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BAA! The Birks Association of Australia

and New Zealand and the Pacific Rim

Yet another year is fast disappearing into history so it is time to catch up on the happenings of around 9 months. Both Old Instonians and Old Birkonians have had Millennium Dinners in Wirral in recent months and more on those later. Earlier in the year I thought we had at last achieved notoriety when a headline in a Tasmanian paper proclaimed "BAA: it's just a nude show." It turned out to be a collection of sheep assembled in the name of art. More interesting was news from the 'Wirral Champion' that Birkenhead School was to admit girls to the 6th Form from September.

In the last Newsletter 1 mentioned that some finance would be welcome and speedily received more than was expected from John Baker, Cliff Jones and Barbara Ryan for all of which many thanks. This cash and a donation of $160 from Tom Reynolds, A.M., formerly of Victoria but now of U.S.A. handed to me at the Instonian Dinner on 13th October ensure our survival for some time to come with $240.30 currently in hand. Tom is now Director, Research and Development - Americas, for Johnson Wax Professional.

From well documented advice received at the Dinner, and later, 1 understood that Cliff Jones (NSW) had died and acted upon it, only to have a phone call from Ann (and Cliff!) to say that this was not so. It is Basil Clifford Jones in New Zealand who has unfortunately died and to his family we extend our condolences.

We welcome to our number a couple of Old Birkonians: Richard D.F. Bowen (1936-41), now retired and living in South Australia, a Life Member of the Old Birkonian Society, and Graeme Willey (1949-50). I also have an enquiry from Peter Monckton re George E.C.Hunt who migrated here in 1963 or his brother who migrated later. Any offers? I also understand that Gordon Meggs (Old Instonian) is somewhere in these parts. Gillian Ireland (Girls High School) is also a welcome addition thus repaying Barbara's confidence 'that there must be more'.

A B.A.A. Dinner took place in Burnie on Easter Saturday, also attended by David and Ann MacLennan, on the occasion of a visit from Victoria of Barbara Ryan and her friend, Nancy. More recently, at rather short notice, Sheila and I caught up with Alan and Ann Reid (NSW) who were also visiting our North-West Coast after dining in Hobart with John and Mary Baker. Walter Hurst (BI 1943-48) expects to be making a visit to Hobart some time during 2001.

After enquiring in the last Newsletter for some information about John Lowry of NSW whose mail did not seem to be reaching him, he turned up at the Instonian Dinner in October. Other expats were two from U.S.A. and one from Canada. Arrangements for a Continental Tour prevented Emie Hewitt of Victoria from attending as he had to be in London early on the Saturday morning.

Owing to refurbishment at Prenton Golf Club, the venue had to be changed at very short notice to the Caldy Golf Club which proved to be an ideal setting. Around 120 were present with Tony Hudson, M.B.E.,(1942-50) proposing "The Spirit of Birkenhead Institute". Following the death in September of Ian MacDonald (1941-48), a Grace which he had prepared was read by a contemporary, Alan Powell. A Charity Draw was held which raised a considerable sum for local good causes. I hope before long to receive a copy of the Guest List from Harold Beckett who, along with a small Committee, had worked hard to ensure the success of the evening. And a resounding success it was.

Evidence of the enthusiasm of those present was there from the start (nominally 6p.m.) when the room was already crowded although the meal was scheduled for 7p.m. Many involved conversations were still in progress at midnight. Official business terminated at 10.30 with a lively rendition of "I Vow to thee My Country" led by Dave (D.S.W.) Jones.

Any Instonians planning a home visit next year would do well to confirm dates and a place with Harold Beckett at the earliest opportunity. My own year was represented by half a dozen, some of whom 1 had not seen for half a century. Sobering thought. 1 was hoarse for 3 days afterwards. One of the oldest present was Eric Bibby who fitted so many of us with uniforms in days gone by.

Joe Hewitt has managed to buy a cassette entitled "Liverpool Pops - At Home" which features the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra playing the Beatles and other favourites recorded in the Bushell Hall, Birkenhead School, on January 5^th and 6^th, 1995.

Gill Ireland (née Caddick) spent 17 years in South Africa and has been in Tasmania for the last 13 years. She would be interested to receive any information of the old Flamenco crowd, particularly Mel Martin, Fred Cook, Bill Shiplee, Jed Hayes and Lant. Her own special friend was Iona Davidson. I did manage to put her in touch with Ian Bunce, a BAA member, who happens to be the brother of Barbara Ryan.

Ernie Hewitt wonders whether it is statistically possible to arrive at a theoretical number of surviving Old Instonians. The oldest member on the Register died earlier this year at the age of 98. 445 appear on the Register but only 10 out of 60 in Ernie's year. Of my own 60, 13 appear, 3 are deceased, one left very early and 2 migrated to Australia (Moyns and Boulter). He also makes the suggestion of planning ahead 2 or 3 years for a BAA Dinner to bring as many as possible together. The first question appears to be "Where?" And perhaps the second is whether we have volunteers willing to coordinate the affair. A date would also be high on the list. Members' views and offers please...

In the absence of any written report I have compiled the following from phone calls to President Norm Rimmer and David MacLennan, who were accompanied to England by Margaret and Ann respectively:

One of the chief objects of reunion dinners is to provide the opportunity to meet up with old friends and to catch up on news. Both of these events achieved their purpose successfully. The first event was a Dinner at New Brighton R.U.F.C., now at Moreton, when the former Old Birkonian Club amalgamated with them. So many players left the area for study and work and did not return that the Club was no longer viable. Proceeds from the sale of the ground have been used to establish Scholarships at the School. At the end of the formalities the presiding learned Judge announced that a sandwich was available, he understood, whereupon a voice in the background was heard to enquire, "Between everyone?" There was in fact a more than adequate smorgasbord.

The Millennium Dinner was held in a marquee on the cricket field as part of a weekend of various events and once again was highly successful, although when the music grew too loud for comfortable conversation, the Head Master kindly made altemative accommodation available for those who wished to converse. Full advantage was taken!

At which point it is perhaps safest to retire for the time being, leaving me just room to wish everyone the Season's Greetings. If you are in touch with Birkonians or Instonians overseas please mention B.A.A.! Please let me have any changes of address or other details.

Very best wishes to all - Baaaaaa for now,

Membership list as of December 2000. Mailing addresses are not published. For further details, additions corrections or deletions, please contact ian@halliday.com or the secretary at the address at the top of the page.