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THE “NEW” OLD COOPERS COBORN ASSOCIATION
With the Amalgamation of both old pupils’ associations in 1974 the association became known as “The Old Coopers’ and Coborn Association” (OCCA).
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The Old Cooper's Boys School
The Old Coborn Girls' School
For several years, although having joint meetings, the boys found it hard to accept the fact that girls were now involved. The boys continued to organize the Annual Old Boys Supper and the girls the Annual Summer Garden Party. This continued until the girls found that support for the garden party held at the new school was dwindling. So this venture was abandoned.
The old boy’s supper continued to flourish and still does to this day.
Slowly the Board learnt to work together and eventually became as one, although there were still times when the boys had to be reminded that the girls were here to stay!
There were many years of gradual growth and the association became very busy organizing reunions and other functions.
The old boys essay prize was still being awarded each year but it seemed unfair that the girls could not participate due to the way in which the award was originally set up by the Coopers’ Company. The OCCA decided that it would offer a prize for any girls who wished to participate in the essay competition. This went on for several years until the girls decided to boycott the whole thing because they still felt it was very unfair that they were competing for a separate prize to the boys. This problem remained for several years until it resolved itself by the Coopers’ Company deciding to accept ladies into the Livery, making them eligible to become Liverymen.
In the early nineties the OCCA almost collapsed due to general apathy to the point that when Dr. D. Lloyd, the current Headteacher, joined the school she knew nothing about the OCCA.
An Extraordinary General Meeting was called and a new Board elected. Gradually things began to take shape again. It has been a long and difficult battle, but the OCCA has now turned a corner and has a fully functioning Board of dedicated ex-pupils, a super Gazette, published several times a year and many well attended and highly enjoyable reunions past, present and future. In addition, and probably most importantly, we liaise closely with the school providing assistance in anyway we can.
We have many members here and abroad who enjoy reading the Gazette and taking part in the reunions we organize at the new school and old school premises.
If you would be interested in becoming a member, please go to the Membership Application Page.
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