Another milestone was reached in the history of our school when we celebrated the 150 Year Anniversary in the Parish Hall of Our Lady of the Annunciation, Addiscombe, Croydon. St. Michael’s feast day is on the 29th September, but this year the date fell on Monday and so the Committee agreed to celebrate on Saturday 27th . Sept this being the nearest date to St. Michael’s feast day. As is customary, past pupils from St. Joseph’s Convent, Bankipore, our sister school in Patna and ex pupils of St. Patricks and St. Vincents, Asansol were also invited as our Guests.
Foundation and School Background It was the Capuchin Fathers who established a school for boys in the village of Digha Ghat, Kurji under the care and guidance of Right Reverend Bishop Dr. Hartmann, Vicar Apostolic of Patna. In 1857, he called upon The Superior General of the Irish Christian Brothers in Dublin to secure a community of Brothers for his education schemes in India. It was thus, in the year 1858 that St. Michaels was established the oldest of the 12 Irish Christian Brother Schools in India, founded five years after St. Joseph’s Convent, Bankipore, which was established in 1853.
Those who attended listed in Alphbetical Order Doors opened at 12.30
GUEST OF HONOUR Mrs Yolande Welsh (nee Walker) – Teacher 1951 – 1955.
Raymond AGACY; Ainsley & Janice ALBERT; Bill ANTHONY; Gavin BAILEY; Heather & Carrol BAPTISTE; Ralph & Elissa BAYROSS; Errol & Neville BEDDOE; Norman & Arline BOWMAN; Cedric BURROWS; Winston & Barbara COLOQHOUN; Melville COOMBS; Florence DALY; Mary D CRUSE & George D SILVA; George & Monica DROSSO; Errol EDEN; Charles GETHIN; Yvonne & Trevor GILCHRIST; June & Maurice GOODERHAM; Keith & Sue HASWELL; Winston HILL; Max & Marion HIGGINSON; Carl & Mary HIGGINSON; Derrick & Jenny HOGERMEER; Leo HUTCHISON; Ashley & Dulcie JACOB; Desmond & Christine JENKINS; Archie JAHANS & Lynne LANNIGAN; George KENNY; Robin & Wendy MUIR; Noel NYSS; Fred & Gwen PARR; Arthur & Esther PINTO; Patrick PORTER; Patricia & John PUTT; Jack REBEIRO; Neville REBELLO; Roger REES & Maria McCLEAN; Dick & Gloria REMEDIOS; Val ROSARIO & Dorothy RAINFORD; Terrence & Linda SIGLER; Bill SIMPSON; Leon SMITH & Marion FEEGRADE; Les & Arlene TAYLOR; George TARLING; Marguerite THELWALL; Arthur TOWNDROW; Marie & Selby TWEEDIE; Paul UPSHON; Peter & Annette VAUGHAN; Alice VIERYA; Ian WALKER; Lester WEBB; George, Joan & Wayne WHEATLEY; Douglas & Shirley WILSON; Ralph & Winnie WOOD; Kamar ZAMAN; 15 others – intimated that they were coming but failed to turn up on the day and 6 apolozised for their absence
. Food – Glorious Food
The Buffet commenced immediately after my Opening Address and on this occasion for the first time – food was served to each person as they were ushered out by table, under the direction of our Seating Stewards – Dick Remedios, Paul Upshon and George Wheatley. Once again, our lovely ladies excelled themselves and there was an abundance of delicious home cooked Anglo-Indian food, with a variety of Curries, Vegetable Bhajees, Jallfrezi and Vindaloo Tarka Dhall, Pillau, Plain and Fried Rice; Karti Rolls, Mixed Salads, Samosas and Curried Patties – followed by a selection of assorted Indian Sweets, made by AMBALAS and distributed to each table. There was so much food, sufficient to fill Doggy Bags for those who wanted to take some home for supper that night and almost everyone did.
The Kurji Boys were smartly turned out with their specially designed Maroon Celebration Ties and Blazers; our Guest of Honour complemented them by wearing a matching maroon blouse, chosen for the occasion. A Souvenir Booklet, produced for the 150 Year Celebration was distributed FREE to every St. Michael’s pupil who attended. About 04.00 PM. a toast was proposed over a glass of Champagne and a large Iced Fruit Cake was ceremoniously cut by Mrs Yolande Welsh (Guest of Honour) and Leo Hutchison (82 years old) the Senior Boy. Whilst this was taking place, the boys assembled on the stage and sang their School Anthem Cheers, Cheers for Good Old St. Mikes accompanied by Derrick Hogermeer on piano. It was a great pleasure to welcome Terence and Linda Sigler who flew in from Toronto – the night before to be with us. Also to meet and greet three ex Kurji Boys, living in the UK who attended the Reunion for the first time. They are of course, Errol Eden – 1950 Senior Cambridge; Desmond Jenkins and wife Christine – 1955 Senior Cambridge and Kamar Zaman (1962).
Conclusion.
As always, the success of the day was mainly attributed to:
The support given every year by our Friends and Invited Guests who attend,
The dedication, commitment and Financial support given by all Kurji ex pupils, and
The help and assistance given by a small TEAM of St. Michael’s volunteers each year in setting up.
Without this, my task would become quite onerous and I would like to place on record my appreciation and sincere thanks to all of you, especially, the ladies in the Kitchen Joan Wheatley, Gloria Remedios and Annette Vaughan.
Next Year- Date & Venue.
Put this date in your Diary now!! SATURDAY 6th SEPTEMBER 2009 CHURCH HALL, Addiscombe, Croydon.