On Saturday 6 September, Bishop’s Stortford College was delighted to welcome back a group of Old Stortfordians for a heartwarming reunion — marking almost exactly 40 years since three of them first joined the College for Sixth Form.

Louise Harrison (née Meyer) (YH, 85–87), Katrina Turnbull (YH, 85–87), and Hareen Marcelline (SH, 85–87) were joined by their close friend Paul Armitage (GH, AH, 79–88) for a nostalgic walk around campus. Their visit was made even more special thanks to the expert guidance of fellow College contemporary Paul Bashford (GH, MJH, SH, 77–86), who led the group through familiar grounds now transformed by time.

The day was filled with laughter, shared memories, and reflections on how the College has evolved — especially Young House, which sparked vivid recollections. Louise fondly remembered sitting in the Memorial Hall, recounting the moment Reverend Talbot asked her to write and deliver a speech just three weeks into her time at the College. The topic? “Women’s place in this room.” It was a baptism of fire — speaking in front of 30 girls and 630 boys — and a defining moment that helped shape her path into the male-dominated world of financial services

Hareen added a rich layer of College history with stories from his prolific cricketing career, bringing the past to life with tales of matches played and friendships forged on the pitch.

It was a joyful celebration of enduring bonds and shared beginnings — a reminder that while time may pass, the spirit of friendship and connection remains as strong as ever.

Here’s to the friendships that stand the test of time, and the place where they began.