Newsletter 44: Autumn 2003
Carissimi Pelicani:
I am writing this about one week after the reunion at Dryburgh Abbey Hotel
September 26-28 but I'm off to France on Tuesday so don't expect to get
this out to you until the end of October, Deo volente, (ablative
absolute there, by the way). Zelda and I went up to Bonnyrigg on the 25th
to see Hugh Campbell. We stayed overnight at Lasswade and went back
to see him again on the Friday. Hugh was in fine fettle both times, full
of chat and good humour, totally reconciled to his condition. You can catch
him with a card at 171 Cameron Crescent, Poltonhall, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian
EH 19 2PJ. Pat Menzies and Pauline went down to see him on the Saturday
of the reunion and I know Hugh was very happy to see his old classmate.
I think Vinny Callaghan is going to organise a run down to Bonnyrigg
and I hope that comes off.
You know how I wrote a moanin' gait letter after the Bishops Waltham reunion
in June? Some of you know that I've been wrestling with the idea of throwing
over the Pelicans now for some time. I have desisted on the grounds that
once you drop something like the Pelicans you have to work like hell to
get it back and say what you like, I think we are doing splendid work on
behalf of Africa and this since 1992. 1 would leave reunions morale boosted
but as the numbers dropped I would wonder what the hell! For me it became
a case of Pelicans, use 'em or lose 'em and I didn't want to lose 'em. Ergo,
I wrote my moanin'git letter and flew into a flak of metaphysics as to Why
the Pelicans? What the Pelicans? I was even told I was more Catholic than
the rest of you! I feel the answer to all this stuff came on Saturday night
when treasurer Pat Gibbons stood up to give an account of his stewardship:
£1000 from an anonymous Pelican and £250 from his local Masonic
Lodge(!) --- all for Africa without a penny skimmed off !
Dryburgh was a proper reunion. On Saturday night, we had not enough
places round the big- oval table. - I know you'll cry Paradox! but that's
what I call getting together. On Saturday morning (thanks to Mrs Christine
Hughes and Brian the caretaker) we were admitted to the college and
once we were in, what a hard job of orientation that was. Back at the hotel,
midday, Fr Boyd said Mass (as at our first reunion in Rutherglen
in October 1992). Fr John Strain followed with the 2001 lecture on
his tour of East Africa (incorporating the slide show we missed at the Priory).
Jim Murphy (St Boswell's 1941-43; Priory 1943-47) was next with a
very interesting account of his wartime at Bishop's Waltham. One of the
aims of Dryburgh 2003 was to give the WF cemetery a clean-up and I take
my hat off to Tommy Kelly, Vinny Callaghan, young Pat Tierney and John
Morton. Fr Griffin's stone is in good nick but not so those of Frs Drost
and Rijkers. Verb. sap. (or perhaps op).
Who was there you say? Mrs Hughes Jim Murphy (I recognised him at once from his Priory First X1 pix) Frank Murphy and Pat Chris Benton and Josie Paul West Bemie Ahearn Dessie Fitzmaurice and Geraldine Pat Menzies and Pauline Pat Gibbons and Norma John Morton and Margaret Fr John Strain and Margaret Tommy Kelly and Margaret Bernard Melling Fr Pat Boyd Fr Chris Wallbank Mike Byrne Robbie Dempsey Vinny Callaghan Mick Creechan Pat Tierney John Martin Chas Robinson and Jean Frank Dillon and Moya Mike Ellis and Trisha Billy Tonner and Natalie Danny O'Hagan and thousands more. |
I hope I haven't
left you out. Not bad for a moanin' git, eh? Fr Wallbank celebrated
Mass on Sunday morning at St Cuthbert's, Melrose and we got a spontaneous
applause for our Salve Regina and Sweet Saviour, Bless Us (ere we go). I
think we should make more of our Plain Chant (I always carry my music with
me) and I have a bundle of Priory songs (courtesy of Mike Fitzgerald
and the late Eddie Mulraney). We have sung them only once,
one night at Rutherglen.
I'm so grateful for everyone who came. I'm doing away with the Fiery Cross.
Listen, the next reunion is at The Priory for Whitsun next year. Don't start
making your excuses. You know you can be there. All you need is the political
will.
Think Africa!
Eugene
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