A recollection of memories by Andrew C. Bunce (Scarisbrick Hall School, 1969–1978) 

Starting A New Chapter: From a Small Village to Boarding School 

In September 1969, I stepped into a world that would shape my life in ways I could never have imagined. At eight years old, I left behind the quiet familiarity of a small village near Swindon, where only a few hundred people lived—and even fewer were my age. I was eager for the adventure of boarding school, especially for the chance to finally have enough kids to play football and cricket with! My two older brothers were already at Scarisbrick Hall, so I knew a bit about what to expect. 

One of my brothers told me about a boy named Masood, a Pakistani student who shared a love for sports and a sharp sense of humor. Although he was a year ahead of me, we were both eager to meet each other. 

When the day came to say goodbye to my parents, I turned and walked away without looking back. What my mother didn’t realize at the time was that I was fighting my tears—I didn’t want anyone to see me cry. 

A Friendship Forged on the Lake 

On my first day, I met Masood, and we clicked immediately. The next day, as we strolled by the lake near the boathouse, the homesickness hit me hard. Masood noticed my watery eyes and said something I’ll never forget: 

“We’re stuck here for the next 12 weeks whether we like it or not. Crying isn’t going to get you home any quicker, so you might as well enjoy yourself.” 

It was wise advice for an 8-year-old, and I took it to heart. That simple philosophy carried me through not only the challenges of boarding school but life itself. Masood and I remained friends throughout our years at Scarisbrick, even though we weren’t inseparable. 

Fast-Forward: A Fateful Encounter in Pakistan 

Years later, our paths crossed again—but not in the way I ever expected. In the early 1980s, I was living and working in Pakistan with a missionary society. That’s where I met Suzanne, a lovely girl from Leeds. She had arrived in Pakistan with the wrong visa, and I tried to help her navigate the labyrinth of bureaucratic red tape. 

The first official we dealt with refused to help us. Fortunately, we found a Pakistani man at the British High Commission, Mr. Raymond Pearl, who knew just how to cut through the noise. He sent us to someone higher up, and the visa was extended without a hitch. 

But when it came time to renew it again, we hit another wall with the same unhelpful official. This time, Mr. Pearl sent us to a different senior officer at the Interior Ministry. As Suzanne and I walked into his office, he smiled and said, “I went to university in Manchester.” 

Without thinking, I replied, “That’s funny! When I was in school, one of my best friends was a Pakistani from Manchester. His family owned a hotel there.” 

He leaned forward. “Not the Arosa Hotel?” 

It turned out this man had spent his first six months in England living at Masood’s parents’ hotel. The connection was instant. Not only did he approve the visa, but he suggested extending it until January so Suzanne could stay through Christmas. 

A Proposal and a Lifetime of Happiness 

During Suzanne’s extended stay, I asked her to marry me. She said yes, and over 30 years later, we’re still going strong. It’s incredible to think how that friendship with Masood—formed on my very first day at Scarisbrick Hall —played such an unexpected role in one of the most important moments of my life. 

 

Gratitude for a Place That Shaped Me 

Looking back, my time at Scarisbrick was truly transformative. I owe a debt of gratitude to the school, Mr. Oxley, and above all, to God. I could fill a book with memories from those years, but the story of Masood, Suzanne, and the way our lives intertwined will always stand out. 

 

Life is funny that way—it often surprises you with the connections you never saw coming.