Reunion planned for Hinchingbrooke School's class of 1976

Pupils from that year’s Upper Sixth have organised the get-together at the Old Bridge Hotel on June 26 and want as many of their former classmates as possible to join them.

So far, the organisers Mark Souster and Marion Podmore have tracked down 32 of their ex- classmates for an evening of what has been dubbed a celebration of friendship and fun.

They estimate there are at least another 25 out there who they haven’t been able to trace.

The class of 1976 are getting together for a reunion this summer and they are still looking for of their old classmates. (Image: Mark Souster)

That year group was the last of the Grammar School intake before the school became fully comprehensive.

Mark, now 67, had the idea of a reunion last autumn. He approached Marion, with whom he had kept in touch, and the two hatched a plan.

A WhatsApp group was set up, but initially, finding people was not easy. Slowly but surely, however, their detective work started to pay off.

One by one, names were ticked off, and by this month, more than 30 had signed up for the event.

The class of 1976 are getting together for a reunion this summer and they are still looking for of their old classmates. (Image: Mark Souster)

Mark, who spent his career as a sports journalist at The Times, is hoping that through the Hunts Post, word will spread further and more of those who attended the school will be found.

“I only spent two years at Hinchingbrooke in the sixth form, but they were among the happiest of my life,” said Mark. “I made some lifelong friends there.

"The WhatsApp group has been buzzing in recent weeks with people really delighted to have reconnected with long-lost friends."

The summer of 1976 was one of the hottest on record, with temperatures reaching 35 °C. The heatwave lasted two months.

Half a century ago, the top film was The Omen, and the number one song for much of the summer was ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,’ by Elton John and Kiki Dee.

Among those organisers would like to find are James Stuart, Steve Thompson, Lesley McHugh, Mark Stevens, Julia Morgan, Jo Bond, Edwin Robins, Catherine Richie and Ken Thompson.

“I think many are still living in the Huntingdon area, so if readers can help with any leads or if former pupils themselves read this and want to know more, then please do get in touch.”

Mark can be contacted via email at msou2times@aol.com, and Marion can be emailed at hinchingbrooke1976@outlook.com