50 year reunion
Friday October 4th a day to remember always! Met
at 8.30 Colin Robinson (who has not changed a bit), Quentin in charge of cash
and badges (somewhat shaky), Fuzzy, Paul Deveaux and George the manager joined us for our
planning meeting. We all have our allotted tasks. It seems amazing that the
great day has finally come after so many emails and Skype chats. The CD is a
lovely production and a Power point has
been prepared. Colin later produced a printed version for people to see. Liz
handed Quentin a large sum of Rands to cover the CDs for the British guys. As a
result we took a drive to the Bank at
Killarney Mall going down Munro Drive. The Houghton streets seem pretty
deserted compared to other places. The stories people tell are fascinating
especially about Yeoville. At 11 a.m. I enjoyed an hour on the chapel organ –
the school is as stunningly beautiful as ever. Met Fr Jaques and Cameron
Macintosh the head of music who was very friendly and explained about the
double touch pistons. The organ is showing signs of age and some parts needed
tuning. I played most of my recital programme very happily and Liz checked on
balances. I visited Jenny in the library and she looked up Rosebank Catholic
church and rang Pretoria cathedral. I rang Ronnie Gill and Ronnie Jones and
spoke to both of them and made arrangements (at last). Back to the club house
for lunch of salad. Liz just had toast as she was complaining of tummy. Ant
Gear was saying did I not resent being excluded e.g. as scorer I was not on the
photo but I said I just accepted it all. What I really loved was being in our A
form class and we worked together very well as a group. By 3 a large number had
gathered and it was so good to greet people – the name badges large size made all
the difference.
Jennie took us to see the new Hill house and we saw a
classroom and the dormitories very different to the primitive conditions of the
60s. We met a couple of black students. Prahm told me how much weight he lost because
of the poor food at school. We also saw Alston house and the corridor of sport
team photos. I would much rather have seen the Prep but we have been there on a
previous occasion. We ended in the Pelican quad and I ushered people to tea in
the Common room. Liz did a great job serving tea which the staff did not do!
Some people went to the museum. I gave Jennie Millward a mosaic as she had given
me a book by Hugh Lewin.
Johann Strauss’s sons arrived with their delightful children
and I took them to see Johann’s photos in the Cricket XI. Then we went into
chapel and I began to play at 5 just after the clock chimed! All wentd well and
I played Prelude on Slane by Thiman and the Water music suite. Fr Jaques was
excellent and Mike Matthews read the names of the deceased (an emotional
moment). I am glad a psalm was added to the service. We ended with Nun danket
and Karg-Elert. The service sheet was a work of art in itself! And back to the
club for a very good reception with lovely eats and plenty to drink. I got an
engraved glass mug. John Kane-Berman spoke very well and Roger Cameron the head
gave a good speech. I presented him with the CD. Fuzzy gave Jennie Ponder her
present. I was able to give Colin and Stan Trollip (I had forgotten how tall he
is) their mosaics and CDs. I made a point of speaking to everyone and had some
lovely chats to wives as well. Class photos were taken – it was a bit like
herding cats but I know the whole thing was a resounding success and my playing
was much appreciated. It was nicely ironic as when I was at school I was
excluded from music.
Among many chats Alistair MacDuff told me Colin Hartley had
visited him and talked about me and I said he was always so odd around me! Of
course the club was Alistair’s home. Yolande Fulton told me about her
grandmother’s paintings. Paul Deveaux had a good chat and invited us to visit. John
Thing was much missed. Blair Henderson who was married at St Mark’s Yeoville
told me it is now a Nigerian church and the organ pipes were sold as scrap
metal which is tragic. Liz went to bed early complaining of some discomfort in
her chest and being cold. It was a superb day with a clear blue sky and the
flowering trees in blossom. Joan Stokes chatted about their forthcoming trip to
New Zealand. I eventually got to bed at 11.30 a.m. I woke at 2 a.m. and typed
this. I probably had too much beer and coke! The worrying thing is that people
are coming to hear me play at Parktown but there is nothing I could do about
that now. I will just have to apologise and do my best with the limited practice
time. Apparently the organist is coming.
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