Our President JEAN WALSH (HUGHES) celebrated her 90th birthday on 3rd November. The association sent her a card and a beautiful floral display, created for us by MARGARET SIMPSON (ATKINS).

We congratulate ROSANNA FOX (BREDDA) on her marriage to Charles and wish them every happiness. The latest good news concerning her recovery, is that she will not need an operation, which had been a possibility.

JULIE ANNE CUTLER (MATTHEWS) has a granddaughter, Berenice Joan, born to her daughter PENELOPE (CUTLER), who went to St. Peter's School.

Congratulation to Emma, daughter of CHRISTINE (HINES), who was married on 12th August. On 12th October PAUL GILLINGS was invited back to St. Thomas Garnet's School to attend their Harvest Mass.

He was surprised and proud to be presented with the Bene Merenti Award for his services to Catholic Education, Corpus Christi Parish and the Diocese. The Association sent Paul a card of congratulation.

I gleaned the following information from the St. Peter's School Past Pupils' Association Newsletter:- After leaving the Convent Paul attended St. Peter's from 1952 until 1964, when he went to Hopwood Hall, Manchester, the De La Salle Teacher Training College.

He left there in 1967 to teach at Holy Family School, Rochdale for a year. Returning to Bournemouth he taught at St Walburga's and then at Holy Cross (now Corpus Christi) Schools.

From there he became Deputy Head at St Mary's First School, Swanage and then Senior Teacher / Deputy Head at St Joseph's Combined School at Parkstone.

In 1992 he was appointed Head Teacher at St Thomas Garnet's School in Parkwood Road, Boscombe. Paul says that he has enjoyed his time as a teacher and has happy memories of parents and especially of the children.

He is looking forward to fulfilling a childhood ambition to travel across Canada by train, next May, and then to visit Hong Kong in the Summer.

We thank Paul for all his co operation and encouragement over the years and wish him many days and years of contented retirement.

St. Peter's Past Pupils'Association Dinner
The Dinner was held at The Cumberland Hotel, Bournemouth, this year; 70+ enjoyed a very good evening, celebrating 70 years of excellence in Catholic Education.

In September 1936 the Jesuits opened St Peter's School at Southbourne, with about 36 pupils, a mixture of boarders and day scholars. Among the diners were some of the early years pupils; Keith Watson, who was Guest of Honour, Frank Brooks and John Hughes.

Your committee sent a card of congratulation and appreciation, which was read out at the Dinner.

I, Mary Brooks (Browning), was representing the Convent Past Pupils: others who were present were, ANNE McKinney (CARPENTER) & her daughter OONAGH, RITA (CARPENTER) & her husband PETER TOBIN, & their brother PADDY CARPENTER.

CATHERINE LANE (LUCAS) with her husband Chris, JANE LUCAS (MILLER) & her husband, MARGARET RULE (K1RRANE) with her son David were among the diners.

The BROWNINGS were there in force ! PAULINE, ANNE KENEFICK, CHRISTINE THACKRAY, MARTIN and, of course, TOMMY.

In July Fr. LEO ARNOLD S.J. was in Boscombe, on holiday from Rome, where he is a Professor. He stayed at the Presbytery at 9 Harvey Road, which is opposite the house which was built for his family when their father Vincent Arnold was the caretaker at The Convent.

PAUL GILLINGS allowed Leo to explore his former home, now the Kindergarten of St. Thomas Garnet's School, thus reviving many memories. During his stay FRANCIS, TONY & JOHN LEESON came to entrust the manuscript music of their father to the church's archives.

The late CHARLES LEESON composed many pieces during his years as organist and choirmaster at Corpus Christ! Church. He also taught at the Convent and composed the School Song, "Hail Boscombe Hail," remembered and loved by many past pupils.

The 3 brothers had requested permission to have a tour of the former Convent and Leo was delighted to accompany them around the building, which had been in his father's care for so many years. Tony Leeson has been in touch with me, the family were very friendly with the Mortons and he was interested in hearing news of Sr. CATHERINE MORTON.

Fr. LEO ARNOLD & Fr. PAUL HACKETT celebrated 60 years in the Society of Jesus in September. Fr. Leo had returned to Rome but Fr. Paul returned to Boscombe from Scotland to celebrate, he had been parish priest at Corpus Christ! in the late 70s.

The three Fr. Hacketts S.J. grew up in the parish & attended St Peter's. The 5p.m. Mass on Sunday 10th was concelebrated by the 3 brothers and Fr. KEITH COLLINS, brother of EILEEN BENDALL (COLLINS) & SR. MARGARET COLLINS.

Fr. Keith is also a St Peter's past pupil and currently parish priest at Broadstone church, after many years in Wimborne.

Fr. MARK HACKETT was over from Zimbabwe; following Mass we had a parish party. JIMMY & JANE O'BRIEN (THURGOOD) came, Jimmy and Fr. Mark have been friends since childhood.

The WEBSITE www. rc-churches.net continues to bring much pleasure to past pupils who discover it. GLENN EDGELEY-LONG, its creator, has now put on a 'Search' to help us find where the required names are to be found.

We are very grateful to him for his ongoing interest and work. The photos from the Reunions are there and it is possible to get prints from them.

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