BACK TO NEWSLETTER 2000 CONTENTS
Dear Nick
Congratulations to the Society and to those involved in the production of the Newsletter. It is a worthy publication.
Please would you add my e-mail address to the next list.
I have noted the date of 16th September 2000 and have every intention of joining the choir and diners. The 1998 event was most enjoyable and I commend it to other OCs with anything of a voice and appetite for good food. Another big occasion will be the Rotherham Male Voice choir joining other choirs in the Sheffield Arena on 25th November 2000, when we expect 2000 male voices plus a women's choir and a band.
For the next edition of the Newsletter I can only report that I continue to enjoy a very busy 'retirement' here in Yorkshire. Joyce & I are now into our fifth year of fostering 5 - 10-year-olds. Our first placement broke down after six weeks when our home suffered a bit of devastation. The second (meant to be for a couple of months) ended up with us adopting Adam last year! For the next, our 6 and 5 year old great niece and nephew were here nearly two years while their mother went through re-habilitation - successfully, we're glad to say. Now we have a 6-year-old with 'global development delay" for a few months till he is adopted; he has a lovely nature but is on the go all the time and has difficulty communicating - although we notice a big improvement now that he has our children and their friends to stimulate him. Fostering can be so rewarding and its seldom too late to start (I now draw my pension and child benefit for two children!)
I keep my 'secretary's" hand in as Clerk to the Governors of two primary schools and Deputy Secretary of the RMVC. With my 16-year-old son, Ziggy's, help I hire out a bouncy castle, mainly in the Summer. I am still Treasurer of St Thomas' church in Kimberworth and quite involved with its day to day running. As Joyce also works 30 hrs a week in a hostel for homeless 16-20 year-olds, we lead a very active and happy life.
My contact with OCs is little, though Michael Chapman stayed with us earlier this year following the death of his wife, Barbara. I also have contact with Michael Gaskin - mentioned in your 1999 'where are they now" - who told me that Cedric German has recently died (Prep School in 1942? - Clayesmore 1948-52); also that David Dyer is not at all well. John Spittal (same era) called me recently when he discovered my Yorkshire address after 9 years! He continues to lead a busy family life in Windsor. It was good to see Pip Smith's name in the Newsletter – Jonathan Fryer was seeking him several years ago.
Anthony Prewett (42 – 53)