Dilemma

[Firept]

Dave.
First thing Family first so look after them as you may need the favour returned and your school chums wont be interested in pushing you around in a bath chair!!
2nd Having had an experience of bumping into an old school Girl friend a few years ago .... sorry but Brands wins hands down you will only be disappointed with the reunion.

Paul.

[DJT]

In my mind, Dave, it's a no-brainer. Like you, I haven't seen any of my old school mates since I left in 1971 - in my case because I went away to sea and completely lost touch. And as I don't do Faceache or Twitbook, I'm not likely to again. So it would definitely be Brands every time.

Dave

[Staggard]

If I had a school reunion now we would have to hold it in the local care home

[Pete]

It sounds as though you are quite fond of your stepsister and her husband. It might also be a boost for them after the trauma. Take them to Brands, you will only end up looking at your watch and wondering when you can escape from the reunion, plus all the awkward introductions and stilted conversations.

[Staghound]

School reunions are oft organised by those who think they've done ok in life and wish to tell as many as will listen and by going to this 'do' you will only be pandering to their ego,who needs turkeys like this in life! Take the relatives to the race,they'll be so chuffed you remembered your offer.....giving is often more rewarding.....Here endeth todays lesson.

Andrew.

[elvimto]

I never did all that reunion stuff I don't think they even had reunions when I went left in1970. They have them in the States it seems its a cultural cross the pond thing. When I left school I grew up and went to work and never stopped. It seems like all the punters where I work now, the ones that talk of reunoins are all tossers and have the need to go back and hang out with the same tossers that new them back in the day, put on your big boy pants and go to the Hatch, well you did ask.

cheers Stuart

[Giles]

No brainer - go to Brands - you will have a much better time. One vote for the reunion! Who was that then?

[Goldstar]

Brands

[nellis003]

I'm going to join the chorus of voices suggesting Brands. I'm also fortysomething and haven't been to a school reunion since my 10th. Here's my thought on it: if these were the type of people you enjoyed spending time with, you'd be spending time with them on a regular basis. I've been saying that the nice thing about Facebook is that you can kind of observe those people - the ones you may be curious about, but have no real desire to occupy a room with - at a distance. You get your updates on their life, see how they've aged, and you don't have to waste any more time than that.

Compare that to the experience you'll have with family at Brands. At the end of the day, one outing is about rehashing memories, the other is about creating them. Go for the latter.

Nick