The Restoration and Presentation of
The Old School Bell
by Tim Daly
The Restoration and Presentation of
The Old School Bell
by Tim Daly
Most members of the RN School
Tall Handaq Reunion Association will recognise and have fond memories of
the old school bell perched in a frame above the administration block.
The bell tolled at regular intervals and marked changes in the daily curriculum
resulting in students scurrying about the school, but the most welcome
chimes came during the early afternoon of the hottest days, signifying
‘home time’. The dash for the bus resembled a ‘Le Mans’ start and,
urged on by their eager passengers, the Maltese drivers competed for road
space as they covered routes across the length and breadth of the Island.
Beaches, lidos and swimming pools beckoned.
Following the Association’s early
sixties group reunion, ‘Malta in the Millennium’,
the committee considered undertaking a special project or presentation
to Liceo Vassalli, as the school is now known. Although made redundant
by an electric system the large bell tolled once more on 16th September
2000 when Tim Daly, ably assisted by Mr Michael Cassar, the Liceo Vassalli
librarian, managed to reach the rusty bell pull for a few chimes, calling
the reunion visitors to lunch in the school hall. This event, discussed
in Malta and at subsequent meetings, raised the possibility of a new replacement
or the restoration of the ‘Old School Bell’. After considerable investigation
into the costs of a replacement and transport options for the return of
the bell, the committee had an unexpected break in mid June this year.
With the help of a Maltese friend and past pupil, Keith Poulton, and a
kind gesture by Air Malta and Laurence Gatt, one of their pilots, the bell
was retrieved and returned to the UK where it was met by Pam Hinton at
Gatwick Airport. The transport chain continued when Jon Haylock arranged
to collect the package from Pam and hold it in Portsmouth to await the
call forward notice from HMS Sultan to Rog Wilkin.
With the encouragement and support
of Lt Cdr (Retd) Andy Withers RN, the Royal Naval Public Relations Officer
at Northwood, HMS Sultan had been enlisted to investigate the possibilities
for the repair and restoration of the bell. The prospect of the Royal
Navy returning the bell to Malta had also been muted!
A subsequent report from HMS
Sultan indicated that the restoration had been successful and ‘The bell
looked exquisite!’ A suitably inscribed plaque had been attached
to the mahogany mount which had been prepared for the bell, commemorating
the history of the Royal Naval School Tal Handaq from 1947 to 1978, and
our links with Liceo Vassalli who celebrate their 20th anniversary in September
2001. Restoration completed, the Committee now waited with baited
breath for confirmation that HMS Illustrious would be visiting Malta from
10th - 12th September and would deliver the bell on behalf of the Association.
On Friday 31st August Rog Wilkin,
accompanied by Jon Haylock, returned to HMS Sultan to collect the Bell
and transport it to HMS Illustrious. The Royal Navy had confirmed
her visit to Malta and agreed to play their essential part in this unique
project. Seen in company with the HMS Illustrious bell from 1982,
there can be no doubt of the origins of this newly polished specimen.
Regrettably the brief windows
of opportunity, Royal Naval security, and the limited availability of summer
flights had not enabled the project to be widely promoted or to invite
other members of the RN School Reunion Association to attend. However,
through Captain Mike Law, all past headmasters were contacted and asked
to endorse the form of the salutation when the Bell was formally re-presented
on behalf of our Association membership. To our delight, Captain
Mike Law not only completed his task at short notice, but was able to book
late flights to Malta and agreed to join the Association presentation party.
Throughout the project, the Committee had also maintained close links with the British High Commission in Malta in the hope that a suitable event could be arranged for a formal re-presentation of the bell. As HMS Illustrious set sail for the Mediterranean their combined plans with the British High Commission came to fruition, culminating in a formal presentation ceremony which took place on board the ship in the Grand Harbour on 10th September 2001. On the Quarterdeck of HMS Illustrious in the presence of H.E The President of Malta, Prof. Guido de Marco KUOM, LLD, BA and other dignitaries, the representative group of the Royal Naval School Tal Handaq Reunion Association presented Mr Ronnie Attard, Headmaster of Liceo Vassalli and four of his staff with the refurbished “Old Tal Handaq School Bell”. A framed enlargement of the aerial photograph of the school, taken by Keith Poulton, in September 2000 was also presented. The picture was suitably inscribed to acknowledge the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the founding of Liceo Vassalli.
