Chris Pratt's retirement party, Sunday November 25th, 2001
updated Jan 15 2003

photo credits: Martin de Little: photo-editing Frank Haslam: captions valid at time of event
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The event was at Reigate Priory Community Junior School where Gilly Cox* is Head.   Chris has been running music classes there for a long time. The place is full of history. The party was in a very special room, fireplace by Holbein. It was a warm and happy occasion. All present were very pleased to see Chris looking so very well and so much better than he has been. They came from far and wide including one from Exeter and one from Scotland. * husband is Dave Cox, ex Therfield

Reigate Priory Community Junior School is "unique amongst junior schools in that we are housed in a Grade I listed building that is 800 years old and we have our own museum that is open to the public. The building might be an ancient monument but our 535 seven to eleven year olds are young and vibrant, buzzing with ideas, motivation and a sense of fun."

Gilly Cox, head of Reigate Priory Community Junior School, the venue for the party. Gilly's husband is Dave Cox, ex Therfield, who was largely responsible for setting up the event: Chris & Sue Pratt: Sue's parents.	Bob Geary, Deputy Head KS3: Vikki Jarvis, ex-Music, now Head of Music in a school in Weston-super-Mare: Chris: Lucy English, Head of English
Chris and Annette de Little.	Gaye Penfold, until last year Head of English Faculty at Therfield, now Literacy Co-ordinator .. in charge of 'English across the Curriculum': Rosamond Shannon, Head of Food Tech, Therfield: Mariot Dallas, who preceded Debbie Jackson in the Music Dept: Mariot flew down from Scotland and had a long, arduous journey involving many changes of transport.
Martin Dyer, ex Geography: John Hickey, then Chairman of Governors: Alun Thomas, HoY7: Chris: Debbie Jackson, a music colleague of Chris back in 1989/90.	Terry Reddin and Chris.
Steve Hill and Dave Cox manning the bar. A tough job but someone had to do it ...	Lucy English helping Dave Cox on bar duty. Is she saying this only once? Any more humorous (non litigous) captions?
Chris and David Curnow, D&T Technician	Mike Hanks, Richard Everington and 'Tommy' Tomlinson, no doubt reflecting on the old days.
Mike Hanks who left sometime in mid 1988, was Head of Dept of Design Technology (Martin de Little took over on arrival Jan 1989) talking to Richard Everington, formerly Deputy Head.	Phil Rolaston Head of Science Faculty: Kerry Jackson of the English Faculty
Sue Pratt and Dave Cox: Dave opened the presentations, here he is presenting flowers to Sue	Steve Hill followed a speech by Dave Cox. Steve's excellent tribute revealed that Steve's recorder had only ever been used by his own music teacher to beat him. Steve asked his mother if he could have a plastic one, reasoning that it would hurt less. The album presented by Steve was compiled by Barbara Sharkey, who spent many enjoyable hours compiling this collection of memories for Chris. It is full of tributes from friends and colleagues far and wide - over 150 people, including messages from former pupils on the website.  The many pictures recall musical productions and shows over Chris's 25+ years at Therfield and include other memorable contributions made by Chris and his music students in school and the community.
	left: Terry Reddin, during his speech before he presented a cheque to Chris (above)
Thank-you speech with typical expansive gestures; fireplace by Holbein.	Chris in reflective mood, alluding to a long and difficult year, much indebted to his wife, family and friends for their unstinting support.
One of two readings .. this one from the Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy.  Broadly along the lines of the "Babel fish placed in one's ear allows one to understand any language anywhere ..."	Chris leading the singalong "... classic pose, always deeply involved in his music ..." see Chris's letter below for a link to the piece
Sing-along to Chris's parody of G&S Modern Major General, very funny & much enjoyed.  back:  Dave Cox, Steve Hill, Terry Reddin: standing, Tim Boniface, who provided appropriate background music to the occasion; creator of the Stompers and a professional musician in his gap year before Music at Exeter. front: Sue Smith, ex Sociology: Lesley Price (Atherton) & Martin Dyer, both ex Geography.	Sing-along back: ?, Beth Harris, ex Assistant Librarian, ?, Ann Keulemanns & Marjorie White (Admin), David Curnow, Barbara Sharkey, John Hickey, Bob Geary front: Sue Pratt with her parents.
above: talking about ties?	Hugh Humble, ex Head of Year and Head of Geography, now retired.
Chris with David Goldhawk, formerly H of Humanities? left some time ago and in private school sector: lady ?	Chris, Annette de Little, David Curnow
Steve Hill, Richard & Diana Everington.	Colin 'Tommy' Tomlinson ex Special Needs, dedicated fan of Brentwood football club: Eric Grant, ex Head of Religious Studies, now retired.
Chris Reddin, wife of Terry. Formerly Dep Head at St Bedes and now retired and to train for the Anglican priesthood: Jenny Berge formerly HoY Therfield, now Assistant Head at Oakwood School, Horley: James Wood, began his teaching career in the Music Dept at Therfield. Head of Music at St Bedes, Winner of Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year: Annette de Little, wife of Martin. Formerly an English Drama teacher, Martin says she escaped over the wire and is  now an Industrial Psychologist.	Nic Wood, née Perrett, with son Daniel; ex Modern Languages, met James Wood whilst at Therfield: Lucy English. links Therfield website Alumni on-line Stompers' Concert for Chris Pratt

Chris writes:

There are the important days in one's life.  

Being born, of course, but one hardly has any control over that (!): degree day: getting married: birth of children etc.

There are, of course the unpleasant ones as well.

In fact - there are, like true friends, comparatively few of either.

The retirement party that was arranged at Reigate Priory School on 25th November was, for Sue and me, one of those few momentous occasions.  We cannot find words to thank those who organised it.  It was wonderful to see so many faces - many of whom had travelled long distances to be present.

Such care and thought went into the catering, the speech making, the overall "ethos"- and subsequently to the preparation of this "web page".  

My presentation album, meticulously collated by Barbara Sharkey, is a work of art and I intend to brave the gates of Therfield in the New Year to show it to anyone who might be interested.  The astonishingly generous cheque has been used for the purchase of a new Yamaha electronic keyboard and a complete hardbound edition of the organ works of J.S. Bach, which should keep me going for a "week or so".

I understand that my song - a paraphrase of W.S. Gilbert's brilliant words to A Modern Major General has caused some interest.

Here it is.  All names and faces have been changed to protect the innocent!!! (see below)

My overwhelming regret is that I haven't had the opportunity  to "square" my departure with but a small handful of Therfield's pupils.  

To all you other guys, "I miss you dreadfully!  Good luck for the future!  Wave when you see a Dial-a-Ride bus!".  

My best wishes to you all.

My E-mail address is christopher.pratt2ATbtinternet.com (replace the AT with @ when sending) 

Chris Pratt

[For the song please click A Fond Farewell]