Circular No 264

Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Caracas, 25 of November 2006. No. 264

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Dear Friends,

Here is the Circular with the latest from Robert de Verteuil.

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Robert deVerteuil bobdev@tstt.net.tt

Tuesday, January 9, 2007 11:30:26 AM

Dear Ladislao,

As I mentioned to you recently I have not received your news letters for a few years because I changed my email ad and did not tell you.

Somehow I could not get back in touch with you and so thought that maybe you were ‘off the air’!

Anyway, that’s fixed and I am now getting the latest for which many thanks.

I went onto Don’s web site (for the first time) and was able to ketch up on 2006 bulletins.

I am amazed at the number of letters that you both deal with and more so with the number of contributors that are in touch especially those of my MSB era ’55-’58.

I am reminded of the fights, teachers, day boys, games, dorm activities, choir, movies, detention, hedgings, marbles, food (?), ‘white stones’, scouts and most of all, ‘licks’…plenty of licks!!

Somehow, I was always getting thrashed by Fr. Augustine (boys hiding contraband in my locker and then squealing);  and Fr. Eugene (Wayne Henderson standing behind me during a serious solo and poking me in the ribs, collapsing the rows of boys in front of me like dominoes… I carry the pessi whip scars to this day); and the odd time by Fr Bernard for fighting with my cousin Mac Seheult (actually he came charging at me and I ducked, absolutely terrified, and he tripped over me and cut himself); and Fr Chrisostym (for refusing to let him confiscate my marbles when I refused to pull out his grey hairs…one marble returned per hair pulled), and saw very few Saturday movies.

If I did go, I had to sit near the projector facing the back wall.

When not so privileged, I was in the classroom working out 56.78 to the power of 10 (accurate to 23 decimal places) while hearing the movie in the distance.

There were, of course, many good times and fond memories (to this day) which prepared me for boarding school in the UK where I didn’t join the ‘marble’ team, didn’t join the choir, avoided quarrels that might lead to fights and not keen on movies.

I stuck to tennis which got me away from school often.

To the many boys from the 55-58 era and others, who contribute to your bulletins, I enjoy hearing about your exploits in ‘adulthood’ and hope to hear more from you as time goes by!!

Kindest regards to you Ladislao.

Robert deVerteuil

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Robert deVerteuil <bobdev@tstt.net.tt>

Wednesday, December 27, 2006 11:59:16 AM

Mea Culpa!!

I changed my address when I got Hi Sped from tstt and should have notified you.

I will put together a few lines on the TYC and MSB users etc but cannot do so right now.

Will get info and have it to you soonest.

Regards

Robert

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Dear Robert,

I have received your message and the material.

I am extremely sorry that you did not receive my circulars.

I have you as rdev@tstt.net.tt, and I send it thru Netscape.net, for all TT alumni.

I am going to send it in circular No. 264. So, there is time for you to send some additional information

Such like:

How many old boys use the yacht club. Can you give me a rundown of each???. Gordon Mitchell? and others?? Rolph hive (no email?)

In my times the thing to be in was the Royal Yacht Club. I have no information on when the name was changed. I am sure that a few lines would be interesting for those that went to MSB in the 1950 and 1960s.

Also I believe that it burned down??

I suppose there is the weekly regatta.

Waterpolo?

So please take up the quill and help me.

God bless

Ladislao

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From: Robert deVerteuil bobdev@tstt.net.tt

Sent: Tuesday, December 26, 2006 9:50:13 AM

Dear Ladislao,

I had really given up hope as I had not heard from you and realised that something was wrong!!!

Anyway, delighted to hear from you again and now hope to get back on a mailing list as I have not had a 'bulletin' for about 3 years.

Att are a few words and 2 pics.

Unfortunately I do not have a recent photo of my son.

Hope these will do for now.

Belated season greetings to you and yours.

Regards

Robert

(Please acknowledge receipt so I will know you got this)

After leaving MSB in 1958 went to Ratcliffe College, Kings LynnTech. and Luton Tech (all in UK). Did a Pupilage and worked with the Rootes Group (Commercial Vehicle Manufacturers) ’63 to ’66. Returned to T&T, married in '69 and worked with the AIL vehicle Assy. plant from ’67 until ’91 when ops. ceased. Moved to the Mitsubishi dealership and retired in ’04.

One son and 2 beautiful grand daughters.

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From: ladislao kertesz

To: Robert deVerteuil

Sent: Monday, December 25, 2006 12:21 PM

Dear Robert,

From my last email you must have guessed that I am reading old emails and replying, long overdue.

But I have not read the newer ones because of work and computer problems since my son left for Spain.

I now must learn to fix computers etc.

Well that is life.

Still I need a photo and the resume because your file does not have information for the posterity.

I usually check the files to see if there is something missing.

Remember Circular No. 256 has your name.

God bless

Ladislao

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From: Robert deVerteuil bobdev@tstt.net.tt

Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 10:37:12 AM

Hi Ladislao,

I sent you a note a few days ago regarding one that you sent me.

Since then, a friend of mine who never went to MSB sent me your latest Circ. #243 which he received!!

He has in fact received several in the past.

Anyway, since I have not received anything from you for about 2 years and any attempt to get a note to you failed, I thought maybe you had quit with the circulars.

It appears not!

I note that you are in need of funds to keep the issues going. I am more than happy to make a contribution but would rather do so when I see you as I do not send credit card info by email and it is still a hassle to ‘wire’ funds abroad.

So please find time to visit us in T&T.!!! I still hang out at the yacht club and there are other MSB old boys there anxious for a small get together. (Rolph Hive, Gordon Mitchell, Malcolm Boyack, etc).

Is the old boys web site still kept up to date?

I would like to visit it again after the years I have not heard from you!!

Please send the address if it is still going.

I look forward to getting a note from you when you get time.

Best regards

Robert deVerteuil

(Maybe we can discuss the funds if I can spend a day or two in TT due to the restrictions by the government.  Ed.)

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Well that is for now.

God Bless.

Ladislao

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06RD0001RDEVTT, Robert De Verteuil

06RD0002RDEVTT, Grands

Resending with all the names

06NC0002NCHGRP, Neil Charles, and group DOES ANYONE HAVE THE EMAIL ADDRESSES TO ALL THOSE IN THE PHOTO?

06NC0003NCHGRP, Neil Charles, and group DOES ANYONE HAVE THE EMAIL ADDRESSES TO ALL THOSE IN THE PHOTO?

Bulletin No 263

Newsletter for Alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Caracas, 18 November 2006. No. 263.

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Dear Friends

Before we start, I have included a large photo with all the students at The Abbey School, at that time, 1954??

I need your help in suggesting corrections as three kids were left out in the original numbering system, which I copied directly from the original photo. Thanks to Leary O´Connor.

Now let us welcome Michael Laughlin, whose first lines for the Circular are:
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Michael Laughlin

Tuesday, August 15, 2006 9:17:41 PM

Hi Ladislao,

YES I am an old boy from Mount.

I went there, as a boarder, between 1967 and 1970.

So probably a bit after your time.

My brother Harry Laughlin went there just before me - probably 1962 to 1967, so you might know him?

I went during the time of Peter Quesnel, Michael Torry, Derek Phillips and Michael Dornellas.

Where can I find the class of 1970 names?

Good luck,

Michael A. Laughlin

Managing Director

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING LIMITED

4-6 Scott Bushe Street,

P.O.Box 535,

Port-of-Spain,

Trinidad, W.I.

Tel # 868-623-1818

Fax # 868-623-8977

Cell # 868-678-4708

E-Mail: michael@isltrinidad.com

www.isltrinidad.com

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From: ladislao kertesz [mailto:kertesz12@yahoo.com]

Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2006 8:04 PM

To: michael@isltrinidad.com

Dear Michael

I hope that you are an ALUMNI of The Abbey School.

Please reply

God Bless

Ladislao Kertesz

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school photo

Gillian O'Connor

060608

Hi Ladislao,

I am just checking as to whether you received the school photo that Leary sent to you, accompanied by some comments.

Also the copy of the email he sent to David de Castro.

I know I sent it to two of your addresses as was not sure which one you were using but due to a typing error, I got the yahoo bit wrong.

Before I saddle you with that long email again I just want to check if you got it so could you please drop me a quick line.

Thanks and sorry about that.

Gillian

Hope this is what you wanted resent.

Did you also get a cc of the email I sent to David de Castro?

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From: Gillian O'Connor

Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2006 5:23 PM

Subject: School photo

Hi Ladislao,

Hope you get this in one piece as it is my second effort.

Wrote it all out and then deleted it in error so have redone it.

We enjoy receiving your newsletters so thanks for those.

I have attempted to put names to numbers/faces but others may have different ideas and would be glad to hear them.

I will try and contact David de Castro to see if he could help me identify some of the younger boys.

Cheers,

Leary O'Connor

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From: Gillian O'Connor

Sent: Friday, September 16, 9:20 AM

Subject: Leary O'Connor

Hi Ladislao,

I am about to pay with my 50 words as would like to continue receiving your Newsletter.

Please keep what is of interest to you and discard the rest.

Born in 1934 December and started at Mount in May 1945.

At that stage there were only about 13 students of differing ages.

Graduated in December 1953 having sat School Cert in 1951 and Highers in 1953.

The Laboratory was only commissioned in the start of 1952 so we were the first group to sit Chemistry at that level.

The boys I remember sitting Higher Cert with me were Jaime D'andrade, Trevor Soodeen, Peter Gaffney.

Worked with Texaco (under various names) between 1954 and 1957 as a student apprentice and a further two years in Production Department.

In 1959 I went to work with Skinner Drilling and two years later moved to BP Trinidad where I stayed until I emigrated to Australia.

At that stage I was the Production Superintendent.

In 1959 I married Gillian nee Lange and we had five children in quick time by 1966.

We moved to Perth , Western Australia in July 1967 with the five children still under the age of 7 which was a bit of a shock to the system!

Continued to work in oil with West Australian Petroleum (WAPET) until I retired in June 1994; most of my work was out of Perth at Barrow Island and later Thevenard Island off the Northwest shelf, which meant spending a lot of time away from the family.

The five children all married and we are the proud grandparents of sixteen grandchildren ranging in age from 18 to 2 and as they all live within easy distance we see a fair bit of them.

We have a block of land where I dabble with avocado and citrus trees - tried the exotics but they were quickly destroyed by parrots and/or rabbits.

No financial gain but keeps me fit.

I do a bit of work with St Vincent de Paul and belong to various church groups and these activities keep me out of trouble.

Do not get back to Trinidad too often but did see Fr. Ildefonse the year before he died.

He did not remember my name but as soon as he saw me he said "Oh! It's Peewee".

I spent many happy years with the First Mount Scout Group and the first batch of Queen's Scouts.

Enough for now, thanks for all the news.

Leary O'Connor

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Glen Mckoy

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 12:52:52 PM

My dear friends,

My father passed away peacefully on Nov 6th, in Brampton Ontario, and was buried on Nov.11

The funeral services ect. went very well. We wanted something small and quiet, just family but our family flew in from Holland, USA, Suriname, Curacao, Aruba, Trinidad and Tobago and Canada.

My friends in Toronto I am sorry for not contacting you but if I did it would be a carnival.

At times you would think it was a wedding, with so much joy to see each other after 30 yrs or more, my father had 3 great grands also what a man and what a life.

So I was down for a while but back up now.

Love to you all

Glen

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There is going to be only one photo in this issue.

Its large size prevents me from including others.

God Bless

Ladislao

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Photo: 54UN0001LOCTAS, the alumni of The Abbey School 1954?

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Circular No 262

Newsletter for Alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Caracas, 11 November 2006. No. 262

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Dear Friends,

Now a few lines from Pete Da Costa.

Very nice article.

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"Pete Da Costa" <petesco@sympatico.ca>

Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2006 20:12:39 -0400

Dear Ladislao,

Sorry did not get back to you before, here is the picture attached you requested.

I was looking at the pictures of some the old teachers and I saw a picture of Miss Marcus who taught us chemistry.

This brought to mind a incident in her classrom in the lab that went as follows.

I was told that putting Sulphuric Acid and another chemical together (don't remember the name of the chemical) would create an offensive odor (Stink Bomb, Rotten Eggs).

so curiosity got the better of me and I tried it, I however put too much acid and it didn't work.

I then proceeded to pour it into the sink which was OK until someone came along and turned the tap on, this then created the desired effect as a gush of vapour arose from the sink followed but the offensive odor and the entire class ran out of the classroom,

I unfortunately was the only one left in the lab together with Miss Marcus.

This was my last chemistry class with Miss Marcus.

I of course blamed this all on "Voosh"(Fr. Benedict) who was instrumental in awakening a curiosity in me which resulted in me always trying to find out how things worked. (I think he had this effect on many of the boys)

I also paid a visit to "Bobo" office (Fr.Bernard) who promptly administered the appropriate punitive action.

One of my fond memories of Mount.

Regards

Pete

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Pete Da Costa

Saturday, September 30, 2006 2:17:48 PM

Ladislao,

There were two Da Costa brothers from Barbados , Simon and David, we are not related.

There were only two DaCosta families in Trinidad, mine and one other one, all my father’s family migrated to Canada starting in the mid fifties and now there is no one left in Trinidad .

The best I can find out about my father’s family is that his grandfather came from Portugal in the late 1800’s.

My mother still has some left in Trinidad but not many.

Her father came from Venezuela , Ciudad Bolivar to be exact, but I don’t know much beyond that.

I have nothing left from those days except the picture I sent you.

My phone number is (519) 622-5827.

God Bless

Pete

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From: "Pete Da Costa"

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2006 21:06:36 -0400

#9 ?? Vargas Venezeula (Father was Ambassador to US in Washington)

#11 David (I think) Da Costa Barbados (Parents lived in South Africa) He also had a brother Stephen.

#14 ??? Gomez(I think) T'dad

#17 ??? Diaz "

#19 Pierre ??? Martinique

#20 Eden Hutton T'dad (Last I heard in San Francisco)

#26 ??? Gonzalez(I think) T'dad

Eden Hutton, Peter Laughlin and I sat together from Form 1 to Form 4.

I came across Eden Hutton from a business associate in Burbank who told me he had a guy from Trinidad working for him and his name was Eden Hutton.

I never did make contact as he left and went to work for United Airlines.

I left MSB at the end of Form 4 in 1961 and never did graduate,

I moved to Canada in 65 and went back to school and graduated in 1971 with an Aircraft Maintenance Diploma from Centennial College in Toronto and have been in aviation ever since.

I don't have a current resume.

I live in Cambridge, Ontario with my wife, my two daughters live nearby, my son lives between Ottawa and Montreal.

Many grandchildren and love it.

I work at the Hamilton Airport in Hamilton Ontario.

I currently manage the Kelowna Flightcraft Aircraft Maintenance Facility where we maintain a fleet of 20 Boeing-727s and perform Heavy Maintenance Checks on Boeing 727, 737-200-800 & 757s.

No immediate plans to retire.

I found a Geoff Golding who lives 20 miles from me but I lost his address.

I will be in touch.

Regards

Pete

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From: laszlo kertesz

To: Pete Da Costa

Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2006 9:03 PM

Dear Pete,

Thank you for joining us.

How did you get the email?

Please mention the photo’s number as I am trying to straighten out the missing names and check those that were forwarded.

Can you send a resume and graduation year Form V, also the names of your friends or classmates.

I have DAVID and SIMON in the list but no information.

Were there any others of the clan?

Any photo from the past, that you may want to share with your friends?

God Bless

LAdislao

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From: "Don Mitchell CBE, QC"

To: "Pete Da Costa"

Date: Thu, 1 Jun 2006 06:53:43 -0400

Hello Pete,

Good to hear from you.

Which picture are you referring to?

We definitely would like the missing names.

When corresponding with Ladislao, it is best if you use his numbering system.

When corresponding with me it is better if you refer to the Circular Number, as that is my principal reference.

You might like to go onto the relevant Circular on the Blog and put your note into "comments".

That would allow every Mount Boy to view what you say.

If you need any help doing this let me know.

I am copying this to Ladislao so that he can add you to his contact list.

All the best,

Don

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From: Pete Da Costa

To: idmitch@anguillanet.com

Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2006 8:59 PM

Hi

I am in the picture, #7 Peter Da Costa,

I recently found out about this web site and was interested in whatever happened to the guys.

I have been in Canada since 1965.

Attended MSB between 1955 to 1961.

I know some of the missing names if you need.

Regards

Pete

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http://www.lawrencescott.co.uk/lawrencescott-bi.html

Lawrence Scott is from Trinidad & Tobago.

He is the prize-winning author of the novel Aelred’s Sin, which won a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize 1999, Best Book in the Canada & the Caribbean.

Night Calypso, his most recent novel, was short-listed for a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, Best Book in Canada & the Caribbean 2005, and nominated for The International Impact Dublin Literary Award 2006 and was published in France as Calypso de Nuit in June 2005.

His first novel Witchbroom was also short-listed for a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book in Canada & the Caribbean, 1993.

It was read on the BBC’s Book At Bed Time.

His collection of short stories Ballad for the New World,1994, includes The House of Funerals, the prize-winning short story for the 1986 Tom-Gallon Award.

His short stories have been read on the BBC and have been anthologised internationally, notably in The Penguin Book of Caribbean Short Stories and The Oxford Book of Caribbean Short Stories.

He has also published poetry in a number of anthologies and journals: Caribbean New Voices 1 (Longman 1995), Trinidad & Tobago Review, Cross/Cultures 60 (Editons Rodopi B.V. Amsterdam –NewYork, NY 2002, Agenda 2002-2003).

He moves between London and Port-of-Spain in Trinidad where he was recently Writer in Residence at the University of the West Indies, 2004.

He is A Senior Research Fellow of The Academy at University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) for Arts, Letters, Culture and Public Affairs 2006-2008.

He divides his time between writing and teaching Literature and Creative Writing.

EDUCATION

Primary- Boys’ RC School, San Fernando, Trinidad 1950-1954

Secondary- The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Tunapuna, Trinidad 1955-1962

Tertiary – Prinknash Abbey Gloucester, England Philosophy & Theology 1963-1967

St Clare’s Hall Oxford, England- BA Hons. (London) English Language & Literature 1968-1972

Manchester University, Manchester,England- Certificate In Education English & Drama (Distinction) 1972-1973

AWARDS

Nominated for The International Impac Dublin Literary Award for Night Calypso 2006

Shortlisted for a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize Best Book in Canada & Caribbean for Night Calypso 2005

A Commonwealth Writers’ Prize Best Book in Caribbean & Canada for Aelred’s Sin 1999

Nominated for the The International Impac Literary Award Prize for Aelred’s SIn 1999

Long-listed for the Whitbread & Booker Prizes for Aelred’s Sin 1999

Short-Listed for a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize Best First Book in Caribbean & Canada for Witchbroom 1993

Tom–Gallon Award for the Short Story The House of Funerals, included in Ballad For The New World 1986

Award from The Author’s Foundation & K Blundell Trust (Research) 1995

British Council Grant to attend Carifesta 1995

PROFILES

Aiyejina, Funso, 2003. Self Portrait - Lawrence Scott Novelist, Short story Writer and Poet in conversation with Funso Aiyejina, The University of the West Indies, School of continuing Studies St Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago W.I. pp 163-200 (Interview conducted 16 august 1998, Maraval Port-of Spain. First published in Trinidad & Tobago Review 20 no. 12, December 1998 10-11, 14-16, 19

Ferguson, James. 2000. The Worlds of Lawrence Scott - beatprofile Caribbean Beat No. 43 May/June 2000 pp 48-52

FICTIONAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Scott, Lawrence. 1992. Leaving by Plane, Swimming Back Under Water. God, an anthology of fiction, Serpent’s Tail edited Stephen Hayward & Sarah Lefanu

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

HIGHER EDUCATION (BA MA PHD)

Senior Research Fellow in The Academy of the Arts of the University of Trinidad & Tobago 2006-2008

Writer in Residence University of the West Indies St Augustine Trinidad & Tobago Feb-March 2004

Caribbean Literature Course Metropolitan University, London April 2004

SECONDARY/TERTIARY TEACHING

(English & Drama in England & Trinidad)

Sedgehill Comprehensive, London 1973-1974

Thomas Calton Comprehensive, London 1974-1977

Presentation College, San Fernando, Trinidad 1977-1978

Aranguez Junior Sec. Trinidad 1978-1980

Tulse Hill Comprehensive & Archbishop Tennison’s, London 1980-1982

Aranguez Junior Sec. Trinidad 1982-1983

City & Islington Sixth Form College, London (Literature & Creative Writing) 1983-2006

(Another writer, very good for Fr. Bernard. Ed.)

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Ok Pete, now please send another story about our daily meals?? Or what about the time table?? Just giving you ideas as no one has written on these.

God Bless

Ladislao

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Photos in this issue:

06PD0001PDA, Pete Da Costa

06LK0001LSC, Lawrence Scott.

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