th
70 Year
Spring 2010
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Contacts
Newsletter: Paul & Jayne Lucas - 01202 381715
165 Harewood Ave, Bmth, BH7 7BJ
newsletter@spppa.org
Membership: Eddie Miller – 01202 246505
75 Littledown Ave, Bmth, BH7 7AX
membership@spppa.org
Secretary: David Cassidy – 01202 427511
11 Ovington Ave, Bmth, BH7 6SA
secretary@spppa.org
Chairman: Tommy Browning – 01202 483917
8 Argyle Rd, Christchurch BH23 3NW
brooksfm.T21@btinternet.com
Treasurer: Jo Cassidy – 01202 427511
11 Ovington Ave, Bmth, BH7 6SA
secretary@spppa.org
Accessibility
If you or any Past Pupil you know has difficulty with eyesight, and
you wish to receive the newsletter full size, please let us know and
we will send you a large copy by post or by email if you prefer.
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Diary Dates
Sun 7 Mar 2.15 pm AGM, see advert page 7, followed
by Mass at 4pm,
Sat 8th May Annual Reunion Dinner, Saturday 8th May at
the Chine Hotel, see page 8
Sat 15 May 12 noon – Founder’s Day Mass, followed by
tea and biscuits
Sat 29 May Annual ‘At home’ Coffee Morning/Bring and
Buy, 10.30 – 12.30, see page 20
Sun 6 June Quiz on foot around Christchurch. 2pm
outside Oswald Bailey, Saxon Square,
Tommy Browning, 01202 483917
Sun 4 July Boscombe Convent reunion, 2 pm in Thomas
Garnett hall with tea and cakes
Sun 11 July 4 pm Mass, followed by tea and biscuits
Sun 3 Oct 4 pm Mass, followed by tea and biscuits
Sun 19 Dec 4 pm – Christmas Mass, followed by tea and
biscuits
PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO SUPPORT AT LEAST 3 EVENTS
OR MORE OVER THE YEAR.
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Your prayers are requested for:
Lately Deceased: Tom Leyland (ex Br Hugh), Barbara ‘Bobbie’ Hughes,
Nora Smart, Jessie Blunden
In Memoriam list
10 March 1949
Arthur Joseph Miller 28 March 1950
Rev Fr Lucas Bellanti SJ 04 March 1955
Rev Fr Cyril Charlier SJ 11 March 1970
Rev Bro Didymus fsc 31 March 1971
Tim O‟Sullivan 01 March 1977
Rev Bro Nicholas fsc 07 March 1977
Malcolm Pearson 01 March 1980
Bro Ives Patrick fsc 01 March 1981
Simon Peter Donohoe 06 March 1983
Joseph Witherington 22 March 1988
John Austen Bowen 21 March 1992
Gerry Stedmon 22 March 1992
Mark Stephen O‟Brien 09 March 1996
Peter Gryspeerdt 01 March 2001
John McKinney 18 March 2002
Rev Bro Bernard Brady fsc 11 April 1962
Tim Morgan 25 April 1982
Royston Halladay 29 April 1982
Max Cross 05 April 1988
Deryck Gainor 16 April 1988
Gregory Whitehead 05 April 1992
Rev Fr Herbert Bamber SJ 05 April 1992
Rev Fr Raymond Bacon SJ 06 April 2000
Rev Bro Cuthman Anselm fsc MBE 23 April 2004
Damian Cook 28 April 2004
Peter Scott 28 April 2008
John Couling 10 May 1984
Rev Bro Ralph Sherwin fsc 15 May 1984
Ben Stuart 22 May 1986
Rev Bro Alan Maurice fsc 26 May 1986
Paddy O‟Leary (OJ) 05 May 2000
Terry Ventham 12 May 2001
Sarah Green (neé Rogers) 02 May 2003
Also for the following who are unwell: Naiada Blunden, Jimmy O‟Brien, Dan
Cunningham, Ian Jones, Maggie Donlevy, Brian Burleigh, Clive Stanbrook, Martin
Macdonald, Anna Browning, Gordon Heald, Jerry Murphy, Anthony Whelan, Br Jim
Ryan, Sheila Murray, Nick McCarty, Tony Sheehan, Bro Patrick Maloney, Tony
Inscoe, Teresa Lane, Ann McKinney (Carpenter), Mary Cox, Terry Devlin, Carole
Smith, Rev Maurice Rogers, Mary Hather, Fr Terence „Towser‟ Fitzpatrick OSB.
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NEWSLETTER NUMBER 1/10 February 2010
President: Mr Anthony McCaffrey MA Headteacher
Chairman: Mr Tommy Browning
Letter from the Chairman
Dear Reader, Anniversaries abound!
Two hundred years ago Lewis Tregonwell settled in a seaside hamlet,
now Bournemouth. His home was where the Royal Exeter Hotel now
stands.
One hundred years ago on the open land below Grassendale, now St
Peter‟s School, an airfield was laid out on what is now the school lower
field.
Charles Rolls became Britain‟s first aviation fatality, commemorated by
a plaque near the spot.
In 1940, Headmaster Fr Terence Mulvaney SJ formed the
„Old Boys Association‟ . So in this 70th Anniversary year, though there
were breaks in the war years, we ask for your support at the reunion
dinner in May.
Please support our Masses.
It is to be hoped in this momentous year to have an open day,
probably in September. More news in the June newsletter.
Sincerely
Tommy Browning
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Mass dates
Sun 7 March 2010 at 4 pm
Sat 15 May 2010 at 12 noon – Founder‟s Day Mass
Sun 11 July 2010 at 4 pm
Sun 3 Oct 2010 at 4 pm
Sun 19 Dec 2010 at 4 pm – Christmas Mass
Mass is followed by tea and cakes in the school. Please try to attend
as many Masses as possible or we will lose them.
Games Night Report
20th November 2009
29 hale and hearty (well mostly) Past Pupils and friends turned up for our
3rd Games Night. The following games were for the skill and enjoyment
of everybody. They were 9 pin bowling, darts, hole in one, carpet golf,
magnetic darts, shove ha‟penny, steady electronic skills, table tennis balls
in jars, and underneath the arches with tennis balls.
The variety of games proved quite a hit, especially with Martin Cassidy’s
group, some of whom came from London for the evening. The evening
was enhanced by a good supper of fish and chips enjoyed by all. The
first prize was won by Joanna Fulton from London, in Martin Cassidy‟s
group and the second prize by Alan Dean, a Past Pupil from the 50‟s over
from Australia with his wife. It was good to meet them – that‟s what the
Association is all about.
To complete the evening Tommy Browning did the rounds with a pack of
cards, selling each one as a raffle ticket, for three prizes. So a successful
evening was rounded up with a small profit towards the running costs of
the Association. One of the young ladies from London, as she was going
out asked if she could book an entry for next year‟s. Praise indeed!
Many thanks to those who helped to run the evening and clear up
afterwards.
David Cassidy
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The Annual General Meeting
St. Peter’s Past Pupils’ Association
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
OF
ST. PETER‟S PAST PUPILS‟ ASSOCIATION
WILL BE HELD ON
SUNDAY 7TH MARCH 2010
AT 2.15 P.M. PROMPT
IN THE CLUBROOM THE NICK‟S HEAD
MAIN BUILDING DINING HALL
Resolutions from Ordinary members to be considered at the
AGM must be submitted to the Honorary Secretary in writing at
least 14 days before the meeting.
Membership
It‟s that time of year again. The time when I start giving gentle reminders to
our 26 members who pay by cash, that subs are due once again.
Membership cards will be enclosed with the spring newsletter for all
ordinary members.
Having just checked through the bank statements for our standing order
payments, I note that I am still receiving £10 per year from M S Yorke, or
maybe Ms. Yorke. Does anyone know the name please?
Eddie Miller
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Last call for the Annual Reunion Dinner
to be held at The Chine Hotel, Boscombe Spa Rd
SATURDAY 8TH MAY
6PM FOR 7 PM
Once again, the Dinner is upon us and although you think May is a long
way ahead, we have to have all our numbers, menu selection etc into the
hotel 10 days to a fortnight beforehand, so, you have been warned. So
we are going to need your firm booking with cheque by Thursday the 29th
April at the very latest. Some of you do make a habit of booking very late.
Please do not try it. I shall fight our quarter with the hotel but I know they
are pretty strict and don‟t expect anything but stout resistance on their
part.
MENU A MENU B
Roast Tomato Soup Prawn and Apple Cocktail with
************** gem lettuce and brandy rose
Breast of Chicken, fondant Potato prawn sauce
and thyme gravy **************
Served with a selection of fresh Confit Duck Leg, cream potato
market vegetables and a roast duck jus
Or Served with a selection of fresh
Wild Mushroom Risotto with market vegetables
Parmesan cheese and rocket Or
************* Wild Mushroom Risotto with
Sticky Toffee Pudding, Vanilla Parmesan cheese and rocket
bean Ice Cream & butterscotch *************
sauce Glazed Lemon Tart with raspberry
************** sauce
Platters of Cheese for each table to *************
include: Platters of Cheese for each table
Grapes, celery and cheese biscuits to include:
Grapes, celery and cheese
************** biscuits
Coffee and Mints
**************
Coffee and Mints
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This year you have been presented with a choice of two menus, menu A
and menu B. There is no crossing over between one or the other, you
either have one or the other. As it is, the hotel will need to know the
number for each menu and also the number of menus A or B for each
table, so don‟t forget your help in all this is essential.
Our Guest of Honour, Brother Ralph Loftus, many of you know and also
with us on the night will be Brother Bernard Hayward, last year‟s Guest of
Honour and our new Brother Provincial, Brother Aidan Kilty.
BOOKING FORM
Name(s) ...............................................................................
Address.................................................................................
Years at School.............................
Choice of menu: A or B Tick your choice
Please send me .................. tickets. Please indicate the names of those
attending and send a cheque payable to “St Peter‟s Past Pupils‟
Association” to David Cassidy, 11 Ovington Avenue, Bournemouth BH7
6SA. Telephone No. 01202 427511. No ticket issued without your
cheque for £25 per ticket. Number limited to 100. We expect a special
interest as this is the 70th anniversary of the Association, make sure of
your ticket.
Please tick here for a vegetarian meal ..............
For those wishing to book overnight at The Chine phone 01202 396234
Please make a special effort in this, our 70th Anniversary year. Why not
get in touch with some old friends and make up a table. Mention when
booking if you have any special requests for seating arrangements.
There is plenty of parking, details with your tickets.
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Jessie Blunden RIP
Jessie, mother of Reginald and Naiada, died on the 27th December
2009, after two years of illness, following a severe stroke. She was
looked after for the past year at the same care home that Naiada lives in
at Westbourne. In fact, they had rooms opposite each other. Jessie
spent the last 25 years of her life at Parkwood Road in loving and
unstinted service toward Naiada, who had to be nursed by a round the
clock nursing staff.
Jessie always welcoming to visitors with a fine, gentle sense of humour,
made Naiada‟s life, severely restricted as it is, a happy and contented one.
Her funeral took place at Ringwood Parish Church on Tuesday the 12th
January and was well attended by Naiada with her two carers, Ann and
Jenny, and Reginald, and relatives and friends, among whom were the
following Past Pupils and friends, Tommy Browning, John Duffy, Bob
Belcher, David and Jo Cassidy, Chris Thackray, Pauline Browning
and Anne Kenefick (nee Browning), and Sister Frances from the
Boscombe Convent who has so loyally taken communion to Naiada, who
for many years was a parishioner at Corpus Christi.
If anybody who knew Naiada would like to make a donation in memory of
her mother it can be made to the New Forest Disabled Driving Group and
sent to the Funeral Directors, Barrow Brothers and Tapper, 29a
Southampton Road, Ringwood BH24 1HB. This is an organisation which
for years has given Naiada a great enjoyment as they take individuals
horse driving in two seater buggies through the New Forest, a regular
occasion which Naiada looks forward to.
Our sincere sympathy and promise of prayers go to Reginald and Naiada.
May she rest in peace. David Cassidy
Tom Leyland RIP
It is with sadness that I write to inform you of the death, on 25 January, of
Tom Leyland, or Brother Hugh, as he was called during his time as a
Brother. He was a colleague and personal friend, whom I have known
since our days together in the Juniorate.
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Tom was a Lancashire lad from Wigan who was inspired by Denis Robert
and nudged no doubt by the Holy Spirit to join the De La Salle Brothers.
He came to the Lodge in 1949 in company of another Wiganite,
Roy Adams, and quickly entered fully into the life of the Juniorate and
School.
Being a well-built lad and passing fair at games, Tom soon became
noticed as a regular member of various teams, where his contribution was
solid and reliable. He was not one to seek the limelight but his leadership
potential was noticed and he was elected as Head Boy of Aquinas House
and a school prefect.
Perhaps I can mention here his “smile” which everyone who knew him
associates with him. In every photo I can recall he wears his
characteristic smile and he was smiling the last time I saw him just a few
months ago.
Tom‟s first appointment was to the Prep School at Oakhill, Ipswich, where
his equanimity of temperament was ideally suited to looking after junior
boarders. It soon became apparent that Tom‟s talents were wide in
scope: thus, while having no pretensions of being an artist he painted a
striking mural of the view over the River Orwell and Ipswich Docks, which
graced the walls of the boys‟ dining room for many years.
He proceeded to the senior school at Birkfield where he took over a
boarding division and became an enthusiastic rugby coach. With his fine
voice and musical training he also assumed a prominent role in the school
choir.
A large gap was left when Tom went to Durham University to further his
studies. It was while there that he left the Brothers.
Upon leaving university he joined the staff of Westpark Grammar School,
the Brothers‟ school in St Helens where he soon made his mark becoming
Head of Department and rugby coach and an enthusiastic member of
school theatrical productions. He took lead roles with the Wigan Gilbert
and Sullivan Society and was a member of the Wigan Sailing Club. He
instructed his two sons in sailing which no doubt contributed to their taking
up careers in the Merchant Navy.
Not too long after retirement he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent
a series of operations and treatments, keeping the cancer at bay, but
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leaving him increasingly disabled. He struggled on against his illness but
was able to accept the eventual outcome with admirable courage,
sustained by his deep faith and devotion to Our Lady and the support of a
loving family and friends.
A few months ago he met up with his parish priest and chose hymns and
readings for his funeral Mass. A packed church on the day included
many fellow Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiasts, which goes some way to
explain the wholehearted participation of the congregation in the singing.
Joe Rogan, officiated as Deacon and other past pupils were present:
Arthur Blair, Leo Connolly, Peter Williams; and Brothers Owen,
Kieran and the Provincial, Brother Aidan.
It was evident from the sincere tributes that Tom‟s life had enriched many
others. I am privileged to have been a friend.
Brother Terence Kay
Departure of the Brothers from
Southbourne
After 63 years of the Brothers‟ connection with St Peter‟s, the final two
slipped away on Wednesday the 13th January. We had expected them to
leave 2 or 3 days later so unfortunately, none of us were around to see
them off. The haste of their departure was caused by the new owners‟
requirement to take up occupation as soon as possible.
The photograph below is of Briar Patch which most of you remember
going through the woods towards Hengistbury Head, it was in St
Catherine‟s Road. This was mainly used as offices on the ground floor
and bedrooms for the Brothers above. I found out in the 60‟s that the
chap I was working with, one Dave Woodall, had, with his mother and
brother been given residence there during the war in 1947. When the
Brothers came I believe it to have become a place of residence for some
of the Community. Around about this time the house opposite Briar Patch
(Sterlings – see photograph below) was owned by the Scott family,
Michael and Barry, along with their mother. When the Scotts left the
Brothers bought the house which became more and more a centre for the
Community, particularly in later years after they had ceased their role in
the School. A lovely house, very convenient for Brothers taking a holiday
by the sea, in fact, Brother John Davies used to come every summer for
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his week or 10 days. Also
occasional visiting Brothers
from abroad, in a recent times
a Brother Hose who came to
improve his English and was
quite taken with life here.
And so, the last resident
connection finished. This was
brought about by the recent
lack of vocations over the past
20 years and the ageing
Brothers left in the Order.
Many memories of dinners
with the Brothers, receptions
on occasions and always a
welcome for a cup of tea, plus
the occasional use of the
premises for committee
meetings remain.
Our gratitude and thanks for
the Brothers for all they did at St Peter‟s is evident to see in the wonderful
buildings,
classrooms
and theatre
that they built
so if in the
future the
memory
becomes
blurred, the
evidence of
their
presence
remains solid
in bricks and
mortar. We
thank God for
their 63 years
among us.
David Cassidy
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Bro Lionel report
The following report from Brother Lionel concerns the work being done for
RUADT for physically and mentally challenged children in South India,
about 20 kms away from RTU which we reported on in your Spring issue
of 2009. That year your Past Pupils‟ Fund spent £8,500 to buy a brand
new 25 seater coach. The following is a report from Brother about what
he has been able to fund to continue helping this work. I am sure you will
be pleased to learn that following an
appeal from Brother we were able to fund
this work with the sum of £14,500 which
paid for the running costs for a year for
the coach we had bought and the training
of another six physiotherapists plus the
sponsorship of several of these children.
The report below and pictures give you a
graphic description of some of the good
being done within this organization.
D.C.
Interim Report from RTU
The Nagajothi Fund for disabled
children
I was immensely happy on Saturday
30th January to meet a little girl who
had been confined to a wheelchair
for moving around or by crawling on
all fours or her bottom. She was
actually upright and not only walking
but also pushing another
handicapped little boy in his
wheelchair. I honestly could hardly
believe what I was seeing. This was
the first child to have surgery on
both legs under the new Nagajothi
Fund. She was wearing her two
very well made calipers which are
light-weight but strong and which
can be adjusted for sitting down,
etc.. She is back in our school with
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several other such children. Always she has a great joyful smile and which
she greeted me with soon after surgery in hospital. These children are all
at RUADT run by a Mr. Murugan. RTU and RUADT work very closely
together and I know his three centres are certainly the best I have come
across in this whole area. We have been friends for years together.
Murugan helps us generously in many ways, we help him and his many
children. We are almost one integrated programme that gives us
considerable joy. Already a dozen children have had surgery by an
eminent orthopaedic surgeon. There are many more to care for.
All these children come from the poorest backgrounds and without this
care would be condemned to miserable lives. The children are selected
and receive pre-surgery interventions as required by the surgeons. Their
stay in a hospital with our support can be for ten to fourteen days. After
surgery and the plaster has been removed (sometimes they will need two
lots of plaster) they will be measured for the prostheses and then start with
exercises by qualified orthopaedic staff. Eventually calipers will be fixed
and the children are then trained to use them. The whole process will take
normally one month until the child begins to be mobile on its own legs.
The cost per child is Rs.25,000 (£340 or Euros 390 or US $540 at today‟s
rates of exchange). I feel and know that this is a most valuable
contribution we are making for these children of India and their families
who could never hope for such corrective surgery. At present we have
funds
available
for 20-25
children,
but there
are many
more in
need of
this help.
“Whatever
you do to
the least
of these
you do to
Me..”
(Jesus)
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News from the school today
Making the news recently:
Sixteen year old Joseph Sale, a sixth former
from St Peter‟s School, Bournemouth, has
been selected for the British Fencing Cadet
Squad. Joseph, who started fencing when he
was eight, has been to Germany, France and
Poland with the squad. He and two
teammates entered the competition
successfully beating thirty two teams and
making it to the quarter finals. Next season he
will move up to the Junior category and will be
working hard to ensure a place on the Junior
Squad.
You could have heard a pin drop, Anthony
Hughes said of his winning performance at the
Grand Final of this year‟s Talentcall
competition. The audience‟s silence while he
sang Kiss The Air by Scott Allen was only
broken at the end by rapturous applause from
an audience of over 1200 people. Anthony,
17, a student of St Peter‟s School, said he
didn‟t expect to beat the other 19 finalists, at
the Pavilion Theatre Bournemouth.
“Afterwards everyone was just screaming. I
didn‟t expect it”
In December 2009 the school produced Les Miserables. What a
wonderful production this was. Nearly 200 pupils and staff were involved
and the chorus was rousing. The scene changing and effects were
dramatic. For me the performance of Alice Pitt (daughter of Andy and
Karen) as Madam Thenardier was outstanding, Past pupil and Head of
Art. Chris Francis, produced a wonderful programme which contained
excellent photographs provided by the students of the photography class.
Guy Wood almost single handedly constructed the scenery – shades of
John McKinney’s selfless service to the cause of St Peter‟s shows,
working through the night sometimes. Well done St Peter‟s! Tommy B
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St Peter’s Golf Society
our Spring event will be held at Burley Golf Club on Friday, 16th April, with
the first tee at 1.00pm.
There will be a generous prize table, including prizes for nearest the pin at
the 11th, and 13th holes.
The green fee is a modest £10. I will contact the usual participants
personally, but we would welcome any other past pupils who would like to
join us for a good afternoon out at an excellent golf course.
Please contact me on 01425-273507 or e-mail
Peter Alison
peter@alison933.freeserve.co.uk.
Boscombe Convent News
Trisha Arblaster (Convent 173-78, St Peter’s 78-80) visited recently
from Australia, along with her husband Dave and two sons. She stayed
with her sister Lynette in Petersfield.
Lynette and her husband Tim Clarke run „Arblaster and Clarke Wine
Tours‟, see their website on www.winetours.co.uk They arrange wine
tours all over the world.
Condolences to Janet Hoskins (nee Blundell) (Convent 173-78, St
Peter’s 78-80) on the recent death of her father. Janet lives in
Chandlers Ford with her husband and two children.
Website address: www.rc-churches.net
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Saturday 29th May 2010
Bring & Buy
Annual ‘At Home’ Coffee Morning in aid of
The Brother Lionel Fund
11 Ovington Avenue, Boscombe East
10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Cakes, bric-a-brac, Books, Raffle, Toys, Toiletries, Jewellery
Your unwanted Christmas, and/or birthday gifts
would be much appreciated
News of Past Pupils
We recently heard from Julian
Martin (58-66) who recognised a
photo in the Winter 1009
newsletter:
I was delighted to see the
photograph of the 1965 fencing
team in the last newsletter not
only because I remember all
those in it but also because I was
the photographer. I‟m glad that
not all the copies were lost.
I attended St Peter‟s from September 1958 to July 1966 after which I went
to De La Salle Hopwoood Hall Teacher Training college, Manchester.
After qualifying I taught for a year in Manchester before moving to Chester
to teach in a middle school, where for a year I had Brother Lionel‟s
nephews Michael and John Kimpton in my class – small world!
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Two life changing things happened in Chester, firstly I enlisted in the
Territorial Army in 1971, finally leaving in 1993 (deemed too old for further
service). The second event was meeting my future wife, Margaret who
was also a teacher. We married in 1975 and have two sons, Simon born
in 1977 and Matthew in 1984. We have lived in Surrey since 1975. I
retired from teaching twelve years ago and since then have worked in the
engineering section of a national security company but intend to retire in
2010.
In the 60s and 70s I played for the Old Boys‟ cricket team and well
remember John McKinney captaining the side. My other sporting
activities have encompassed orienteering and long distance running -
including six London marathons – but the knees won‟t stand that any
more. Were the cross country runs over Hengistbury Head the inspiration
for this?
Over the years I have kept in touch with several past pupils. Paul Bradley
lives in Barking, Essex and we meet each year in London for a drink or
two. Peter Thomas, Tim Boyle and Patrick D’Ardenne live in the
Bournemouth and Poole area and I usually manage to visit them each
year when down for day trips in the summer.
Tim Driscoll and Steve Ferris are to be seen at the Rose Bowl,
Southampton – long suffering cricket supporters like me. My younger
brother Brendan (1960 – 1968) lives near Truro, Cornwall with his wife
and two daughters.
Over forty years after leaving St Peter‟s I still remember most of the
teachers who taught me but the strongest memories are of Brother
Dydimus, Mrs Cross, Mr Smart, Brother Dennis Mary and Brother Ives.
I hope this potted history of four and a half decades may be of some use
for the newsletter.
Thank you for that Julian - if anyone wishes to contact Julian, please get in
touch with the editors as we have his address and phone number.
We were recently in touch with Geoff Bettle ( - 1980) who tells us his
eldest is currently doing the university tours with a view to going uni next
year. He is still in touch with Nick Jenkins ( - 1980). Nick is now the
proud father of twin boys! (about 9 months old).
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And thank you to Bob Belcher for this:
Dear Paul, Please find attached a photo of Hamish & his Dad, David Todd
"Toddy". Hamish was born on 24th October in Canberra where Toddy
lives with his
wife Monica.
Toddy is a
doctor
specialising
with premature
babies and
Monica is a
midwife. Until
parenthood
intervened they
visited the uk
regularly, to see
his mum who
still lives in
Hordle, & would
also see us for
a meal & a drink or two! Last Year our daughter Sarah saw them while she
was in Australia on holiday.
As his friends from school will remember Toddy is a very keen rugby
player & has played all over the world combining his work & his sport.
He still plays in Australian veteran matches which last for 10 minutes each
way! Regards Bob
John Wilton-Davies ( - 1980) is again braving
the cold in November, read about his latest
challenge on http://www.dontjustdream.co.uk/
The first expedition to the South Pole and
back again, unsupported
Capt Scott - The last person to try to walk
back from the Pole. In November 2010, John Wilton-Davies and
Justin Miles of Great Britain will attempt to become the first people to
reach the South Pole and return, completely unsupported. No resupplies,
no dog sleds, no kite skiing. Nothing. The longest unsupported polar
journey in history.
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David Netherton 1966 – 73 wrote to us at Christmas, he is working for
IBM in Athens at the moment commuting weekly! He has to come home
every weekend to play Golf with Tony O’Neill 1966 – 73 who is a near
neighbour. David & Helen are over the moon as their daughter Rhianna is
now studying Medicine in Manchester.
We also heard from Richard Agar 1956 – 72 who lives outside Whitby.
Richard and Sara enjoy walking and caravanning, when not taking
daughter Chloe to all those activities that parents do evenings and
weekends! Sounds familiar.
Martin Baugh 1966 – 73 is now semi-retired, no longer working for a big
bank, he is a consultant working for the FSA. A poacher turned
gamekeeper, some might say!
We also re-discovered the Holzapfel boys. Paris Hozapfel lives in
Winchester and has recently had to give up work as he is suffering with
Parkinsons. His brother Eric Holzapfel is living in America and is helping
people through his Ministry work. Check out his website.
http://www.ericholzapfel.org/about.html
Amazing what a St Peter‟s education can do for you. Anyone who
remembers Paris can find him on Facebook. Paris asks does anyone
know what happened to Roger Holden, who was a classmate of his back
in the „70‟s?
Carolyn Tristram 1971 – 73 has given herself a profile on Facebook,
living in Ringwood. She needs more Facebook friends!
We were surprised to hear that although
many of you recognised David Cassidy in the
last newsletter, in his dress in 19??, no-one
seemed to spot Eddie Miller (Membership
Secretary), dressed as ? complete with
blackened teeth!
Staying with friends in Northampton last
week, the editors went to watch Northampton
v Newcastle in the rugby and were please to
see Andy Long getting a run out
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Tommy Browning has been chatting to past pupils:
John Hannah wrote from Burford, giving news. He was School Captain
(Head Boy) in the early 40s. His nephew Nick was a boarder in the early
60s. He is now a barrister. John spent many years in Southern Africa
and had some blood-curdling experiences there! He hopes to pay a visit
to the Brothers at Oxford and see some of the archives there. I had great
pleasure in showing John and Mary our archives when he visited St
Peter‟s a few years ago. It was John who presented Bro Augustine with
the school‟s first car, a Lancia. This took some pressure off me and my
car that „Gussie‟ was wont to borrow when going to De Haviland‟s and
other benefactors, raising cash for the science block etc.
John‟s son David Hannah is now Lieutenant Colonel commanding the
Oxford University OTC. Despite Afghanistan, there is a long waiting list to
join. The recent army budget cuts should not affect them as many of the
very senior officers in the army started their careers in the Oxbridge OTC.
David Hannah is soon to have an overseas posting. We wish him well.
Thanks for your news John and your final comment “I still feel indebted to
the Jesuits who gave me a wonderful start to my life although they had the
knack of putting the fear of God into me most of the time!”
Desmond Rooney - Head Boy/Captain 44-45. At last I have traced Des
to Devon. His address has been off our radar for some time. Thanks to
Brian Concannon, we have run the fox to earth at Lustleigh. My letter
and some past newsletters prompted Des to reach for his „Independent
days‟ and discover his life membership card for 1989. Desmond‟s son
James Rooney came to St Peter‟s at the same time as Gerard Cox.
Both the first sons of old boys to attend their Alma Mater. When Des
moved to Wimbledon, James went to Wimbledon College. Des was then
at the Head Office of Costain.
After 22 years Des joined Tarmac for 7 years. Then the Hong Kong Mass
Transit Railway for a couple of fascinating years followed by the last
decade of a „proper job‟, life with the civil engineers and a few other old
war horses working to improve the training of following generations. On a
business trip to Southern Africa Desmond met Fathers Desmond Ford
and Cedric Myerscough SJ at Chisawasha School and Mission, near
Salisbury (now Harare).
Phil Maguire lived quite close to Desmond in Wimbledon. In 1995 Des
moved to Devon where Hilary and he run a small 5 star B&B. They enjoy
walking their collie Mac and visiting Brittany whenever possible to keep up
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with the French, taught by ‘Freddie’ Hughes SJ and Fr Tomlinson SJ no
doubt!
Does anyone know what became of Desmond‟s contemporary Desmond
O’Sullivan who had hoped to become a medic? Des Rooney lived at 68
Stourcliffe Ave 1940-44 with a R.A. gun crew next door. It was also full of
“Princess Patricia‟s light infantry” (Canadians) then Americans. He had
first class views of the D-Day Armada assembling from the cliff tops at the
end of Stourcliffe Avenue. Though a „little‟ boy, I too remember that
Armada and the Canadians and Yanks billeted in Parkwood Road in what
we called “the soldiers‟ house” next to John Caldon‟s house. My father
had permission to „dig for victory‟ there. Tony Sheehan, John Caldon
and I had NO permission to smoke Mr Caldon‟s 200 Senior Service there!
James Rooney set up his own business based in South Korea 14 years
ago and is doing much work in Kazakhstan.
Paul Turner ( - 63) owns Southbourne Motor Centre and St Paul‟s
Garage. He is in frequent contact with Mark Cox. He was friendly with
Steve Miller, Dave Hather, Chris Winiecki, Richard Ellison and Pete
Hanifran.
George Geppert (Bro Allen) is now happily installed at Clayton Court.
He has again driven goods to Romania „a knackering drive‟ he proclaims.
He continues to work on translations, currently it is a 330 page, very, very
pious Italian text! George was at school with me and in the soccer eleven.
He had a fair haired younger brother Alan?
Daniel Banfield is a younger past pupil. He is married to Charlotte
Wickson and living in Liverpool where he is a trainee paramedic. He has
recently delivered his first baby, but not his own! Charlotte works from
offices in Manchester in the leisure industry – SHOKK caters for 6 – 16
year olds providing gyms and equipment. Dad Pat, estate agent in
Southbourne Grove, is still cricketing. He recently toured Barbados.
Jan Bridle and Annemarie (Allum) were there too. Anth Allum has
recently bought a flat in Southbourne through Pat, where he can stay on
his visits to Bournemouth to see family and grandchildren.
Fr Terence ‘Towser’ Fitzpatrick OSB wroted from Douai Abbey: Bishop
Crispian has modified his duties that I related last year. Now Fr Terence is
Priest in Charge with full pastoral responsibility for the parish of East
Hendred with East Ilsley. Still near the horses then! I remember Fr Terry
Green was up there and he had a photo which he gave my mother of the
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Parish Priest of East Hendred, and his guest Sir John Betjeman. Can‟t lay
my hands on it at this moment, it is probably hiding in a book of poetry.
Chris Stringer writes from Toronto that he visited England three times in
2009. Sad and happy occasions. Chris‟ sister Diana died and Chris gave
the eulogy. In August they held a tree dedication in a Toronto park in
memory of Geraldine‟s sister. A similar tree dedication was held in Kew
Gardens for Diana in June. Chris is on the board of Aisling Discoveries
and the board of Community Living, Toronto, for the care of the
intellectually challenged! He will soon be joining the board of an American
bank. Chris did great work in our London group many years ago – come
back Chris, join our board!
I was honoured to be invited by Headmaster Nigel Thorne, to the „thank
you‟ dinner at Southsea for George Warren. Lovely to be back in the
school dining hall with 100+ Old Johannians. Keith Watson accompanied
me. He has been attending OJ dinners since 1948, myself only since
1956. I was seated with Henry Ellis and his sister. Also in our group
were Tony and Val Perry, Charles Hoar and his wife and Brother
Anthony Porter, a past head teacher at St John‟s. Bill and Christine
Brand were there along with Bill and Eve Holliday, David and Tania
Bunting, Bros Sean and Ralph Loftus, Mr and Mrs Bernard Lane,
parents of our Dominic and John.
Generous presentations were made and a wonderful atmosphere
prevailed. The dinner was preceded by Mass in the school chapel. Keith
Watson guided me safely back to Bournemouth, not for the first time!
Paul Agidigbi wrote to me from Nigeria saying how much he appreciated
the article on the late Bro Edmund Johnson. He recalled that Brother
had helped him so much with his studies and what a good man and
teacher he was.
Brian Walters from South Africa. He remembers Askey Miller RIP,
Henry Ellis, Mr Donlevy who ran the excellent Corpus Christi youth club
and that great sportsman Tony Sheehan. Good memories of school days
and youth. Brian and his wife have moved into a retirement village, a bit of
a shock after being in their own house and garden. Brian was in the
school soccer and cricket elevens with Br Patrick ‘Mona’ Maloney. He
sends best regards to all who remember him.
Tommy B
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Past Pupil Sam Goodman’s account of his time
spent in India with the La Sallian Developing World
Projects team:
Last summer I spent 5 weeks in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. I
was working as part of a team of 12 volunteers from Lasallian Developing
World Projects. LDWP sends young people, aged between 17 and 22,
out to developing countries to help with small scale projects in rural areas.
My team was working for Reaching the Unreached (RTU) the project set
up by Bro Lionel. As a Past Pupil of St Peters School Bournemouth I was
very familiar with Bro Lionel and his work and felt very privileged to work
on the project.
Reaching RTU involved an eight hour flight followed by a ten hour train
journey to the remote village of G. Kallupatti this was an experience in
itself. The sights, sounds and smells of India were so different to anything I
had experienced before.
Our work at RTU involved
helping in the construction
of small houses to replace
the huts that families were
living in. These huts had
mud walls covered in a
loose layer of palm leaves.
When it rained the mud
dissolved and the huts
slowly disintegrated. I
couldn‟t believe people
could live in such
conditions. The houses we
built were of block
construction, with a tiled
roof, they are strong,
durable and weather proof.
Each home had a living
room, cooking area,
washing area and a shady
veranda.
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Over the course of the 5 weeks we managed to build 14 houses. The
work was extremely hard, digging foundations, lifting large, heavy bricks,
mixing cement, laying floors and tiling roofs, all in the heat of the Indian
sun. The temperatures regularly reached 40c. Seeing the faces of the
families as they moved in was well worth all the work. They were so
delighted and so grateful, I could see what a real difference it would make
to their lives.
During my time at RTU I was really pleased to visit St Peter‟s school. It
was named after my old school, which raises funds to support the RTU
projects. The children were delighted to see us and practice their few
words of English. We were also able to visit the children's villages that
were established by RTU. Here children are cared for who have been
orphaned or abandoned by their parents because they cannot afford to
bring them up. Once again the children were so pleased to see us. They
took delight in the simplest of things, playing football with a deflated ball
that had a huge hole in the side or just tapping a stick on a rock.
Lack of rain for 7
months and
soaring
temperatures has
resulted in a real
water shortage.
RTU has had to
buy water in to
supply a number
of its villages and
orphanages. It is
incredible how
RTU has
transformed the
lives of so many
people I don‟t
know how they
would manage without RTU
UK‟s and the Past Pupils‟ 30 years‟ support.
It wasn‟t all hard work, in the evenings we were able to spend time in the
children's village playing with the children and teaching them English, they
in turn tried to teach us some Tamil, the regional dialect, it was so much
fun. At the weekends we went on a number of trips visiting Kodai Kanal,
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and Madurai, and we crossed into Kerala, the state to the west of Tamil
Nadu, it has an elephant sanctuary with over 5000 elephants and we didn‟t
see a single one!! There were hair raising trips on auto-rickshaws, and
visits to temples. I have developed a love of curry after having it three
times a day! I had no idea there are so many different varieties of curry
and eating it with your fingers is great!
After returning from India I am really aware of how many of the really basic
things we take for granted e.g. power and running water in our homes. If a
house has a power cut in England it is treated as if it is the end of the
world, but in an Indian village you are lucky to have constant power for
more than 3 hours. Water has to be pumped up from a bore well and
taken to the homes in containers.
I can honestly say that I have changed since my trip to India. Experiencing
first hand real poverty has a big effect on you. If you ever have the chance
to visit any developing country I strongly urge you to grab the opportunity
with both hands, you will never be the same again!
More news of Past Pupils
Brother Patrick Maloney now at St Helen‟s in the Brothers‟ Rest Home
from his recent last Community at Southbourne. People from the 40‟s
and 50‟s will remember Brother Pat (Mona) from his days in the Juniorate
as a very fine 1st VI footballer and cricketer. He has been plagued with
back trouble following a car accident in Africa some years ago and
recently has had a hip replacement in St Helen‟s. We wish him a speedy
recovery and certainly less pain than he was in before the Community
moved from Southbourne.
Brother James Ryan Jimmy was also in that first Juniorate at
Southbourne in 1947 and is now also at St Helen‟s with Brother Pat.
While always a quiet personality it was evident even then that he was very
thoughtful and caring for others, which was most obvious when he came
to my 65th birthday celebration which was a buffet lunch, when true to form
he was to be seen last in the queue. Always others first. Unfortunately
James is suffering from dementia but is in a very caring community. Your
prayers for his wellbeing would be much appreciated.
Brother Terence Kay Brother Terence taught at St Peter‟s and has been
at the Coatbridge Community in Scotland for several years but never lost
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touch. He answered my request almost by return for some words about
Tom Leyland deceased for which for those who knew him will be of great
interest. Our thanks to you Brother Terence. Jo and I and Brother
Terence often laugh together over an evening we had at The Avon
Causeway pub and that extra pint of Old Thumper!
Peter Devlin writes to thank us for newsletters. Unfortunately, he now
suffers from macular degeneration so doesn‟t get out so much these days.
We shall do our best to keep in touch with him and wish him the best
possible health for the future.
Ralph Anthony spent about 8 weeks over the Christmas period with his
son, Stephen, in Darwin, Australia. While there, he took a solo trip from
Darwin to Alice Springs on the Ghan train, which he enjoyed very much.
He also enjoyed the time he was able to spend with his grandson, Jamie
and granddaughter, Caitlin, and Stephen‟s wife, Lettie. Doubtless Ralph‟s
knees saw the sun for the first time in years and he soon got used to the
outdoor life and the barbecue habit. He said it was a bit too hot most of
the time. He should grumble, having returned to one of our coldest spells
for years.
Mark Staff has now taken early retirement following yet another period of
hospitalisation and general poor health. He remains a stalwart on the
Committee and this year filled the job of minute secretary for which our
thanks. D.C.
Two of our Past Pupil Councillors were in the news recently:
Cllr Chris Wakefield with the Friends of Shelley Manor, visited places in
Italy associated with poet Percy Shelley, in the
hope of developing a friendship between Viareggio
and Bournemouth.
Boscombe West councillor Lisa Northover has
been selected as the Liberal Democrat prospective
parliamentary candidate for Bournemouth East in
next year‟s general election. Local campaigner
Cllr Northover said “I am delighted to have been
selected to fight for the people of Bournemouth. I
was brought up in Bournemouth and I am bringing
up my family here too. I am passionate about
Bournemouth.” Anyone wishing to contact Lisa
can email her at lisa.northover@bournemouth-lib-
dems.org.
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Remember
The deadline for the next newsletter is
15th May 2010
All comments, news, photos and articles
gratefully received.
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Remember this? What other school could boast such views?
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