HALF a century may have gone by, but for a large group of former Fitzmaurice Grammar School pupils, it was like they had never been apart at a reunion in Bradford on Avon.

40 old school friends from the class of 1965-7, met for a canal trip along the Kennet and Avon before heading to Cumberwell Park for a day of reminiscing and celebration.

Organiser Ciaran Brady, 67 from Somerset, spent two years planning the day and tracking down his old schoolmates, with people journeying from Australia, USA, Canada, Bermuda and across Europe.

“It was very surreal but just amazing. I cannot describe to you how happy I was. Knowing everyone had a wonderful time was incredibly rewarding,” said Mr Brady, who was helped by fellow former school mate Maxwell Williams to organise the get-together.

“Seeing those people you knew all those years ago was very special. Some you just recognise instantly but everyone was chatting away non-stop.

“These are friends we will have for life and it is lovely to know that – it was very emotional.”

After the canal ride, the old friends spent the day in a room decorated with old photos and displays from their childhood.

“It was a difficult and lengthy process to track everyone down. It is not easy when people get married and move far away I can tell you,” Mr Brady said.

“Slowly but surely after asking around, emailing, using Facebook, etc, we got together a big group and, although the whole 60 could not come, 40 is a great turnout.”

In 1980 the school on Junction Road amalgamated with the then Trinity Secondary Modern School to form what is now St Laurence School. The old school building was later sold and converted into housing.

“It was a lovely school and we all shared those memories together and now we can celebrate more in the future as we have already agreed to meet up again in five years time,” added Mr Brady. “We have a website now set up for all the photos and we can keep in contact nicely here.”

“One of my favourite moments was reminiscing with a friend about how we saw Fleetwood Mac in Salisbury and Jimmy Hendrix in Bath for two shillings and sixpence - those were the days."