New Page 2

"A Blaisdon Concerto Grosso" in three Movements by Tony Brady

THE PRELUDE

I drove from Holyhead, North Wales, direct to Blaisdon Hall to make a 2.00. pm meeting by invitation with the new owner. The gates of The Lodge were open. I was met at The Hall front door by Mr. Andrey Zhelamskiy: his informality combined with a distinct graciousness was instantly appealing. He enquired after my journey and family and thanked me for the information I had sent to his PA Jeremy Nicholls. Andrey was curious to know if the Salesians were fond of drinking as he showed me a purpose built bar, situated in what was formerly the Priest's and Lay-Brother's Refectory.

As I explained that a bar was not there during the Salesian's residency and that a jug of cider was indulged on Feast-days with perhaps a glass of wine at Christmas Dinner. We were joined by Andrey's sister Yvegna - (Helen). She spoke to me in English and used Russian when speaking with her brother: We had tea in what was formerly the House Bursar's Office. A format for our post-Reunion Lunch drinks reception and house visit was mutually fixed: then Andrey walked me internally and externally along our envisaged route. He was particularly interested in how the rooms of The Hall were used by the Salesian Community and the boys. I mentioned that several Priests, who had lived here across several decades, would be among his guests on the Reunion Sunday.

I noticed that Andrey was curious about the devotional aspects of the garden such as the hedged about arbor and plinth which once supported a statue of Our Lady, Mary Help of Christians. I mentioned that there was a Calvary, similar to the one positioned by The Lodge, and always visible from the house, close to another area of spiritual significance known as The Monk's Walk. I promised to follow up his enquiry as to what had happened to the statue and garden crucifix? Additionally, my guide sought information about the altered elevation at roof level visible from the internal back yard. Finally, Andrey said that he must now leave for Bristol to meet friends and invited me to stay. I told him that I had already booked into a farmhouse B&B nearby.

THE INTERLUDE

From my accommodation at Birdwood View Farm I headed to Nottwood Hill and the home of Liz Perry. She is the sister of Roger Etherington of Blaisdon Forge; his late father used to assist Brother Thomas Gallagher SDB RIP teach boxing to boys at Blaisdon Hall during the 1940s. Liz is coordinating the publication of a book about Blaisdon Village, Stud Farm and Blaisdon Hall that villagers and Blaisdon Old Boys are contributing to with their post World-War Two memories. I moved on to the camper's field and met with Dick Hawker to thank him for allowing use of one of his fields: some tents were already pitched and a caravan was parked up. As no occupants were about, I made a courtesy call on Roger Etherington who is joining us for lunch on Sunday. Over supper at The King's Head, Huntley, I met Pat Young and Ronnie Fields: Ronnie had traveled from New Zealand.

On Saturday morning I move on, provisioned with a dozen fresh eggs and home rown potatoes, purchased from my farmhouse hosts Maryilyn & Gordon Wilde. Bearing these as gifts, I called on the campers: Nicola Smith, John Faulkner, John Sharp, Wayne Howe, and Caravaners: Roger and Corinne Allen. I explained to Corinne that John Ward had prepared a surprise gift for Mr. Zhelmanskiy and she advised a gift for his sister. Roger and I decided to call on Roger Keyes Blaisdon village florist and market gardener. While he took our order, Roger reminded me of my poaching activities with the ferrets of John Boden, my 1950s head-pig-man tutor.

As I had written in advance to George & Beryl Austin alerting them to a visit, Roger and I drove to their home near Yorkley in the Forest of Dean. We found the former Blaisdon Hall landscape gardener and his wife who was a one time lay-helper with the 1960’s boys, in good form and about to head out to visit family. George quickly got into anecdote mode. He told us about the Hall basement boiler house being flooded in the 1940’s and a lay-Brother being sent down among the floating barrels of communion wine. Armed with a mallet, his task was to swim among the floating coke and anthracite while bashing the barrel bungs tight. George is frail and of reduced mobility: Beryl is his principal carer with help from the community services.

Back at Dick Hawker’s field and Roger & Corinne’s caravan, we had lunch under the awning with Sylvia & Len Carter who had arrived from London. Later I made another visit to Liz Perry who proved to be unwell with acute kidney pain. It was plain that doubts about her coming to the Reunion, as an invited guest. were looming. Even so, we completed an overview of her prepared work on the book: Blaisdon Memories. Presidential duties between the Old School and The Red Hart were then concluded between 2.30 pm and 6.00 pm. I also met with Joyce Lilley who confirmed all arrangements for Reunion Day. She told me that Terry O’Neill was in The King’s Head doing a book signing. During this time, John Hennessy (Mieczkowski) landed from Spain and Charlie Springett and Eric Nutcher arrived in the village. In between times I spent quality moments with Guy ......... owner of The Red Hart who showed me his resident Large White sow and her four black spotted offspring. I then drove down to Stud Farm and introduced myself to Mrs. Rich. Her husband, the owner, was out on a tractor, so she invited me to return later.

I decided to make a sentimental journey to the Catholic Church at Newent: I had played a modest role in its being built during the 1950s. While saying a brief prayer before the Crucifix outside the church - that the visit to Blaisdon Hall on the morrow would go well - it crossed my mind that the figure of Christ was possibly the one formerly exposed in the gardens at Blaisdon Hall. From there I drove to The King’s Head.

Terry O’ Neill was surrounded by his family: it was a flying visit as his health has been a continuing cause for concern. He was busy signing books: his wife Pat, told me that over 23.000 copies of "Someone To Love Us" have been sold. I met many Old Boys who, not seen by me earlier, were congregating not so much for drinking but for supper. They included Liam Duggan, Mrs. Robertson, Donald Whelehan, Adrian Torri, Eric Nutcher, Charlie Springett, Martin & Mrs. Jay, George & Mrs. Robb, Joan, Barney Grace’s daughter and one of her sons. I managed to get a few moments with Terry before he left for his home in Newport. Later I returned to Stud Farm.

Mr. & Mrs. Rich proved to be most welcoming, provided refreshment and indulged my expressed nostalgia for their house - my erstwhile home (1955-1960) - aided with many of my photos of former buildings. They gave me a full conducted tour of the house and kindly invited me back next year: adding that if any former Stud Farm workers wished to visit them, they would me most welcome. It was after 10.00 pm and dark when I headed back to the camper’s field.

There, I stayed supping a little beer, but drinking in large quantities of Blaisdon Hall School anecdotes, retailed in the highly amusing company of Nicola Smith, John Faulkner, John Sharp and Wayne Howe. It was a laugh-a-minute as John Faulkner related numerous incidents of his time as a boy in Blaisdon “Liberty” Hall during the 1970s. The lights had long dimmed in the caravan and the moon was just beginning to emerge, when we all wished each other Goodnight as Sunday morning arrived.

THE FINALE

REUNION DAY – 29 August 2010

On Reunion Day I was up early as befits rising on a farm. With a distinctly satisfied feeling of having - in imagination - fed the pigs, milked the cows, let the chickens out and seen to the cats, I was ready to face the day. In contrast to these earthy activities, my revived memories of Blaisdon Hall invariably invoke music in a variety of forms: thrilling echoes of the choir singing sung Masses and Benedictions, the melodies of the school brass band floating over the lawns, the individual recitals at the piano, organ, wind and string instruments by Priests, lay-Brothers and talented boys, performed at Academies in the Concert Hut. Such thoughts possess me like a passion: they meld and merge to recreate an imagined symphonic form where nostalgic mood is mystically translated into harmonious, blissful reflections and musical Movements that transcend time and distance.

My first call was to Liz Etherington and a check on her health. Disappointingly, she was not well enough to venture out. After looking in on the campers, I visited Roger Keyes, then onto The Old Mill: my car lift offer up to the Old School for Charley Springett and Eric Nutcher was declined as they preferred to walk.

After the Association Committee Meeting, Chaired by Roger Allen, I was able to formally greet friends arriving from all points: John Ward, London; Tony & Wendy Wadsworth, Devon, Norman Taylor, his wife Sylvia and his sister Doris, Northampton; Dr. Rosemary Keenan CEO, The Catholic Children's Society. (Westminster) and her husband Peter, London; Father John Gilheeny SDB & Brother Joe Adams SDB, Farnborough, Hampshire; Peter & .. Davies, Alan Ferry, Sligo, Eire: Lawrence Stanton, Huntley, Gloucs and others to be named.

Everyone then joined the Blaisdon Catholic Community for a sung Mass that was concelebrated by three Salesians: Fathers Aidan Murray, Sean Murray and John Gilheeny. The First and Second Epistles were read by John Ward and Alan Ferry. Fr. Aidan's Sermon contrasted the themes of growing in the virtue of humility and its being achievable without being subjected to feelings of humiliation. The Communion was in both kinds.

Following Mass, Fr. Sean led a large crowd to the Blaisdon War Memorial pausing for a Reflection there. Then on through The Lodge gates and up the villager's path to St. Michael's Church where our traditional Remembrance of deceased Salesians and Old Boys was conducted. A judicious placing of cars near the churchyard ensured that everyone was conveyed through the rain to the Old Village School for Lunch.

As usual, Joyce Lilley and her team of Blaisdon Mother's Union Members: Hilary Hawker & helpers laid on a tasty meal with wines and dessert. Coffee had to be curtailed as we had to hasten to The Hall for a Reception arranged by Mr. Andrey Zhelemskiy. Our President listed the apologies of those unable to attend: Ceri Evans, Fr. Bill Boyd SDB, Brother Alan Garman SDB, Liz Etherington and outlined the afternoon programme and indicated the parking arrangements. The sun was now at its Blaisdon best.

With all our cars parked in the former school playground we gathered in front of the Hall and waited for those who walked up The Drive: one in particular was Mike O’Brien, our Poet, Author and Playwright. Presently a man and a woman approached from the Hall and introduced themselves as Paul and Aliasea - a married couple and relatives of our intending host. Soon he himself was walking towards us and we were quickly immersed in friendly greetings all round. I introduced our former teachers and Andrey led the visiting party along the pathway overlooking the terrace and now re-instated lily pond. He kindly permitted unrestricted photography. We paused at the place where the statue of Our Lady Help of Christians stood for many years and Father Aidan was able to inform Andrey who questioned what had happened to the image: that it was moved to a convent elsewhere. From this vantage point we progressed and entered the great Conservatory, mainly remembered as the Sacristy: now called The Orangery.

Andrey invited everyone to help themselves to a drink and very soon his friendly approach radiated out into a most hospitable atmosphere. Fr. Sean recalled for our host the purpose of the impressively restored space. Various changes from the original structure were pointed out by other observers. Before moving on into the house, Andrey was presented by me on - behalf of our Association - with our Book of Recollections and his sister was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Margaret Hogg. I mentioned that she was one of our guests from the locality and that the flowers came from Roger Keyes garden nursery in Blaisdon Village.

In what was an erstwhile ante-chapel now a sitting room, Fr. John described the position of the Altars and their designation. He also recalled a fire above the area in Fr. John Connolly’s room (the then school Headmaster - 1960s) and pointed out the corner where the damage occurred. The ceiling was fully restored in complete sympathy with the original surroundings. In the former chapel, now an impressive saloon, Roger Allen related how the wooden panelling, next to the repaired marble fireplace, had been perfectly made and installed by the carpentry teacher of the 1960s period, Brother Thomas Caulfield SDB. Other particular religious and devotional aspects were pointed out by the accompanying Priests.

Andrey then led the group into the foot of the grand wooden staircase. Further “Salesian” restorative work on the high ceiling by Lay-Brothers Tom Caulfield and decorator Brother Thomas Palmer SDB was indicated. A noticeable alteration to the stair space, bounding the first floor dormitory and bathing area, is that the galleries on two sides, once blocked in for safety reasons, are now opened up. We moved along the ground floor where the high roof-to-ground internal light well with its purpose of reflecting light into the internal passages was commented upon. Andrey was fascinated to learn about these aspects of the house as we progressed through the one-time Infirmary out into the garden.

Grouped now on an expansive piazza, we took in the sight of two large ponds with a dividing causeway containing in its centre a glazed gazebo. Andrey then asked for the "oldest" Old Boy to be identified and join him. Together with Norman Taylor they went into the gazebo, then standing alongside each other, threw handfuls of pellets onto the surface of one of the ponds. Presently, hordes of large Koi carp surfaced to feed and swirled about in a seething colourful mass. So spectacular a sight signalled what I anticipated the end of our tour: however, Andrey sprung a surprise and invited us to visit the Monk's Walk.

The 100 yards walk though the avenue of tall trees brought us to midway down the back Drive. We paused here and Father John recalled the calm, repose and spiritual purpose of the avenue. It was a place where the Priests read their Breviaries and other members of the Salesian Community paced while saying their prayers and meditating. Fr. John showed Andrey his rosary as an example of a devotional aid to prayer and contemplation.

Finally, we gathered for a group photograph with Andrey and members of his family on the steps leading to the old school. On behalf of all, I thanked him for his welcome, hospitality and his amenable and friendly spirit. Spontaneously, we broke into singing "He's A Jolly Good Fellow!" ending with three rousing cheers. Andrey acknowledged our appreciation with evident pleasure and to unanimous delight, said that next year he wants all the Old Boys to come back to visit his home - Blaisdon Hall.

Tony Brady.

Some name checking for inclusion is needed before this account will appear in our, now under preparation, autumn Reunion Newsletter.