REUNION NEWS AND PHOTOGRAPHS
This part of the website brings you the latest news about planned reunions, which will be shown in the STOP PRESS section below this paragraph. The main part of the site displays a selection of photographs from past reunions. To read some of the stories behind the photographs, please visit the Bell Baxter Lives page and download Section III, Reunion Tales.
STOP PRESS
REUNION - CLASS OF '58
SEPTEMBER 2018
The Class of 1958 announce their intention to hold a 60 Year anniversary party. It will take place towards the end of September this year - exact date and venue still to be decided. Interested FPs - and former members of staff - should get in touch with Miggy Lyall or Sylvia Kyle to get further details. Miggy is at [email protected] and Sylvia at [email protected].
REUNION - CLASS OF '98
19 MAY 2018
CONTACT US AT [email protected] TO REGISTER INTEREST
Bell Baxter Reunion
Members of staff at Bell Baxter High school, Cupar, who manned the souvenir stall at the centenary reunion held in the Westfield Road assembly hall last Saturday evening.
THE third in the series of reunions to mark the centenary took place in the Westfield Road building on Saturday, when about 360 former pupils and staff met to renew old friendships.
The FPs were those who entered first year between 1960 and 1969, and included three who had travelled from the Continent — Richard Waddell from Holland, Avril Macdonald (Mrs Bayne) from Denmark, and Wendy Melville (Mrs Agnew) from Norway.
There were several well-known faces from the teaching staff of those days, including Dr McLaren (rector from 1966 until his retiral in 1984), Miss Livingstone, Miss Robertson, Mr Ken Nicoll, Mr Adamson and Miss Grewar.
Mr Douglas Campbell, rector, welcomed the company in the Assembly Hall, before the serving of an excellent buffet supper. Following that, year groups moved to the classrooms which had been allocated to them.
There was a display of photographs covering the whole period of the school's existence up to the early 1970s.
The next and final reunion will be held on Saturday, June 2, when those who entered school in 1970 or later are invited to attend.
The Centenary Easter Concert will be held in the school next Tuesday and Wednesday.
The FPs were those who entered first year between 1960 and 1969, and included three who had travelled from the Continent — Richard Waddell from Holland, Avril Macdonald (Mrs Bayne) from Denmark, and Wendy Melville (Mrs Agnew) from Norway.
There were several well-known faces from the teaching staff of those days, including Dr McLaren (rector from 1966 until his retiral in 1984), Miss Livingstone, Miss Robertson, Mr Ken Nicoll, Mr Adamson and Miss Grewar.
Mr Douglas Campbell, rector, welcomed the company in the Assembly Hall, before the serving of an excellent buffet supper. Following that, year groups moved to the classrooms which had been allocated to them.
There was a display of photographs covering the whole period of the school's existence up to the early 1970s.
The next and final reunion will be held on Saturday, June 2, when those who entered school in 1970 or later are invited to attend.
The Centenary Easter Concert will be held in the school next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Reunion is in a Class of its own
Hundreds of former Bell Baxter pupils converge on Cupar for 125th anniversary get-together
by Liz Rougvie
[email protected]
Twitter: @lizcommunity
What began as an idea for a get-together for a few old school friends has snowballed into one of the biggest events in Cupar this year.
Two of the town’s nightspots will be taken over on June 20 when hundreds of former Bell Baxter pupils gather for a massive reunion to mark the school’s 125th anniversary.
The idea was first mooted on Facebook last December by a group of seven old school friends.
Since then it’s gone viral, with more than 800 people joining in the online reminiscences of their school days.
One of the organisers, Trystan O’Brien, is even making the journey from Australia specially for the occasion.
Around 400 people have already signed up for the reunion, which takes place in Watt’s Bar and Jordan’s Nightclub.
The celebrations begin at 6pm in Watts with a ‘school dinner’ followed by the opportunity to get class photographs taken in a photo booth set up specially for the night.
Then the party moves to Jordan’s where revellers will not only be able to dance the night away to the soundtrack of their youth but also see the international comedy act The Cuban Brothers performing ‘Barry Peters Halifax Hospital Radio School Disco’.
Organisers have achieved something of a coup in signing up the Cuban Brothers for the night, as they’ve performed all over the world and are firm favourites with A-list celebrities such as Madonna, Robbie Williams and Elton John, who have all booked them for their own parties.
A mainstay of the UK festival circuit and hosts of the annual Gumball Rally, they will be bringing their unique and fun filled show all the way to Cupar for the very first time.
The reunion is the result of months of planning by Trystan and his friends Steven ‘Dickie’ Stewart, Denise Russell, David ‘Plum’ Garland, Lisa Williamson, Gordon ‘Gobs’ Whittaker and Keith Howison.
Explained Dickie: “What started as a fun notice on Facebook back in December to see if a few old school friends would be up for having a little get-together snowballed into having over 400 people join the group in the first two days!
“The Facebook group now boasts over 800 old Bell Baxter school friends all chatting again about fun times at school.
The organisers: seated (left) David Garland and Keith Howison; Lisa Williamson, Steven Stewart and Denise Russell. (Photo: Peter Adamson)
Win tickets to the BB reunion
“We have ex pupils of all ages coming along - some, like myself, who remember the 80s and others who didn’t start until 1998.
“We’ll be playing music to suit everyone’s age group -and there’ll be lots of audience participation, so be warned! ”
School friends of all ages are encouraged to visit the group page to get involved with the party build up at www.facebook.com/groups/Bellbaxterschoolreunionparty.
Tickets (Price £20 - Ed) for the event are available online from www. ticketline.co.uk/bell-baxter-reunion-party; the Station Bar, Watts and Inner Beauty in Cupar; Hairplay in Newburgh; the Cycle Tavern in Auchtermuchty and Scott Robb Hairdressing in Falkland.
They’re also available by calling Keith Howison on 07778 050768.
TICKET COMPETITION
Organisers of the reunion have two pairs of tickets for the event to give away to former Bell Baxter pupils. To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the following question: ‘How old is Bell Baxter School this year?’
Write down your answer and send it to: Steven Stewart Funeral Directors, 100 Bonnygate, Cupar, KY15 4LF, or drop off your entry in person.
by Liz Rougvie
[email protected]
Twitter: @lizcommunity
What began as an idea for a get-together for a few old school friends has snowballed into one of the biggest events in Cupar this year.
Two of the town’s nightspots will be taken over on June 20 when hundreds of former Bell Baxter pupils gather for a massive reunion to mark the school’s 125th anniversary.
The idea was first mooted on Facebook last December by a group of seven old school friends.
Since then it’s gone viral, with more than 800 people joining in the online reminiscences of their school days.
One of the organisers, Trystan O’Brien, is even making the journey from Australia specially for the occasion.
Around 400 people have already signed up for the reunion, which takes place in Watt’s Bar and Jordan’s Nightclub.
The celebrations begin at 6pm in Watts with a ‘school dinner’ followed by the opportunity to get class photographs taken in a photo booth set up specially for the night.
Then the party moves to Jordan’s where revellers will not only be able to dance the night away to the soundtrack of their youth but also see the international comedy act The Cuban Brothers performing ‘Barry Peters Halifax Hospital Radio School Disco’.
Organisers have achieved something of a coup in signing up the Cuban Brothers for the night, as they’ve performed all over the world and are firm favourites with A-list celebrities such as Madonna, Robbie Williams and Elton John, who have all booked them for their own parties.
A mainstay of the UK festival circuit and hosts of the annual Gumball Rally, they will be bringing their unique and fun filled show all the way to Cupar for the very first time.
The reunion is the result of months of planning by Trystan and his friends Steven ‘Dickie’ Stewart, Denise Russell, David ‘Plum’ Garland, Lisa Williamson, Gordon ‘Gobs’ Whittaker and Keith Howison.
Explained Dickie: “What started as a fun notice on Facebook back in December to see if a few old school friends would be up for having a little get-together snowballed into having over 400 people join the group in the first two days!
“The Facebook group now boasts over 800 old Bell Baxter school friends all chatting again about fun times at school.
The organisers: seated (left) David Garland and Keith Howison; Lisa Williamson, Steven Stewart and Denise Russell. (Photo: Peter Adamson)
Win tickets to the BB reunion
“We have ex pupils of all ages coming along - some, like myself, who remember the 80s and others who didn’t start until 1998.
“We’ll be playing music to suit everyone’s age group -and there’ll be lots of audience participation, so be warned! ”
School friends of all ages are encouraged to visit the group page to get involved with the party build up at www.facebook.com/groups/Bellbaxterschoolreunionparty.
Tickets (Price £20 - Ed) for the event are available online from www. ticketline.co.uk/bell-baxter-reunion-party; the Station Bar, Watts and Inner Beauty in Cupar; Hairplay in Newburgh; the Cycle Tavern in Auchtermuchty and Scott Robb Hairdressing in Falkland.
They’re also available by calling Keith Howison on 07778 050768.
TICKET COMPETITION
Organisers of the reunion have two pairs of tickets for the event to give away to former Bell Baxter pupils. To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the following question: ‘How old is Bell Baxter School this year?’
Write down your answer and send it to: Steven Stewart Funeral Directors, 100 Bonnygate, Cupar, KY15 4LF, or drop off your entry in person.
Golden Reunion of the Class of 1963
Photograph by Dave Scott
Back row, from left:-
Jim Noras, Clare Baxter, Alan McColm, Derek Barrie (FPA), David Balfour,
(History Department), Dugald MacGregor
2nd back
Peter Wilkie, Elaine Melrose, Isobel Marshall, Sheila Robertson, Glynis Montgomery, Frances Watson
3rd back
Murray Duncan, Mary Ellen Robertson, Margaret Thomson {Maths Department), Fiona Ewen, June Hastie {hiding in behind), Jimmy Russell, Rab Duncan
Front
Ross Stockton ( School Captain), Rona Ramsay, Alison Appleyard, Mairi Stevenson, Muriel Dymock {Modern Languages), Catherine Juskowiak, Eileen Blicharski, Fiona Cooper (School Captain)
Class of '62 Golden Reunion
FORMER pupils from as far as Belfast and London attended a reunion of the 1962 intake at Bell Baxter High School in Cupar on 1 September 2012.
The ex-pupils enjoyed lunch at the Carslogie Road building before being given a tour of the school by head girt Anna Whytock and head boy Alasdair Robertson.
There was also a meal in Cupar in the evening.
The reunion was organised by David Allan, Donald Dallas Aiteen Smith, Dorrie Black and Christine Arnold.
Former pupils and retired teachers are pictured with the head boy and head girl.
(Photo: links Media)
The ex-pupils enjoyed lunch at the Carslogie Road building before being given a tour of the school by head girt Anna Whytock and head boy Alasdair Robertson.
There was also a meal in Cupar in the evening.
The reunion was organised by David Allan, Donald Dallas Aiteen Smith, Dorrie Black and Christine Arnold.
Former pupils and retired teachers are pictured with the head boy and head girl.
(Photo: links Media)
After much deliberation it was relatively late when we finally started organising our Golden Reunion. Like most of our predecessors we settled on a date towards the end of the summer, the last Saturday in August. And so on 31st August at 11.30 a.m. we met up in the new Bell Baxter after 50 long years!
The event was attended by 26 ex-classmates (there should have been 27, but unfortunately one had to drop out at the last minute owing to a cycling accident) and we were also delighted to be able to welcome various guests, ex-teachers Miss Muriel Dymock, Miss Margaret Thomson and Mr Ian Docherty, Dr Derek Barrie, Chairman of the FP Association, and the present School Captains, Fiona Cooper and Ross Stockton.
After tea or coffee and a superb buffet lunch both accompanied by much animated “catching up” conversation (do you remember...., who can that be...., where do you stay, what happened to?) we were given a guided tour of the school by Fiona and Ross. That was a mind-boggling experience for most of us, all so very different from “our” Bell Baxter. Coffee and celebration cake then rounded off the official part of the programme.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Rector, Mr Philip Black, for his support, also the Catering Department for the wonderful job they did, the FPA for all their advice and both Fiona and Ross who were absolutely charming and so generously gave up their free time for us “oldies” on a Saturday.
All in all we would say that organising this reunion was a lot of hard work - trying to trace people, getting current email addresses, constantly sending out mails, contacting all the official Fife County departments, sorting out insurance etc., advertising the event, organising the finances ............ the list just goes on and on! But in the end we wereunanimous in our verdict that it had been worthwhile. So do keep up the tradition in years to come!
Helen Salcher, Mary Ellen Herdman, Murray Duncan
The event was attended by 26 ex-classmates (there should have been 27, but unfortunately one had to drop out at the last minute owing to a cycling accident) and we were also delighted to be able to welcome various guests, ex-teachers Miss Muriel Dymock, Miss Margaret Thomson and Mr Ian Docherty, Dr Derek Barrie, Chairman of the FP Association, and the present School Captains, Fiona Cooper and Ross Stockton.
After tea or coffee and a superb buffet lunch both accompanied by much animated “catching up” conversation (do you remember...., who can that be...., where do you stay, what happened to?) we were given a guided tour of the school by Fiona and Ross. That was a mind-boggling experience for most of us, all so very different from “our” Bell Baxter. Coffee and celebration cake then rounded off the official part of the programme.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Rector, Mr Philip Black, for his support, also the Catering Department for the wonderful job they did, the FPA for all their advice and both Fiona and Ross who were absolutely charming and so generously gave up their free time for us “oldies” on a Saturday.
All in all we would say that organising this reunion was a lot of hard work - trying to trace people, getting current email addresses, constantly sending out mails, contacting all the official Fife County departments, sorting out insurance etc., advertising the event, organising the finances ............ the list just goes on and on! But in the end we wereunanimous in our verdict that it had been worthwhile. So do keep up the tradition in years to come!
Helen Salcher, Mary Ellen Herdman, Murray Duncan
Class of 1961 Golden Reunion
FORMER pupils of Bell Baxter High School travelled from as far as South Africa and Spain to their old school in Cupar for a 50-year reunion.
Around 55 pupils from the intake of 1961 enjoyed lunch at the Carslogie Road building before being given a tour of the school by head girl Hannah Burgess and vice head boy Ross Strachan.
The guests also met some of their old teachers.
The reunion was organised by Dakers Fleming, Sandy Green, Myrna Houston and Andrew Kennedy.
Former pupils and teachers are pictured with Ross and Hannah. (Photo by Links Media. Cupar)
Class of 1960 Golden Reunion
From the Fife Herald 10 September 2010:
PUPILS who started their high school days in Cupar 50 years ago held a reunion at Bell Baxter.
The event was attended by former pupils from all parts of Scotland, including the Borders, Edinburgh and Thurso, as well as many resident locally.
Various photos and memorabilia were on display, with the 'class of 1960' also enjoying lunch and a tour of the school led by current rector Phil Black, head boy Caoi Ledingham and head girl Lorna Archer.
The 1960 intake was the first complete year to use the facilities of the then new Bell Baxter building.
The photograph shows former pupils and former teachers (Miss Dymock, front, third from left and Miss Thomson directly behind her) with Mr Black (second from left, front) and the head boy and head girl.
(Photo by Links Media)
PUPILS who started their high school days in Cupar 50 years ago held a reunion at Bell Baxter.
The event was attended by former pupils from all parts of Scotland, including the Borders, Edinburgh and Thurso, as well as many resident locally.
Various photos and memorabilia were on display, with the 'class of 1960' also enjoying lunch and a tour of the school led by current rector Phil Black, head boy Caoi Ledingham and head girl Lorna Archer.
The 1960 intake was the first complete year to use the facilities of the then new Bell Baxter building.
The photograph shows former pupils and former teachers (Miss Dymock, front, third from left and Miss Thomson directly behind her) with Mr Black (second from left, front) and the head boy and head girl.
(Photo by Links Media)
The 1958 Golden Reunion
Class of 1957 - Golden Reunion - November 2007
Class of '50 Reunion - June 2000
Class of '49 - 26 June 1999
Group photograph of the Class of '49 taken in the grounds of the Eden House Hotel,
courtesy of Clear Concept Studios, Cupar
courtesy of Clear Concept Studios, Cupar
Class of '45 Reunion
1945 Re-union in August 1995:
Back Row: 1. Rachel Bernard 2. Helen (May) Inglis Thomson 3. Margaret Angus Howie 4. Margaret McCulloch McDonald 5. Mary Winton 6. Cathie Barrie McGinn, 7. Rae Strachan Hanlon.
Front: 1. Alison Heggie Simpson 2. Jean Peters Orr 3. Nancy Fleming Redpath 4. Margaret Pearson Mitchell.
Back Row: 1. Rachel Bernard 2. Helen (May) Inglis Thomson 3. Margaret Angus Howie 4. Margaret McCulloch McDonald 5. Mary Winton 6. Cathie Barrie McGinn, 7. Rae Strachan Hanlon.
Front: 1. Alison Heggie Simpson 2. Jean Peters Orr 3. Nancy Fleming Redpath 4. Margaret Pearson Mitchell.
Centenary Reunion
Some of the 1956 entry
Back row – Norman McCrae, Sandy Davis, Norma Dowie, Andrew Duncan, Alistair Crichton, Sandra Peebles, Lyall Wilson, Dorothy Erskine
Front row- Marlyn Alexander, Janice Johnston, Christine Henderson