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Saturday 28th June was the first day of the annual 3-day Flower Festival at St. Peter's Church, Aldborough Hatch and the day on which William Torbitt school held its Summer Fayre.
There were a number of other attractions in the locality, but both events were well - supported and the weather was glorious!

I don't think it can be claimed that our having advertised both functions on the Torbitt site added significantly to the numbers attending and many former Torbitt pupils are regular visitors to the Flower Festival anyway..

Nevertheless, I am delighted to report that Malcolm Bidgood paid a visit to the Flower Festival prior to an engagement he had at a major event in Valentines Park. He met for the first time in some 46 years with two of his former pupils, Shirley Holdstock and Mick Rouemaine and posed for photographs with them and with Jennifer Austin, Barbara Rawden and Joyce Middleton. It was pleasing that this group had troubled to dig out and bring along their childhood photographs to add to the reminiscences shared that afternoon. Some new contacts were made as a result of these exchanges of memories.
Geoff Gillon - for pictures of the day click HERE
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FITTING MEMORIAL SET FOR SCHOOLS STALWART

A DEVOTED former pupil wants to raise money to provide a fitting memorial at the grave of an Ilford dignitary.

Geoffrey Gillon, formerly of Leyswood Drive, Barkingside, has dedicated his life to William Torbitt School in Eastern Avenue, Newbury Park, where he was a pupil until 1959.

He now hopes to provide the proper memorial its founder never had because his son died in World War Two.

Mr Gillon, 55, set up a website about the school's history, which has helped him get in touch with past pupils. He is now trying to replace the decaying headstone at the grave of its founder William Stansfield Torbitt in Barkingside Cemetery, Longwood Gardens, Barkingside, with a black granite memorial.

"The original gravestone was very simple," said Mr Gillon.

"Mr Torbitt's only son, an officer in the British Army, had died as a prisoner of the Japanese and was, therefore, not around to provide the sort of memorial fitting for Mr Torbitt's role in the community,
"He was Ilford's director of education and, from archive photographs, it seems that he was chosen to represent the borough at civic events such as the reception of royal visitors."

The new headstone is. intended to include an engraving of the school. It would also make mention of Mr Torbittt's role as director of education from 1903 to 1938.

Mr Gillon said the cost of a replacement stone was around £2,400.

While Mr Torbitt's grandson, who lives in South Africa, is prepared to donate £1,000, Mr Gillon is appealing  to area committee four to contribute a further £1,000.

"It serves as a civic memorial and, for that reason I would hope that (he local authority might see fit to contribute towards the cost," said Mr Gillon.

Committee chairman Cllr Ronnie Barden said, while he could not promise Mr Gillon he would be granted his request, he encouraged him to attend the next meeting and forward his demands.

12th June 2002 - A Get-Together - with thanks to Gillian Spink

A few former pupils from William Torbitt School who met again on the 12th June 2002. Some of us hadn't seen each other since we were eleven!! It was a fantastic day and we will be doing it again next April 2003 when hopefully a few more will join us who left WT in 1954.
I have listed everybody in the picture and noted the schools they went to.

Back row:
Jennifer Murrell(WT & Mayfield), Paulette Smith(WT & Downshall), Valerie Ludbrooke (Downshall), Valerie Fry(WT & Downshall), Sonia Weech(WT & Downshall), Noel Grimmett(the brave man amongst all us women)(WT & Gearies), Jennifer Everett (Downshall), Gillian Spink(WT & Downshall), Ann Hollingsworth( WT & Mayfield), Janet Topley(WT & Downshall).
Seated:
Barbara Roberts(WT & Grammar School?), Avril Hirschbein (Downshall),Valerie Harrison(WT & Downshall), Jacqueline Bell (Downshall) and Aileen Marsh (Downshall).

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