Report by Harry Robinson*

St Bede’s RC High School staged a fitting and extravagant celebration for its 60th anniversary on Saturday evening.

And its Diamond Jubilee celebration served as a revered reflection for the pupils who returned to their old school that played a large part of their youth as they reminisced over old school photos - and laughed as they flicked through the aged punishment books!

The event was graced with distinguished old boys in the form of acclaimed comic impressionist Jon Culshaw as well as world champion boxer Tony Bellew, both of whom entertained the guests on stage, especially Culshaw with his priceless impressions of well-known characters and even some former teachers! One guest of honour was deputy mayor Noel Delaney a former pupil and school caretaker when Jon Culshaw and Tony Bellew were there.

Guests were also presented with a raffle full of terrific prizes, an auction for a pair of boxing gloves signed by Tony Bellew himself, fantastic music and even some magic at the guests’ tables.

Overall it was a night to remember for St Bede’s as well as for the guests who attended. All in all an apt festivity to celebrate six decades of the school’s life.

And for helping the night run so smoothly and seamlessly, Jess Robinson from the Friends of St Bede’s has thanked The Friends of St Bede’s committee and the St Bede’s Steering Group for all their hard work, Jon Culshaw, Tony Bellew, David Moss Jewellers, The Cricketers, Jerome Ness, James McCoy, Sarah Prescott, the Y10 Choir, Sounds Retro, Anne-Marie McMurray, James McGinn, the school’s technical and caretaking staff, Harry Robinson, Aidan Knight and Aaron Houston-Wenham.

*Harry is a former St Bede's pupil and was among the 300 or so who met on Saturday evening in the school hall for a memorable night