16513/5OLD schoolfriends were reunited for the first time in 43 years in Bradford on Avon at the weekend. A group of 23 former pupils of Rodbourne College, Bathford, gathered at the Leigh Park Hotel to recall childhood tales on Saturday.

Andy Frazer, who now lives in Purley, Surrey, helped to organise the event.

He said: "We were 15 when we last saw each other. It was wonderful. The strange thing is when you are at boarding school you have to learn to get on with people. But after five minutes you speak to them as if no time has passed at all and we all struck up a good camaraderie.

"The other thing was everyone has kept their mannerisms. Even if they're bald they are still trying to flick their hair back. You look at their eyes and they don't change but the rest of them does."

The school moved to Gayhurst, near Newport Pagnell, before eventually closing.

Mr Frazer, now 58, said reunion plans took shape after a dinner party with several former pupils in November, and was delighted people came from as far as New Zealand for the night.

After the success of the event, Mr Frazer is already looking to future meetings.

"Now we have started this we are getting more and more people coming out of the woodwork, and I have already booked Leigh Park Hotel for the same time next year, when I hope to get about 30 people," he said.