A FAMED tenor toasted old friends who gathered to recall their Tyldesley schooldays.

Over 50 years have passed since the group pictured here took to the stage together in Tyldesley Boys' County Secondary production of The Mikado.

But those far-off, happy days were clearly remembered when the schoolmates gathered to relate their life experiences and to once again hear the remarkable singing voice of Raymond Cartwright.

Those early school Gilbert and Sullivan productions left a deep impression on Raymond and when he settled in Germany to make music his career he changed his name to an amalgamation of the music masters' surnames.

As Raimund Gilvan he has achieved international fame and returned to Journal-land to host a reunion at his cousin Joan Stringfellow's delightful home in Croft.

"It was a marvellous occasion," said one of his boyhood choral pals, Jim Meakin of Manchester Road, Tyldesley.

"Many who gathered hadn't heard Raymond sing for 50 and were amazed by a simply staggering performance."

For the occasion the maestro brought along an accompanist as he entertained at Heath Croft Lodge.

School days were brought to life with old photographs and reminiscences from the mid 20th century.

Raymond (front) is pictured toasting his pals (from left) Trevor Woodward, Douggie Evans, Derek Clementson, Colin Grime, Jim Meakin, Jack Howard, Bob Guest, Alan Banks, Stan Schofield, Jimmy Allen, Derek Abbott, Bob Griffith's, Raymond's cousin Jack Price and Tom Shepherd. PT218/444/4A