The St. Nicholas Parents' Association 13 (1970)

The Association's social calendar commenced with a Cheese and Wine party in December. This was a new venture and one which was a marked success. Members of the committee were able to mingle with new parent members and exchange ideas for furthering the interests of the school and to enlist fresh help with the catering for school functions and for the Fair. Saint Nicholas is renowned for its hospitality and the standard set by Mr. P. J. Cahill was only matched by the cuisine provided by Mrs. J. Vost and her small but elite band of assistants

In January we had our usual popular Beetle Drive, which is always enjoyed by the younger set. Either they are smarter than we of more mature age or they bring their own dice, as they always claim the larger share of the prizes!

February usually brings the film evening and once again Mr. Joiner and members of the School provided an evening of films and slides of holiday ventures, which proved amply justified the parents' expenditure on these "safaris"

The dinner dance held later this year was on new territory and all tickets were sold well in advance.

In July the Parents Association played the School XI at cricket and lost heavily despite the appearance of two guest players who shall be nameless.

The Saint Nicholas Fair was heralded by superb weather, great enthusiasm and a very good attendance, thus rewarding the volumes of hard work put in by the ladies on their handicraft stalls and catering. The gentlemen were not outdone and responded by hard physical effort in collections, and the building of stalls. The ladies and the gentlemen together with the Old Boys and some of the pupils then combined to make the day a success and our thanks are due to Mr. Joiner for organising the gates.

Financially and socially the Fair could be described as very successful. From the proceeds we allocated £75 to the Old Boys Association to help them toward their pavilion at Hayes which will be used also by pupils of the school. The V.S.O. also received a donation. The balance is held pending a final decision on the School Music Room and I sincerely hope that by the time this report is in print the project will be under way.

My thanks are due to all my committee for their unstinted assistance and ideas during the past year, to the Headmaster, Mr. Kinsey, Mr. Jefford and Mr. Plenderleith who, aside from attending our meetings, were so ready with their help and advice, without all of which I would not have been able to say I have really enjoyed my year as Chairman.

A. J. PLOWMAN (Chairman).