Newsletter March 2005

Since our last meeting there has been a number of Funerals, which I and Fr. Sean SDB and other Blaisdon Old Boys have attended. The death of Fr Paul Golding SDB R.I.P, who is remembered by many Blaisdon Old Boys with great affection for his work and teaching down on the farm, was a great loss. His funeral in Farnborough was attended by a number of Blaisdon Old Boys who travelled from many parts of the country to say their last farewells and thanks to a good friend. What a shame other Past Pupils from Chertsey, where he was for so many years, and from Farnborough, did not attend. Another loss was Fr John Thompson SDB (R.I.P.) another ex Blaisdon Salesian who is also remembered by many old Boys. I with Fr Sean Murray SDB attended the reception of his body service in Mary Help Of Christians Church Farnborough, but next day I was attending another funeral in Mitcheldean (Gloucs), that being Mr Frank Bayliss R.I.P of Blaisdon, a good friend of many Blaisdon Old Boys. Again a number of them travelled many miles to attend, and they also did so for the funeral of Mr Stan Tilling, R.I.P, the husband of Carol the Cook at Blaisdon Hall for many years. I think this shows the feeling of comradeship and friendship among the Blaisdon Old Boys, for the ex Blaisdon Salesians and the villagers and friends over many years. Other losses were that of Michael (Hector) O’Shea R.I.P a BOB (Blaisdon Old Boy) from Bodmin. Fr Sean Murray SDB and I travelled to Cornwall to join with Bodmin Boys to say our farewells to Hector, and to Jim Kelly, R.I.P a BOB from Gloucester. Jims family asked me for information on obtaining any records, as they knew very little of his upbringing and his life as a child, as he never spoke about it to them. I advised them to contact the Catholic Children’s Society (Westminster), ex Crusade of Rescue, who have some records of boys who were sent on to Blaisdon from London.

A number of us are meeting up in Blaisdon Village over the w/e of 2/3 April for our usual get together, it will be good to see old friends again, and put forward ideas and suggestions for our forthcoming Reunion on 28^th August in Gloucester. This is to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the opening of Blaisdon Hall in 1935, by the Salesians, as a school for boys in need, and where we feel Don Bosco’s work was truly done. We are hoping that a number of ex Blaisdon Salesians will attend, also ex members of staff, and helpers, as well as Blaisdon Old Boys, families and friends to make this a truly memorial day. Arrangements are already under way but lots more needs to be done yet. I still wonder how much longer these reunions will go on as our numbers are depleting every year.

I now have to point out that I have received requests for copies of records showing all Blaisdon donations towards the Smile 2004 project, including when these funds were paid in. which and if any of these funds are as yet transferred to Liberia, also as to how these donations have been used. This information is requested before any other requests for donations will be considered. I suggest photos of the water tanks in working condition, and progress of the electric generators.

I have made it known to the Blaisdon Past Pupils that I would like to see another member take over from me after August this year, in fact I made this known before Easter last year but so far no takers. I am reluctant to say that I do not mind the time it takes but I am no longer in a position to bear the costs involved to carry out the duties of President in the way I believe they should done, so I hope to get a better response at our next get-together.

I hope the next report will be more interesting.

Charles W Springett.