Brackenber Dinner

Every year, if I'm here, I attend the annual Brackenber House School Old Boys' dinner. It's held at the Ulster Reform Club in Royal Avenue, Belfast.

It was a dry evening, so I donned the glad rags, including the old school tie, and cycled into town.

The door-man at the club invariably advises me to bring my bike inside for safety.

Thence I made my way upstairs to the top floor, where the Old Billiards Room is located.

Brackenber House, Cleaver Avenue, Belfast

I gather there were forty-eight of us this year, a good number given that Brackenber closed in 1985.

As always this was a memorable occasion.

I was seated at Table Two.

There were several familiar faces missing this year, though apologies were received from a number of Old Boys and naturally numbers are dwindling: names of deceased Old Boys are read out to us. 

Gordon McCaw beside me suggested that I enable an audible feature to the Blog (how on earth is that done?), and Paddy Lowry mentioned "Spotify."

The Oxford grey lounge suit remains in remarkably excellent condition, given that it was tailored in Belfast in 1982; it still fits me like a glove; a greedy moth, however, has gained access to it and there are two holes. 

I shrug my shoulders and wear it regardless.

Johnny Irvine, who was at Brackenber with me in 1973, was at the dinner this year.

The School Report

Several years ago I stumbled upon a large brown envelope, full of miscellaneous documents relating to Brackenber House School; and containing my personal Report Book.

This booklet is red in colour.

The first page states: To be returned to the Headmaster at the beginning of each term.

My final Brackenber report was in the Summer Term of 1973, when I was thirteen years old.

I was in Form Five, and the average number of pupils in the form was 15:-

LATIN: "Good progress" (Mr Maguire)

FRENCH: "Good" (Mr McQuoid)

ENGLISH: "His English has improved considerably" (Mr McQuoid)

SCRIPTURE: "Good progress" (TP)

HISTORY: "Not very good" (Mr Craig)

GEOGRAPHY: "Steady improvement" (Mr Maguire)

MATHEMATICS: "He has worked very well this term" (Mr Magowan?)

ALGEBRA/GEOMETRY "Has improved but still gaps in his knowledge of elementary ***

DRAWING: "Some good work" (Mr Cross?)

SCIENCE: "Satisfactory" (Mrs Dunlop)

GENERAL REPORT: "He has made satisfactory progress generally... he did well to pass the Common Entrance considering the great handicap [late starter] he had. He has had a good career here & we wish him well at Campbell" (Mr Craig)

CONDUCT: "Excellent" (Mr Craig)

GAMES: "He made good progress in his game of cricket & proved a fine runner"


Doubtless some of them were being charitable to me.

I was awful at Maths, geography and history.

As Mr Craig, said, though, I was a good sprinter and promising athlete.

First published in November, 2009.

Cleaver Avenue Revisited

College Gardens, Belfast, 2021 (Image: Timothy Ferres)

In February, 2021, I went for a walk from Queen's University towards Malone Road in Belfast.

I was eager to take another photograph of College Gardens from Methodist College.

College Gardens in 1896 (Image: Belfast Historical Photographical Society)

Field Marshal Sir John Dill's father lived at 6 College Gardens, directly opposite the College.

In my article about Sir John I posted an old image of College Gardens, and Number Seven, I think, featured a conspicuous conservatory attached to the gable wall.

Gable Wall where Conservatory existed, 2021 (Image: Timothy Ferres)

The "impression" of that glasshouse remains to this day, as does a bricked-up window or french window at the gable.

Before I took the new image I ambled into the Ulster Bank at University Road, just round the corner, to have a word with the staff about my project (though nothing was known about the Field Marshal's bank manager father, unsurprisingly).

Thereafter I continued my walk, from the beginning of Malone Road, past many leafy parks, including Adelaide Park and the Chinese consulate, until Cleaver Avenue was reached.

Brackenber House School

At least fifty years ago I was a pupil at Brackenber House School, Cleaver Avenue, though alas that venerable academic institution was demolished several decades ago for the Cleaver Court housing development.

Location of Brackenber at Cleaver Court, off Cleaver Avenue

Opposite the site of Brackenber, however, I noticed a Blue Plaque on a house in memory of Sir Samuel Dill (1844-1924), a distant cousin of Sir John Dill.

Was this the site of Montpelier House?

I continued along Malone Road until I came to its junction with Stranmillis Road, where I crossed the road and walked the entire length of Cranmore Gardens, on to Lisburn Road, and back to College Gardens or thereabouts.

An interesting stroll.

First published in February, 2021.

Brackenber Prospectus: I

MANY OLD BRACKENBRIANS HOLD BRACKENBER IN HIGH ESTEEM AND WITH DEEP AFFECTION. HERE IS THE 1970 PROSPECTUS.

BRACKENBER MDCCCCXXX - MDCCCCLXXXV

 

Momentote Omentote Vos Superstites Scholæ Brackenbris

Qui Hinc Progressi Disciplina Eius Minime

Dedecorata Famam Bonam Ac Mores Ipsis

Ascivistis.

  Be ever mindful, you who have survived,
Of what, from Brackenber, you have derived,
Who forth have gone, its training undisgraced,
And morals and a goodly name embraced.

Headmaster: John L McC Craig BA

HISTORY

The school was founded in 1930 and moved to 6-10, Cleaver Avenue, Belfast, in 1939.

In 1950 the school was taken over by the parents of the pupils, and a company limited by guarantee was formed to conduct the School without a profit motive and to maintain the good reputation which it had so long enjoyed.

AIM

The aim of the school is not so much to lay stress on scholarship work as to make each boy try his hardest both at work and at games, and to give him a thorough all-round training that he may do well at his Public School; to give a boy the individual instruction and attention that he needs; and to lay great emphasis on manners and general conduct.

CURRICULUM

The regular school course includes Scripture, English subjects, Latin, French, Mathematics and Science .... mainly on the lines of the Common Entrance Examination to the Public Schools.

As far as possible the work is so arranged that each boy is able to develop at his own rate, independent of others, thus ensuring normal and steady progress.

He is neither retarded by duller boys nor forced to try to keep pace with quicker ones.

CLASS HOURS

Morning School: 9.15am to 1pm
Afternoon School (or games): 2.15pm to 3.45pm
Saturday is a whole holiday.

Part 2 shall include Home-Work, Games, Discipline, Special Features and Admission.

First published in February, 2011.

Valedictory Letter

My parents sent me to BRACKENBER HOUSE SCHOOL, a small prep school at Cleaver Avenue, off the Malone Road, Belfast.

I can't remember why I wasn't sent to Cabin Hill, though do recall paying a visit to Rockport School with my mother and Godmother to have a look.

At any rate, I enjoyed my time at Brackenber. It seemed to suit me well.

I was there from about 1971 until 1973, or thereabouts, before moving up to Campbell College.

Some years later I (and presumably everybody else) received a letter from Brackenber's last headmaster, John Craig MA, following his retirement.

This is clearly valedictory in nature.

Unfortunately the date has been omitted.

I'm fairly sure, however, that it must have been circa 1985.

If there happen to be any Old Brackenbrians reading this, perhaps you know of the school's final month and year?

It reflects Mr Craig's feelings about Brackenber, his profound devotion and deep affection for what was literally his home (he lived on the top floor) and his life:-

Click to Enlarge

First published in August, 2009.

Royal County Down Golf Club

The Royal County Down Golf Club, Newcastle, County Down, was established in 1889 by a group of Belfast businessmen.

The Club has two eighteen-hole links courses, viz. The Championship Course and The Annesley Links.

The clubhouse was built in 1896, to designs by Vincent Craig (brother of Sir James Craig, later 1st Viscount Craigavon), and opened in September of the following year.

The building cost of £2,200 (about £300,000 in 2020) and was partly funded by the Belfast and County Down Railway, which ran a Golfers' Express train from Belfast every Saturday.

The railway company and its successor, the Ulster Transport Authority, maintained formal links with the club until 1968.

Slieve Donard Hotel in early 20th century

The Slieve Donard Hotel, adjacent to Royal County Down, has always had close associations with the club, having originally opened, in 1898, as a railway hotel.

Royal patronage was conferred on the Club in 1908 by EDWARD VII.

In 1965, the clubhouse was extended at a cost of £60,000, with additional changing-room facilities added to the ground floor and extensive remodelling of rooms to the first floor.

The Centenary Extension, added in 1989, provided a visitors bar to the first floor and ladies toilets to the ground floor.

The most recent extension and refurbishment occurred in 2005.

The original two-storey Clubhouse is in the Domestic-Revival style.

It has a rosemary clay tile roof, dormers, gables and bays, with a battered Scrabo stone finish to the ground floor which rises to the first floor cill level.

The Clubhouse was extended in 1965, with a sympathetic additional extension ca 1992, the latter to designs by Hobart & Heron.

In the middle of the south elevation an external timber stair ascends to a gabled timber porch with recessed central double doors and a segmental fanlight.

The porch has glazed sides each with three large panes surmounted with a small decorative fanlight.

The Irish Open golf championship was held at Royal County Down from the 28-30th May, 2015.

A number of Old Brackenbrians (a degree of partiality here!) have served the office of Captain, namely: Michael Harkness; Dr Peter Brown; and Kenneth McCaw.

Royal County Down is widely considered to be one of the finest golf links in the British Isles.

First published in June, 2014.

Brackenber In The 1950s

A fellow Old Brackenbrian, Tom Graham, sent me three photographs of staff and pupils at Brackenber House prep school, Belfast, during the mid-fifties.

Many thanks, Tom, for such a wonderful contribution.

If you click on the image below, it ought to enlarge.

Tom describes these pictures in his own words:-

Above is a school photo from about 1956/57.

So few pupils, so many teachers!

A student/teacher ratio which would bring a tear to the eye of any modern educator.

On Mr Craig's left is the famous Miss Rankin.

I can't name any of the young women to her left.

To his right is Mr Henry, Deputy Principal.

He left to become an actor with the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-upon-Avon; then Mr Hunter, next, I believe is the Sport/PE master, whose name escapes me.

Mr Ferguson and two unknown trainee teachers complete the line-up.

They were all good teachers.

Their skills greatly eased the transition to Secondary education.


The photo above suggests that not all reds are equal.

Substantial differences in the blazers are clearly visible.

The BHS monogram is missing from many pockets.

My guess is that many families must have struggled financially, and economised by not buying blazers from the approved supplier.

My parents managed to outfit my brother as well as myself from the approved supplier, but only just, I suspect.

The parents at my daughter's private school ran a thriving a second hand uniform shop.

I can't remember any such thing at Brackenber.

I do not recall an overcoat being part of the uniform.

Its cost might have been the final straw which would have deterred some parents.

PS That's me, Tom, in the top left corner!

Above is the football team from 1956/57.

We tried hard, but rarely succeeded.

The school was small,  so the talent pool was shallow.

We played against Rockport and Cabin Hill, but not against nearby Inchmarlo.

The school supplied the shirts, but not the socks, shorts,or boots.

As you can see, the sports budget did not stretch to providing more than one size of shirt!

For away matches, Mr Craig took all twelve of us in his car!

First published in 2009.

Brackenber Prospectus: III

ADMISSION

Boys are received from the age of seven into the Main School and may remain until fourteen.

The normal and uninterrupted preparatory course being five to six years, boys are expected to remain at the school for at least half this period.

To enter a boy it is necessary to complete the entry form enclosed, and to pay an entry fee of one guinea.

REPORTS

A short report on each boy in the Main School is sent out at half-term, and a detailed Report is sent at the end of the Term.

SCHOOL TERMS

There are three Terms in the School Year, beginning about January 15th, April 20th and September 6th.

PRE-PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT

Boys under the age of seven enter the Junior School, which is divided into a Transition and two Kindergarten forms, and pass to the Main School before their eighth birthday; to ensure individual attention the number of boys in this department is limited. Class hours - Mornings only.

REMOVAL

One full Term's notice, given in writing, or the payment of a term's Fees, is required before Removal. Fees are not returnable in any circumstances.

DRESS

All boys wear the School cap, tie and stockings (which may be obtained only from School outfitters*). 

The School blazer is compulsory for Cricket, and School shirts for Football.

*Messrs. Warnock - Royal Avenue
*Messrs. Wood Stuart - Howard Street

INTERVIEWS

By appointment only.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Boxing - £1 0s 0d. a Term
Swimming - £1 0s 0d. a Term
Judo - £1 10s 0d. a Term
Lunch - 3s 6d. a Day

A reduction of Fees will gladly be made, if required, to the sons of clergymen, and in the case of two or more brothers being in the School at the same time.


This concludes my series of the Brackenber Prospectus.

First published in February, 2011.

Brackenber Prospectus: II

HOME-WORK

Very little home-work is required of the younger boys but about 1½ hours' preparation every evening is expected of the Upper Forms.

The work set should be done without any outside help, and may be prepared under supervision at the school, from 4pm to 5pm. on work afternoons and from 4.30-5.30 on Games days.

GAMES

Games are played on two afternoons a week in the Winter terms and on three afternoons in the Summer, and all boys are expected to take part in them.

They are carefully coached under the supervision of the Headmaster, and keenness is encouraged.

The Ground is at Ormeau (by arrangement with the North of Ireland Cricket and Football club).

The games played are Cricket, Association and Rugby Football and Table Tennis.

Athletic Sports take place during the Summer Term.

Boxing, Judo and Swimming, though voluntary, are encouraged.

Boxing and Judo lessons are given at the School and boys learning Swimming attend the Baths once a week during the Summer Term.

A systematic course of Physical Training is given twice a week.

DISCIPLINE

Discipline is in the hands of the Headmaster.

Boys are required to attend School punctually and regularly.

Sickness is the only recognised reason for absence, unless permission from the Headmaster has been previously obtained.

The conduct of boys outside the School will be dealt with by the Headmaster if it is of such a kind as to reflect discredit on the School.

SPECIAL FEATURES

In the Upper Forms English Classics are read, and the boys' reading of good literature is encouraged.

A Recitation competition takes place at the end of each term.

For the purpose of encouraging keenness in work and games the School is divided into four "Sections", between which there is continuous competition.

The School has a Debating Society, a small Library and a Chess Club, which are run by the boys themselves, under supervision of a member of the Staff.

Part III shall include Admission, Reports, School Terms, Removal and Dress.

First published in February, 2011.

Brackenber Dinner 2022

How marvellous to be able to attend the annual BRACKENBER HOUSE SCHOOL dinner again.

Our last winter dinner at the Ulster Reform Club occurred on the 7th February, 2020.

We were unable to have our winter dinner in 2021 due to the "Covid" pandemic.

Accordingly I donned the glad rags, spruced myself up, and motored into town, specifically to North Street at its junction with Rosemary Street, where I found a parking space.

On entering the threshold I was greeted by the doorman, who advised me to proceed to the top floor, where the old billiards-room is located.

In 2020 there were 55 of us; whereas this year the complement was closer to 35, I gather.

Several dozen old boys had sent apologies.

Gordon has been endeavouring to get me to speak at the dinner, though so far I've been reluctant to do it.

I've never given a speech in my life!

Still, last night Jeff Dudgeon spoke to us all with great aplomb and fascinated us with reminiscences of his schooldays and career.

The Ulster Reform Club chef worked wonders, once again, by cooking the three-course meal comprising a starter of Red Tail Prawns, baked in a roast garlic and Cheddar cream, with crusty bread.

We were then served char-grilled, eight-ounce sirloin steak with Bordelaise sauce, mashed potato, carrot, and bowls of French-fried potatoes.

Pudding was apple crumble and vanilla custard.

My table was beside the lectern; to my left, Gordon Harvey, Paul, now the Lord Bew, and Jeff Dudgeon.

To my right: Dermot and the Pierce brothers (I was at school with Michael).

A thousand thanks, as ever, to Gordon Harvey and Don Bannister for organizing the event.

Brackenber School: 1930-1985

Here is the very last entry on page 34 of The Brackenbrian, Brackenber House School's magazine:-

BRACKENBER MDCCCCXXX - MDCCCCLXXXV

Momentote vos superstites scholae Brackenbris

qui hinc progressi disciplina eius minime

dedecorata famam bonam ac mores ipsis ascivistis.

Be ever mindful, you who have survived,

Of what, from Brackenber, you have derived,
Who forth have gone, its training undisgraced,
And morals and a goodly name embraced

Briefly scanning the school register, a few interesting names of former alumni have emerged:-

L. OPIK 1969 - 1976

He went to RBAI where he had a brilliant academic career. He is now at Bristol University reading Philosophy and President of the Students' Union there. He must have been there during my time; I don't remember him, though. 

H. J. HASTINGS 1971 - 1975.

After a successful career at Harrow he went to Nottingham University where he obtained his law degree. He is now with Peat Marwick, London, studying for an accountancy degree. Howard Hastings and I were pals. I think we began a Corgi Toys club in the library, or something like that with others.

The above entries were written almost 25 years ago.

Brackenber House School

Brackenber House School was located at Cleaver Avenue, off Malone Road, in Belfast.

Paul, now the Lord Bew, is an Old Brackenbrian.

At the BHA Dinner held at the School on Friday, 4th January, 1985, the Toast of the School was proposed by another Old Brackenbrian, the Honourable Mr Justice Hutton, who went on to become the Right Honourable Sir Brian Hutton, Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland; culminating in the House of Lords as the Lord Hutton, a Law Lord.

Lord Hutton attended the annual BHS dinner in 2011.

First published in December, 2011.

Brackenber Day

THE HEADMASTER'S VALEDICTORY LETTER

Here is the final correspondence I received from Brackenber's last headmaster, Mr John Craig, following his retirement.

It is clearly valedictory in nature.

Click on the image to read it.

It reflects Mr Craig's feelings about Brackenber; his profound devotion and deep affection for what became his home and his life; his dedication, care and passion for our school:-

click to enlarge

First published in February, 2011.

High Flyer

I was thirteen years old when this picture was taken.

Believe it or not, I won the senior 100 yards, long jump, triple jump and, I think, the 220 yards; and went on to win the Victor Ludorum.

The occasion was the annual Brackenber House School sports day, which took place at North of Ireland Cricket Club grounds, Ormeau Road, Belfast, in 1973.

The gentleman wearing the hat was Mr Bull, the PE teacher; Mike Bull's father.

First published in January, 2013.

Brackenber House Dinner 2020

Last night (7th February, 2020) many Old Brackenbrians gathered once again at the Ulster Reform Club, Royal Avenue, Belfast, for our annual bash.

I managed to get a parking space at North Street, near the beginning of Rosemary Street.

When I arrived a dozen or more old boys were already there, in the Old Billiards Room on the top floor of the club.

It's always a pleasure to see old faces again, even if it's once a year, and last night was no exception.

There were fifty-five of us this year, almost identical to 2019.

Gordon Harvey and Donald Bannister always organize the dinner superbly.

The after-dinner speech was carried out with considerable aplomb and humour by CT Hogg.

It was a pleasure to meet Jeremy Burchill, who now lives in Yorkshire.

Please do send me your comments and recollections, old boys.

Brackenber Research

I paid PRONI a visit in 2011 in order to carry out some research on my old prep school, Brackenber House:-

The very first entry in the Belfast street directory that I could see was for Cherry Hill House in 1852.

It was built for the Ward family, erstwhile gunpowder merchants, damask and table linen manufacturers.

Thomas Ward carried out business at 25 Bridge Street in Belfast (close to High Street); and, in 1852, his residence was Cherry Hill (Brackenber) at Malone.

I received an email from John Ward in October, 2022:-

"Good Afternoon,

"You quite often mention Brackenber."

"It was built by my great grandfather James Ward he called it Cherry Hill; he had previously lived at Strawberry Hill near Lisburn."

"Cherry Hill occupied about approx 8.5 acres and went down to the Lagan."

"He must have been a right prig because the street before  CherryHill was opened by him so that his servants would not use the main entrance." 

"He died in Los Angeles in 1914 and his body was brought back to Belfast and buried in the family grave at Drumbeg."

"Sadly my brother Patrick is also there. He was a medical student at Queens and drowned in a sailing accident in England while sailing for the university."

"Cherry Hill went to my great uncle, also James Ward. They owned 3 linen firms in Belfast and Lisburn and quite a bit of property."

"I was born in Belfast in 1934, christened by my great-uncle Dean Dowse in St Thomas, Lisburn Road; and my christening party was one of the last events at Cherry Hill."

I lived near Millisle when I was in the linen business but I did not want my children growing up in NI(sadly) so I now live in Brisbane, Oz." 

"Cheers, John Earls."

"PS: on the other side my grandfather Professor John Earls was principal of the ’Tec and had a chair in maths at Queen's."

In 1876, Cherry Hill extended to twelve acres.

Cherry Hill was between Adelaide House and Montpelier House where, in 1863, the Rev John Wrixton, Rector of St John's Malone, resided.

A Miss Ward still lived at Cherry Hill in 1924.

By the 1930s, Brackenber House School had opened at 29/33 Windsor Park, Belfast.

In July,1939, Cherryhill was purchased by Brackenber for £2,250 (£115,000 in today's money), subject to a ground rent of £15.

By August, 1939, the grounds at Cherryhill had been levelled and left in a fairly tidy condition.

At the back of the house, the land was now square, a portion having been allotted to one of the new houses. Sewers and water supply were to be tested, too.

The interior of house was inspected and practically all pipes, baths etc were taken out and renewed by Mr Wadman.

The roof was inspected for dry-rot or wood beetle.

A new gas supply was provided.

On the 26th October, 1939, the estate agent, Mr McConnell, had a conversation with Mr Harkness and Mr Kerr after inspection of Cherryhill house.

There was talk of some woodworm; Mr Harkness would be prepared to accept a price of £3,750 free of rent, including approximately one and a half acres.

The ground floor of what was to become Brackenber had four reception  rooms; first floor, five main bedrooms, three smaller rooms and bathroom; second floor, five main bedrooms, two smaller rooms etc.

The House was considered suitable for a hostel, school etc.

Re the grounds: “The land round the house … will be very considerably curtailed; the major part is on a slope; land badly cut up by removal of trees".

The House: of sandstone, most substantially built; roof slated; leadwork and spouts require attention; outside woodwork need painting.

Surveyors were asked to examine a fence along the south boundary (Cleaver Avenue side), which was in a very bad state of repair.

Several of the posts had rotted; consequently the fence was lying over.

Also, a good many of the slats were missing.

The interior of the house was inspected and practically all pipes, baths etc were taken out and renewed by Mr Wadman.

The roof was inspected for dry-rot or wood beetle.

A new gas supply was provided.

I expect to revisit PRONI and undertake further research on the school.

First published in April, 2011.

Old Invitation

Here's an old invitation to the Brackenber Prize Day in 1971.

The Brackenber House association continues to thrive, and we are holding our annual dinner as usual at the Ulster Reform Club, Royal Avenue, Belfast, in February.

Brackenber closed in 1985, and was subsequently demolished for a housing development, so Old Brackenbrians met at what was commonly known as the 'Threepenny Bit' at the King's Hall complex.

Since then the customary venue has been the Reform Club in Belfast.

First published in January, 2012.

Brackenber Dinner 2019

Belfast has been relatively unscathed by the very wintry weather sweeping large parts of the country at the moment.

I wasn't expecting it to be wet last night, though, as I left the house, it did begin to rain a little, so I went back and retrieved an umbrella.

I suppose it was about half past six or so when I arrived at Bridge Street, which was lined with taxis, so I motored further along to North Street.

This street was full of cars, too.

In the event I circled the area a few times before finding a space, eventually.

I cut through Rosemary Street and emerged at Royal Avenue, a short hop, skip and jump from my destination, the Ulster Reform Club.

If you have been following the blog, you shall know that I was at the Club last week for lunch and a talk by Artemis Cooper.

The purpose of my visit last night was the annual Old Brackenbrian dinner.

It has been held at that esteemed institution for many years and, prior to that, Brackenber House School itself, and the "Threepenny Bit" at the King's Hall complex.

Our numbers have naturally dwindled though remain buoyant at about 54.

Gordon Harvey

In the cloakroom I met Gordon Harvey, who always does a splendid job of organizing it all.

Having removed the winter apparel we ascended the wide stairs to the Old Billiards-room, our venue.

The organization of the meal has been far easier for Gordon this year, now that payment can be settled by direct payment transfer online.

As usual, it's always a joy to recognize so many familiar faces, especially those from my year at the school.

I hadn't seen David Sholdis for fifty years.

I was sitting between Jeff Dudgeon and Robin Eyre-Maunsell; Paul, now Lord Bew, was to Jeff's left.

I remarked to Jeff (with the tongue firmly in the Belmont cheek) that the Lord Mayoral transport ought to be replaced with a solid British marque such as a Jaguar XJ Long Wheelbase).

Lord Mayoral Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, 1968-78

After some convivial chin-wagging  (I recommended a book written by Alan Clark called Back Fire: A Passion for Motoring to Robin), the nose-bags were donned and we tucked in to parsnip soup, sirloin steak, and hazelnut cake.

I've never been disappointed by the grub at the club yet, and last night wasn't an exception.

The speaker was Paul Sochor, who attended Brackenber from 1940 until 1947.

Paul spoke very well indeed, recounting his experiences including a holiday abroad with Brian, Lord Hutton and Sir Michael Nicholson.

After dinner I "circulated", meeting quite a few old boys.

I chatted to John Knox, who used to teach French at Campbell.

I offered him a lift home, though Henry Muldrew was doing the honours.

Patrick Cross, High Sheriff of County Down a year or two ago, told me about other clubs he'd visited in the metropolis.

By eleven-thirty most of the old boys had drifted off home, so I slipped out and made my way back to Belmont GHQ.

Gordon suggested that we have an annual summer lunch for those who find it difficult to attend the dinner.

I look forward to that.

Wood Stuart, Outfitter

When I was a lad at prep school the uniform was supplied by a shop called J Wood Stuart, 19 Howard Street, Belfast.

Their motto was for man and man junior.

I have unearthed a receipt dated the 3rd July, 1972, for the following:-

• One Brackenber House blazer     @ £6.55
• One B/H tie                                  @ £0.55
• One B/H cap                                @ £0.95
• Discount                                           £0.15
• TOTAL                                             £7.90

According to my Bank of England inflation calculator, that is about £80 in today's money.

The young Brackenbrian in the image below must have been en route to or from a Games Day, because we wore shirts and ties.

A Brackenbrian wearing uniform

Incidentally, they weren't overly generous with the discount!

First published in August, 2011.

Brackenbrian XI

Here are another couple of photographs again kindly sent by Peter Clarke.

Click on them to enlarge.

On this occasion we have the two old boys' cricket festivals which Howard Hastings organised at Rockport in October, 2006 and June 2007 (about 22 degrees and constant sunshine).


The old boys' teams taking part were: Rockport, Cabin Hill, Brackenber and Mourne Grange (it is thought).

Captain of the Brackenber team on both occasions was Jay Piggott (former headmaster of Campbell College).

In the first picture, Howard Hastings is wearing the white hat.

Howard took the second photograph.

First published in February, 2011.