1980s Reunion
On Saturday 13th June 2009, Morrison's Academy hosted the 1980s decade reunion. Over 150 former pupils were welcomed back.
The day started with a reception in Memorial Hall, followed by Pimms on the lawn with the Pipe Band, who then escorted the gathering to lunch in Academy Hall. Former Pupils were treated to old fashioned refectory fayre, typical of the 1980s- including steamed jam and coconut sponge with custard!
Everyone was then free to roam around the school before afternoon tea in what is now the school staff room, to catch up with former teachers from the era- some of whom are still teaching here!
We were very fortunate with the weather and the day ended with a drinks reception at Dallerie, with cold beer, chilled wine and warm memories flowing freely!
A programme of reunion events to celebrate the 150th anniversary will be published in the autumn.
All enquiries: please contact our Former Pupil Coordinator, Tricia Halley, on 01764 653 885
From David Glen, President of the Morrisonian Club and 1980s Former Pupil at Morrison's Academy
Thank-you
This is just a short note to thank-you all once again for attending this weekend's reunion and for making it such a fabulous event.
I don't think it matters who you are, there is always a sense of trepidation leading up to these events - will anyone remember me/ will they recognise me/will I recognise anyone/somebody is bound to tell me I look fat/ should I really let on that I now prefer to be known as Suzie and have a thing for wearing dresses? (Delete as appropriate)
I think as we all witnessed on Saturday, we had absolutely no need to worry and I just wish I could have bottled the warmth and affection that pervaded the entire day. The memories, tales and stories were flowing and its amazing how quickly and easily true friendships are re-kindled - even with chicken cobbler.
We were so fortunate to have such magnificent weather, and I thought Dallerie in particular was looking fabulous and the perfect spot for drinks in the evening.
150th
I hope you will all agree with me that we should not wait another 20-25 years before we do this again. Luckily we have the school's 150th anniversary next year, giving us the chance to do so. I would encourage you to put the weekend of 1-3 October 2010 into your diaries, and tell everyone you know who couldn't make it along this weekend - the Morrisonian Club is lining up a series of activities over that weekend, including a black-tie Ceilidh on the Saturday night.
Don't forget there will also be a reunion of the pipe-band over that weekend and I was serious about needing volunteers to man the false-start rope for the swimming gala - although I am staking a claim of one end for the girls gala. If there is anything else you would like us to organise, let us know.
I am rambling on yet again, so I should finish off by asking you once more to join me in thanking the organising committee for the weekend's event - they excelled themselves.
Hope to see you all again soon.
David Glen
President, The Morrisonian Club
Responses from 1980s Former Pupils who attended the Reunion on Saturday 13th June 2009
Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the 80's reunion this weekend. Great to meet friends I hadn't seen in 25 years...feels like yesterday!!!! The grounds were looking fabulous, the food (and drink...hick!!!) were great and the whole atmosphere was so relaxed and friendly. Thank you to everyone who made it such a special day for all of us. I think the old school did us proud. Regards
Wendy Bath class of 84
Thank you very much indeed to everyone for a great day. It was great to meet up with people again, especially the teachers and to see that the school is doing well. I almost wish I had some kids to send there!
Marcia McDougall
It was a terrific event. Many thanks to all that helped organise it.
Mark Wilson
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and everyone who organized the 1980's reunion on Saturday. It was a wonderful day - reacquainting with old friends I had lost touch with, sharing old memories and new revelations and well just so much giggling and laughter. Thank you for providing the opportunity for all of the above.
Jane Lawrence
Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the reunion yesterday. It was great. Brilliant. Fabulous. It was so nice to catch up with all those in my year, plus older and younger years that I had known 24 years ago. I must admit that I had been looking forward to it for ages, and it really came up trumps. Dave Glen hadn't changed at all (especially in height), and the whole drinkies, yukkey 1980's meal at the Refectory, and afternoon tea was so well planned. I even recognised the dinnerlady, Maureen, who retired! 24 years is a long time for a reunion, but I suppose that after that length of time we are all on a level playing field and are not competitive any more, so there's more chance that people will just get on with no reservations.
One thing that I found was so much LOVE for each other. I'm not a hippy, but everyone was SO PLEASED to see each other in familiar surroundings. Smashing.
The only bits I didn't enjoy were the facts that I am now 42, and that more people remembered me, than I remembered them - I must have either been good to know, or someone who mucked around a lot and had a reputation! Hopefully the first! I also wish that I had been able to stay for the evening drinkies at Dallerie. I find it ridiculous that I couldn't arrange this part seeing as it was a chance to meet with so many people.
I went along with Kerry Shirtliff, who was (and still is) a year above me, and lives in my village. we both came as a couple as we felt that it would've been awful for our other halves - not knowing anyone. It was a good idea, as I was catching up the whole time, and nearly lost my voice at the end of the day!
I think that the next thing is the 150th Anniversary Ball, which I am
already looking forward too, and I'm eating my words to my daughters and joining Facebook to find them all again in case they don't email me!!
Thanks again to you and the team for all their hard work. Well done!
Alex Hill
I just wanted to email and say a huge thank you to everyone involved in making this weekend a success. It was fantastic to catch up with the teachers especially Hector (my typing teacher!). My husband still can't believe how he managed to teach me to touch type so fast! I did remind him that the use of paper stuck to the typewriters which covered our hands while we learnt each key at a time together with the use of a ruler for the "cheaters" who peeked at the keys, managed to keep us in line and learning at a rate of knots!
The pipe band playing both at school and Dallerie was magical, the pipes and drums always manage to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up! The old trays at dinner was a must, bringing the memories of eating at The Refectory flooding back. Thank the ladies for their lunch...yum...lovely.
Quite a few of us moved on to the Rugby Club afterwards and when we saw Duncan Murchie today, apparently, they'd taken nearly £6000 over the course of the two days....just a tiny bit of which was contributed by the ex-Morrisonian's who'd invaded for the evening!! A surprise number of visitors for them. The guys doing the shuttle runs in the bus took a fair number of us down there, an unexpected detour I believe but a nice end to the evening.
Suzanne and I managed to track down the sweetie shop in town today and my final task was to buy a quarter of cola cubes, some Macaroon and a slab of tablet. A good end to the weekend.
Thank you so much, once again, for a great weekend, we're already looking forward to "recalling" our Scottish Country Dancing lessons for the ball next year. (I can still do the Military Two Step, Gay Gordons and Dashing White Sergeant in my sleep!!!)
Elaine