National Newsletter - Salesian Past Pupils (Great Britain) - National President: Patrick Morrissey

Issue No 2 August 2002

This, our second issue of a National 6) After further study of the forms I Newsletter is a compilation of the hope to be able to find a few new Reports made by the Local recruits for our committee in particular Associations to our last National I have in mind the post of Internet Council meeting, which took place at officer from this group. Battersea. We have added some colour to the report by introducing colour 7) Perhaps National Council members photographs throughout the Newsletter might consider it worthwhile using this - you may spot some people you know. data as the start of an over all UK We hope you like this issue and find it database to be held centrally. interesting. Late lunch in The Castle in Battersea High Street, 8) We will produce a summary of the after the meeting. Battersea Old Boys will know it If you have any small or large Salesian well!!! results to go towards our goal of Past Pupil events that you would like identifying exactly what our youngest included in our Newsletter, if you asking for them to be posted back so I members feel they want and perhaps Email me a short description together enlisted the help of the staff in the also fine tuning the form itself. with colour photos I will happily College and I could not have carried include them in future issues. out this exercise without the full co- POSTER IN SALESIAN SOCIAL operation of the Headmaster and the CLUB AT EWELL ê BATTERSEA ASSOCIATION Head of Year 11, Kevin Regan, who happily is a past pupil. Our sincere President: Nicholas Potter thanks to them. Welcome to Old Salesians FC Tel 0208 679 0126 1st XI Champions 2001/2 Email [email protected] Southern Amateur League Division 2 2) It was timed to coincide with the Manager - JOHN McDONNELL departure of the pupils for study leave Captain - MICHAEL AYRES so that they were given the forms on Spiritual Advisor - DON BOSCO Friday and brought them back on Monday the day before they left. Old Salesians Football Club: 3) We gave them the option of Review of Season 2001/2002 anonymity, which only about a dozen or so took up. The remainder-over 100- 1st XI Champions and promotion to chose to ask to be added to the SAL First Division database. The Football Club 1st XI will play its

80th season (since formation in 1923) Mass Before National Council Meeting with Fr 4) As the information only came to Sean Murray SDB- National Delegate, Fr Des in the top Division of the Southern hand on Friday we have not had a O’Riordan SDB - Rector Battersea, Fr Peter Amateur League. After a wonderful Quinn SDB - National Delegate (Emeritus) and chance to analyse it but a quick survey campaign over 22 games in season Fr Jim Pilling SDB reveals very positive, informative and 2001/2, the team lost only one match, sometimes amusing feedback with scoring 69 goals against only 21 Report to National Council many e-mail addresses. conceded, and won the Championship My report for today consists of with 53 points. providing the results of the first ever 5) It is our intention to incorporate the Pupil survey conducted with our Year names and addresses on to the Battersea In a very young side, James Ayres was 11, who are of course about to take records and follow up with a letter voted ‘Player of the Year’ for his their exams and leave. The following formally welcoming them into the outstanding performances at the heart points arise: Association together with an invitation of the defence. The team was also to the reunion in October in the day the losing finalists in the Old Boys 1) Having thought about the best exam results come out in August. I also Invitation Senior Cup. method of retrieving the forms hope to provide each one with a copy of following distribution there was no the Millennium Newsletter at the same Both James and Michael Ayres were doubt it would be a waste of time time. regularly selected for the AFA 1 Representative XI throughout the to provide leadership, administration 46/48, Eric Nutcher 41/43, Mike season. and facilities at Ewell- and occasionally O’Brien 42/44, Terry O’Neill 50/53, people remember to thank Mary and John Plevey 45/47, Vincent Shaw The 2nd and 3rd XI’s had less success Mick Ayres, Kevin Lawler, John Doe, 44/46, Norman Taylor 42/44, John but managed to avoid relegation. The Chris Hayes, Doug Leach, Brian Ward 46/48, Donald Whelehan 45/48, 4th and 5th XI’s were made up Malins, and the team captains, for Lionel Wilkinson 39/40, Roger Alan primarily of boys from the school, and making it all happen. 52/57, Chris McGrath 78/84, Tony despite playing the better football, were Quinn, and some of their wives and often overwhelmed by superior And now the Football Club starts its families. We were pleased that the physical strength of their opponents. 80th season under the Chairmanship of National President of Salesian Past Both teams were relegated, but never Kevin Lawler, with Mick Ayres taking Pupils Pat Morrissey and his wife was lost their enthusiasm. We hope they over as Chairman of the Social Club. able to attend and witness the Blaisdon will continue to play for the Club now Both look forward with optimism to a feeling, Also good to see John Lydon that they have left school. season playing against the best teams in attend as well. Please forgive me for the Southern Amateur League. any names that I have left out. The Veterans XI continued to play Sunday morning ‘friendlies’, with We would welcome supporters on stalwarts such as Terry Pearton, John Saturday afternoons at Ewell, where O’Brien, Nick Potter and Pat you can watch good football, have a Morrissey, joined this year by some drink, and are guaranteed to see some younger players. Unfortunately this did friendly faces. not improve the results!

The Annual Dinner seating 65 people in the Ewell clubhouse was a hugely enjoyable occasion. Guests included the Blaisdon Annual Reunion. Sadly Edna Calder in Rector, Fr Des O’Riordan, the Wheelchair recently passed away. Chairman of the AFA [John Wilson] and his wife, and 6 members of the Ewell on Boxing Day 2001. Know any of them? PPA National Council. Pat Morrissey The highlights were: President OSFC - a wonderful meal prepared by Mary Ayres and Chris Hayes BLAISDON ASSOCIATION - the presentation of the Brother Herbert Memorial Trophy to ‘Salesian President: Charles Springett of the Year’ Michael Ayres, Captain of Tel: 01782 767931 the 1st XI. Email: [email protected] - the presentation of individual trophies Reception for Frs. Sean and Aidan Murrays’ to the 1st XI, [together with handbags President’s Report Ruby Jubilee bought for them by the ladies, to show their displeasure at the teams Greetings Everyone disciplinary record during the season.] Another great meeting of the Blaisdon - a tribute to Pat Morrissey who was P.P. over the weekend of 6/7th April. standing down from the Chairmanship The Ruby Celebrations for Fr Sean of the Club, a position he had held for Murray and Fr Aidan Murray at St most years since 1965. Peter’s in Gloucester was attended by - a stirring rendition of the School Song over 200, including Old Boys, Families, led by the ‘Old Gits’. Salesians, Ex Staff and Teachers and Blaisdon Friends. Fr Sean’s Sister, Financially the Club made a loss of Sister Bosco, and who had worked in around £1000, largely due to the the Vatican in Rome for many years, Father Sean Murray SDB saying Ruby Jubilee payments to the School for hire of made the trip over to be at the Mass in St Peters, Gloucester. pitches [£2500], and the schoolboy celebrations. Among those attending teams requiring a heavy subsidy were; Frs. Jim Pilling, Jim McGuire, Over the past few months I have been [covering their kit, footballs, pitches, John Gilheney, Damien Sturdy, traveling around including Chertsey, referees and food]. This deficit was Michael Fitzpatrick, Donal Daly, Garry Battersea and Blaisdon and Gloucester largely offset by the continued Brassington, Pascal Dillon, Deacon in connection with Blaisdon Past generosity of members of the Football Luis Navarro, Deacon Colm Robinson, Pupils, and visited family and friends in club and Main Association via and the Abbott of Prinknash Abbey. Northampton, Basildon and Tilbury in donations and participation in the 100 Among the Old Boys attending were; Essex, Brighton and Grimsby, and Club. Len Carter 45/48, Kevin Cummins Alicante in Spain. I took a trip over to 49/50, Liam Duggan 48/50, Barnie Athens for a few days flying out of The Club’s continuing success still Grace 45/46, Gerry Hines 43/45, Peter Luton by Easy jet. The flight out cost relies on a limited number of volunteers Landsborough 48/50, David Metcalf me £9.50 + airport charges, and the 2 return flight cost £15 plus airport evening. An attraction at Waldron Farm regarding another matter, and he has charges, Good value?? My next trip B+B is being able to have a day’s rod agreed to give our day a plug. was to Alicante flying out from licence from the owners of the private Stanstead with Go Airline, that cost me lake with Rainbow Trout. BURWASH ASSOCIATION £25 each way + charges, again good value, booking via the web. Now Terry is still awaiting for more looking forward to finding a cut-price Memories of Past Pupils times in Not yet established. Any takers? trip to Rome when I can find one, any Blaisdon to put with the rest, then he ideas?? will be able to see about getting the CHERTSEY ASSOCIATION book published, which will all take Whilst I was in Alicante I met up with time. We suggest that all other Past President: Sue Gregson? Danny Hayes 48/50 who is awaiting a Pupil’s Associations think about doing Tel: ? Email: ? bypass operation, however he is still the same and make a combined book of hoping to make it to the next reunion. memories. It should make a great Well after much deliberating and some When I was in Brighton I met up with Salesian Publication. helpful (and some not so helpful!) Derry Maher who had an oil painting of suggestions from the Past Pupils, we Blaisdon Hall and wished to give to Fr In keeping up with the Don Bosco spirit have finally decided what to do with Sean this I brought back and it was we look forward to receiving news by the proceeds from the inaugural reunion handed over to Fr Sean at the Ruby letter or phone to keep in touch, and do. £100 will go to the school P.E. Celebration, he being very pleased to will pass on any information that you department, £100 will be kept in the receive it. may wish others to know, providing bank to help fund future functions, and permission is given. £300 will go to the Sean Devereux Some more names of Old Boys who Children's fund. The following brief have made contact again are, Michael We are looking forward to the reunion history is taken from the web site McKenna 38/40, Lionel Wilkinson on 25th August in Blaisdon Village http://www.seandevereux.org.uk where 39/40, Mike O’Brien 42/44, Frank Hall. further information is available: Smith 49/50, Peter Lynch 50/52, Derry Maher53/57, David Mansbridge 59/64, BOOTLE ASSOCIATION Sean Devereux was a pupil at the Robert Higham 72/76. Ray Hampton Salesian College in Farnborough {O’Donnell} 60/61, Ron Fields President: Terry Rimmer between 1975 and 1982, when he was 55/58,Alistair Bourne 46/48, Ian Tel: 0151 802 3000 (Office Hours) living in Yateley, near Camberley in Murray 45/47 from Australia. Tony Email: not yet Surrey. In his last year he was a very Diston 44/46, Jim Townley 48/50, popular school captain and after Gerald Lenagan 42/44. Alistair is There are plans to tap into the ‘Friends graduating at Birmingham with coming over from New Zealand for the Reunited’ website - delayed by combined honours in Geography and reunion in August. computer problems! There are over 300 Sports Studies in 1985, he continued former Bootle Pupils registered on the his studies, completing the PGCE at There are more names of Blaisdon Past ‘Friends Reunited’ website who can be Exeter. Pupils on www.friendsreunited.com contacted for our Reunion on web site, among them are; Paul 22.9.2002. Davonport 38/39,Eric Nutcher 40/41, He then began teaching at the Salesian Michael O’Brien 41/42, John William School in Chertsey, Surrey in 1986. O’Reilly 44/45, Peter Lynch 50/51, During these years, Sean was a very Paddy Swords 55/56, Ray Hampton active and enthusiastic member of the [O’Donnell] 63/64, Rodney Nash Salesian Cooperators and the Salesian 57/58, Ronald Coleman 58/59, John Past Pupils' Association. Sean took part O’Driscoll 59/60, Michael Nugent in a wide range of activities with and 62/63, Michael Fitzpatrick 64/65, for young people not only in England David Mansbridge 64/65, Richard but also abroad, attending a number of Pieckielon 64/65, David Husband European and international events. On 68/69, Peter Murray 70/71, Stephen Terry Rimmer with members of Football one of these, he met Pope John Paul II Gibbons 71/72, Patrick Yates 73/74, enthusiasts. Where’s the football? in Rome. Robert Higham 75/76, Kim Watts 75/76, Kevin Connor 81/82, Tommy The Salesian Past Pupil questionnaire In February 1989, Sean went to Liberia Clarke 83/84, Gez Gaughan 83/84, Joe was distributed in school by some of as a Lay Volunteer working with the Short 83/84, Alan Lacasse 90/91. my contacts in Year 11, with the Salesian community at St. Francis consent of the Head of Year and the School in Tappita. When the school We have booked Blaisdon Village Hall Head Teacher. I have had over 30 closed in 1990 as a result of the Civil for the evening on Saturday 24th forms returned so far and expect more. War, Sean stayed to work with the August hoping for support and interest United Nations in relief operations. and a good turnout, for our chats, I have spoken to my contact at After numerous adventures, he finally drinks and even a sing-a-long as we did Merseyside Police and he has agreed to left Liberia in 1992 to begin working at our last meeting, Everyone who put an ad in the ‘Police Gazette’ for our with UNICEF (the United Nations attended enjoyed it so we decided to Reunion in September. My contact at Children's Fund) in Somalia in book this venue again for the Saturday Radio Merseyside has been onto me September 1992. 3 Sean was shot dead on January 2nd 10th such gathering since the re- work in Uganda. In addition this year, 1993. formation of the Association. 64 we are supporting the Salesian Youth persons attended including 7 Priests, 3 Centres ‘Annunciation’ in Runia, Sean, who was 28 when he was wives, 1 child and 12 new members. Poland, with a £500 contribution from murdered, had spent nearly five years About 30 sent their apologies, many of one member. The Centre specifically helping the poorest of Africa's youths. whom would have attended but for the helps the poorest and neglected He had worked first in the West late decision to advance the day by one children and youths from families African republic of Liberia, then briefly week. As in previous years invitations affected by alcohol, a massive problem in Sierra Leone and for the last half extended to other Salesian in post-communist countries. year of his life, in famine-stricken and Associations, one object being to widen turbulent Somalia. the memberships’ understanding of the extent of the Salesian Family, another We hope this may be the first of many to perhaps realise how fortunate we donations we can make as an were at Cowley and they were nothing organisation to this fund - thanks to to do with us (other than to thrash them everyone who attended the reunion. regularly at sports!). Those who Thanks also for your feedback, and we graciously accepted were from take on board the comments of a few of Blaisdon, Battersea and Farnborough you who said they would prefer year Associations. group specific reunions organised. We'll let you know when the next event Who was on Table 2? is going to be.

In the meantime - still looking for one The project started when four children or two volunteers to make up the were left by their families with Father numbers on the committee. ???? Marek Baranski SDB. The aim is to establish a Trade school with ALSO, Chertsey Old Salesian F.C. held professional subjects and practical their annual 6-a-side football training to assist the most needy to competition over the weekend of 3rd / learn and make something of their 4th August. The 3rd was a Ladies lives. The centres include a boarding Visiting Team: Nick Potter - Battersea, Len school with small swimming bath. tournament - the first time we have Carter - Blaisdon, John Ward - Blaisdon, Fr Sean done this, and the 4th the usual men's - National Delegate There are at present three Centres with tournament. It's a fun event and raises 80 children ranging from age 4 to late money to enable the club to remain at The day commenced with Mass in the teenage. Imber Court where the facilities are Parish Church of Mary Help of superb, but a little more expensive then Christians, Cowley, Fr Austin Molloy, Last year Father Francis Preston the local park! Fr Francis Preston, his brother Fr Hugh, brought to the Reunion two original Fr Patrick McGrath Fr Sean Murray, Fr pencil sketches by a Robert L Kennard For those who don't know, the club is James Walsh and Fr Charles Archer (?) of the main building of Cowley. run for the benefit of Chertsey Past were the concelebrants. Fr Archer gave Patrick Heenan again generously Pupils, and this coming season we hope a humorous and well-received homily. offered to reproduce prints at his own to increase to four sides with the We all then retired to the Randolph for cost to raise funds. One of the drawings introduction of a number of current 5th the AGM, preceded by a minute’s proved impractical to reproduce. and 6th formers joining. silence in memory of the victims of the However, a very fine print has resulted terrorist attacks in the United States. of the quadrangle façade, including the If you would like more information The excellent Reunion lunch followed. Chapel. It proved popular to many please e-mail or call me on 07816 members at £5 per copy. It will be 515415 interesting to source its original dating from the Battersea era of the College. Cheers! Both the prints hung outside the Headmaster’s office and are familiar to Mike Quinlan those pupils summoned to be ‘advised’ of their lack of progress. I have vivid memories of them, indeed every line and feature; so frequent were my COWLEY ASSOCIATION attendances over five years. We are most grateful to Patrick, a great stalwart

President: Richard Blake The Cowley AGM Lunch - Were you on Table 4? of the Association, who also printed our Tel: 01753 863568 Fr Archer was. short history of Cowley, at his own cost Email: [email protected] We are continuing our programme of Two motions to change the name of the The 2001 Reunion and AGM was held financial assistance to Fr Tom Donaghy Association to ‘Boys of Salesian at The Randolph Hotel, Oxford on in Samara, the Salesian Sisters and to College Oxford’ (BOSCO), and another Sunday 16 September 2001, it being the Fr Joe Merriman’s sister’s untiring to drop ‘Cowley’ in favour of ‘Oxford’, 4 were unanimously defeated. In each Past Pupils attended. The programme The Association is still endeavouring to case only one member voted in favour. starting with Mass at 10.30 was assist the College in the Sales of the followed by the Association’s AGM Centenary Book compiled and edited The lunch received universal acclaim; I and then lunch. There followed an by our Rector’s OSA representative, Fr hesitate to speak for some of our guests afternoon photograph and then a video Francis Sutherland. The book is entitled due to previous misfortunes when the showing last year’s College Centenary ‘Many Lives Through Many Eyes’, and gatherings were held at Cowley and events compiled and edited by a Past with the help of Fr Sutherland and the their sensitivities “affronted”. A hearty pupil, John Milner under his ‘Renlim’ College an order form was included rendering of the Salesian School Song production title. The day’s programme with the spring Newsletter. This helped sealed what was generally regarded as a finished with tea prepared and served in a small way to provided a response successful event. It proved to be an by some wives of Past Pupils. to the receipt of our current newsletter. excellent choice as expressed in the number of messages I have received. This year has seen some growth either in ‘Year Group’ Reunions, or at least We look forward to the 2002 AGM and with individual efforts to promote such Reunion scheduled for 22 September at events. We have to thank our National the same venue. It is hoped that Mass Vice-President, John Ward for his help will be celebrated at the Dominican and support in the showing of such church of Blackfriars a few minutes events and possible venues on the from the Randolph and thus avoid the National web site. trek from Cowley.

The Head, Patrick Wilson addressing the AGM SHRIGLEY ASSOCIATION Membership of the Association is President: Joe Lomax gradually increasing as a result of our We were pleased to welcome to the Tel: 01204 843874 site on ‘Friendsreunited’; one of my Reunion Day Fr Joe Brown SDB in Email: [email protected] classmates, now resident in Thailand, addition to our Rector’s representative contacted me. Others have done so Fr Francis Sutherland SDB and also, Feb 23rd saw a good Shrigley presence from the US. Personal contacts have not least, Richard Blake, President of at St Gregory’s Bollington, the Parish unearthed some in Australia. A peculiar the Cowley Association. Some of our served by the Salesians from Savio twist is the number of females who are Past Pupils who regularly support this House. A Mass was celebrated in appearing on the site; it may be that annual event could not come this year prayerful remembrance of Tony Booth they are former pupils of Notre Dame but we were pleased to welcome who had been a faithful organist at both Convent, which joined with the sixth several Old Boys who had not returned Shrigley and for the Parish choir and form in the late sixties. to the College at Farnborough for many liturgy. The church was quite crowded years. This was no doubt due to the with his friends who were vastly FARNBOROUGH ASSOCIATION publicity surrounding last year’s impressed with the spirit of the Centenary. In addition our guests at occasion, led so devoutly by Father President: John Clenshaw lunch included our new Rector to the Bob Coupe and during which, Father Tel: 01276 65690 (Home) Salesian Community at Farnborough, Bill Bergin recalled the life and 01252 783574 (Bus) Fr Hugh Preston SDB. achievements of Tony. The assembly No Email then accompanied Anita to Shrigley At the AGM on Reunion Day, Fr Joe where his ashes were placed with those The onset of spring 2002 brought our Brown gave a short presentation of his of his mother and father and then Association’s March Newsletter, which work in Liberia and outlined his new everyone proceeded to Savio House we despatched to more than 350 Past undertaking back in the UK in the where they were refreshed with the Pupils. The Newsletter included an forming of a ‘Mission office’ at goodies so kindly and amply provided. invitation to our Annual Reunion in Battersea to establish a link with We thank the brave and resilient Anita April, plus an ‘advert’ on the OSA Salesian Missions both here and and everyone who contributed to the National Web site. overseas. He made the point that he tribute to our friend. wished liase and link with the Past Pupils Associations in this venture. In We are so grateful for the Salesian this regard and in view of his strong welcome given to us once more at links with Farnborough during his years Savio House where we were received, on the teaching staff, Fr Brown has during the weekend March 2nd and 3rd, joined our OSA Committee. with warmth and great courtesy for professor Peter Roebuck’s talk on the We trust our Committee has been given “First ten years of Shrigley and the further fresh impetus by the election of building of the Tilden Chapel”. I 3 new committee members including a mentioned how Savio House has recent member of the College staff, and improved recently, it just seems to get may help our efforts to improve links better each time we go but this time

Farnborough AGM group with younger school leavers. We hope there was even more room and freedom to hand to School leavers a copy of the than ever. The cook is really a gem and The Reunion took place at the College presentation leaflet prior to their excelled himself finishing up with a on Sunday the 14 April 2002 when 30 ‘Farewell Evening’ during May. selection of cakes on the late Sunday 5 afternoon that would really have made for their share in this memorable week. will be repeating his talk on the Shrigley boys dream about them for Pauline and I thank our companions for Saturday and this is an extra attraction. many nights afterwards. Eric their cooperation and cheerfulness, Baggaley’s exhibition of prints in the which made it such a joy. new section of the hail was absolutely superb and half the profits were We were joined in our visit to Gozo by donated by him to the Salesians. This is Mike Egan and Charles Sultana, his to be repeated at the Reunion. Many wife Dorothea and two daughters people have already said that they are enjoyed the two dinners with us, one at coming to this as they enjoyed the St Patrick’s, the other at the New weekend so much. 41 people attended Dolmen. This was classed as a banquet the weekend - Thanks for that. and that it certainly turned out to be.

How really can we thank Peter It was made even more enjoyable by The beautiful Plaque now in the Shrigley Hotel Roebuck adequately for the trouble he the delightful harp playing of Cecilia took in researching his chosen topic, Sultana whose photograph app-eared in THORNLEIGH ASSOCIATION coming over to Savio and then the last week’s Universe. An ex-Shrigley lecture itself? We all were in pupil on holiday was directed to the admiration at his delivery, the way in banquet by Fr Joe Cini SDB (to whom President: Mark Higson which he held everyone’s attention for we are most grateful for organizing the Tel: 01204 796255 an hour and a quarter and filly two dinners) and that is how Paul Email: [email protected] expressed the spirit and extent of the Molyneux and his wife made the achievement of establishing Shrigley. acquaintance of the Shrigley ACTING SECRETARY’S REPORT What a mammoth accomplishment it association. We also had the pleasure of was! I have received several the company of Alfie Gatt, Arthur Pace, In this report no criticism is intended of appreciations of the wonderful John Sapiano and Albert Manche. anyone at any time but it is merely a exposition from those who attended. statement of facts and an honest attempt We offer Peter once again our very In all we had a tremendous experience to find out what is wanted by the grateful thanks. and there is already talk of a return visit members of our Association. Much to Malta or a trip to Valencia and work has gone into the formation and David Murphy, who appealed on behalf Martin Caine. build up of the new infant Association of the Savio House finances, rounded with apparently mixed results. off the afternoon. We could repay our A booklet arrived from Savio House gratitude to our life at Shrigley, he said, detailing the activities in this Golden We could be thought of as being by trying to make sure that Savio never Jubilee year and was very impressive. successful in the following ways: - folds, by each doing our bit to help. We have previously appealed for Since June 20th last year exactly 201 One way he suggested was if 250 of us “Memory Lane” experiences through have enrolled and some have asked to each contributed just £5 per month that these 50 years for Fr Denis Parkes and be put on the mailing list without would pay for the VOLUNTEERS who a few have been sent to him but he completing the enrolment form and so keep the House functioning. could still do with many more. can’t be sent the directory because of Unfortunately, to date, this idea has the Data Protection Act. There are only attracted 4 offers. In Late April Fr George Robson and Fr currently 151 in the email distribution Peter Dooley were assaulted at “Knife group. How do we follow this next year? It Point” in Liverpool. They also will seemed to be a one-off last year, was need our prayers and we hope they Past Pupils attended the joint Memorial extended to include the talk. Do we try recover swiftly from this sad Mass with the Catenians on November to have something like it next year? We experience. 11th and with the Shrigley association would love to see those who live quite in Honour of Don Bosco on February near to Shrigley visit us next time. That We have not enrolled many new 3rd. The Catenians and the Shrigley is not meant to be a complaint but a members this year but perhaps the most association were very generous with sincere wish to meet them. interesting was George Ford from their refreshments. Australia who got in touch through his Nineteen of us returned from a week’s sister living in Rossendale. He attended Vincent Collins has done a tremendous holiday Malta on Easter Tuesday, Hugh Thornleigh 1929-31, Shrigley 1931-34 amount of work on the Past Pupils Who Walton, that indefatigable traveller, of then passed to Cowley appear on the Roll of Honour at the course going back to his home in back of Chapel and the results will be Kansas, after an absolutely wonderful Finally, looking forward to our available at our next Memorial Mass in holiday on a most friendly island Reunion, bookings are starting to come November. experiencing mainly good weather, in and we look forward to a fill house always delicious food, considerate and this year and the pleasure of the Paul Fernhead organized a rugby team, very efficient caring service in the most company of many members of the which was successful in beating the Old excellent New Dolmen Hotel in Association once again. A round of golf Boltonians team by 12 points to nil. We Bugibba where we all had sea-view has been booked for Friday August hope that this will be repeated. rooms. We thank Alex and Arthur Pace 30th at Shrigley, teeing off at 1.45 p.m. Five members of our Association have for their great generosity and their staff As previously stated Peter Roebuck offered to give talks for the Thornleigh 6 Careers Department. In this area, work saying that our members HAVE to It is urgent that we do get more experience is urgently required. attend our Masses there was a low turn members on the committee. It is not an out at both of them which could have onerous duty if there are enough The Association has it’s own website been due to many causes. members as there are not many devised by Mark Higson who has made meetings and too much is being left to his format available to the other An evening in the Victoria Inn - Fanny too few. Please help us but many thanks Salesian Past Pupil Associations in the Moss’s - in the form of a simple get- to those who have already helped in English Province and for which the together for a drink and flatter was a any way. Presentation Mrs Helen National Council are extremely complete fiasco - no one turned up Grundy and Miss Helen McGahan gave grateful. an excellent presentation at the AGM No members have come forward to on Thornleigh as a Sports College Mark Higson and Joe Lomax attended bolster the committee despite many the National Council of Salesian Past email appeals. There are not many The school must write a bid to submit Pupils held at Thornleigh on February meetings as they are only held before to the Government and raise £50.000 17th as the Thornleigh representatives an event and we don’t have that many by October 2002. This being and will be attending the next one at events. The committee meetings have successful, the Government would Battersea on May 19th. been quite badly attended, March 20th automatically give £ 100.000 towards a attracting only 2 but 2 apologies, and its capital project, this toThornleigh would Anne Marie Ginty has managed to get repeat, April 3rd, no one, one apology be a floodlit astro turf pitch for a range us publicity on Tower Radio and and one mistaken date. of sports e.g. hockey, football, tennis ClassicFM for which the Association and athletics. Extra finding would also was rewarded with a digital camera. We have established no contact yet be received for four years to put with the Soccer Club. Many members towards projects planned in the bid. Before Easter a presentation was given have not contributed to cover costs to the Sixth Form at their assembly in even though they have received For those not interested in sport the the Chapel by Peter Hunter, the circulars. students would also benefit in Science, Eurogex Representative, on Salesian Food technology. Citizenship, Art, Past Pupils in general and then I spoke We must ask, “What sort of an Mathematics and ICT lessons. about the Thornleigh branch. During Association do we want?” Is it just a their next registration, the Sixth form postal! Email type with members The school would have the use of the filled in a questionnaire and a card and donating to the finds occasionally to floodlit pitch until 5.00 p.m. After this this resulted in 80 giving their defray postage, printing, computing it would be used by the local permission for their names to be costs? Members are perfectly entitled to community including local primary retained in a database and a further 47 want this. On the other hand, there schools, local sports clubs (Thornleigh asked to be kept informed of the would be those who would wish to take Soccer Club?) for a general activities of the Association. part in activities. We have asked for improvement in extra-curricular suggestions and have tried to opportunities in Sport and Recreation. Our reception by the Head, Mr. Mugan, implement these but we do need some In other words the improved facilities the Deputy, Mr. Holland and the Head other people to organize these would be for the benefit of Thornleigh of Sixth Form, Fr Martin Coyle SDB activities. It cannot be done by just would their use would extend into the could not have been more helpful and three or four people all the time. In the wider community. cordial. We are greatly indebted to past, there have been dinners, our them also for the use of the Sixth Form attempt failed. Masses are not really There are many ways in which help can Unit for our meetings and Fr Martin has well - attended but this may improve in be given to Thornleigh in achieving this provided us with the tea and coffee. the coming year. status.

May I make a suggestion? Would it be (a) Pay for Pitch - decide on the number possible for us to staff a stall at one of of square metres to sponsor at £10 each the Savio House events this year as so (names entered into a special many of our Past Pupils have enjoyed a commemorative book displayed at visit there and they do need help school). especially as this is the Jubilee Year. (b) Name a room or Facility. They are having a Family Day on July (c) Gift-aid scheme. 13th•. Could we bond together and help (d) Donations et alia. Thornleigh in their bid to attain Sports Thornleigh Past Pupils Rugby Team College status? Would several join BENEFITS of being a sponsor together to help organize this? Several members were very generous in (a) Putting something back into the their donations to the funds and we are It would seem a good thing to get some community, investing in a well- very grateful to them. of the Sixth Form on to the committee motivated workforce. (b). Publicity to allay the fear expressed by some of through this Specialist School Status The Christmas Dinner had to be them that the association is more for the for your Company. cancelled because only 11 booked. We senior past pupils. Staff members could (c) Possible tax aid benefits through the were very lucky to get our £50 deposit be encouraged to membership of the gift aid scheme. back from the Old Links. Without committee. (d) A NAMED room or facility. 7 (e) The opportunity of a continued Ginty, Glyn Hartshorne, Peter Hull, Joe Information about Past Pupils activities relationship with the school through the Lomax. throughout the world is also available co-option of a sponsor governor. and continually refreshed on the (f) The satisfaction gained from Internet and is created by Alex Next Year’s Events knowing that you are supporting a Dockers, World Vice President. This forward looking and high achieving can be found under www.donbosco- (a) Black Tie Dinner at the Reebok - school full of motivated and hard pp.info There is a direct link to this Date to be announced. The Upper Sixth working students. website from our Links page under Form would be invited. “Follow Don Bosco” Our help for Thornleigh’s bid (b) Memorial Mass at Thornleigh - Sunday November 10th at 11.00 a.m. (a) Mark Higson was to see if there was Vincent Collins to present the results of an electronic version of the bid his research. literature (c) Don Bosco Mass at Thornleigh - (b) Literature was to be sent out, with Sunday February 2~’ at 11.00 am. the minutes, in the circular to those These were the only ones fixed because without emails (c) In the above ways all members of lack of success so far with the others. Alex Dockers, World Vice President, hard at Individual members were still work! at one of the many meetings all over the would be informed and asked to help. World that he attends throughout the year. (d) Simon Talbot would contact Stu encouraged to get groups, large or Flinders and Paul Mason to see if they small, of any kind at all together. and could help. we would let others know by email or For information of future Events and (e) Joe Egan was getting together a by other means of publicity. We would News of past events for all GB Local group to organize a dinner at the all be very grateful for any efforts in Associations; see our Website: Reebok in support. this direction. www.donbosco.co.uk/pp

Next year’s officers. Peter Hull kindly offered to send both (Note change to Website address) President: Mark Higson. Ray Riley, the outgoing President and Acting Secretary: Joe Lomax. Mark Froes, cards thanking them for Prepared by John Ward, Vice President, Treasurer: Simon Talbot. the hard work they had done for Salesian Past Pupils Federation (GB) - Publicity: Anne Marie Ginty. Thornleigh Past Pupils over the years. Tel: 01895 257623 Email: We add the grateful thanks of all the [email protected] Committee for 2002-3 Mark Higson, Members of the Association to both Simon Talbot, Joe Egan, Anne Marie these gentlemen for their great efforts. (15AUG2002)

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