OLD BOYS of Leigh Grammar School were reunited at a special event.

More than 80 former pupils, aged between 40 and 90, travelled from all over the country for the Old Leighians Centenary Dinner at Leigh Masonic Hall.

Traditionally, the after-dinner speaker of the annual event is an old boy who had made his mark on the world and this year was no different.

Dr Robert Drake, a lecturer at Swansea University, regaled former schoolmates with school reminiscences and spoke of his distinguished career since leaving school.

His career includes involvement with Help the Aged, work as a senior development officer for Mind in Wales and being on the treasury/home office voluntary sector review. He also has had a number of books published on social policy.

The first Old Leighians' dinner was held at the White Horse Hotel in Leigh in November 1902 and the old boys have met annually ever since. More than £400 was raised at the dinner which will go towards restoring books in the Ralph Pilling library.

Pilling was LGS headmaster between 1698 and 1726 and 112 books which belonged to him are currently kept by agreement at Leigh Library.

The oldest book dates back to 1510 and one of the books contains an authenticated signature of Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury who suffered under Henry VIII.

The next dinner will take place on Friday, March 21, 2003. Any old Leigh Grammar School boy is welcome to attend.

Those interested can contact Geoff Bent on 01925 766214.