What a great day 27th March was. The Pokesdown Lads Institute and the Pokesdown Youth Club came together at the club for a really fantastic afternoon.

The greetings of friendship and joy at seeing old mates was marvellous to observe. The fly on the wall must have seen the most. I wish I could have spent more time with so many more ex members and friends; it was great to see you all. The committee that backed the original idea gave freely of their time and supplied the lavish spread of food; there was so much and I thank all who contributed. The large iced and decorated cake was made and given by the ladies of the Darracott Road Day Centre, where Mrs Dowding (Bern’s Mum), ex helper at the club suggested the idea, a generous gift, plus a large fruit cake that was delicious. Our sincere thanks to the ladies concerned.

It is estimated that around 350 friends and members attended the reunion. The first ex member to arrive was Reg Toogood at 2.00 pm, a member from the 40’s, well known for his boxing achievements with his twin brother Sid. Shortly after this a steady stream of people were filing through the main doors. Despite hair loss and greying hair and a little extra weight everyone had soon recognised and an old friend.

The lads of the old Pokesdown Lads Institute (the Stutes) arrived with vivid memories of Miss Anstie the founder and the years 1914 and the Pokesdown area. They enjoyed every moment of the afternoon, so much so that a request has already been made for a further afternoon in the near future for a quiet chat and look around the club. The average age was 80+!

The only formal part of the afternoon was the presentation of the cheque for £1,797 for the John Cutler Award Fund. Bob Judd, longsuffering producer and scriptwriter of nearly all Pokesdown panto’s, and chair of the Board of Governors, presented the cheque to Sue Newman, the treasurer of the newly formed Pokesdown Reunion Association. The money is to be invested and used to financially assist club members to pursue activities, e.g. climbing, drama, sailing, etc. We hope that the fund will grow and in the years to come benefit many young people and remain a permanent memorial to our friend ‘Cuts’.

John Sier (past Club Leader) presented a coloured, framed picture of a Dartmoor trip to Keith Walton (present Club Leader) as a memento of the day on behalf of the Reunion Association to hang in the club.

Charles Peek, Secretary of the Pokesdown Youth Club, finalised the proceedings with an appeal for all to join the Reunion Association to enable us to keep in touch with everyone, whilst hoping that members will support the old club with social and fundraising events in the future.

The appeal was most successful with 120 ex members enrolling, bearing in mind that many were family memberships (husband and wife). If you did not join on the day I hope you will take this opportunity to do so now.

A delightful and unexpected surprise followed – the presentation of two beautiful bouquets by our Chair Patrick Draper to Esther and myself. My sincere thanks for the lovely thought.

Pat and Irene Draper assisted Mrs Nora Musselwhite, widow of the late Club Leader, to cut our celebration cake. Tea and eats followed and a hubbub of chat as noisy as any club session I can remember. We were particularly delighted to see many ex members who had travelled many miles to join us on this special day and we also received many greetings from around the world from ex members who were unable to attend.

Photographs were on display throughout the club depicting the history and highlights of the many activities in the long years since the club opened in 1903 up to the present day. They were much enjoyed, as were the scrapbooks and members own photographs brought in for the occasion.

Sincere thanks must be given to Keith and Peter and the present club members who worked with us throughout the day making endless teas and coffees. The preparation of the new club lounge and redecoration made us feel as proud of the club of the present as we were in the past.

In reflection of the day, Miss Anstie must have looked down and smiled to see some of her lads and the ongoing Pokesdown members greeting each other with joy and affection. They brought with them memories of mischief and exploits of their particular era, all feeling they were not so bad as the young people of today, but when one listened they were just the same, no better and no worse!

The success of many members over the years would take too long to record but the influence of the club has produced many sound citizens in all fields. The Youth Service should take their honour from such an occasion. It is the sharing of comradeship, living together at camp, seeing a project through and the competition that makes you think your club is the best.

We must have faith in youth – without it we have no future!

We need your support now as much as in the past to continue work in the future at the Pokesdown Youth Club.

Sincerely

Claire Meader
Hon Secretary
Pokesdown Reunion Association