Recollections of Blaisdon Hall
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SALESIAN PAST PUPILS – THE BLAISDON BROTHERHOOD WWW.BLAISDONBROTHERHOOD.INFO
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Newsletter Christmas 2006
Newsletter
Christmas 2006
Once
again the festive season is upon us, and we will all be sending off the
Christmas cards to our friends to wish them well for a happy Christmas,
and all they wish for in the New Year. This
is the time when I can get in touch with my Blaisdon friends that I
don’t see or hear of during the rest of the year. Before
we get carried away with the Christmas festivities, may I just report on
the wonderful time we had at the August Bank Holiday Reunion.
This year it was on Sunday 27th August, but some of us like to
start early, so we arrived on the Friday and others on Saturday. John
Plevey (45/47) as
usual picked me up by the motorway at about 8.30 on the Friday morning;
we stopped at Lydney for a cuppa, and arrived at Blaisdon Village just
after 9.30. Pat Young was
just putting the finishing touches to the brass plates he was adding to
Fr. Hilton’s bench, in Remembrance of David Bastable, who had died
earlier this year. A
café was the next call because John and Pat had gone without breakfast,
and were now in need of refreshments.
After breakfast Pat offered to take me to my digs at the Kings
Head to book in. Ron
Fields (55/58) from New Zealand had already booked in, and was busy
ironing some clothes ready for the evening.
We arranged to see Ron in Blaisdon at the Red Hart later.
Later
we were joined at the Red Hart by Charlie Springett, Ron Fields, Dave
Drummey (74/78) and some other old boys and we stayed there talking
of old times until closing time. We
went back to the village hall to see the work Charlie had done in
readiness for the weekend. Charlie’s
car was so loaded down with fruit and goods that his exhaust kept
rubbing the ground. Once we
had unloaded everything he had no more problems with the exhaust and no
damage done. Friday
evening a good crowd of us had a meal at the Kings Head before we made
our way to our separate dwellings, some to Blaisdon Village, Ron Fields,
Liam Duggan,
(48/50) and
myself were staying at the Kings Head so we had a night cap before
retiring early for the night.
Saturday
saw Liam, Ron Fields and I ready for breakfast around about 8.30, and
Martin and Nora arrived at the Kings Head while we were having
breakfast, they had travelled from Stockport early in the morning. After
breakfast Nora, Martin, Liam and I went to the garden centre at Huntley.
We spent a few hours there, and Nora bought some plants for the
Salesian grave at Blaisdon. Our visit was interrupted by a mobile call
from Irene to say that she wasn’t far away, but was held up at
Birdswood in a traffic queue, and she would meet us back at the Kings
Head. After
a spot of lunch with Irene, we all went to St. Michael’s Church at
Blaisdon to put the beautiful plants that Irene and Nora had bought, on
the grave of the Salesians who are interred there.
In the bottom picture, Nora and Irene are admiring the flowers
they have just put on the grave. Liam
is doing his bit.
Fr.
Hilton’s Bench is still outside the gate of St. Michael’s Church
and, as you can see, there is an addition of brass plates on the bench.
These are of Past Blaisdon Salesians who are remembered in our
prayers each year. Saturday
afternoon in beautiful sunshine, the plum pickers, Irene, Nora, and Liam
by St. Michael’s Church, filling their plastic bags with plums (I told
Liam not to eat too many, or there wouldn’t be enough to take home to
make plum jam). I boiled
mine, strained them, they tasted lovely with custard.
The juices that were left, I bottled, and kept in the fridge, to
drink at my leisure on sunny days in my garden.
Saturday
evening was meant to be Bar-B-Q. Night, but there seemed to be a bit of
a mix-up of when it was to start, so the Bar-B-Q, itself had finished
when we arrived at about eight. There
was a good crowd of us having a chat in the Village hall, with
refreshments that Charlie had provided.
Some went down the pub and had a hot meal. It’s
what this special weekend is all about, some of us come on the Friday
and Saturday so that we can nurture this special friendship, this
comradeship that we have. We
spend the time going to places that meant something to us in years gone
by, and visit people that we’ve made such good friends with.
It means so much to us to be able to talk to the villagers who
have done so much for us in the past. The
highlight of our day is on the Sunday, with some of us having an early
start with a good breakfast and a good walk, before meeting up with
everyone at the Village Hall at about 12.30 PM, then on to Mass at St.
Michael’s for 1 o’clock Mass. Once
again the Church was full for the hour-long service, with Eric Nutcher
playing the organ so well, thank you Eric.
After Mass, as usual we all congregate over at the Salesian Grave
to
Remember
our loved ones. Fr. Sean
mentions everyone who is buried in our own Salesian grave, and has a
little story to tell of each one. Fr.
Sean, with us, prays for all Salesians, especially the Salesians of
Blaisdon. This year there
was a special mention for David Bastable (50/57)
who
died on May 8th 2006. Before
David went to Blaisdon, he spent many years in an orphanage in
Birmingham. St. Phillip’s
Orphanage it was called, run by the Sisters of Charity. That was where I
met David, he was there long before me, but we had so very much in
common. We both served Mass
at the Oratory every day of the week at 6 am most mornings, come
whatever the weather, but that’s another story. I
went to Blaisdon on 9th January 1950, and David followed me exactly one
month later, 9th February 1950. I’ve met David many times over the
years, at other Salesian Houses. He
loved working for them, and they love having him.
There’s
much more on the Blaisdon Web site: www.blaisdonbrotherhood.info
about
David and his funeral at Battersea. “God
Bless you David. Rest in
Peace”
John
proudly stood up at the reunion and presented Fr. Sean with the first
book of our very own recollections. John
produced the cover, which I think is fantastic.
With the heading on the front lawn: Blaisdon
Hall Salesian
School 1935
– 1995. Fr.
Sean’s face was a picture, he had no idea what was happening when John
asked him to accept this book from the Old Boy’s Association. Fr.
Sean was overwhelmed, and for once was lost for words, but it was great
to see the happiness on his face. John
did a roaring trade for the rest of the afternoon.
Everyone wanted to buy one.
John is selling them for £ 6.00 each, or £ 7.00 including Post
and Package and any extra given will be donated to the Salesian Project
“Smile”. If you are
interested in purchasing this book from John, you can contact him at:
John
Ward – 22 Church Close, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 2XG.
This
card was from Mgr. Luc van Looy SDB Bishop of Ghent. Sent
to John Ward who is a personal friend. Richard
Blake, The President of the Old Boy’s Association Cowley, had a gift
copy from John, Richard rang him to thank him for the book, he said
“it’s amazing, I can’t put it down, I was reading it at breakfast,
I’m reading now, In fact I’m so impressed that I’m going to
recommend that all the Cowley Past Pupils at the next Reunion at the end
of October, buy a copy, just to see the real Salesian work done by the
Salesians at Blaisdon”. David
Hudson (63/67)
sent
his congratulations: saying, everyone who went to Blaisdon gained a lot,
and remember ‘their days’ as the best, but now reading the
recollections of those in your era, makes one think that the farming
days were very, very special to all those who were part of it, and might
explain why so many from that era of the trades at Blaisdon support the
events of the Association more than any other age group.
Mick Grange (43/45)
sent
a smashing letter, “ What a wonderful surprise, and what painstaking
work must have been involved in producing such wonderful tribute to the
Salesians in the production of the Recollection of Blaisdon Hall.
I am amazed that this masterpiece has been produced at such a
cheap price of £ 6.00 and when one thinks of the untold hours, phone
calls, the layout, the final printing and production, this must be the
best bargain of the century. What
more can one say that the President hasn’t already said in the final
words of this book, except that our beloved Don Bosco and all the
departed Salesians must be holding their own reunion and celebrations in
praise of the Blaisdon Association, especially if I may add the star
players who made this book possible. I
had a great letter from Danny Hayes (49/57)
from
Spain, thanking me for the book I sent him: this was his reply:
What a fantastic gift I have received from you, your
“Recollections of Blaisdon”, I simply can’t put it down.
Bless you my friend, just reading it.
So many memories come flooding back; they will always be
treasured. Reading so many
different accounts is wonderful, but for me what is coming through all
the time is the journey to Blaisdon.
That first time! That first impression!
That step into a life ahead! The
warmth and friendship, so unknown to so many of us, all of us so
apprehensive, Nervous, on guard, and ready to flee; Our Salesians
Priests and Brothers always there for us, always the helping hand,
always their understanding of us and our fears and needs.
Never dear friend will I forget, and neither will any of the
other lads, who were like me, so very fortunate to become a Blaisdon Old
Boy. Blaisdon was my first
and only home. When I
arrived at Blaisdon, I was bad, and there was nothing I would not do to
survive, but slowly those hands of friendship began to take effect,
slowly I changed, because instead of fear in my life, suddenly there was
love and understanding. You
my dear friend, have brung it
all back for me. I shall
always remember and appreciate. God
Bless you all.
Danny This
is a letter from Michael McKenna (38/41)
telling
me of his feeling concerning the continuance of the Association in the
future. I felt it needed to
go into the newsletter as he wrote it.
I think Mike was writing down, what so many of us are thinking,
and I thank him for that. As
I wandered along the quiet country roads during the weekend of our
reunion, my mind was frequently occupied with the question of what can
be done to ensure that our Association will continue to be in existence
when our great grand children have sons of their own. I
know that the problem of our continuing to maintain a yearly presence in
Blaisdon is troubling the minds of all who attended the August weekend;
which incidentally I enjoyed very much. if
they so wish, stand down and enjoy a well deserved rest. We
are all aware of the enormous work done by Mr. Charles Springett
throughout many years and for as many years we have been sincere in
voicing our appreciation, but doing little else.
We know also that Charlie has been given considerable support by
Fr. Sean, Pat Young, Terry O’Neill and one or two others, which has
encouraged Charlie, time and time again, to carry on as being our
President. It is obvious
that we cannot expect these same good people to carry on indefinitely in
making such a major contribution, whilst the majority of us do little,
other than express our thanks. Addressing
the short term problem, surely there are those among us who could offer
suggestions or better still, be prepared to offer their services, so
that Charlie and his willing team of helpers may rest. Addressing
the long term problem, I believe we should, everyone of us, do all we
can to acquaint our own sons and daughters of the tremendous help we
were given by the Salesians to cope with the demands of the
‘outside’ world. If
we do this it is possible that future generations will keep the
Associations traditions. I
hope and pray that my comments will be given your earnest attention. Michael
McKenna. 2006 I
had a phone call from Pat Young the other day, to say that the time has
come to put aside orders for brass plates for the two Salesian benches,
so if there are any last orders, please contact Pat as soon as possible,
as this will be his last orders. Time
is money! as the saying goes. John
Ward and I have had some fantastic response from readers of the
recollections book, as you can see from some of the letters we’ve
received, but this a team project.
Someone said to me that if I hadn’t had the idea in the first
place, nothing would have materialised. But if no one had sent me their
Memoirs and John had not financed the project, all these wonderful
stories would be lying in a folder on one of my shelves, in A4 sheets
not being seen to their best advantage.
There were many months of hard work involved, but the finished
product was well worth the effort.
So thank you all, who helped me to its satisfactory conclusion.
As I said, “A great team spirit” Thank you all so very
much. I
expect Charlie will explain in his part of the newsletter that in future
the “Newsletter” will be going out on the “Blaisdon Web” which
is: www.blaisdonbrotherhood.info
Charlie
and I will be making a new mailing list of every one who’s not on a
computer, so that the newsletter can be posted by snail mail. I
think I’ve used up my allotted space now.
Best
wishes. Terry O'Neill, Blaisdon Archivist
Presidents
address December 2006 Another
successful reunion in August! My thanks to all who helped out in any way
to make it another great day with a special thanks to the Cookson
and Ashcroft families who were our caterers once again and who
put on such a great Buffet.
It
was good to welcome and meet so many friends again including, Barney Grace 45/46; Michael Grange 43/45 and guests; Terry O’Neill 50/51; Norman 42/44, Sylvia & Doris Taylor; George 55/59 & Mrs. Robb; Liam Duggan 48/50; Pat Young 49/50; Len 48/50 & Sylvia Carter; John Ward 46/48; John Plevey 45/47; Charlie Calder 48/50; Eric Nutcher 41/43; Michael McKenna 38/41; Ronnie Fields 55/58; (New Zealand) David 46/48 & Pearl Metcalfe; Gerry Hinds 43/45 & guest; Ron 55/58 & Arthur Coleman & guests; Sammy Hayes 50/53 & guest; Billy Udell 51/52 & guests; John O’Driscoll 58/60; Martin Jay; David Hudson 63/67; Chris Little 64/68; Peter Grace 7 guests; Fr Aidan Murray SDB; Fr Sean Murray SDB; Bro Joe Adams SDB; and our guests Mandy Hawker & family; Nora & Martin Cummins; Irene Robertson; Deacon Jim & Diane Richards (CCS) ; Betty Miller, Barbara Fitzpatrick, & Anita Watkins, (Anthonian’s Assn, Feltham ); Nicola Klaiber & Erica Warr , (Blaisdon Village): Tony & Wendy Wadsworth. Many Old Boys and others were missed, as they were not able to attend owing to family and health reasons. Irene Robertson had a number of hand made greetings cards for sale and from which she made a donation to BOB funds, thanks Irene. The
visitors books and remarks sheets are always available at the reunions
and other meetings, but very few members or their guests entered their
names or remarks which we like to pass on in the newsletters, it would
be nice to see more names and remarks at the next reunion. One
remark sheet handed in stated;- It
is always a privilege to attend the Blaisdon old Boy’s Reunion. This
being my third year attending as a guest and feel I have made many more
friends. A special thanks to all concerned for the hard work put into
making the reunion such a success and bringing so many people together.
Betty Millar, (Chair, Anthonian’s Association.) Another
; This was a truly Magnificent Reunion. No detail was overlooked.
Please thank the great friends who produced an excellent meal in
beautiful presentation. This
will be a difficult if not impossible act to replace.
J.W. BOB. I
would like to draw your attention to the book “ A Tribute to the
Salesians of GB” released at the our reunion, it is a compilation of
the memories of Blaisdon Past Pupils, many “Old Boys”, with many
copies of old photo’s. A
truly great read which I recommend and believe is a must for every Past
Pupil and their families, part of their own life history.
Produced in colour cover and many colour pictures, this is a
credit to the hard work of Terry O’Neill with the compilation, and
John Ward who arranged the printing and personally paid for the first
colour print run of 200. Copies are available from: John Ward, 22 Church
Close, Uxbridge UB8 2XG, at the excellent price of £ 7 incl. p&p It
was proposed and agreed that the 2007 Reunion be held earlier e.g.
June/July and combined with a Family day, therefore next year the 2007
Reunion is expected to be on Sunday 8th July combined with a
Family day held on Saturday 7th July.
It is hoped that this will be better for families travelling
to Blaisdon, as many have pointed out that travelling over the Bank
Holiday W/E can be so busy and stressful.
The field at the top of Stud Farm will be available for camping
and caravanning (thanks to Dick Hawker) with fresh water
available. It is hoped to arrange music in the Village Hall on Saturday
evening to keep the children happy with a Bar-B-Q if there are enough
interested and attending. (This year, there were many who were expected
but decided to have meal in the Red Heart and other establishments first
instead and turn up later.) There will also be a meeting in the Village
Hall for all interested Old Boys to discuss the association’s future
with ideas and suggestions. The Reunion lunch will be on Sunday after
Mass, which will be in St Michael’s Church at 11.am. It would help
greatly with arrangements if we can have all names of everyone hoping to
attend sent to the Blaisdon Secretary or President well in advance, i/e
by Early May 2007. Just turning up for the buffet on the
day without prior notice will not be an option.
We
hope to be able to hold a group photo session outside the Village Hall,
weather permitting, before the Buffet.
After
requests for volunteers to assist in organising and helping with and to
represent the Association in the future, an Ad-Hoc number of Old Boys
gathered in Blaisdon on 28th October and a new committee was
formed to represent the Blaisdon Past Pupils Association, these being: John
Ward, Len Carter, Pat Young, Charlie Calder, Terry O’Neill,
Michael Grange, John Plevey, Bernard Grace, Charles Springett, &
Gerry Hines, with apologies from Norman Taylor, Michael
McKenna , Eric Nutcher Michael
O ‘Brian, Peter
Lansborough & Liam Dugan, who wished to attend but unfortunately
were unable to do so on that date. At this meeting volunteers for the
positions of Secretary, Treasurer, President and alternate cheque
counter-signatory were requested with the following results: Secretary;
Pat Young assisted by Michael Grange Treasurer…John
Plevey President
Charles Springett Alternate Cheque Counter-Signatory: John WardArchivist
& Contacts… Terry O’Neill A
proposal to accept the named persons and positions was carried
unanimously. All
other members present to be Committee Members to represent the Blaisdon
PP Assn. It was further
requested that all future correspondence regarding Blaisdon Past
Pupils Association be sent to/ received by
the Secretary or the President. All correspondence regarding the
Blaisdon account e.g. Fees, Payments, Donations, Receipts, Invoices,
Bills, Demands and Requests for payment etc, to be sent to and dealt
with by the Treasurer. The
account to remain: Salesian
Old Boys Blaisdon Association.. Account
Number 10805734, and
remain with;- Barclay’s
Bank Plc. Branch Code 20 33 83 18
Southgate Street, Gloucester. GL1 2DJ The
signature of the Treasurer and the President or a named Committee Member
(John Ward) will be required on any Cheque raised on the Blaisdon
Association Account. The
registered address for the Blaisdon Old Boys Association will be: 44
Bridle Path, Dresden,
Longton, Stoke on Trent. Staffs. ST4 3SB; With
effect planned from 1st December 2006
At
this meeting it was proposed that a vote of thanks be given to Fr
Sean Murray SDB for all his years and help in keeping the Blaisdon
Association active and that it be recorded that he be an Honorary
Life Member of Blaisdon Old Boys’ Association. We
would like to remind everyone with a computer and internet access that
the Blaisdon Website is www.blaisdonbrotherhood.info
which
contains the Blaisdon Newsletters, Guestbook, Names, Contacts,
and many Links and other Information. As
pointed out in our previous newsletters, with the ability of Internet
and access the Blaisdon website we will no longer be sending Newsletters
out by post unless Requested to do so, as not everyone has a
computer or access to the Internet. A
new revised mailing list has been drawn up by Terry O Neill, to
which he will add other names and addresses if contacted and Requested
to do so, so please contact him if you so wish. I
would like to bring the attention of all wishing to keep the Blaisdon
Association active please make your Association Membership contribution
payment for 2007 in January. I
would point out that overall there was a rather poor response to this
request last year. It
was proposed that the 2007 Reunion be a free event for all Blaisdon
Past Pupils who are paid up members, with a small fee for their
guests, in the hope that it would encourage more of the younger PP to
attend. This was widely
accepted with delight, but I would point out that the names of all
attending will be required by the second week of May in order
that firm catering arrangements can be made.
As is now usual a number of us will be meeting up in Blaisdon the
w/e after Easter i/e 13th / 15th April for our usual get-together and
hope that many you will join us. We expect to meet up in the Village
Hall on Saturday afternoon and evening. This is an informal event please
bring your own food and drinks. We will attend the local parish Mass on
the Sunday. On
the afternoon of Saturday 28th October after contacting the owners of Blaisdon
Hall and taking Terry O’Neill, Pat Young & Michael
Grange with me I drove through the Lodge gates & up the drive. Tony
Haynes, the new Owner, came out to meet me and I presented him with
a copy of “THE BOOK” which he was pleased to receive. He then
went over to the boys and after chatting for a while invited them all to
have a look all round the grounds and the back of the house. It was
great to see the happiness and pleasure in their faces to see their old
home again and see all the improvements, walk round and talk to Tony whilst
feeding the vast numbers of fish in the Ponds. Vivian Haynes was
out but I did have a chance to have a few words with her before it was
time for us to depart and make our way down to the Village. I
hope and look forward to seeing many of you in 2007. I wish you and all
a
Very Happy and Peaceful Christmas,
Good Health &
Bright New Year.
Charles W Springett, Blaisdon President. The
meeting held at ‘Tan Farm’ on Saturday 28th of October was a great
success, but I’ll leave the details to Charlie, who is still the
President, to give the details. One
of the things agreed at the meeting was to donate one of our books,
‘Recollection’s of Past Pupils’ to Mr. & Mrs. Haynes up at
Blaisdon Hall. Three of us
went with Charlie to the Lodge Gates, and there was silence as he rang
the bell by the gates, we could hear some talk over the intercom, but
couldn’t understand what was being said.
Charlie came back to the car, and I thought another
disappointment was awaiting us, then, to my surprise the Lodge gates
started to open. After all
these years we were back inside the Lodge gates.
We drove slowly up the drive admiring the old fashion lamps that
were along the driveway up to the Hall.
We all stayed in the car while Charlie went to the main door and
rang the bell. Tony
Haynes answered Charlie’s ring, then came over to us as we got out of
the car. Although he was
busy, and had to make some phone calls, he stayed with us for at least
half an hour, then excused himself and told to have a look around the
gardens, and the back of the Hall.
There certainly were some changes round the back, and where the
new school used to be, there are now two very large Fish ponds, with a
summerhouse separating them. While
we were admiring our surroundings Tony came to feed the Fish and clean
the pools of dead leaves. We
had a fantastic chat with him until it got dark, and duty called for
Tony once again. Time was
getting on, a snack was laid on for us at Tan Farm, but we just about
had time to have a chat with Vivian Haynes before we had to leave.
She was so sorry that she had come back so late, but they were
both so pleased to receive our Recollection from us.
We had a great evening down at Tan Farm, sitting around a large
table discussing the day’s events. Next
morning I was up at seven, to have a walk down to Blaisdon Halt, then up
to the Lodge gates, and then my final walk along the bottom lane below
Blaisdon Hall. When I
started my walk it was dark, but by the time I had reached the Lodge
gates, the light was beginning to show in the sky.
The reds, the silver and the dark clouds mingling with the reds,
the mist climbing up from the lowlands over the river Severn, were
fantastic. I kept looking
up at the beautiful sky and up at the Hall, and the memories came
flooding back to me. I’m
sure there are many, many more stories to be told of those great days.
I walked back to the Lodge, and then onto the Salesian grave to
say a prayer to my friends, before arriving back at Tan Farm for
breakfast. A short weekend
break, but a fantastic one, one I won’t forget in a hurry.
Terry O’Neill, Blaisdon Archivist
Addendum At the meeting in Tan House at which the initial Blaisdon Committee was formed, John Ward was able to report that we are getting close to selling the 200 copies of the A Tribute to the Salesians of Great Britain book, and he sought opinion of the Committee that when stocks are down to 20 copies we consider a reprint, or perhaps better still, a second issue with some corrections and with added Memoirs. The Committee agreed that we should go for a second issue and invites Blaisdon Old Boys to consider adding new stories of their time at and associated with Blaisdon Hall. This second issue would be funded from Association funds and probably be a smaller number of books. Those interested in adding to this great work should start writing their articles, as at some time when we are considering going to print there will have to be a deadline for the articles to be sent to Terry O’Neill the Blaisdon Archivist. Pat
Young, Blaisdon Secretary
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