Saturday, 19 July 2008

Circular No 350





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

Caracas, 19 July 2008 No. 350

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Dear Friends

Latest on the Sunday meeting, received on the 17 of July for Ian Gomes.

Please keep me informed, a phone call would suffice. *58 416 612 5695.

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Fw: Re: Meeting Agenda for Sun 20 July 08.

ian gomes

Thursday, July 17, 2008 4:21:34 PM

To all MSB boys,

Glen Mc Koy advised me that the MSB Old Boys abroad were unaware of events taking place in T & T.

This is just for information purposes.

On Sunday coming we will be having a meeting and our agenda is stated below.

In addition to Joe's comments, Winston comments, will be added to the agenda.

I will try to update you all on the outcome.

For those who have not been receiving circulars from Ladislao the last one I received was #346.

If any of you have not received this you can email him.

If you get no response then email me and I will forward same to you.

Laterz Brothers

Ian

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From: Joseph Berment-McDowald <bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com>

Subject: Re: Meeting Agenda for Sun 20 July 08.

Gentlemen,

I would like to add the following to the agenda:

Event promotion viz.: newspaper advertising (refund on previous); press release(s); printing of tickets.

Many thanks

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From: Winston Ramsahai <infosanpedro@yahoo.com>

Subject: Re: Meeting Agenda for Sun 20 July 08.

Date: Thursday, July 17, 2008, 12:49 AM

Greetings Chris

Thanks for the update, kindly confirm the following

Name selected for the old boys

Any fees to cover the 08 budget

Ms Marcus project.

Kindly call my brother Toddy 681-2200 ; 679-7500 for the keys or email rcccl@tstt/net.tt

Regards to all

Winston

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From: Chris Knowles <knowlescb@hotmail.com>

Subject: Meeting Agenda for Sun 20 July 08.

Date: Thursday, July 17, 2008, 12:30 AM

Gentlemen,

Please be reminded of our meeting on Sunday, July 20th at 6pm at Winston's place on Coblentz Avenue. (Latecomers are excused in advance!).

The proposed agenda is:

Old Boys Association Logo.

The letter to the Abbot about Reunion matters.

Subscribers details (at least five people), i.e. names, addresses, occupations, for submission to Dennis Gurley to get the Association Incorporation going.

The venue for the Reunion.

Food re above. (Kelvin Khan & Jimmy Samaroo).

Activities re above. (Possibilities: Boat trip, Hike, Nature Center etc).

Accommodation re above.

Any other business.

These items will be dealt with in any order preferred by the meeting.

PLEASE NOTE: If anyone has any subject to add to the agenda please email me or simply mention it on arrival at the venue.

Previous minutes will be sent to you, hopefully by tomorrow night.

See you there.

Chris.

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NOW BACK TO THE EMAILS RECEIVED ON VARIOUS ITEMS

From: mckoy43glen@hotmail.com

Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 19:12:23 +0000

Hello Nigel,

I did not know he did so much so long ago, I will have to pass this information on to some of the guys of my time and this is the first time I heard of OASIS very interesting.

I will try to contact Arthur and say hello.

Thank you again for so much infor

Glen...

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From: nigelboos@yahoo.ca

Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 09:10:27 -0500

Glen,

Many years before Ladislao began his mission of bringing the Old Boys of MSB together via the Internet and email, which is itself a fantastic project, ARTHUR KNAGGS, one of the original boys of the Abbey School, began a similar process and ran it successfully for many years.

Today, there is a new organisation set up called ASOBA (Abbey School Old Boys' Association), but Arthur's fore-runner was called OASIS (Overseas Abbey Students In Suspense, or something like that.)

He would put together a number of foolscap sheets, onto which he had copied notes, letters, photographs, business cards, jokes, news items recipes, and so on, and he would make many copies of these sheets, whenever he found the time, and would mail them out en masse, to the MSB Old Boys who would each contribute, I think $10.00 per year, to cover the cost of stamps.

Arthur is probably now about 70 going on 73 but he's one of the nicest people you could meet.

His lovely family includes a bunch of great kids and grand-kids and his lovely wife, Valerie.

He's got a fun-loving and lively imagination to boot, and I would imagine that he'd find you, at age 51, a bit "old" for him.

I have not seen Arthur since 1975, but I get occasional news about him.

You should give him a shout. I'm sure he'd like to meet you.

Tell him I said so.

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From: mckoy43glen@hotmail.com

Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2008 13:10:13 +0000

Hello Nigel,

I have heard about Arthur Knaggs, yes, Dartmouth is across the bridge from Halifax, but I never met him.

There are a few Trinidadian business men that have been living here for a long time, some were my father friends and people he did business with in Trinidad, in the 1960's.

Please remember I am 51 yrs old, so the gap was quite a bit with some of these guys.

Like I am in contact with David DeCastro, as we both share a deep interest in music, he went to the mount in 1955 or so, I was born in 1956.

I have a great respect for the older boys, should I come in contact with any of them in my travels, its a pleasure to share stories.

Some old boys want to meet other mount boys, however some of us also keep within the circle of friends we knew while we were there right, but bringing the gap a little closer is whats it about.

I find in the newsletter circular that a group is forming with no gaps, some of us are getting to know each other a little better, and would not be complete strangers, should we meet at coming reunions, hopefully in Canada, just kidding, the next reunion is in Trinidad I believe.

Over and out for now ,

Glen.........

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From: nigelboos@yahoo.ca

Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 20:00:40 -0500

Great.

Have you yet met Arthur Knaggs, who lives in Dartmouth? You should.

You'd enjoy meeting him.

Nigel

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On 2-Jan-08, at 3:40 PM, Glen Mckoy wrote:

Hi Nigel,

Would like to have coffee with you sometime, however I am in Nova Scotia and the rest of my family do live in Toronto, next time I will drop you a line when I am in Toronto.

Glen.............

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From: nigelboos@yahoo.ca

Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 22:59:49 -0500

Thanks for clarifying, Glen.

I was merely wondering what I'd missed.

Keep well and have a great year.

Nigel

Let's have a coffee sometime.

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On 1-Jan-08, at 4:51 PM, Glen Mckoy wrote:

Hello Nigel,

Season greeting.

I always thought the Mount had a place down the islands unless they were renting.

Anyhow when we the Trinis went home for the long weekend the other boys not from Trinidad when down the islands

I will forward this email to Coscarat he would know,or just ask Cutty.

Take care, best regards for the new year

Glen McKoy.........

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From: nigelboos@yahoo.ca

Date: Tue, 1 Jan 2008 12:30:34 -0500

Dear Glen,

I read your Dec 8/07 note with interest, particularly because I was unaware that the Abbey School had anything to do with something or the other which you mentioned "Down the Islands."

Would you please let me know what you're talking about, because I left the Mount in 1960, and perhaps an acquisition was made after I'd left the place.

If in fact the Abbey School, or the Mount itself did own a property down the islands, you're quite right - what happened to it?

Your question is a good one.

Happy New Year to you and yours.

Nigel Boos,

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Glen Mckoy <mckoy43glen@hotmail.com>

Saturday, December 8, 2007 7:04:17 AM

Hi there guy,

How yuh doing and thanks for the angel that's all I need, about the Abbey, the play grounds and the swimming pool.

I think its a good idea to reestablishe things as it was before, but I think the people who were in charge of it before, should not be in charge again of the operation as they never kept it going once the money ended (this would be the church).

They never invested in the assets they had like the pool etc.

This place could have been an excellent private sports club for families etc. with tennis courts etc. but was left to waste away,

Our field could have hosted some of the football games in the country or in that area, it was well build, I don't know how bad it is now.

I think the only way this venture can work is as a business,

Once up and running, it must be profitable, in order to pay a lease to the church for its sport facility etc.

This kind of business takes the management and staff that are committed to sports in a professional way for they are the front line of what will make or break this type of business.

Sorry if I may sound a little negative with some of my comments, however we must not let emotions cloud our judgement.

I am also sorry to see the this place that made so many good sporting teams , and the confidence that sports give to the youths, were left in ruin for so long.

I am committed to invest in this project after a feasibility study has been done, and if this is the way the old boys want to go.

How come no body mention doing something down the Islands, what ever happened to that place??

I think that could be a really good place to develop, and could draw top dollar from tourist and locals looking for a private place, what do you think??? looking forward to comments

Glen McKoy

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From: Glen Mckoy (mckoy43glen@hotmail.com)

Sent: Tue 3/18/08 1:51 PM

/ABBEYSCHOOL/ OLD BOYS/ PRIVATE CLUB / MEMBERS ONLY/MARCH/2008/Letters from G#1/

HOLA/ AMIGOS /GREETINGS, TO ONE AND ALL MY BROTHERS/ HOPE ALL IS WELL.

We are here , because we care, reaching out and touching you.

This is just the tip, of the Ice Berg.

We've been, playing with your minds, and stealing your time, and that's not Fair.

So, we will do less, with only quality material, topics of interest, or your, own special request.

One or two a week, for the most.

We don't want, to be sending out, too many emails, or repeated messages o.k

We will try again, to practise, what we preach, and that is, "Less is More "

Please note: We've had no complaints, up to now.

Brothers are very polite, and we have only received, so far, only wonderful compliments.

Thank You, all.

With respect to how well things are going, we have decided, this is a good time, to cut down on the bulk of emails, and focus on a limited edition of letters, focusing only on the very best, at all times.

Ensuring, that we can always, keep the lights turned on, at this "Site".

Quality, not Quantity, right ?

Best regards to all my Brothers ,

Glen McKoy

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ON THE MOUNT, AND NO WHERE TO RUN/ 1ST WEEK/ GLEN (G#1)AND HIS BEST FRIEND TIM HEALY (TARZAN)‏

From: Glen Mckoy (mckoy43glen@hotmail.com)

Sent: Sun 3/16/08 2:39 AM

Hello / Hola Amigos /My dear brothers/ Hippies from the Sixties now in their Fifties/ hope all is well.

On this dark Nova Scotian Saturday night, March 15th/2008.

A blanket of white snow quietly covers the land.

No wind, and all you can hear, is the silence.

All I can see, are the chimneys puffing away, in the fog of the night.

Its so cold outside, but its warm, here, where I write.

On the mount and no where to run. - 1ST- WEEK - (From the Tales of G#1 & Tarzan)

Well, man, the first week on the Mount was like landing in another country, and you don't know no body.

I could just imagine how it was for the poor Venezuelan boys, who came, and had to learn English .

Well every body was still intact with their attitudes and egos, as we all landed.

First day, first class, right before the teacher come in, little Malaver , (Jose)? just push Hudson, or something like that, Hudson was always a quiet person and never mess with people,

So I see this happening, well man, I run on top of the desks, jump on top of little Malaver, on the ground, teacher walked in, fight done.

Man, after that, I thought, ah was really going to get a beating, because, these were three brothers, on the mount, at the same time, and he was the baby one.

Nothing ever happened, I never talk to the guy all the time I was on the Mount, but he good friend, Cachapa and me were good buddies.

I really liked Cachapa, what a tough guy, also, but a lot of boys, never hooked up because of the language problem.

Anyhow I liked Carlos Malaver he was cool, Frank was older, so I never really got to know him, however they were good friend with other Trinidad mount boys, of their age group.

After a day or two, we got settled in, knowing our new surroundings.

I met Tim Healy, he said, he was from Suriname and my father, was also from Suriname too,

His father didn't like him, and my father didn't like me also, we were not on the Mount, for an education, but for discipline,

We became instant best friends, we both had brothers (Hudson & Shortfoot) on the Mount, who had nothing to do with us.

(the story about Tim and myself is a book with three trips to Suriname) will have to deal with that another time.

Well, every thing was going good so far, this is still the first week, life seems, like it might not be that bad after all on the Mount, until these older boys told me and others that we had to call them, Mr Tenya, Mr. Copeland, or Mr Garth, or Mr Poggy, Mr Keeran? or Mr Milton, Mr. Bullet-Head whatever,

I said, you could kiss my ass, and run like hell, but run where?? (On the Mount and no where to run)

Well, I think they were just hoping, I would run, man they caught up with me pretty quick, and before I knew it, I was getting one of the best red belly's, I ever got, and I, had a few, ha! ha!,

I learned pretty quick how things worked, up there.

Please remember this was the, 1st week and I spent four great years up there man.

And I don't care what nobody say, if yuh only spent 1 year or 2 yrs on the Mount man, you only have part of the story.

Because 95 % of us, did grow up a lot, in the last two years.

Look at the guys on the list, they served their time, that's why some brothers, don't comment, because they know, if you served the full term, you should know, if you did not, sorry you'll never really will.

Any how ,Tim was getting in his scraps at the same time too.

We just didn't care after a time, big or small, we would take yuh on, beat or be beaten, it was a stage of growing pain, after a couple weeks, they ignored us, and we kept out of their way.

These physical, and mental challenges, I faced , as a young boy on the Mount.

These endurance tests, the obstacles, were very helpful, in the early development of my character, in how I would interact with others, in relationships etc, would these relationship be lasting??

I don't know ( look at the list on top) in the oh, so real , and dangerous world, out there, that we had to face, how many of us were prepared for life, after the Mount??

My little struggles on the Mount, made me the man, I am today, a good honest Husband since 1977, a good father, I am, close to my kids.

And most of all, a trusted friend.

And a decent guitar player, so so.

I was always a team player, and will always be a team player, I'm brainwashed .

I never had another fight, in my life up to now.

Knock on wood, since I left the Mount.

Most of my friends, that I have here in Canada, I know for over 20-30 years.

I don't really make new friends.

Any how , you had to start and finish, your full 4 years at the Abbey School, only then I think, in order to get its true, life lasting benefits, however, some people spent just one year on the Mount and have so much good things to say.

I so believe, its all depended on the individual brother's , attitude, in the end.

Tim, I was thinking of you when I wrote this one buddy, Mr. Neil Charles, thank you for drawing my attention to that scrap, I had with you.

I am really sorry to you and, any one of my brothers, that I did offend in the past, and for the brothers who beat some sense into me, I must say, thank you , for these, life lessons.

Best Regards to all my Brothers,

Glen McKoy........

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That is for now, till the next one

Photographs:

08IG0947DINNERGRP, Alfredo Montiel and Enrique Zanelli on occasion of ESMERALDA´s visit to TT

05BG0001BGO, Brian Goddard

67JK0003Firstclassbadge, This is page three of a collectible item.

06CD0001CDVFAM, the three Dvoraks that went to the Mount

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