Ayton Old Scholars' Summer 2004 Reunion was held over the weekend of 26th and 27th June at the Whinstone Country Club, Bistro, and Caravan Park for the fifth year. It was a great weekend and a very good turnout.

The weekend started with arrivals on Thursday 24th followed more on Friday and by the majority during Saturday, with many more Sunday arrivals - who had come for Meeting, lunch and the AGM. The weather could have been kinder; Thursday was "stair-rods," Friday was fine and sunny, Saturday a bit "iffy" and not very warm but Sunday made up for all the rest.

It was with some relief that caravan and motorcaravan early arrivals, in the worst of the rain, found hard-standings had been constructed since last year. Otherwise the prospects of parking in the "lake" did not bear contemplation. By Friday evening some of the ground had dried up enough for tents, so all was well for the majority of camping OS.

The following photographs are in the order of the events: The walk - organised by Wendy Smith (Arnold); a busy Saturday afternoon in the Memorabilia Room; inauguration of Robert Campbell as AOSA President; the Saturday barbecue supper evening; Sunday at Whinstone Country Club; and finally the AGM.

Many thanks to: Gill Jackson; Jenny Summerfield (Smith); Mike Adam, Harry Snalam, William Pine, George Hetherington, and Simon Ashworth for the photographs they took - their contribution has been a huge help in the comprehensive content of this Photo Report.

Wendy Smith (Arnold) organised the third Old Scholars Reunion walk and tells us: "The numbers were down on the last two years, almost certainly as a consequence of a poor weather forecast which gave rain and poor visibility for the day – not ideal for serious walking. However, the weather forecast was largely wrong – a few spots of rain here and there but nothing to worry about, and the dozen who came out thoroughly enjoyed their walk to Roseberry, six of whom reached the summit.

“The route this year, shown on the map opposite, took us through the main entrance to Cleveland Lodge (by kind special permission of the owners) to avoid a dangerous entrance/exit to Newton Road . We followed the left hand footpath to the foot of Roseberry where the group split; six to the summit and six across or round Roseberry Common, meeting up again to follow a different path and back to the Meeting House. The walk started at 1:40 pm and we returned by 4:00pm covering a distance of approximately four miles.”

The twelve on this year's walk said how much they enjoyed themselves, and on their behalf may we express our thanks and appreciation to Wendy for the planning and shepherding on a walk to Roseberry, perhaps the most enduring symbol of the area.

(Walk photos follow on the next page)