Allan Matthews School ~ Class of '57 ~ Reunion

Most of us have attended a school reunion at some point in our lives but some reunions are more special than others. It has been 53 years since we sat in our classroom at Allan Matthews School and that is pretty hard to believe when most classmates don’t even feel that old, but even more special was that our teacher, Mr. Len Fowles joined us.

Kay, Kerri, Don, Margaret, Maureen, Betty, Thea, Mr. Fowles, Alanna, Jo-Anne, Adrian, David, Lynne, Linda; (center) David, Kathy; (front) Sheila, Sue, Trudy

The class of ‘57/58 gathered to have lunch and celebrate the fact that we are able to ! It has been 53 years since we were in class in Allan Matthews School and there were 20 of us here to trade stories and catch up after all that time. Many had moved away but then moved back, which says a lot about our hometown of Kamloops.

Trudy Boultbee, Maureen Morrison, Mr. Fowles, Thea Boultbee

Many of us remain friends to this day and although some had lived away at times, we’ve maintained those friendships and have all returned to our hometown of Kamloops.

Linda Ashbee

Some brought pictures to share.  That brought back some memories of childhood friends.  Many of them had moved away many years ago, some have passed on but many of us are still living in Kamloops. 

David and Kathy Andrew

David no longer lives in Kamloops but travelled here with his wife to join us for this reunion.

Alanna Westerman

We’ve had several reunions over the years, some are grander than others and have always been based on our years at Kamloops High School.  Our 1965 class reunion is held yearly at a BBQ, thanks to Alanna, who organizes and hosts this event.

Len & Judy Fowles

Mr. Len Fowles was the Vice-Principal of Allan Matthews School in 1957and taught us in a Grade 5/6 split class.  He remembers us all and even our siblings, amazing how teachers just don’t forget !  He went on to become Principal in that school not long after.

 

David Marshall

David, who now lives in Kelowna, brought along his report cards and other memorabilia to share. He seemed to think that by giving Mrs. Fowles a chocolate bar, he could have her persuade his teacher to give him better marks on that report card! That didn’t work but gave us a laugh and he gets marks for trying.

 

Betty Johnson and Margaret Strom

1957 – Do we remember when?  Elvis recorded White Christmas Sept. 6, Paul Anka hit #1 with his song Diana on Sept. 9th and Perry Mason premiered on television Sept. 21.  These classics can still be found.

 

Lynne Beblow and Kay Delgarno

1957 – Buddy Holly’s hit “That’ll be the Day” was #1 Sept. 23, American Bandstand premiered on television Oct. 7.  We weren't even getting American TV here in those days.  Your rabbit ears had to be sitting right in order to see that black and white screen.

 

Susan Patterson, Betty Johnson, Kerri Colquhoun

You might recognize some of these classmates if you click here to see the picture of our Grade 6 class that was posted on another blog page.  Have fun!  Remember that picture was taken 53 years ago.

 

Jo-Anne Barrett and Adrian Taylor

1957 – Simon and Garfunkel performed as Tom and Jerry Nov. 22, Sam Cook had #1 hit with ‘You Send Me’ on Dec. 2 and Elvis was drafted Dec. 20.  We all have different memories of those days and many of them related to the music we heard.

Maureen Morrison and Don Youwe

This reunion stands alone due to the fact it is our classmates and our teacher, Mr. Fowles from elementary school.  We have a lot to be thankful for, that after all these years we are able to gather, celebrate and remember the days when we were young and things were simple.  Another reason why we love Kamloops, there is just no place like home.

Mr. Len Fowles passed away July 13, 2013.  RIP Mr. Fowles

Allan Matthews School ~ 1957 ~ 1959 ~ Class Reunion ~ Kamloops, BC

Once upon a time……….. no, I can’t use that phrase. It has been used many times before but I almost feel that I am going to write a fairytale ! I have been thinking about a class reunion of my Grade 5 and 6 classes from Allan Matthews School. Now that was in 1957-1958….. over 50 years ago!

That was then.........

Does that date qualify for a fairytale? No, but it sure does take us back many years to a faraway time. I think most of us get to this age and wonder, "where did the time go? Before you know it, we will be……….." well, let’s not go there ! Let’s just celebrate the fact that we are still here, that we can remember it, and talk about it over lunch!

this is now...............
Thea and Trudy Boultbee, Linda Ashbee,
Sheila Hughes, Maureen Morrison

Mr. Len Fowles was our teacher for a Grade 5/6 split class in 1957-58. I hope we can contact some of those in Gr. 6, that would have moved onto Gr. 7 at KamHigh the following year.  Some of those same classmates from Gr. 5 are in the Gr. 6 picture shown here.   Mr. Fowles and his wife have accepted the invitation to join the reunion on Oct. 18, 2010.

 

Kay Delgarno, Carol Bellos, Sheila Hughes, David Andrew

Many of those same classmates from those faraway Allan Matthews School days went all through high school together and have gathered at other reunions celebrating the Kamloops High School years. Many of us are still friends today and that says great things about ‘the good old days’ that created lasting friendships.

The current pictures have been taken over the past few years when we have had class reunions, some of them for a celebration at 60th birthday parties!  These pictures show some of those classmates.

Alanna Westerman

Joanne Barrett

Don Youwe

Jimmy Stuart

Betty Johnson

Linda Ashbee and Lynne Beblow

Kerri Colquhoun

David Marshall

I was only able to get one Grade 6 picture, Mr. Stevenson’s/ Mrs. Normand's class but there was another Grade 6 class so it would be great if I could get a picture of that, too.  If anyone has a picture of that class, please contact me and I will post that picture.  If you can identify those we’ve missed, we’d love to hear from you.

Please leave your comment and contact email and I will make sure an invitation gets to you.  I won't publish your email address on this blog unless you ask me to.