Fond farewell to the Old Freemen's Memorial Clubhouse

On Sunday 19 February Ian and Diana Greenhill (nee Holden) held a reunion lunch for as many of their classmates as they could trace to celebrate leaving the School in, and around 1966/7. Well over 50 people attended from near and far and a most wonderful afternoon was had by all.  There was a special cake to commemorate the Clubhouse and a small teddy for each Old Freemen as a memento of the day. 

Key to the success was holding the function in the Old Freemen's Memorial Clubhouse nestled in the school grounds of Ashtead Park, where everyone felt happy and comfortable and could relive their memories looking across the rugby pitches to the wonderful old school building.  

Ian and Diana met at school and later, through the fraternity of the Old Freemen network, married and had four children.  But they weren't the only Old Freemen married couple attending.  There were three others, and one couple who could not come due to illness, not many schools can boast that success rate.  These romances may never have survived if it wasn't for the strength of the Old Freemen's network and the sanctuary of the Clubhouse.  

Ian and Diana held their evening wedding reception there and over the years’ significant birthday parties, along with kiddies' parties and even a wake for Diana's father, George.

Sadly, the Corporation of London are taking the Clubhouse away from the Old Freemen's Association at the end of March and despite lengthy negotiations, no one seems to have come up with or admitted to a good reason for the move out of the current building.

Alumni are understandably very confused and angry not knowing why. Originally, they were told they would have to leave the Park but then there was a U-turn and the School said they might be able to stay within the grounds.

However, by the time all this has been resolved and a new build constructed it will undoubtedly be too late for the class of 66/67 to hold another gathering and in the meantime, the facility is lost for all the other year groups too.   It was obvious from the feedback of those who attended the lunch that the Clubhouse and what it stands for holds a very special place in their hearts. 

What makes it doubly sad is that the Clubhouse was built in 1955 in memory of those ex-pupils and members of staff who gave their lives in two world wars as depicted on the chimney breast and some of those who helped construct it are still alive today. 
 
So farewell and thank you Clubhouse, you have played a very important and special part in many of our lives.

Article supplied by Diana Greenhill