The Gorse Fox set off soon after 07:00 and took the train from Bognor to Brighton, there he had about 20 minutes to wait for the next train that took him up through the countryside, through London, and out to St Albans.
Firstly, the Gorse Fox should comment on the journey. Possibly because it was Friday, it was easy. Car parks were half empty, trains were quiet - ideal. The Thameslink train which took him to St Albans was smooth but had some of the most uncomfortable seats he's ever sat on. AN hour and 40 minutes of this was going to be most unpleasant. So it turned out! At least he had passengers' conversations to entertain him.
Behind him sat a businessman on his way to a group meeting. He phoned to ensure the sandwiches had been ordered. They had, but there was a problem paying for them on the card he had specified to his assistant. The Gorse Fox was delighted to learn that he had an alternative card, as he read out the card number, the name, the expiry date and the card verification code. That could well be our next night out paid for :) - Some people are so unaware of their surroundings that they don't realise the risks they are taking.
CroyMagnons joined the train at East Croydon. They volume immediately rose by tens of decibels as most of them were shouting down their phones. Slowly the volume settled. Two CroyMagnons were discussing the fact that we are are being controlled by aliens who are waiting for us to evolve sufficiently to serve them. "If you want proof, bruv, you just have to a ask yourself why the Antarctic isn't populated. They allow the odd expedition so they can keep an eye on it from under the ice. They don't allow anyone near their lair, though. That's why you can't go further south than the South Pole". The Gorse Fox nearly choked. These people are, not only allowed out without carers, they are probably allowed to vote as well.
The train pulled in to Start Albans City station on time. The Gorse Fox's taxi was waiting for him and gave him a very comfortable ride up to the school.
He signed in and met up with old school friends... Paul McNally, Richard Butt (Sir), Laurence Rossiter, Tom Brierly, Paul Vaillancort, Daniel St Jaques, to name but a few. The Deputy Head Boy and another 6th Former took us on a tour of the school. My word it has changed. They have clearly invested a great deal over they years with new buildings, extensions, and a lot of excellent equipment. We visited the Design and Technology block which also houses the science labs, then we wandered through the Sixth Form building.
We then made our way into the main block and toured the Art Studio, the RE classes, the Latin classes, the Maths centre, the Library, the canteen, and finally the Archive. Every class we entered immediately stopped and all the boys stood to greet us. It's good to see that basic manners are still very much instilled in the boys. Outside each of the classes was a board showing the GCSE success rate for that subject. There were also displays showing the charity work and the school does, with boys going out to Africa and South America to work with children there. The Gorse Fox was very impressed and wouldn't hesitate to send any boy (it's still boys only) to the school if he lived in the area.
The Archive was interesting, hold all of the records of every pupil since the school was formed in 1939, then it was bought by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in 1954 and became the school that the Gorse Fox attended. One of the founding Brothers is still there and manages the Archive. The Gorse Fox was flattered to find that he remembered him. He was also a little disconcerted when he looked at the board of famous ex-pupils and found that Simon Cowell was an ex-Columban!
We got back to Iona House in time for lunch for a beer and some lunch. The food was delightful, but more importantly, the company was also. We spoke of old times and old memories. The Gorse Fox was asked how he got on when he went for his try-out at Nottingham Forest. Clearly dementia is setting in for someone - the Gorse Fox was never that good. He was always an enthusiastic sportsman, but never a talented one! The guy had mis-remembered, it was our classmate Jim McCaffrey who went for a trial and ended up playing for Notts Forest. Another chap remembered how the Gorse Fox had taken him under his wing and helped him with the (3 bus) journey from Cockfosters to and from St Albans each day and how to conduct himself in school. The Gorse Fox regrets that he doesn't remember this clearly, but is pleased he is remembered that way.
Eventually it was time to drag ourselves away. One of the old friends who lives in Dunstable dropped the Gorse Fox at the station and he made his way back to the south coast. It really had been a wonderful day and he hopes to able to attend any future events of a similar nature.
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