THE members of Horwell Grammar School Old Girls Association have been meeting now for 100 years, and all were pleased to be able to come together — potentially for the last time — to share their memories of schools days gone by.

Horwell’s history started in 1912 when the Cornwall Education Committee became responsible for secondary education and took over St Thomas College for Girls, where there were 91 pupils, and Horwell School for Boys.

Together they were called the Horwell Grammar School. They did not amalgamate, but functioned as a dual school; boys in Newport and girls in St Thomas Road.

Pupil numbers grew and it became apparent that new premises were needed.

Hendra in Dunheved Road was purchased and girls moved in at the beginning of the summer term 1922. It was at this time that HOGA (Horwell Old Girls Association ) was formed. Members have met regularly for a variety of activities which have included enjoyable visits, Autumn lunches and the Annual AGM on Shrove Tuesday each year.

Each year HOGA awards book tokens to the girls from Launceston College who achieve the highest grades in A Levels English and Maths, a legacy from past teachers Miss Tindall Atkinson and Miss Callow.

As fewer Old Girls live locally and membership grows smaller, celebrating the 100th anniversary of HOGA seemed really important.

Thanks mostly to Jean Cavey’s hard work and many phone calls, 58 members came from far and wide to celebrate together for a buffet lunch at the Launceston Golf Club on Saturday 22nd September.

Margaret Young welcomed everyone and many friendships were rekindled, and stories of school days were told.