Easter Cards Explained

For as long as there has been an Easter Reunion at Sidcot School, there has been a tradition of sending Easter Cards. However, there is a specific eligibility criteria for who should receive a card. So who qualifies for a card? These are the Sidcotians who cards are sent to:

• Sidcotians living Overseas 
• Honarary Members
• Current SOSA & Sidcotian Presidents
• Past Presidents
• Past Members of Staff who have served for more than 10 years
• Members who left School over 70 years ago
• Anyone sending Greetings at Easter

(The above eligibility list was updated this Easter, during the 2023 reunion by agreement of the SSG (Sidcot Support Group). It's also worth noting that when the Data Protection Act came in, the School was no longer allowed to send cards to those O.S. who had not signed up to receive communication from the School.)  

Bridget Marriott (nee Morgan) (S: 1949 – 54, SOSA President 1990 - 91) has been sending out all the Easter cards since 1991 when she took over this crucial role from Jill Cooper (nee Commander). Every Easter Reunion Bridget places the cards in the Library on the Thursday evening, to be signed by those attending Easter as and when people have a moment to do so.

Last year Bridget sent out over 220 cards and we are expecting similar amounts this year. Those who left school 70 years ago, should receive one from us this year too. Please make sure your address and consents are up to date on Sidcotians Connect or you might miss out. To update your details please log on to www.sidcotiansconnect.org.uk or email Rachele in the alumni office alumni@sidcot.org.uk. This year Bridget handed over the running of the Easter cards to Barley & Rachele. Thank you Bridget for your dedication to the Easter Cards and for your ongoing communication with the many Sidcotians across the globe during the last 32 years, your efforts have bought much joy to many.   

Quote from Brian Priestman (composer and conductor) after receipt of an Easter Card

"As one's distance from Sidcot becomes greater, proportionately to ones ever increasing age, the importance of the SOSA Eastercard becomes greater. The names are puzzled over, some well remebered, some unknown, all of them inscribing themselves in that well remembered room, at those old tables, with the warm conversation going on at the same time. Thank you for sending mine on to me."

Below is a gallery of the Easter cards sent since 1912. It seems the tradidion of adding a photo began in the early 1940's, the choice of photo each year falls to the incoming President. This year Sarah Fulcher chose a picture of Newcome as this was her home for many Easter Reunions as one of the first children to ever attend Easter. Newcome was also her home as a boarding pupil from 1974 - 1979. I will add as many cards as I can in the coming weeks, please bare with me as there are quite a few to upload and some are missing so let me know if you have copies to share. For those who would like to know who signed the picture cards, let me know and I will happily send you copies of the reverse.  Let us know your favourites.  

We have also had our first thank you from recipient Elizabeth Darlington (nee Sessions), (S:1947 - 1953).  

Dear Bridget, 

I am absolutely thrilled to bits to receive a greeting card, signed by some I know and others kind enough to sign anyway. Please let younger O.S. know how much those of us who were there long long ago appreciate it, and may just recognise their name even if they don't recognise ours!! With best wishes from an old Old Scholar, and thank you.            "Sessions"

In Friendship

Bridget, Barley & Rachele