RESTORED SCHOOL BELL RETURNED
TO FORGE HISTORIC LINKS FOR TAL HANDAQ SCHOOLS
HMS Illustrious entered Grand Harbour, Malta at 08.30am on Monday 10 September, 2001 returning an historical item of great significance to the past and present staff and pupils of two Tal Handaq schools; the Royal Naval School and Liceo Vassalli. In the presence of His Excellency The President of Malta, Prof Guido de Marco KUOM, LLD, BA, and other dignitaries, a representative group of the Royal Naval School Tal Handaq Reunion Association presented Mr Ronnie Attard, Headmaster of Liceo Vassalli and four of his staff with a completely refurbished 'Old School Bell'. Mr Attard was also presented with a framed aerial photograph of the school, taken by past pupil Mr Keith Poulton in September 2000. The picture, suitably inscribed, acknowledges this month=s 20th anniversary of the founding of Liceo Vassalli.
The Old School Bell had been retrieved by members of the Royal Naval School Reunion Association in June this year and, through a kind gesture by Air Malta pilot, Laurence Gatt, it was returned to the UK for a complete restoration. With the encouragement and support of Lt Cdr (Retd) Andy Withers RN, the Royal Naval Public Relations Officer at Northwood, HMS Sultan in Portsmouth had been enlisted to investigate the possibilities for the full restoration of the bell. Through their efforts, it now looks exquisite, with a suitably inscribed plaque attached to the mahogany mount which they prepared for the bell, commemorating the history of the Royal Naval School Tal Handaq from 1947 to 1978, and the Association=s links with Liceo Vassalli, who celebrate their 20th anniversary in September 2001.
During the refurbishment it had been muted that HMS Illustrious might be able to return the Bell to Malta. On Friday 31st August members of the Reunion Association were delighted to be invited to return to HMS Sultan to collect the Bell and transport it to HMS Illustrious just before she set sail.
The Tal-Handaq Bell before the Restoration |
Rog Wilkin, a founder member of the Royal Naval School Tal Handaq Reunion Association said: AThe Old School Bell project has been symbolic not only of the close bond which has developed between the two schools, but also the many lifelong friendships forged by our members and their parents in more than three decades across the Island of Malta, he continued, Without the support of such friends, and the expertise and enthusiasm of the Royal Navy, this unique event would not have happened; I only wish we could have invited our expanding association membership of more than 1200 world wide to share it with us, but at least they will have the opportunity to view the story on our web site.
The Tal-Handaq Bell after the Restoration |
The Reunion Association of the Royal Naval School Tal Handaq would wish to thank the British High Commission and the Officers and men of HMS Illustrious for their combined efforts in providing and hosting the excellent formal presentation ceremony. The event and venue provided us with the perfect conclusion to a very emotional and historical project for all those who have been involved.
The group will be returning to the United Kingdom for their next major reunion event which takes place in a few days time on 22 September 2001 in Colerne, Wiltshire. The event promises to be a great party with over 350 past Tal Handaqians attending.
For further information on the Royal Naval School Tal Handaq Reunion Association please contact:
Viv Daly, 2 Carter Road Ivybridge, Devon PL21 0RX, England.
Telephone: 01752 894846
E-Mail: VivDaly@bigfoot.com
Website: http://www.tal-handaq.freeserve.co.uk
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