Runcorn Memories: Former pupils of Brookfield Comprehensive School put on birthday bash

By Runcorn And Widnes Weekly News on Oct 30, 09 04:11 PM in 1900-1999

FORMER pupils of Brookfield Comprehensive School are planning to celebrate in some style what would have been the old school's 40th anniversary, writes Ray Miller.

Stef Davis, a popular next door neighbour of mine, is a key organiser of the reunion which will be held at the Holiday Inn, formerly the Crest Hotel, on Sunday December 27 (7pm to 1am).

Stef describes it as a charity night of school memories and the main aim is to raise money to help Halton Haven.

"We grew up with Halton Haven Hospice just across the Busway from our school. In those days, the Haven was just a fledgling charity, operating from a couple of dated mobiles, and founded by the late Dom Valdez.

"A lot of the pupils volunteered their services, helping to care for patients throughout our school years. Now, almost everyone in Runcorn knows of someone who has been cared for at the Haven. The Haven is not funded as such and so we decided we would make our party a charity event with all the proceeds going to the Haven.

"On the night we have our very own Si Maddock (class of 1986) supplying all the '80s music and disco with a few extra entertaining bits to raise money for the cause. He even has a mix of 80 CDs to sell on the night from which all the proceeds will be going to the Haven."

Professional photographer Steven Ashworth has agreed to cover the event for free, taking individual and group pictures as requested, with the Brookvale School Shield and backdrop. Photos can be purchased on the night and Steven will donate 10% to the Haven.

The Holiday Inn has donated dinner/bed and breakfast for two and a Sunday lunch for two for the event's charity tombola.

Other donations have come from David Wood (the 'Woody' class of 1986) and his fiancee Jennifer Horabin, from C and T Construction and Estates who have contributed £500 worth of Forever Living Health and Beauty products.

A member of the organising committee, Joanne Williams, is writing to local businesses and Stef hopes they will give generously. Donations will help their tombola.

Tickets for the buffet, priced £10, are available from Halton Haven or the Holiday Inn during office hours.

Those purchasing tickets are asked to leave names and addresses and a note on the year they attended Brookfield Comprehensive.

Any extra money raised on the night will also go to Halton Haven and Stef says the organisers would like to thank James Gough for providing the tickets.

So far, the organisers have promoted the event on both Facebook and Friends Reunited and details of how to obtain tickets are also available on these sites.
"Brookfield Comprehensive burned down twice," adds Stef.

" The first time it started in the science labs in the 1980s and pupils who attended in those days will now be about 40 years old. The second time it burnt down they changed the name to Halton High and it will soon be changing again - to Halton Academy."

Rooms will be available at the Holiday Inn during the weekend aforementioned at a discounted rate of £49 for a double B and B (quote reference number SR7).

The four horizontal shaped diamonds on the school badge represents the old school's four houses - Baird, Cavel, Dickens and Wren.

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