TIM Bevan was shocked and delighted when he met a fellow former pupil he thought was dead.

He and Alan Cook were friends at the City of Oxford High School for Boys in Oxford in the mid-1950s.

When Tim read in the old boys’ newsletter that Alan Cook had died, he assumed it was the Alan he remembered.

Imagine his surprise when, at a cricket match in Australia last October, he looked down the team-sheet to find the name Alan Cook – his friend!

Malcolm Williams, secretary of the City of Oxford School Association, tells me: “Tim, who now lives in Australia, was playing cricket for Queensland City over 70s against an England over 70s’ team at Surfers Paradise.

“Looking down the visitors’ team sheet, he saw the name Alan Cook, born Headington 1943 and to his surprise and delight, this was his old friend.

“It was another Alan Cook whose death had been reported.

“The two friends had a lot to talk about in the few days Alan was in Queensland, but Tim will be visiting Oxford in October this year to attend the autumn reunion lunch so the two friends will meet again.

“I am sure that they would be delighted to see other friends from their schooldays at this function.”