Old Cambrian Society "e-Newsletter"

Dear Old Cambrian,

Well, here is the first e-Newsletter of 2006. There's so much going on a present, it's a job to know what to report first. So, in no particular order, here goes:

Impala Project - (placing all Impala magazines on to a CD) - can I PLEASE have your orders!!

The CDs are about go into production, so if you haven't already done so, now is the time to place your order. Martin Langley (Nicholson 1956-61) has spent countless hours scanning all the Impala magazines collected from Old Cambrians, and he has provided some example scans to tempt you all, and for you to see the sort of thing you are going to get if you purchase one of these CDs. Have a look at the web site to see these "teasers" - http://www.oldcambrians.com/impala.html - and an image of what the CD will look like........very attractive and professional look - well done Martin!!

This CD is a totally unique record of our school, so please don't miss this opportunity to obtain your own copy.

Reunion - Old Cambrian Society (UK) - Annual Dinner - Friday 28th April 2006 at the RAF Club, Piccadilly, London

There has been a terrific response for this event, and we're sold out!! This is a first for on OCS event, and really does add pressure for me to choose larger venues in the future. The 113 people who have places reserved for this dinner can check their names on the web site by going to - http://www.oldcambrians.com/2006DinnerList-numbers.html - and it's great to see OCs traveling from as far away as the USA, Canada, Australia and South Africa. I will be doing the table plan in the next week, and naturally I will try to accommodate everyone's requests, but obviously I won't be able to please everyone. So please check the web site again before the dinner to see who you are to be seated with. If for some reason you now cannot attend, please let me know as I have plenty of people willing to take up your place.

I am taking names for the waiting list, so if you're interested in joining that list, please e-mail me.

Reunion - Old Cambrian Society (Ontario, Canada) - Saturday 6th May 2006 - Toronto area

Details of the event can be found on the web site at - http://www.oldcambrians.com/events2006Mississauga.html - and the programme has been put together and is being organised by Zahir Dharsee. Being a luncheon event, it gives the opportunity for everyone to extend the reunion well into the afternoon and even the evening. Please contact Zahir - e-mail address zdharsee@rogers.com now to reserve you places.

New Feature Article - Bernard Astley, OBE - Second Headmaster of the Prince of Wales School 1937-1944
We are really being spoilt by some dedicated individuals who are spending enormous amounts of time researching and writing articles about some great people who made our unique school one of the best. The latest of these "masterpieces" features the second headmaster, Bernard Astley, and has been written by Christopher Collier-Wright (Hawke 1954-9). The article can be found at - http://www.oldcambrians.com/Astley.html

Access to the personal diaries and photo collection of Mr Astley certainly shows through in the article, and we are all indebted to Cynthia (née Astley) and Alastair McCrae (Rhodes 1943-6) for providing Christopher with such fascinating accounts of life in Kenya in the 1930s and 1940s.

Does anyone have access to photos of "the Naivasha Days"?

To complete the Astley article, and also to add to the historical record of the school, we need to find some photos of the time during which the school moved to Naivasha (mid-1940 through to the end of 1941). If you have any photos, or know where some might be, please let me know.

Len Gill (New/Grigg 1944-8) and his fabulous books! http://www.oldcambrians.com/Books-LenGill.html

Len is not in very good health at the moment, and is suffering from cancer of the lower back. If you remember Len from school, or if you have been inspired by his fabulous books, please drop him an e-mail at - sunlite@rof.net - he would love to hear from you.

Obituary - Andy Davidson (Scott 1953-9)

- Andy passed away on 21st January 2006, and it clearly came as a great shock to many of his old school mates. His obituary page on the web site contains many tributes, and can be found at - http://www.oldcambrians.com/Obituary-Davidson,Andrew.html

Obituary - Brian Hawkins (Grigg/Hawke 1944-7)

- Brian died on 7th February 2006 at his home in Nairobi. "Hawkeye" was a household name throughout the world's target-shooting fraternity, and helped to put Kenya on the map in that sport. His obituary page on the web site can be found at - http://www.oldcambrians.com/Obituary-Hawkins,Brian.html