stpatshs63@aol.co.uk or visit the “St Patrick’s High Coatbridge Class of ‘63” Facebook page.
