The very first guest to arrive at the launch of We Did Our Homework on the Bus was James McGarry, who started at St Mary’s in 1964. And it wasn’t long before Jim was stopped in his tracks when he saw a photograph of himself as a teenager he never expected to see again.

It was from the 1968 production of School for Scandal, the comedy of manners written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan and first performed in 1777.

In the play Jim played Sir Benjamin Backbite, an ambitious social climber fond of spreading damaging gossip to put down rivals.

Jim loved the launch and the chance to catch up with some old faces telling me:

“I have waited for the excitement of last Saturday to subside before writing. Thank you so much for bringing so many people together so successfully. You and your team deserve our praise and gratitude.

“I have enjoyed the book, which was both informative and suitably nostalgic and, even more to your credit, had a couple of photos of me! There were only a few of us from 1964 at the launch but it was a joy to meet Michael Toolan and Martin Edwardes and to share some important memories.

“I joined the year of 1964 in 1965 when I moved schools and then left in 1968 when my parents moved to Norwich. Those three years were, however, extremely important in my life and I am one of those who had a positive experience at St Marys mainly due to the fact that Christopher Doran was my closest friend and we were inseparable.

“Because my time at the school was so brief, many may have forgotten me but I was flattered to see so many photos of me in both rooms during the afternoon’s proceedings. These are photos which I never thought I would see again as I lost originals in one of my inter-continental moves. So, thank you and thank you for of your endeavours – they were worth it!”

James – you are welcome!