Newsletter for
alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 1 July 2017 No. 817
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Dear Friends,
An interesting fact
that I found this morning.
Could someone
contact Harry Laughlin and tell him about the Blog?
Finally, he is in
the prestigious Circular, identifying The Abbey School Oldboys on the internet.
Harry’s proud golden
moment
By ANGELA PIDDUCK
Sunday, March 11 2012
Their Royal
Highnesses, Prince Edward and his wife Princess Sophie, the Earl and Countess
of Wessex, visited Trinidad and Tobago on February 27-29, as part of a tour
through the Caribbean celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.
The Earl
is the youngest son of the Queen and her husband Prince Phillip – the Duke of
Edinburgh.
Among
the first items on the programme was a courtesy call on President George
Maxwell Richards at Knowsley, Port-of-Spain, where the couple attended the
President’s Award Ceremony. The Prince delivered an address and assisted in the
distribution of awards to 23 gold award recipients, most of whom were from
Naparima Girls’ High School in the south.
But how
much do most of us know about the President’s Award, which was originally the
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme? Introduced to this country in 1964 by Cadet
Officers, Captains William Henry and Hugh Walke, both deceased, the pilot
project was conducted by Commander Luftus Peyton Jones and Lt Col Ken Gittens,
also both deceased.
In 1976
when Trinidad and Tobago attained Republican status, the name was changed to
the President’s Award. Participants in the awards programme are encouraged to
pursue and achieve higher levels of competency in four areas: skills of their
choice, physical recreation, adventurous journey/expedition/exploration, and
service to their communities, at three successive levels for bronze, silver and
gold medals.
Sixty-two-year-old
Harry Victor Laughlin is reportedly the first person in this country to have
achieved the Gold Award in 1967, while at The Abbey School in Mount St Benedict.
The Gold
Medal was presented by Sir Werner Boos, acting Governor-General, in June that
year to Laughlin, who was the only one to receive the gold. Eight silver and 63
bronze were also awarded.
Laughlin,
who is manager and part owner of Tech Trinidad Company Limited, still remembers
with a great degree of pride receiving the silver award from the Duke of
Edinburgh himself on February 8, 1966, at the Governor General’s house when he
visited this country.
“The
Duke presented five silver medals to Dennis Gurley, Richard Johnson, Clive
Alexander, John Abraham and myself – all from the Abbey School; and bronze
medals to 30 from the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission Trade school,
six from Belmont Boys’ Intermediate School; two from Trinity College and seven
from the TT Cadet Force. It was the first presentation of medals in Trinidad,”
he said.
Laughlin
further explained, “The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme sets standards in a wide
variety of activities from which you can choose, such as rescue and public
service training, expeditions, pursuits and projections and physical
fitness.
“It is
designed so that it can be adapted to the normal activities of school and youth
organizations, industrial firms and other bodies which have in their care
youngsters between 14 and 21. Most of my activities were chosen from the Boys
Scout movement’s requirements in pursuit of my becoming a Queen’s Scout.
“But I
also had to show some social responsibility by spending time and mixing with boys
at a youth camp, which I think was in Cumuto.” On June 28, 1967, Laughlin
travelled to Canada, where he was one of 30 gold-medallists from 14
Commonwealth countries invited by the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Canada, to
be a part of the Canadian government’s centennial celebrations. “It was my
first visit abroad from this tiny island paradise that is Trinidad, at age 17,
and when I landed in Ontario everything was new, my passport, my clothes and
the chilly weather. As an old boy scout this was a big adventure. The Indians
we saw at the movies back home were now in front of me,” he said.
“We
headed for Tobermory to begin a 180 mile hike to Owen Sound and I began to feel
more at home; we were going into the ‘bush.’ We would be the first ones to
walk/hike the 180 mile Bruce Trail officially. The trail, which back then only
went as far as Owen Sound, now extends to Niagara Falls.
“The
hike at first was not difficult and camping at night wasn’t really roughing it,
as cooks and tents preceded us to the site. The Georgian Escarpment was divine,
so much so I decided one afternoon to take a dive into the clear blue waters
only to be shocked on entry, I was frozen! The 13 mile area along the trail
towards the end was challenging, with rugged protruding rocks. The camp fires
at night and cultural exchanges made us all laugh at each other… How that
expedition has affected my life? I suppose it taught me we all aspire for the
same things, materially and spiritually, despite coming from different
countries and cultures. It was definitely a culture shock, I grew up
fast.”
Laughlin
remained in Canada and worked in the Trinidad Pavilion at Montreal EXPO ’67,
while waiting on O-Level results from Trinidad to enter university. He
completed Grade 13 at College Prep Academy in Montreal between 1967and 1968 and
then entered St Mary’s University, Halifax, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Mathematics in 1973.
With no
career mind, Laughlin worked on ships transporting iron ore, in construction
and with the multicultural association of Halifax, returning to Trinidad in
1979, where he worked in th woodworking industry, before setting up his own
business in 1980.
Laughlin
is married to Dale (nee Hutcheon) and they are parents of two adult daughters,
Stephanie, a dancer in London, and Candice, an Architect in Hamilton, Ontario.
Laughlin’s extra-curricular activities include music, photography and squash,
in which he represented Trinidad and Tobago for eight years. He is still
actively involved in playing the game.
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Raphael
Benedict How Chung
Gentlemen of the Order of The Abbey, I am sharing some sad news
for some of us! Desmond de Nobriga whom we have all warmly and lovingly come to
know as Tuco, our football and basketball coach at The Mount, passed away this
morning. He was eighty five years old. May his soul Rest In Peace and may
perpetual light shine upon him always! For those interested, further details
will be sent on this site as soon as I receive and further Information.
Blessings all!!!
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May
Tuco rest in peace.
Condolences
to Tuco's family and friend circles. May he rest in peace.
Condolences
to the family.
RIP
So
sorry to hear this. Just last week Rory Davis and myself were talking about
him. May soul rest in peace.
Oh
Tucs..I so wanted to give you a grown man hug my brother before you existed
this realm..now all I have are the memories..who really knows what's in store
when our last breath is expelled but I truly hope there's a meet up in the
cards..the tear I shed just might be for me..you will be missed my friend..
A
great coach, to the history of sports on the Mount. May he rest in peace.
Spoke
with him a few months ago , sounded great didn't complain about any health
problems.. sad ...
Taught me everything I knew about football and basket ball. Great coach. May he rest in eternal peace .
Taught me everything I knew about football and basket ball. Great coach. May he rest in eternal peace .
He was
doing quite well but he fell down about three weeks ago and had a cast placed
on his arm and never seemed to have fared well thereafter!
RIP
coach.
Tuco
came to the Mount and made a big difference in the sports . Big impact ..modern
vision...rebellious...funny...humorous....Big sportsman....Big heart...He
stayed at my home in St. John village for part of his latter life...I consider
him a good friend....Rest In Peace my friend you did contribute your part.
Coach
Tuco R.I.P. I can still hear you singing early in the morning. "Good
morning it is time for physical training".
Last
time i saw tuco was in 2010. when i went to the first class reunion. May god
bless his soul. He was a good coach. Good memories from his time with us at the
field. Rest in peace my friend.
God
has him!!!
May he
R I P condolences to his family..
Raphael, any more info?
I
posted it on the Yahoo site, Kazim! There was a service at Clark and Battoo at
8.30 am today and the burial at Lapeyrouse Cemetery after!
What
is this Yahoo site? Post me a link here please Raphael.
The
one with the post from Ladislao, Kazim!
Sorry,
9.30 am today!
Oh man
too late..wanted to send a wreath..I'll have to visit his grave site when I
visit my mom and dad..we have side by side family plots there..
Post a
photo of Tucos
Will
try and get one, Winston!
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15-03-2017 11:44:02:
M Charles Neil: So, just eat okra and u will live disease free. I don't think
so
15-03-2017 19:34:40:
M Coscarart Salvador: Today i had a Bone Marrow test . Everything went good and
am home resting. Tomorrow i go do a PET scan. I'll keep you posted.
15-03-2017 19:47:22:
M Kenny Azizul: Good luck tomorrow brother
15-03-2017 20:13:27:
Mt Dornellas Michael: All the best tomorrow.
15-03-2017 20:38:42:
M Cantore Oscar: Suerte Salvador un abrazo
16-03-2017 08:56:01:
M Moffie Edgar: Salvador....hermano buena suerte...estamos contigo en todo
momento......
16-03-2017 13:15:14:
M Coscarart Salvador: Thank you brothers appreciated much
17-03-2017 18:10:15:
M Zanelli Victor: New Aqualads
18-03-2017 14:41:00:
M Coscarart Salvador: You better believe it . jajajajaj
19-03-2017 00:58:53:
Joseph Habib: Love what I just heard. Hope the people who are doing wrong and
make it right. Thank you.
20-03-2017 11:49:42:
M Charles Neil: More coke and snacks for me
21-03-2017 11:49:33:
M Ibarra Frank: El gran coño de su madre a todos los camaradas!!!
21-03-2017 12:06:32:
M Tito: Que BBBBerguenza con B de BBBBurro como los Chavistas
21-03-2017 12:46:06:
+1 (813) 440-0251: hello
everyone!!!
21-03-2017 12:47:54:
M Zanelli Enrique: Hello Sarkis.... welcome to the group!!
21-03-2017 12:48:14:
M Kenny Azizul: Hi Farchack how u
21-03-2017 13:06:40:
+1 (813) 440-0251: I am ok, thanks
for the welcome!!! what about you all?
21-03-2017 13:13:10:
M Allen Keith: Hi Farchack I remember you Put up a picture
21-03-2017 13:15:48:
+1 (813) 440-0251: which one? you
guys like my chickens coop? whom wants to join me???
21-03-2017 13:26:29:
M Cantore Oscar: I will join you gladly
21-03-2017 13:27:06:
+1 (813) 440-0251: jajaja!!!!
21-03-2017 13:44:59:
M Coscarart Salvador: jajajajajaja me to while you on it send me a bottle.
Jajajajaj
21-03-2017 14:01:49:
M Charles Neil: Is that 12,15 or 18 yo? Never had the master blend Where are
the chicken s
21-03-2017 15:14:17:
M Coscarart Salvador: I'll take 18
21-03-2017 15:21:33:
+1 (813) 440-0251: np no chicken
yet, have to buy this week end. and yes is 18, with 18 glasses you are down the
bottle...jajaja
21-03-2017 17:15:38:
M Gomes Ian: Seems to me frank has not changed re: above. Still a MSB boy at
heart. Love it 😆
21-03-2017 17:28:16:
M Ibarra Frank: Hi Ian, it just came out from the bottom of my heart ❤!!!!
21-03-2017 17:44:26:
M Gomes Ian: Hi frank. Same for me. I feel for all my brothers who are
experiencing heartache under the present regime. I do believe things will get
better when all people have had enough and the spirt of Simon Bolivar
reawakens.
21-03-2017 18:28:33:
M Coscarart Salvador: Simon is needed right nowwwwwww.Regards my brothers
21-03-2017 18:30:56:
M Gomes Ian: Aye. Pray for a deliverer of his ilk. The lord will answer the
prayers of the masses in his own time and he will not burden anyone with more
than they can bear.
21-03-2017 18:31:53:
M Coscarart Salvador: Amen brother Good memories.
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EDITED by Ladislao
Kertesz, kertesz11@yahoo.com,
if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you
would like to include.
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Photos:
13LK9972FBHLANDO, Harry Laughlin and Desmond de Nobriga
68SC0102PARROTS, Parrots Troop
59WK0003SPORTS, Winston Kerry´s photo
17LK0720FBNDVWFE, Nicholas de Verteuil and wife
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