Last summer, I decided to repeat something I last did at Hymers in 1986 when I was 16 years old. The only difference this time round - I was carrying a passenger on my back and the ride lasted longer (15,000 ft). I also had my teenage son (Laurie) join me on the way down. It was just as much fun as it was the last time around!

The school charity jump (2,000 ft) was at Bridlington and you jumped on your own, but you were attached to a cord (static line) that would deploy your parachute after a few seconds of free fall. You were supposed to count the seconds, around 4, before deployment of the canopy (I don't know why, maybe it was to keep your mind occupied in case you were bored!?). I think I got to one second before my senses went into a spin, literally, and as a consequence of my rotating descent, my parachute lines became partially twisted.

Not a problem; this possibility was covered in our training, and I just kicked my legs and the lines duly untangled.  I could then use the steering lines to take a 360 view of land and sea. I subsequently glided safely down to earth in the peaceful and slightly chilly calm. It sounds a little comical, but I do remember instructors on the ground using megaphones to direct you during the landing (every one of us landed safely, and some of us went on to repeat the fun numerous times over). I was ecstatic on landing and uttered a few colorful words to express this to one and all. About a dozen of us did the jump I think, and perhaps a teacher or two as well (possibly Mr Merrick).

There were many high points for me at Hymers, which I attended from 1979 until 1988; Mr Chapman awarding me the best crash award on a junior school ski trip, Mr Harston enthralling me with ZX-81 computer, Mr Hughes and Mr Jack guiding me at the chessboard, Mr Thompson and Mr Bell expanding my scientific (and musical) horizons and Dr Franklin's practical in wine production (1987 was a good vintage, apologies to Mr Thomson for my lack of concentration in the physics lesson that followed that particular biochemistry experiment but the wine was quite palatable!).

The list is not exhaustive of course. Lows were minimal; losing a parent did cause some turbulence but Hymers helped me maintain stability. Sneaking into the school swimming gala when I couldn't actually swim didn't win me any medals, but at least parents were entertained by the lifeguarding skills of one of the teachers (can't quite remember who it was, maybe a consequence of transient cerebral hypoxia). I cherish all these adventures and even the odd misadventure.

I am grateful for all the teachers that have helped me achieve academic heights too, which culminated in Medical School entry at UCL. I am also grateful to the Old Hymerians Association for recently welcoming me back into the fold.

I finally made it to an OH Dinner, after 34 years. I had some anxieties: what if I don't recognize anyone, or even worse, what if I am recognised but can't reciprocate.  Well, I shouldn't have entertained such worries. I had forgotten the key features of Hymers; it's inclusivity and general warmth. I had a lovely evening making a number of new friends in the process and dancing the night away - perhaps too vigorously as I discovered a new meaning to 'twist and shout', rectified with a couple of Ibubrofen the next day.

I look forward to the next reunion and exchanging more stories and perhaps discussing nicknames. I collected a few at Hymers, one of which was, 'Mellow Yellow Street Hawk', which has to be one of the most surreal, just ask me about it at the next dinner...