Many of the group joined Loughborough after a gap year or work experience and were ready for the full student experience! Whilst at the University the friend group came together to enjoy a full schedule of sport, English and a lot of fun with many of them going on to fourth year and B.Ed degrees.
The alumni enjoyed getting involved in sports at Loughborough with many of them being team captains. Mark Tidey was Captain of Football, Paul Sorensen was Captain of Hockey, Tim Chandler was Club Captain of Cricket and Phil Walker was Captain of Basketball.
Paul said:
“We were exceptionally well taught by the likes of Rex Hazeldine, Rod Thorpe, Alan Guy, Stan Wigmore, Robin Jones, Derek Quant, Conrad Raine, Dave Bunker and many others. On the English front Dave Fussell, Ernie and Phyllis Frost and Roger Hubank were legendary.”
On the day of their recent reunion, the group, known as P1A, met at a hotel in Sevenoaks where they spent the day reminiscing as well as modelling their own P1A merchandise (below).
Rich McTaggart and Tim Chandler.
Paul Sorensen said:
“The bonds from 50 years remain strong and even though we are far flung, our reunion was joyous, fond and full of great reminiscences. Five of the boys married girls we met at Loughborough. In every way life changing.”
The reunion, organised by Roger Taylor, saw the majority of the group reunite, with a few of them unable to attend.
When speaking about the reunion, Paul continued:
“It was a great joy to catch up and raise a glass to absent friends.”
Left to right: Tim Chandler, Rich McTaggart, Charlie Tisdall, Rob Bell, Owen Roberts, Bill Kelly, Paul Sorensen, Phil Walker, Mark Tidey, Fran Morrall, Roger Taylor
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