PAST pupils of the Broadwey Secondary Modern School reunited in an evening of fun, music and nostalgia.

The classes of 1965 and 1966, the pupils of which all in their 70th year, celebrated their reunion at the Weymouth Golf Club.

The event was organised by ex-pupil David Ford, a tribute and cabaret performer who has lived in Weymouth his whole life. Together with Nicola Rafferty and Iain Challiss, David appealed to ex-pupils via social media, which led to an incredible response: more than 70 former students, along with their family and friends, attended the reunion.

VIP treatment was awarded to the group's favourite teacher, Mr David Burdett, who made a guest appearance. He taught students at Broadwey Secondary Modern from 1950 through to his retirement in 1987, and was accompanied to the gathering by his daughter, Lucinda.

Organisers chose to support The Veteran's Hub in Weymouth, a charity which works to bring veterans and their families together within the local community and provide peer support for those that need it the most. The charity was founded by Andy Price, who was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression in early 2017 after spending more than a decade deploying to various countries in the Middle East and Northern Africa, both as a British soldier and a private contractor.

Andy was invited to speak at the reunion and gave ex-pupils an in-depth talk about the work undertaken by The Veteran's Hub. On behalf of the charity, Andy accepted a cheque for £505.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by none other than David Ford himself, who, together with his wife, had guests singing along to a bespoke choice of music from a nostalgic era. Sian Edwards also made an appearance, performing an unmissable rendition of Evergreen by Barbara Streisand. A gourmet buffet was served to guests by the club's top chef and his staff.

Prizes for the charity tombola were kindly donated by local business and organisations, and the reunion organisers would like to thank the following: Weymouth Golf Club, Weymouth Pavilion, Bovington Tank Museum, Cineworld, The Sealife Centre, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Marks & Spencer, WHSmith, The Castletown D-Day Centre, Wyevale Garden Centre, Gould's, Chalbury Wine Store and the Marlboro Fish & Chip shop.

The Broadwey Secondary Modern School is now known as the Wey Valley School, located on Dorchester Road in Weymouth. The school and sport college, with academy status, teaches almost 1,000 students between the ages of 11 and 18.

To keep up with the activities of the reunion group, follow BCSM 65/66 on Facebook.