Members of the Carisbrooke High School Class of ’74’ celebrated 50 years since they finished school last weekend.
The Class of 1974 first reunited in the year 2000, before reuniting again in 2008 and 2017. The events were organised jointly by ex-students Carolina Farrell and Jeremy Westmore, but before they got the chance to plan/organise another one, Jeremy passed away from prostate cancer.
In late 2020 – the same year as Jeremy’s death – another ex-pupil Mario Wooldridge approached fellow pupil Andy Porter to suggest that together the pair arrange another reunion, honouring Jeremy’s previous contribution.
With the aftermath of COVID-19, the pair worked to track down their old classmates, Mario focusing on those living on the Island and Andy speaking to those who may have moved off-Island, the pair aided by class records passed onto them by Jeremy’s widow.
This year was the groups ’50th Anniversary’, with most of the group now at pension age, enjoying their retirement.
As in previous years, the reunion was held at the Southern Vectis Social Club in Newport with 52 former pupils attending, including one who made the trip from Michigan, USA. A moment was taken to remember those who are sadly no longer with the group and conversation and socialising continued to well after midnight.
A voluntary collection was made, which raised £117 for the Prostate Cancer Charity. The Class of ’74’ have raised over £400 for the charity in the past 3 years. taking our total to over £400 raised in the past 3 years.
The group regularly chat via WhatsApp to keep everyone informed of what’s going on. Plans are already underway for next years event, again in September 2025.
