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A.O.S.A. 2002 ANNUAL REPORT |
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[Page seven]
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GILL JACKSON (HINDS 1950-55) flew to Geneva in September to spend a few days with JOAN HAWORTH ROBINSON 1947-54) and her partner Julio. They watched CNN and the BBC World Service news, transfixed, on the 11th as the awful events of that day unfolded. Joan and Julio had a new golden retriever pup, Belle, only four months old at the time, and to escape the mauling he was receiving from her, their ten year old labrador, Sam, popped downstairs one afternoon to see Gill and to give himself a bit of a break. Judging by the noise filtering through from the upper floor Gill and Sam were the only two to get any rest that day! Joan and Julio have a lovely new swimming pool which greatly enhances their back garden; unfortunately it was too cool at the time to tempt anyone in. Joan says that she and Julio are coming over to Ayton in June. My annual letter from THAVORN RATANAVARAHA (1951-55) arrived in late December, and as I write, nearly a month later, has still not been answered. Thavorn experienced further health problems for which he required surgery during the year, he is hoping this will do the trick. He is back playing golf again anyway. Vipha also is suffering from leg and joint pains, but, Thavorn says, it does not stop her from going shopping each day! Of the major building works on-going to their home, Thavorn had this to say: “For the past eight months I have been kept busy with the construction of the new house. We had to remove a section of the old house to accommodate a new one, but after we move to the new house we shall demolish it (the old house) and turn the ground to a new garden. It’ll take a further 4 months to finish the built-in furniture.” Thavorn and Vipha are thoroughly enjoying their status as grandparents and see both the little girls every Sunday when they and their parents come over for a meal. However, they also see Millie every day as her mother Raweewan drops her off at her parents in the morning before going to the office. In a letter to the Treasurer with apologies for late payment of her ‘sub’CHRISTINE MEYER (GENT 1952-57) from Wayzata, Minnesota expressed concern for the possible effects of the Foot and Mouth outbreak to the farm of her friend and our President SONIA WADE (DUNN 1952-58) and her family. Christine and her husband had enjoyed a visit to Sonia and John on their farm during their time in England the previous year. Although Arthur Grainge claimed that he ‘found’ TERRY WEATHERHEAD (1952-56) I think he was actually in touch with Dick Dennis and me first. In his e-mail of 21st May Terry said: “I was sent to Ayton as I had severe asthma and Acklam Hall Grammar School in Middlesbrough could not cater for my illness. SISTER WALLIS (1924-26&1929-55) looked after me and MISS (EILEEN) CARTER (1951-54), girls’ gym teacher , gave me breathing exercises. They must have worked ‘cos I still keep breathing. I would love to know what happened to Miss Carter, all I know is she left in 1954 and went to Scotland to get married. (Terry sent me a lovely photo via e-mail of Eileen Carter when she was at school-Ed.) I was very friendly with JOHN WESCHENFELDER (1951-55) (who died tragically young-Ed.) and have seen references to CLIFFORD (1943-51) who I assume was his elder brother. (He was-Ed.) On leaving Ayton I served an apprenticeship with Dorman Long as a Mechanical Engineer, worked in various drawing offices, got bored and ended up in technical selling. Promotion caused me to leave Teesside and I, along with my wife of 37 years (Pat) ended up in Carlton in Lindrick near Worksop. Stayed in selling until I had to finish work at 52 with health problems. I have heard that IAN GLASPER (149-56) (Glassy) moved to Edinburgh to open a guest house, but died last year.” This latter news was a shock and a bombshell both to me and to Glassy’s old friend Mike Adam, who eventually found Ian alive and well and living in the wilds of County Durham. Terry said that he had been told the news by HELEN (JACKSON 1952-57) and WALLY (IAN) TELFER (1950-56) who live in Glassy’s old roost of Spennymoor and they, in turn had heard it from someone in the area….. “In days gone by we all knocked about together such as at haymaking time when Wally was farming. He had to retire recently as he is in very poor health, but Helen has her own business which keeps them going. I have spoken to Helen today (16th June 01) and next time we venture north will try to look Glassy up for old time’s sake. The only other old scholar we have kept in touch with is DAVE WINFIELD (1953-54) who lives in Sunderland.” |
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