It was a sunny spring day, when we met for an Old Tudorian fest hosted by Melissa (Kimpton) and David Barlow at their lovely farm not far from Oxford.

Unfortunately all three members of staff had mega navigational problems finding it and so missed out on much of the pre-lunch chatter. Eighteen old girls plus Harriet, Sandra and myself sat down to a delicious lunch. Some I had seen recently at Emma Brown’s (Dickinson) do, others one meets in Sainsburys or Marks but others it was so nice to meet after many years. It was great to see Mel Roper-Curzon (Heyward) who I sat next to at lunch. The funny thing is she seemed pleased to see me! Lucinda Martin (Stanier) and Jo Wild (Black) were there, I got news of sisters and friends they have kept in contact with.

The Tudorian network is very strong: friendships are made forever, everyone knows everyone else and that came over very clearly in my time at Tudor.

Looking round the table I could visualise them all scurrying round the netball courts as 2s and 3s, or wielding their Maxply racquets playing forehands hour after hour on the tennis courts! There were several goal attacks and goal shooters round the table and a wing attack next to me. Bee Gaze (Stoddart) and George McGrath (Aldous) were a very respectable tennis couple as I remember.

As well as an ability to talk the proverbial leg off a donkey they also seem to be strong on the reproduction stakes, several bound for Tudor Hall, all little princesses!

It was an excellent and fun do. Many thanks go to Melissa and David.