Recollections of Blaisdon Hall
National Newsletter
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Salesian Past Pupils, Blaisdon Old Boys Association Greetings to you all for the coming festive season Despite the loss of some more ‘Old Boys’ and friends since our last meeting, our August reunion was a great success. This year we celebrated the 70th anniversary of Blaisdon opening as a trade school for boys, even though the School closed over 12 years ago. Mass was held in St Peter’s in Gloucester with the meeting and lunch held in St Peter’s Social Club with over 170 attending. There were Salesians, Old Boys, Families and Friends, Ex Teachers and Staff, many of whom had not met up for a number of years, also Blaisdon Village guests and representative’s of the Catholic Children’s Society, (Crusade of Rescue). The letters and phone calls received since, both to me and Fr Sean all point to everyone having had a truly great day, with many stating the best reunion ever. Among some of the letters of thanks and congratulations received were from;- David + Pearl Metcalfe, Charlie Calder, Jim +Diane Richards, Lucretia Eeles, Sue Shanks, Len + Sylvia Carter, John Ward, Peter Landsborough, Ian Murray, Derry Maher, Liam Duggan, and Michael Grange, Tony + Wendy Wadsworth and Betty Millar. That made all the hard work, time and costs etc worth the effort, with the cream on the top being Fr Gilheney’s homily and the attendance of Bro Alan Garman. It was also great to see and welcome Fr Jim Pilling SDB, Fr Aidan Murray SDB, Fr Garry Brassington, Cannon Fitzpatrick, Bro Joe Adams SDB, also Alastair Bourne (from Australia), Charlie Calder, Len + Sylvia Carter, Edward + Mrs Comber, Tony + Mrs Drummond, Dave Drummy, Liam Duggan, Alan Ferry, Bernard Grace, (also serving at Mass), Michael + Mrs Grange + Family, Sam Hayes, Peter Landsborough, Gerald + Edna Lenagan, Derry Maher, Michael McKenna, David + Pearl Metcalf, Terry + Pat O’Neill + Family, John Plevey, George + Mrs Robb, Vincent Shaw, Norman, Sylvia +Doris Taylor, Lionel +Mrs Wilkinson, John Ward, Donald Whelahan, Pat Young, George + Mrs McCarthy, Ron, Vera, Arthur + Elaine Coleman, Mary Sandwick + Family, Dorothy Baylis, Nora + Martin Cummins, Edna Chaytor, Michael + Lyn Kennedy, John + Margarite Lydon, Sandra Meadows, Betty Millar, Madge + Des O’Rourke, Jim + Diane Richards, Sue Shanks, Tony + Mrs Wadsworth, Josie Wallace, Anita Watkins, Marian Breen, Eileen Beard, Daphine Duberly, Mrs Lucretia Eeles, Margaret + Kevin Cookson + Family, Margaret, Richartd + Andrew Ashcroft + Family, Angela Rossiter, Chrissy Cookson ( who produced such a great Buffet, Thanks Chrissy), and so many others I have not named and to whom I am sorry I did not manage to find the time to speak to,(as I was rather busy). To have spent only one minute with everyone would have taken up three hours and there was not long enough time to get round to everyone. I apologize if I have not included your names. There were others who wanted to attend but could not do so due to health, travelling and other reasons etc. we missed you all. Thanks to John Ward a number of photo’s of the reunion can be found on the Salesian web site, www.salesians.org.uk click on Links and then on Past Pupils. As every one knows I was looking for a younger person to take over the Blaisdon Association this year, but, there are no takers so I agreed to carry on for the next year or so, all being well health wise etc. The downside of the association I find, is the lack of interest of the younger generation of Past Pupils. Page 2After sending out over 280 Newsletters and including a STAMPED ADDRESSED return envelope to all Blaisdon Past Pupils in Britian on our mailing list, we received less than 50 replies, very disappointing. I see no point in future sending out newsletters to those who did not bother to reply or send back the SAE, (what happened to the stamps?). Furthermore it’s a shame when some Past Pupils do turn up and still do not make a contribution to the reunion costs, and also the many who never attempt or intend to contribute to the association costs, even after all that has been done for them in the past, such as free accommodation, meals and camping facilities. I rest my case. Many thanks to those who sent in donations for the Association funds so we are able to keep going with the newsletters etc. After paying out all costs for the reunion etc, we should have enough monies left towards next years Easter get-together, also for a donation towards the PP Assn Project 2005/6, the anti-Malaria Programme for the young in Africa). I would like you to see extracts from some of the letters and cards received : (1) Dear Charles and Fr Sean, It was indeed very nice to see you both yesterday in Gloucester (at the Reunion), and although we had a brief chat, I must apologize for not getting to speak with you longer. Whilst nothing could compare with actually being in Blaisdon, I would imagine that Sunday was perhaps the best of the reunions since the School closed, so it’s a great thank you to everyone who was involved, … ..September sees me off to Asia for a month visiting Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam,….. Regards, Derry Maher.(Brighton). (2) Dear Charles and Fr Sean, Thank you once again for inviting Diane and I to the annual Reunion. It was again a great success,…due to the fine efforts of all concerned. I am pleased to learn that the reunions will continue. They clearly meet a great need and for that alone should remain a fixture, certainly for a few more years yet. In the meantime please feel free to call upon the Society should there be anything which you feel we may assist. With all good wishes, Jim Richards. Director. Catholic Children’s Society (Westminster). (3) Dear Charlie, Now I am Back home I can reflect on the 70th Anniversary of Blaisdon, just past, and what a truly wonderful weekend it has been. To meet up with so many Old Boys, and friends of Blaisdon from over the years. The Church service in St Peter’s Gloucester was a truly memorable tribute to all the Priests, Brothers, and Staff, and all past pupils of Blaisdon, so many names to mention, but everyone remembered during the very moving Homily given by Fr John Gilheney, a great tribute to every person who had the privilege, and honour of passing through the Gates of Blaisdon Hall Lodge. I for one will always remember my very young, and happy days under the guidance of the Salesians of Don Bosco, at Blaisdon, and I look back on it as my biggest step in life, after Enfield. … I thought the reception after the church service was beautifully laid out, nothing amiss, right down to having a name tag, attention to detail, nothing left out. It was an excellent meal, and plenty of it, with good company. The whole day will long live in my memory, but I put it all down to the expertise of all involved in running the whole show. A thousand thanks to all who made our 70th Anniversary such a memorable occasion, and one we will always remember, long after Blaisdon is gone. I will carry on, and try to climb that hill, as we all call BLAISDON. …. Liam Duggan. Page (4) Hi Charlie, You will like this. It refers to the Blaisdon Recollections disc by “Archivist” Terry o’Neill (the title I gave him over his diligent work over many years on the recollections). I think we should send a copy to Rome to go into the Archives at the Pisana, as a nost valuable comment on the real work for poor boys in the UK Province….. PS I must tell you that Fr Sean has called me on two occasions to say how he is still on a “High” after the magnificent celebrations of our 70th in real style. Furthermore Richard, (Chertsey Association President) told me how much he had enjoyed the day with us, he felt so welcome…. He also said how he felt that Blaisdon was real and true Salesian work. Best wishes, John Ward. (5) Dear Charlie and Fr Sean, We would like to say ‘thank you’ to everyone who worked so hard to make Sunday (the reunion) such a success. We had a lovely day, as I am sure everyone did, Best wishes, David and Pearl Metcalfe. Thanks David, this means a great deal as you know the work and trouble involved, having carried out the work yourself for the Blaisdon Association for a number of years, Charlie (6) Dear Charlie and Fr Sean, Len and I would like to thank you for a most enjoyable day on Sunday 28th Aug Reunion… etc….. Best wishes, Sylvia and Len Carter. (7) Dear Charlie, Well you did it again!! What a great day- you must not give it up ever!!.What will we all do?? I’m only a newcomer through dear Bro Joe over the years, but I love the whole family atmosphere and the ‘Magic’ so thanks to everyone who made it possible. It was so good to see you, Fr Sean, Bro Alan, Terry, Nora and so many old friends again. P S I was back to work in Brighton on Bank Holiday Monday and a customer came in, and we were having a chat etc, when she happened to say she was Fr Gilheney’s weekend cook in Battersea, and I had only seen him at the reunion the day before. What a small world. Wow!! What a family you Blaisdon boys have, Thanks a Million, Sue Shanks (8) Dear Mr Springett, I want to thank you and everyone for including me with Jim Richards, (C.C.S ) in your wonderful moving 70th Anniversary celebrations. I felt it was a great privilege to be there…etc…Sincerely, Lucretia Eeles. (C.C.S) (9) Dear Charlie, I write to thank you for the Blaisdon Old Boys Newsletter, always a joy to receive….I have to say I was very much taken by the idea of affixing brass name plates the bench or benches commemorating ones association with our fellow members and former residents of Blaisdon, unto posterity, which has to be a pretty novel idea, to my way of thinking. To that end then I enclose my donation to help towards whatever the majority decide with my compliments. Kind regards to all remaining Old Boys, only sorry we cant be there. God Bless, Ian and Margaret Murray. ( Queensland, Australia.) (10) Dear Charlie, May I on behalf of my family and of course myself thank you and all your team involved for the wonderful reunion held in Gloucester on 27/28th August. We realise the amount of hard work that was involved and it is a credit to each and everyone that had a hand in making it such a great success. It was wonderful to hear that the reunions will continue and I for one intend to make sure that I will not miss out on any more of them, Sincerely, Michael Grange 11) Dear Charlie, I know that I have already thanked you verbally for the tremendous work you did for the successful and memorable 70th Anniversary and I wish to place my sincere thanks on record, hence this letter. I am certain that everyone who attended the celebrations, shares my opinion that it could not have gone better. I am so glad too that I was able to attend and witness personally the hard work done by yourself, Fr Sean, Pat Young and everyone involved. …etc..…. As you and I know, several of our members are very worried about the possibility of our association folding up in the near future, and in my opinion their worries are well founded. I say this because if, as happens year after year, it is left to ‘The Few’ to organise reunions without active support, then the inevitable collapse of the Association will follow…etc………At 81 years of age and living so far away I regret there is little I can do to help…etc…….I sometimes feel that we are carrying too far many passengers….etc…… In conclusion I want to say how much I value the friendship of so many truly nice people, etc…….. and that to my dying day I will remember with deep affection my brothers, with whom I have had the privilege of sharing so much in common throughout our difficult years,.. and in expressing my thanks, I am sure that I am doing so on behalf of all.Michael Mc Kenna. (12) Once again I would like to convey my special thanks for all the work put together by ‘The Team’ for our August reunion….etc… but you will know how much I and everyone else appreciates what you all did to make it such a success. All this has personally brought me a lot of personal happiness over the years and I am certain to the other B.O.B and their families as well. It was a truly smashing reunion, so Thank You to Everyone involved. Peter Landsborough. (13) Dear Charlie and Fr Sean, I feel that I would like to congratulate you both, all the Catering staff, and everyone involved with organising the 70th Anniversary reunion in Gloucester. What a ‘brilliant’ success, (as Kevin would have said). It must have been the very best, with such attention to detail, layout and presentation. The attendance at the Service, the Homily by Fr Gilheney, the items at the offertory representing Blaisdon Salesian School, the attendance of so many Salesians, Bro Alan Garman, Old Boys, Families and friends, Ex Staff and Blaisdon Villagers said it all. What a Brotherhood after so many years is a credit to our Salesian tutors and the boys themselves.I was worried that the association would collapse after this but am so glad that it will carry on for the foreseeable future at least. Having worked on the task of fixing Brass name plates to the bench outside the Village Hall, I am pleased that so many have wished to have their name attached. I am still willing to arrange and fix others if requested but I would rather any sums be paid in advance in future as it has cost me personally in the past. Please pass on my good wishes to all my friends for a Happy Christmas… Pat Young. I am sorry but I cannot print complete letters or add extracts from all the letters received or this newsletter will take me another ten pages and weeks more to put it together. Over the W/e 17/18 Sept I was invited to attend with Fr Sean the Copsewood Past Pupils reunion in Pallaskenry. This was my first visit to Ireland and it was a great weekend. I was made most welcome and invited to say a few words after lunch. I was glad to be able to thank everyone and to point out I noticed their feelings for their Salesian school just as we of Blaisdon do. As with Blaisdon the farm and trades are no longer there, (shame). The next day Fr Sean showed me over many of the areas where he was as a child and we finished up in Kinsale at the finest fish restaurant I have ever known. A W/e never to be forgotten. As many of us from Blaisdon have pointed out before, it is not just the Past Pupils that help keep the association successful but the brotherhood of Old Boys and their families, the Salesians, friends and Ex staff that make up the Blaisdon Salesian Family. The number of Brass Plaques with the Salesians and Old Boys names fitted to the Benches outside the local Church and Village Hall shows the pride and feeling the Salesian Past Pupils of Blaisdon hold dear. Needless to say we have received and expect to receive, more requests to add other name plaques to be fitted every time we visit there. A few of us are hoping to meet up in Blaisdon overnight on 26th Nov for a drink and chat prior to me attending the C.C.S (ex CoR) Mass and meeting in London on the Sunday 27th. We hope to get this newsletter finished and out by the end of November, as I will be admitted to Moorfields Eye Hospital on 12th Dec for a major operation, to try to correct an eye problem that I have been having for many years, and after which I will need to take extra care and rest up for some weeks. I was expecting to be busy as usual over the Xmas period carrying out Father Christmas duties again for the children on the local Preserved Steam Railway, but now I will only be available on the 3/4th and 10th. I would like to draw your attention to the CD compiled by Terry O’Neill entitled Blaisdon Recollections, being memories by Blaisdon Past Pupils. Copies were available at the reunion, and I am sure Terry would be pleased to supply a copy to those who may wish to have one for a donation to its cost. The next get-together will be our usual informal meet-up in Blaisdon over the w/e after Easter the 22nd/23 April 2006, we hope to see many of you then. Although it is some way off it would be good and helpful to know all who intend or hope to be there, so Please drop a line in the post or give a phone call by the end of February, Thanks. I wish you all the best for a Happy and Peaceful Christmas Season and Best Wishes to you and your families for 2006. Put your trust in Don Bosco, Charles W Springett. President, Blaisdon Past Pupils Assn. |
