Diamond
oldies join the Golden Oldies at Villiers
PAST
pupils of Villiers School from around the world gathered in the
Limerick Inn for a reunion dinner for classes who had left the
school prior to 1960.
Many
of these people had attended Villiers when the school was in Henry
Street, which later became the Shannon Arms Hotel.
Australia,
Canada, Hong Kong, America, Germany, England, Scotland, Wales
and Ireland were all represented in what soon became a lively
and spirited occasion.
According
to one past pupil some people arrived at the hotel as early as
6.30pm but didn't leave until the small hours of the morning.
"Everyone
really enjoyed themselves and it was great to get the chance to
do some catching up."
Thomas
Hardy, headmaster, reminisced about former Headmasters. Unfortunately,
the only one able to attend was John Ruddock, the most recently
retired, and of course no stranger to Limerick music circles.
Many
changes have taken place in Villers School in recent years which
has resulted in bigger and better facilities.
Those
who visited the school on Saturday afternoon were full of praise
for the improvements they could see, drawing many comparisons
with the boarding facilities that existed over 20 years ago.
Dormitories
containing six beds were considered equivalent to four-star accommodation
by former boarders.
The
new sports hall was admired by everyone and many memories of the
days spent on the LPYMA field on the Ennis Road were recalled.
Phyllis
Doherty, speaking on behalf of the reunion committee, said she
had heard people refer to the night as the Golden Oldies Reunion
but she felt there were some Diamond Oldies present.
The
committee, under the chairmanship of John Alfred, had enjoyed
finding former students and many letters had been received by
them from people unable to attend.
Jessie
Taylor, a past pupil who had received severe head injuries in
an accident and who has written a book of her experiences in regaining
her memory and learning to live again, praised her former English
teacher, Eveline Wallace, who was also present, for her ability
to write the book.
Pat
Gale another former teacher, was welcomed warmly by so many pupils
that it was easy to see how popular she was.
A
large exhibition of old photographs recorded many events in the
life of the schools and brought back many memories for the students.
Comments
were made about how people had or had not changed.
