tal-handaq 1968-71

During the excellent Tal-Handaq reunion at Colerne during September 2004 many ex pupils of 1968 to 1971 met for the first time in over 30 years. It was there that the idea was born to have a separate reunion for that year group in Malta. Judith Chitty (née Blair) and I, no doubt encouraged by the amount of Hop Leaf and Cisk consumed, pledged to get it organised.

Judith’s considerable efforts to round up those interested (along with Bob Martin’s website expertise and Viv Daly’s endless enthusiasm for helping where she can) resulted in a ‘mini’ reunion at Malvern in Worcestershire during May of 2005. The main idea was to sort out some basic ideas and fix a date for the visit. There were rumours that our beloved school was about to be demolished so it was agreed to hold the reunion later in the year to be sure that there was still something worth visiting. With the skeleton of a plan in place we all headed off to the pub and restaurant without too much delay. A great day was had by all with the promise of greater things yet to come.

The Reunion in Malta was scheduled for two days of organised events on 26th and 27th October with accommodation at the Corinthia Marina in St Julian’s. Everyone attending, however, decided to make it more of a holiday by getting there days earlier and leaving days later.

The reunion was officially started on the evening of the 25th with a Reception Meeting on the outside veranda of the hotel overlooking the fishing boats within St Julian’s Bay. Present were myself (Bob Callaghan) and partner Jeannette, Judith Chitty and husband Jon, Mike Wynne and wife Maggie, Lynette Barwise and husband Richard, Judy Barwise and husband Graham, Bob Martin, Phil Davies, Debbie Miller, Jackie Blackman, Ian Smith and Raymond Smith. Apart from those that had travelled from UK, Holland and France, a surprise (and very welcome) attendee was John Vincenti who lived on the island. Considerable amounts of wine and cheese were consumed while introductions were being made, memories being shared, and everyone being brought up to date with who was doing what, with whom, where and (sometimes) why. The evening was a great success with everyone enjoying each other’s company just as much as they did over thirty years earlier. More bottles of Marsovin were consumed into the night and the general consensus was that it had improved hugely since our ‘Screech’ days.

Driving our coach through the gates of the school (now Liceo Vassalli) the following morning gave everyone a lump in their throat, and some, a tear in their eye. Tal-Handaq hadn’t changed one iota. We were welcomed like royalty by Marc Spiteri, the English teacher and given a full tour with lots of opportunity to break off and explore by ourselves. The odd classroom had changed the subject it taught but in the main everything was as it was. The science lab still had the same desks, the same Bunsen burners and (honestly) the same periodic tables on the wall. Most noticeable was the smell – a curios mixture of chemicals and dry Maltese air – absolutely unique and remembered with fondness by many.

The maths classroom for dunces (mine) remained unchanged - still with inkwells in the desks from which we used to trap one end of a hair with a buzzing fly at the other. The gym, assembly hall and pottery room, amongst others were all viewed by our open mouthed band and each room forced a flood of memories to us all. Everywhere was visited and some of us even managed to sneak a quick smoke ‘round the back’ without being caught.

Mark Spiteri and his students couldn’t have been more hospitable even if one of them did ask “were you here during the war?” Cheek.
Demolition of the school thankfully turned out to be just a rumour; Some of the outer building would have to be replaced with new classrooms but the central core would remain as it is. The present staff are as delighted as we were as they have great pride in their school’s history.
Does anyone know where the school entrance to the tunnel leading to Luqa is? If so, please contact the school as they are desperate to find it.

After the school visit, the group took to the sea for a cruise of the harbours. The water was a bit choppy but it was well worth a bit of sea salt on the face to get the best possible views of all the changes to Sliema and Valletta (mainly newly built hotels). A little ruffled, we hit dry land again, boarded our bus and visited the Craft Village to stock up on souvenirs. Lastly, we called in at Mdina to see if it was still as silent as it was all those years ago. We all did our own thing after arriving but soon met up again in the bar just outside the city entrance. Everyone was suffering from the same thing – tiredness and the need for a Cisk or two to help revive our aching feet.

The following day, jeeps were hired for a safari around the Island. Popeye’s Village, the Blue Grotto and Dingli Cliffs were just some of the places visited. In between, some of the Islands least hospitable roads were travelled – much to the delight of Jon who drove over every bump and puddle he could find. Shaken but not stirred, there was just enough time to freshen up before our organised dinner at San Guiliano restaurant overlooking the harbour at Spinola Bay.

We were treated to the best table, the finest food and the most attentive service that we could have wished for.

Everyone enjoyed themselves enormously and some even continued into the night at the downtown night clubs (reports of one of our members dancing the night away with a male pole dancer are unsubstantiated due to the lack of photographic evidence).

The reunion was a great success with everyone insisting that we should continue meeting in the future. Consequently, it was agreed that we should all meet again annually in the UK and back in Malta again in 5 years time.

Bob Callaghan

See more images of the renunion in Malta here