Around and About

Tony Winters, at school 1937-1943, wrote to me back in March.

‘On reading, as always with pleasure and interest, your February Newsletter, I see in Hugo Dunn Meynell’s…..(I’m not sure what the next word is – it can’t be what it looks like because nobody would refer to Hugo like that. Ed.)  yet another reference to Fr McCarthy – this time a kind one.  I too have fond as well as painful memories of him.  He played a really significant role in my education and on more than one occasion was a valued personal counsellor.  My brother tells a tale (probably apocryphal) of his last days.  When he was dying, the Bishop apparently sent a message asking him if he would welcome a visit.  The reply was “No, thank you.  I’m busy”.  Best wishes, Tony.’  

Michael Farrin sent me a cheque for my expenses in connection with the February Newsletter and saw fit to enclose the following letter:-  

‘Sorry about the delay with your cheque – I was waiting for a second signatory.  Sad about the Dinner – I was looking forward to dusting down that red velvet jacket of yours – just making sure you were still on the straight and narrow.  Have just joined the parks of the retired, so maybe I might join you on one of your walks – provided there’s a beer or two at the end of it.  Take care of yourself – Mike.’  (He then added three kisses which I found to be most objectionable. Ed) 

It was a sad day for the Association when it was not possible to produce support for the Annual Dinner, scheduled for the 24^th March.  This has rarely happened before – only about twice to the best of my recollection.  Many years ago it was the custom to hold the A.G.M. followed by the Dinner at the School.  In one particular year it was deemed necessary to cancel the Dinner for lack of support but to go ahead with the A.G.M. 

Members who had applied for the Dinner had all, theoretically, been informed of the cancellation and it was therefore something of a surprise when, shortly after the meeting had begun, in walked Peter Cheesman resplendent in full evening dress.  He gazed at the motley garbed members with something akin to disgust and queried ‘Aren’t you fellows going to the Dinner?’  Someone plucked up courage and informed Peter that the Dinner had been cancelled and he should have been informed.  Peter was normally the most placid, good-natured and easy going of creatures, but this information was too much even for him.  ‘Here am I’ he rasped out, ‘dressed up like a penguin and nowhere to go.  You know what you can do with your meeting’ he spat out when someone suggested he could at least stay for the meeting, and he left the room in livid disgust.  It was some little time before we could direct our attention to the matters set out for discussion.

A few days ago I thought of something nice I could write about John Parsons in this Newsletter.  Unfortunately I’ve forgotten what it was.  It couldn’t have been of great moment.  Perhaps another time.