OLD boys of a city high school have appealed to former classmates to help make the 50th anniversary of its closure their biggest reunion ever.

The City of Oxford School Association will mark the occasion in 22 months’ time, but chairman Prof Peter Hills said they are starting a campaign to spread the word already.

He said some members travel from places as far-flung as California and Australia to be at the gatherings, annually held in the Four Pillars Hotel in Abingdon Road.

Prof Hills said: “We are trying to catch people who might never have been before but might be persuaded by the fact it is going to be the 50th anniversary.

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“At the moment we get people coming from quite far away and all sorts of places, and so we are trying to get the message out.

“We want people from the Oxford area, but also further away.

“News about the gathering always spreads through word of mouth, through old boys who happen to meet each other.”

Prof Hills said the reunion always consists of a lunch where old boys meet to reminisce, followed by a keynote talk. Previous speakers have included himself and Prof Heinz Wolff, the scientist.

The City of Oxford High School, founded in 1881 has an impressive list of alumni.

The list includes Oxford author Colin Dexter, comedian Ronnie Barker, Prof John Krebs of Jesus College and TE Lawrence, best known as Lawrence of Arabia.

When the school first opened it had about 46 pupils and occupied the building which is now used by the Oxford University history faculty, in George Street.

But that number later rose to about 360, Prof Hills said.

It was founded by Oxford dons who wanted to provide a standard of education that would get their children into university.

The grammar school eventually shut in 1966, when it combined with Southfield Grammar School to become what is now known as Oxford Spires Academy.

The City of Oxford School Association was formed for ex-pupils in 2004 and has been organising social events ever since.

s For more information about next year’s 50th anniversary reunion, visit cosa.webplus.net

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