Reunions & Events
Reconnecting After Three Decades
For thirty-two years after Clare House closed in 1970, former pupils were scattered across the globe. Some maintained occasional contact. Many lost touch entirely. The school existed only in individual memories, with no central connection point.
Then in 2001, the search began to bring Clare House boys back together.
The Search Begins: 2000-2001
Peter Barclay-Jones Takes Action
August 2000: Peter Barclay-Jones (Clare House 1962-65) began researching the school’s history
His efforts:
- Posted appeals on BromleyNet community website
- Contacted Bromley Local Studies Department at Central Library
- Reached out to Beckenham Historical Society
- Posted in the Beckenham Historian journal
- Contacted Bromley Association of Retired Teachers
- Joined online discussion forums
Early responses:
- Mrs. Pat Manning provided information about the school’s founding in 1896
- Mrs. Pat Grant, whose three sons attended in the 1960s, provided contact information for Major Hodges
- A few former pupils began making contact
The Major Hodges Interview
June 2001: Peter Barclay-Jones interviewed Major John Hodges, the school’s last Headmaster
This interview provided invaluable historical information about the school’s post-war years and was one of Major Hodges’ last opportunities to share his memories before his death in December 2003.
Building the Network
2001: James Alcock contacted Peter Barclay-Jones through his website
The breakthrough: James contacted Clare House Primary School, where Robert Hudd had left his name
Growing connections: Through telephone directories, personal contacts, and word of mouth, twenty-five former pupils were located by October 2002
The First Reunion: October 12, 2002
[Images: Multiple photos from the 2002 reunion]
A Historic Gathering
Date: Saturday, October 12, 2002
Location: Clare House Primary School, Beckenham
Attendance: Around twenty former Clare House pupils, plus several wives and partners
Significance: The first gathering of Clare House alumni in thirty-two years – many seeing each other for the first time since they were boys
One photo caption captured it perfectly: “Not seen each other since they were boys over 40 years before”
The Day’s Schedule
Morning/Afternoon:
- Registration and informal gathering
- Tours of the Primary School
- Sharing memories and reconnecting
- Photography by Beckenham Photographic Society
- Video recording by Spring Park Cine and Video Society
The Plaque Unveiling:
- The Head of Clare House Primary School unveiled a commemorative plaque
- Donated by James Alcock
- Now hanging in the Primary School’s foyer
- Ensuring the Preparatory School is remembered by future generations
The Group Photograph:
- First group photo of former Clare House pupils since 1970
- Historic documentation of the reunion
- Capturing faces changed by decades but spirits unchanged
Roast Beef Dinner:
- Traditional British meal with wine
- Toasts proposed to The Queen
- Toasts to the Clare House Schools, both old and new
“The Clare House Time Machine”:
- Play written specially by James Alcock
- Performed by Year 6 pupils of Clare House Primary
- Symbolizing the link between the Preparatory School and Primary School
- Past and present connected through shared name and location
Speeches:
- Peter Barclay-Jones (Chairman)
- James Alcock (Vice-Chairman)
- Head of Clare House Primary School
Slide Show:
- Presented by Peter Walker (Form II, 1970)
- Historical photographs and memories
The Clare House Association Formed
Official establishment: October 12, 2002
Officers elected:
- Chairman: Peter Barclay-Jones
- Vice-Chairman: James Alcock
Constitution adopted: Formal structure established for ongoing operations
Annual subscription agreed: Funding mechanism for future activities
Mission: To preserve Clare House history, maintain connections among former pupils, and ensure the school is not forgotten
Supporting Organizations
The reunion was made possible by:
- Clare House Primary School – providing facilities and support
- Beckenham Historical Society – involvement and documentation
- Beckenham Photographic Society – professional photography
- Spring Park Cine and Video Society – video recording
The Second Reunion: October 6, 2007
A More Intimate Gathering
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2007
Location: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, Fleet Street, London
Format: Informal drinks and dinner
Attendance:
- Peter Barclay-Jones and his wife Georgina
- Robert Hudd
- Andrew West
- Chris Walker
- Nick Randell
Committee Meeting
Prior to the reunion, a Committee meeting addressed the Association’s future:
Key decisions:
- Abandon formal structure given members’ geographic dispersal
- Continue annual social gatherings instead
- Internet communication (Windows Messenger, Skype) hadn’t worked well due to time differences
- Bulletin board somewhat successful but not convenient
- Website continuing to attract steady interest
New approach: Focus on coordinating annual social meetings in London rather than maintaining complex formal organization
The Evening
Activities:
- Drinks and conversation at the historic pub
- Excellent meal with wine for those staying
- Catching up on years since leaving Clare House
- Updates on present situations and lives
- Pleasant evening concluding around 10:00 pm
Future Plans Established
Decision made: Annual social gathering on first Saturday of October each year
Location: Charing Cross Hotel, The Strand, London WC2N 5HX
Time: 12:00 noon for lunch
Cost: At members’ expense
An open invitation to all former pupils to gather annually and maintain connections.
Ongoing Gatherings
Since 2007, reunions have taken various forms:
- Annual October gatherings in London
- Informal meetups when members are in the area
- Visits back to Beckenham to see the site
- Email exchanges and website interactions
The Association remains flexible, adapting to members’ needs and circumstances while maintaining the core mission of connection and preservation.
Memorabilia and Keepsakes
Available Items
Photographs:
- Prints from the 2002 reunion available for purchase
- Compact disc of reunion photos
- Historical photographs from various eras
Clare House Association Polo Shirts:
- Red color matching the Preparatory School’s colors
- Embroidered logo of the school’s original blazer badge
- Available at £20.00 each (including postage)
- Sizes: M, L, XL
- Approximately two weeks delivery from order date
- Contact: James Alcock
Reproduction School Caps:
- Red cap with embroidered school logo
- Matching the original Preparatory School design
- Available at £5.00 each
- Contact: James Alcock
These items allow alumni to maintain tangible connections to their Clare House days and display their association with pride.
Major Hodges’ Funeral: January 6, 2004
Honoring the Last Headmaster
Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2004
Location: Mortlake Crematorium, Surrey
Occasion: Funeral service for Major A. W. E. (John) Hodges
Clare House Association representation:
- Peter Barclay-Jones
- Nick Frank
They joined Major Hodges’ family, friends, and other former pupils to pay respects.
The Service
Music:
- “We Three Kings” by John H. Hopkins
- “The Lord’s My Shepherd” (Scottish Psalter, tune “Crimond”)
- “Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer” (Welsh tune “Cwm Rhondda”)
Readings:
- 1 Corinthians 13 (St. Paul’s reminder about charity)
- Preface from “The Making of Wales” by John Davies (describing the Brecon Beacons landscape of Major Hodges’ childhood)
Tributes:
- Richard Grant (Clare House 1962-68) spoke of his experiences and the framework of stability, fairness, and security the school provided
- Ann (Major Hodges’ daughter) addressed the congregation, concluding: “He was a lovely man”
After the service: Mourners gathered at the City Barge pub, 27 Strand-on-the-Green, Chiswick, for informal remembrance
This gathering honored the man who had defined Clare House for three decades and whose dedication shaped countless lives.
Media Coverage
Local Newspaper Coverage
The 2002 reunion received coverage in local Beckenham newspapers, bringing public attention to the Preparatory School’s history and the alumni association’s formation.
[Image: Newspaper article about the reunion, if available]
This media coverage helped:
- Inform the wider Beckenham community about Clare House history
- Potentially reach former pupils who hadn’t yet heard about the Association
- Preserve the school’s place in local historical record
- Connect the Preparatory School’s legacy to the current Primary School
Future Events
How to Get Involved
Annual gatherings: First Saturday of October, Charing Cross Hotel, London
Website: Check regularly for updates on planned events
Contact the Association: Get in touch if you’d like to:
- Attend future reunions
- Organize regional gatherings
- Host informal meetups
- Contribute to website or archives
- Share photographs or memories
Flexibility: The Association welcomes both formal reunions and informal connections among members
The Meaning of Reunions
What Brings Former Pupils Together?
Recognition across decades: Despite grey hair, wrinkles, and years apart, something remains familiar – a voice, gesture, laugh that connects present to past
Shared language: References needing no explanation – the big schoolroom, house points, the red blazer, Common Entrance, Major Hodges
Dissolved hierarchy: Social distinctions from ages 7-13 long since faded; former pupils meet as equals
Gratitude: For what Clare House provided – education, character formation, values, the belief that whatever you do, you should do it well
Belonging: Being a Clare House boy meant something then and still means something now
Memory: Keeping alive what might otherwise be lost
The Power of Connection
Reunions prove that the bonds formed at Clare House – in classrooms, dormitories, on playing fields – were deeper and more lasting than anyone might have imagined. Thirty-two years apart couldn’t erase them. Geography couldn’t prevent reconnection. Time couldn’t diminish the shared identity.
Looking Forward
The Clare House Association continues its mission:
Preserving history: Through this website, through documented memories, through saved photographs
Maintaining community: Through reunions, through connections, through shared remembrance
Honoring legacy: Through the commemorative plaque, through ongoing gatherings, through ensuring Clare House is not forgotten
Welcoming all: Any former pupil, any staff member, any family connected to Clare House – all are welcome to participate
Get Involved
Attend a reunion: Join us for annual October gatherings or other events
Share your story: Contribute memories, photographs, documents to the website
Connect with others: Use the website to find and reconnect with contemporaries
Support the mission: Help preserve Clare House history for future generations
Stay informed: Check the website regularly for updates on events and news
Contact us: Reach out with questions, suggestions, or just to say hello
The Clare House community lives on – in reunions, in shared memories, in this website, and in every former pupil who carries the school’s values forward.
Whatever you do, do it well.