Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School,
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Dear Friends,
Here are the tales of the Knights from White Stones by Glen Mckoy.
Some of you might have read parts of it but I wanted to make two Circular from the material that I have received.
The interesting part is the writers ability of Glen together with his imagination.
Some of the stories carry information on our day to day journey through out the several years that we spent at the Mount.
I had in the past, articles by my classmate of the 1960, Wayne Vincent Brown.
The reason that I have not published any of his prose recently is because when I asked him for authorisation, he was willing but he requested that I print all of his articles one after another without leaving out any.
Some are not printable in the Circular as they have been prepared for Jamaican newspapers and include material that has to do with local political standings which gets out dated by when I manage to send out the Newsletter and has no valid stories to Mount boys in this world wide circulation.
I would like to include him, just as I include all comers.
Maybe if he wants I can include his WEB page for you to browse.
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FW: Knights from White Stones / Long version for Gabriel Faria
From: Glen Mckoy (mckoy43glen@hotmail.com)
Sent: Wed 4/02/08 9:12 AM
If a brother is on this list, well nothing else needs to be said.
As far, as I could see, all is present and accounted for.
Thank you Aziz. & CheChe.
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My dear Brother Gabriel, You have shown a great interest, so this is the whole story, so you also will know.
ABBEY SCHOOL MT.ST. BENEDICT T&T 1912-2008 (OLD BOYS PRIVATE CLUB- members only)
Mono, according to "The Legends from the Knights from White Stones", on the Mount , this is all, I know. G#1, Believe it, or not.
Knights, from White Stones, my brothers from the past, making the Abbey, their castle , and seeking knowledge, from the monks, surrounded by boarders , and no where else to run.
They made their way up the mountains, to White Stones, in a Thundering Storm, on that Dark and Cold Moon-Less night..
They knelt , forming their sacred - secret- circle, into the power of One.
Around a Chest, their Time Capsule, their Treasure Chest, and buried it, not far from, where the 1st. Monk's, stone dwelling is, from 1912.
After the storm, they were all gone, and no where to be found.
Rumours has it , that they fed the eagles, and in return, the eagles taught them how to fly, and that's why, many have ventured, to the four corners of the earth, after White Stones.
Some people , still think, these Knights from White Stones, still exists, others believe, that they were all lost, in the storm, of life, and time.
That, such a secret - sacred - circle, as the power of one, can still exists, with the Knights from White Stones, up to this day, unbelievable , I really don't know, no comment. G#1
Only where Eagles dare, on top of White Stones, not far from where the first monk's dwellings are, rumours has it, that they buried a chest, in it , are all the names, of all the Knights, who lived there, and their stories, and their treasures, and glories of Life on the Mount, are still to be found.
However, this was so long ago, anyhow, the story goes on, and said, that the Chest , will reveal it self, in the year 2012 , 100 years after the 1st Monk/1st Knight/1st Old Boy, walked upon White Stones, in 1912, who really knows ?
I will have to wait and see, what really happens, in 2012.
See you there. o.k.
Best Regards to my brother Knights.
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From: mckoy43glen@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Knights from White Stones
Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 09:47:17 +0000
Yes, Nigel, I am a romantic, and only you know the truth. I try to keep the interest of all, I expect feed back.
Nigel just between you and I, I was trying to write a song.
You know that I am a dreamer, right ? that's the whole story.
I thank you wise one.
Best regards, Glen.
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From: nigelboos@eagles-wings.ca
Subject: Knights from White Stones
Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 05:35:43 -0400
Glen,
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Either you're a romantic, with strange visions of some sort of medieval story of "Knights" and "burial of boxes" or else someone with a poetic bent post 1960 has tried to invent a ballad or a story of some sort.
To imagine why the original settlement of Benedictine monks at their little mud hut on
Not bad for a fiction story, but really not historically accurate.
If you'd like to have the true history of how the present monastery came about, I'd be happy to supply it to you.
By the way, and come to think about it, the idea of a burial of a box on Mt. Tabor before descending its slopes actually quite a good theme for a novel.
Perhaps Wayne Vincent-Brown might like to try his hand at developing the theme - he's already a published author.
We need a good story, and a bit of intrigue won't hurt.
Come on,
Nigel P. Boos
(I would like to have the true historical version, with true facts. Ed.)
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Glen Mckoy
Sunday, June 22, 2008 7:04:38 PM
Donald, this how far the tales have gone.
Glen Mckoy.
Thanks you for your comments to the Hippies from the Sixties., Mr. Rafael EcheverrÃa (Che Che) is the keeper of all the Tales of "White Stones" Ask for the Chronicles.
From the Book, The King of Hearts, 'Tales of the Knights from White Stones' by Glen McKoy/ Nova Scotia/Canada.
EIGHT KNIGHTS
In the beginning, as it was written, from the book, The King of Hearts, that is kept in the Chest, that there were Eight Knights.
In 1944, there were four Knights, who entered the window, at the back of the building. and took the Chest from within
However, there were also, another four Knights, outside of the building, keeping watch and ready to transport, whatever this new find brings, as they have done so many times before, while constructing their Den, a few months before.
The Eight Knights were:
The four who were in the building, one from
The other four, outside the building, one from
They all then took the Chest up to their Den, past the reservoir, way up on the steep side of one of the mountains, somewhere up there, that they have claimed control of this pirates den, the Knights, secret hide out, dug into the mountain.
To cross these borders, where no others dare, before you reached these borders, they would find you, some called them, the Invisible People, after one of the last two small tribes that still exists, in the deep jungles of
They stained their skins, with this strange mixture, of a green paste, made from this extremely rare and special stone, next to almost impossible to obtain, very few people in the entire world, actually know, it exists, as written in the book, The King of Hearts, that is kept in the Chest.
At a round table, gathering of the Knights, it was said, that the secret place, where the stone was found, was discovered by a Jesuit Monk, from Brazil, in the early 1900's, very close to where the water fell so slow, walked eight paces ahead, and then the water ran deep, and really fast.
This stone of moss, this jade of the jungle enabled the warriors, to blend right into the emerald forest, on top of
FIRST DAY
The year is 1952, many boys, from different countries, arrive on the Mount, many from
So much excitement in the air, just finding your way around, and too many instructions, please pay attention, the noise, then the bells, then the silence, and then the law, the Monks.
Welcome to: The
1st day of school on the mount, is when you board, the ship, The Abbey, on Mt.Tabor, as she sails out, with the likes of her crew of Bandits, Boos, Monos, Azizs, Tarzans, CheChes and a couple of G's#123.
You soon realise after a couple of weeks, as the true feelings of detachment sinks in, that everyone, and everything you ever knew, had disappeared.
You may have a brother, or another who came from the same place.
Pretty soon you learn, you are alone, in the power of one, yourself.
You quickly find out, what your abilities, strengths and weaknesses are, and if you don't, the next four years, will be challenging,
In some cases one or two boys, leave in the first few months, not being able to cope with so many rules and discipline, not all men can be in the army, and not all men can cook, boarding school ain't no picnic, anywhere in the world.
You are in a confined residential compound, with about, one hundred and thirty something wild, and crazy young men, welcome to the first class of a civilised jungle, the mount.
Bon Voyage.
FERNANDO
In that same year, Fernando, a 12yrs old Venezuelan boy, is one of the new boarders. His father holds a diplomatic position, and wants his son, to learn the international language of trade, English.
Mount St. Benedict, The Abbey School, in
Fernando promised his father, that he would pursue his studies, in English diligently, and continue with his tennis, and swimming, which he did.
As a first year student on the mount, away from his home land
In his spare time, Fernando would take short walks, through the gate, in the far corner of the court, by the big stone wall,and stepped into the rain forest giving his eyes a break, from all the books.
He would follow the butterflies, and would always stop, to admire the hummingbirds, as they reminded him of times spent, at his Grand-parents farm in
One day on his walk, he decided that he would go a little deeper, into the forest, where he never went before, pass the reservoir.
As he approached this overgrown spot on the path, as he turned to his left he could see through the bushes, a clear sunny spot, he pushed aside a couple of branches and he was in the clearing.
Sitting under a tree in the sun, saying to himself (Hey so Christo, yo estoy ahi) Translation: This must be heaven.
He sat for a while took a few long breaths, then he got out a piece of paper and pencil and wrote a few words down.
After a few moments, he decided he should head back to school now, and get a soft drink, he got up and got ready to leave when he heard a cracking noise behind where he was sitting, he immediately looked in that direction, as he looked closely, he was shocked at what he saw, he could not believe what he was seeing, there was a boy, a year or two older than him, hanging upside down from his feet, by a well tied knot on this rope, with his head about 2 feet off the ground.
He just froze, then he heard a voice, shout, ' Get Him', He screamed, and ran like hell.
As he came through the gate into the school all panting and out of breath, he sat down by the bench by the big stone wall, as he caught his breath, he could see the Monk, Fr.O, approaching him, he knew Fr.O, from class, a very brilliant and logical math professor.
Always positive with a smile.
With his thick Dutch accent he asked Fernando 'What's the problem, are you alright?
Why are you crying? '.
Fernando said, ' Fr. I saw a boy hanging upside down from a tree pass the reservoir. '
Fr O, said to Fernando, 'My dear boy, pull yourself together and calm down now, its just a Prank the boys do, to scare new boys, don't let it scare you, now tell me, who were the boys you saw in the area??
Fernando: ' Oh sorry father, I did not see any one else, and the boy who was hanging upside down, I could not his face well enough to identify him.
Fr.O:' Well Fernando, I will tell the prefects to find out what they can, and they will check the area, if you recall anything else, please let me know, and please don't talk with others of this.'.
Yes Father, and Fernando walked away slowly, still shaken.
Later that night an older Venezuelan boy walked over and started to talk to Fernando.
He wanted to know what Fernando told Fr. O, he told him what he told Fr. O, the older boy then told him, you did well by not calling the name of the boy he saw hanging upside down.
He then said to Fernando, don't ever tell the Monks anything, or you can be labelled a 'Hala-Bola', o.k
Fernando said Si' (yes).
Then the older boy walked away, back to a group of older boys, by the volley ball court.
Fernando don't think his sighting was a prank, he believed he stumbled on to something else by accident, and he don't think it was meant for his eyes.
He would keep low, mind his own business, and keep his eyes open, to see what really going on around here.
He knew the face of the boy who was hanging upside down, but went along as if he did not know him.
One Saturday afternoon, he saw a few older boys going up to White Stones, with the boy who was hanging upside down on the tree.
He had been watching them, for about two weeks now, he was bored, and needed some adventure, so he decided to follow them, and hid to see, what they were up to.
He saw them go up the hill pass the refectory, then straight up the hill, pass the band room, and heading up towards White Stones.
He didn't dare temp faith.
He went back down the hill to the school, and decided to go down to the pool.
He knew he would pursue this another day.
Initiation & Traitors.
The initiation of new Knights, took place every two or three years, it became a tradition that only a few knew of, or even ever saw.
The Monks knew different, as the years went on, they could see a pattern had developed, and the sightings of pranks that were reported, by the Hala-Bolas/ Judas / Traitors and Misfits,
These loud mouths, only claim to fame would be to disclose, any thing that was confident, the secrets of others they've over heard, or even lie to win friends, as they worked their way through the mount, back stabbing, one brother against another, it was their way of survival, misery needs company,
Some came to the mount like that, and left like that, they could never complete the full four years, they stuck out, like a sore thumb,and would eventually leave, they could never be trusted,
They were only a few, a hand full, who hated the mount, and can not say anything good about MSB., compared to the hundreds of boys, who attended the Mount and found it, a life rewarding experience, with a lot of found memories that are still treasured, world wide, up to this day.
In the year 2008, in the month of June, a vessel docked in
When that vessel left Trinidad on board she was carrying, The Golden Candle Stand, that was in the chest buried on 'White Stones' on
It was brought on board the vessel by a trusted monk, in a case carrying a scroll.
A few modern day knights went up to 'White Stones', opened the chest and took the candle stand out.
They then took it down the hill to a place where the band room/ Scout room was, they left it there.
As there was something inside the candle stand that had to remain, on the Mount.
Only a monk can do what has to be done.
The Dutch Monk who taught French was seen hustling up the hill with a small metal case under his arm.
He opened the door and entered where the old band room use to be, in the late 60's, the last room on the hill, he saw the sack on the a table with the candle stand.
He took the candle stand out of the sack, stood it up on the table and stared at it for a minute or two in pray.
He put on a pair of gloves and unscrewed the base of the stand and slowly this glass like cylinder slid out of the candle stand, with a gel like, metallic, colourful glowing liquid.
As he took it out, a lighting storm started to occur outside, he immediately put the cylinder in the metal case he brought and the storm ended.
The candle stand was taken away a long, long time ago, when the church and state did not see eye to eye, with the Jesuit true love of the people and their teaching of knowledge to these tribes of the jungle.
There were many problems, uprisings and killings, a few escaped before the terror, that took place.
(Glen, you should mesh the different tales into one. Ed.)
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THE HISTORY OF THE CHEST
It was said that the first group of Knights, who boarded at the Abbey, (The Castle) were there, seeking knowledge from the monks, who tutored them daily, in languages, and other subjects.
They also participated, in very competitive swimming and sports, as young men did, preparing themselves for battles, and wars that lay ahead, in their world, that was still engulfed, by the 2nd world war.
As they knew, of the young men who left before them, if this war continues, they too will be in
And this place, "The Abbey", may be their last paradise, "The Mount."
In the little spare time, they had.
They roamed the grounds and buildings, freely, without much supervision.
Sneaking into cellars, attics and places, where no other eyes, but only a few, selected monks, may ever, know or see.
It was Saturday night, and no one in sight.
Completely bored, standing on the 2nd floor, looking down at the city lights, they had come, to the decision, that this was the night.
And they got their torch lights, and headed into the night, on a path that led to the back of the buildings.
Along dangerous inclines, and the steep broken pathway, these four young lads came to a window, that they knew so well, as they climbed in.
As they stepped into this main room, they immediately, proceeded 20 paces forward, and with a left turn, down the stairs.
They pushed open the small, solid wooden door, which they had picked open, a few weeks before.
In this part of the building, where no one ever used, anymore.
With the door wide open, exposed to decades of antiquities amongst other things, that were stored there for decades, for who knows who? pilgrims?, monks? who ever? hidden away, at the beginning of the war, which was coming to an end, the following year, 1945.
As they explored the room, they came upon a" Chest", this black box, with old metal fittings.
They pulled it out , from the cluster of things, to examine it, more clearly with their torch lights.
They opened the "Chest", and inside lay an object in an old sack.
They gently raised the object out of the chest, they placed it, on a flat surface, and slowly, took of the sack, off.
Revealing this Majestic, Candle Stand, of a simple, yet elegant design, about a foot and half tall, of pure solid gold, on the bottom, of the candle stand, under its base, not very visible, the word,
As the full moon shone down, on the mountains of Tunapuna, on that Saturday night, these young, new Knights, they knelt, in their Secret, Sacred, Circle, and made this object, their symbol, of their unity, in the power of one, as pure as, this candle stand of gold, that they held.
They placed it, back into the Chest, and took it, to their den, in the forest, until they decide, on a burial place.
These four Knights, made this solemn pledge, that night, to be, it's keepers, forever, and it, must, always remain, in this special place, on the Mount.
Tales of "The Knights from White Stones".
Also recommend " Legends of G#1 & Tarzan. " and " Amazing stories of Attila & Oscar" and " Pure Light" by Nigel Boos.
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That is for now, look for the continuation. Circular No. 360.
Hope that you have enjoyed this first part.!!
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57IF00001THEATER, Can anyone help with the story???
07GE0481GEV, Geln Evelyn getting a diploma for good behaviour.
48TE0003SCOUTS, Can anyone help with the names??
01RF0001RFI, Ricardo Figuera at a Caracas dinner.
1 comment:
Concerning the scouts on bicycles, I have a comment in my computer. I no longer remember who sent it to me:
This was a group of 2nd Mt. St. Benedict scouts who cycled from the Mount to San fernando. That went to the Pitch lake and to Pointe-a- Pierre, an accomplishment necessary to earn a particular Senior Scout
Badge (probably "Cyclist"), one of the electives to gain the King's
Scout Badge. Perhaps this was in 1948.
L-R:Arthur Knaggs, Peter Gaffney, Richard O'Connor, Desmond Rostant,
Ronald King, John Camps-Campins, Trevor Evelyn, Allan Blanc, Trevor
Soodeen.
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