Welcome to the Tal-Handaq 1968-71 homepage

This site is for anyone that attended the Royal Naval School at Tal-Handaq in Malta during the period 1968 to 1971.

At the Tal-Handaq Reunion in Colerne, England during September 2004 many ex pupils of the 1968 to 1971 era met for the first time in over 30 years. It was there that the idea was born to have separate reunions for that year group. Judith Chitty (née Blair) and Bob Callaghan pledged to get them organized. The reunions that have taken place so far have been a great success and our ever growing band of old school chums are determined to have many more.

Have a look around the site and if you would like to join us at future events, have any relevant photo’s or would like to get in touch with anyone, just send a message to either Judith at judith@wedesigngardens.co.uk or Bob at earthstrider@hotmail.com

Oh, how time flies! Has it really been three years since Viv, Tom, Rog and Bernard weaved their organizational magic back in Colerne in 2004? I really must be getting old…..

I turned up at Warwick, at what I believed to be a perfectly respectable time - a little late to prove how fashionable I could be but not too late as to appear rude. As most of the 1968-71 group had been booked up for the event months in advance it was no surprise to find that several members of our group had been there some time and were already striking up a strong bond with the beer pumps.

Meeting and greeting old friends was the first priority with some now becoming very familiar faces due to the group’s annual bashes that were turning into regular events. Some people hadn’t met each other since the last main reunion at Colerne and others greetings were with completely new acquaintances. It wasn’t long before everyone was in deep conversation catching up on news, swapping stories of recent events and trying to remember what so-and-so wanted to drink while at the bar ordering another round. Hunting down some people did prove difficult as they kept disappearing for long periods. They were eventually tracked down to the downstairs bar where the rugby was being shown on the lounge TV. You would think that they would have planned the date of the event to not conflict with such an important occasion but the organizers probably couldn’t book the rugby pitch for any other date so I suppose they could be forgiven. Judith’s Jon was one exception to the missing rugby fans, he was to be found grabbing a peaceful break in the bar, hiding behind a copy of the Daily Telegraph. Not for long though!

The call came to announce the opening of the buffet lunch and the 1968-71 group proved that they were still fit and active by sprinting with admirable speed to the front of the queues. Plates were stacked with as much food as was possible from the very odd combination of beef casserole (or pork sausages), green salad, coleslaw and cherry tomatoes. It was fortunate that there weren’t very many Muslims, Hindu’s, Jews, Mormons, Sikhs, Buddhists, Hare Krishnas, Rastafarians, are HVegetarians or Vegans amongst us as the veggy tarts ran out after about three minutes. Everyone managed to find something to eat though even if it was just more than their fair share of apple pie. The rest of the afternoon was spent by more visits to the bar, listening to speeches, having photos taken and trying to avoid that person who insisted on trying to tell you his funny story – for the fifth time.

The evening arrived and we changed rooms to where a dance floor had been provided. A great selection of 60’s music was being played and a finger buffet provided to soak up even more of the beer that was rapidly running out at the bar. The group lost no time in repeating their athletic prowess when the buffet was declared open and were soon happily tucking into the fare. Perhaps we were a little too successful in our ‘hunter gathering’ as the food soon ran out. However, the caterers proved their initiative by raiding the tax inspector’s party in a neighboring room and restocked our tables with their very posh nibbles. I suspect a few pockets were filled with the rather curious ‘morning goods’ that were also on offer. This questionable act wasn’t a display of greed but rather a commendable display of preparing for the unknown. The unknown being the quality of breakfast they were to experience in the morning. Besides, something had to soak up the 1000’s of units of alcohol that were being consumed. With mouths full, and conversation temporarily on pause, there was the opportunity to look around at the surroundings; the most memorable being the projected film of a Maltese bus on its route around the island. How they had managed to get the film from the angle they did was a matter of some discussion and it was decided that that some poor unfortunate must have been strapped to the top of a following bus for the entire duration. Our hearts went out to him but he can be happy in the knowledge that we are grateful for his sacrifice to provide us with some evening entertainment.

Phil and Sue were earlier presented with a reminder of the film by way of a raffle prize. This was a glossy pamphlet of Maltese buses that contained several, almost identical, photos of buses that bore no resemblance to the highly ornate buses I remember. They were thrilled with it!

It was said many times during the evening that considerable effort had been made to dress for the occasion. It wasn’t exactly ‘black tie and ball gowns’ but it was good to see that most had a sense of occasion and were resplendent in sparkly tops, jewellery and perfectly coordinated shoes. The ladies had also scrubbed up well. The lads had somehow managed to unwittingly join a competition to see who could wear the snazziest shirt. There was far too much difference of opinion to finally decide on a winner but it was agreed that all were out done in the ‘pretty boy’ stakes by Mr Woodcock who looked particularly dapper in his linen jacket.

For most, the evening passed by in a happy blur of drink-soaked nostalgia. Many of the ladies danced away the entire night and even the men had had sufficient Dutch courage to get on the floor and strut their stuff. Despite considerable encouragement, further demonstrations of ‘Maltese Pole Dancing Techniques’ would have to wait as our highly experienced group member refused to repeat her stellar performance in Malta because: a) there wasn’t a pole and b) there weren’t any handsome Maltese males to dance with. The revelry carried on until the small hours and most stayed until they could no longer stand. One exception was Les Law who had fallen in love with ‘The Lady in Red’ (who later turned out to be happily married) and left early, alone, and with a broken heart.

So, another reunion had come to an end. Many new friends had been found and most had promised to attend future annual reunions of the group. Ideas are being investigated for 2008 (please contact me or Judith if you have an idea yourself) and everyone will be informed once a plan has been formed. Almost everyone expressed a desire to attend the next 1968-71 reunion in Malta that was scheduled to take place during 2010 but the general consensus seemed to be that it was too long to wait and they would like it to be brought forward to 2009. So be it!

Bob Callaghan

Those to attended were: Bob and Jeanette, Judith Blair and Jon, Judy Barwise and Graham, Lynette Barwise and Richard, Mike Wynn and Maggie, Phil Davies and Sue, Ian Smith, Dianne Cattle, Jane MacKinnon, Keith Woodcock and Phil Woodcock.

We all had a great time and continued the tradition of drinking vast amounts of alcohol, as you can see from the photos!

Our thanks to Bob and Jeannette for their kind hospitality.

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

Those present were Bob and Jeannette, Judith and Jon, Judy and Graham, Phil and Sue, Les Law, Kevin Ramage and Keith Woodcock.