Friday 22nd April 2016 was a key event in the OL calendar on three counts, the 104th OLA Annual Dinner, the formal opening of the Lyonian Pavilion and the reunion of the Class of '76.

This group left The John Lyon School in 1976, the year the School celebrated its Millennium Year and returned in 2016, the year the School celebrates 140 Years, and we look forward to seeing them return in 2026 to celebrate their 50 Years.

The group gathered in the School reception, and faced the first challenge of the day - recognising each other. Whilst many had stayed firm friends there were several who were meeting former class mates for the first time since 1976. The reception echoed with the words “you haven’t change a bit”!

The group then travelled in style in the JLS School mini bus driven by Mr Ian Parker to attend the formal opening of The Lyonian Pavilion on the JLS Playing Fields. The group were Special Guests for this event as many of them had played 1^st XI football in their time at the School, going on to play for many years for the Old Lyonians Football Club. Cricket had also played an important part of their time at the School and as OLs.

Memories and photographs filled the afternoon, walking around the School, through the corridors and classrooms, also having the opportunity to see how the School has changed over the years. Before moving to the White Horse Public House, another venue full of memories for this group.

Time then came to don suits and OL ties and move back to the School for the 104^th OLA Annual Dinner. With 22 seated for the dinner, this was the largest class representation at an annual dinner for many years.

"Thanks very much to you both for facilitating the get together. It was so nice to see I don't look as old as some"

"I had the very best of times and it so reminds me why sharing my schooldays with you all was such a pleasure and such a big part of the rest of my life. We did have a good time."

"I had a great time, the school looked fantastic compared to my Dickensian memories, and the food was way better than I remember it. I didn’t manage to have a fag in the loos as they had gone, but it was a lovely walk down memory lane, combined with admiration for the new."

"First thanks for organising the OLA Dinner last night, which I think we all agreed was fantastic, as was the tour round the school and the new OL pavilion. Especially great we got such a good turnout from the Class of 76."