Tal-Handaq Nostalgia

Memories of the Royal Naval School, Malta, 1947 - 1978.

Last additions
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No misbehaviour on the buses !9 views1970s verbose missive to parents - but second page is missing.

Does anyone have the complete paper?
adminMar 22, 2024
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Malta Bus 39 viewsInterior of Zabbar bus 1971.
Does anyone remember singing on the school bus "Oh you'll never get to heaven in a Maltese bus 'cause a Maltese bus makes too much fuss!"
derrick calverMar 10, 2024
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Mr Ricketts to wardrobe please 52 viewsMr (Trev) Ricketts being pinned up for a SCADS or MADC production (probably) - but which one? Late 1960s/70s1 commentsadminFeb 20, 2024
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In loving memory of Mr (Trev) Ricketts d.3rd February 202479 viewsRicky Ricketts writes : "I can’t believe I am actually writing this ….. but wanted to let you all know that my amazing dad and role model Trevor Ricketts sadly passed away suddenly at 2:20 am Saturday morning. To say I feel heartbroken is an understatement.
I think the thing I am struggling with most is the suddenness of it all. Last weekend we had a lovely family walk around Port Solent to the pub where of course he beat me in his first ever game of “Guinness line” drinking !!
I know many of you will be wondering “how on earth?” as he was super fit and still walking many miles every day. Without any warning signs he had a massive stroke on Thursday morning and later that day he underwent surgery to remove two large clots from his brain, which appeared to go well. I even got to speak to him for a couple of minutes in recovery and whilst not himself he was looking forward to the test match on Friday !
Unfortunately, in the early hours of Friday, he suffered a catastrophic bleed to the brain and the consultant told us that he wouldn’t recover. We were able to sit with him all day on Friday, and the early hours of Saturday morning, to share our memories, listen to jazz, say good bye and most importantly promise him that we will take care of my incredible mum Gillian Ricketts … something I know I wont be doing alone as they are so loved by many.
Dad, I will miss you more than you will ever know and promise to shout louder at Swindon, clap louder at Lords and make you proud xx "

See photos HERE
1 commentsadminFeb 06, 2024
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A warm view for winter92 viewsAdmiralty harbour launch (aka pinnace colloquially though incorrectly) from Bighi or St Angelo to Custom House

Photo : David Woolfenden (Verdala 1960s)
adminJan 09, 2024
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Christmas lights outside Valletta 202398 views.... with Triton fountain

Photo : Malcolm Zammit (aka Maussie group on Facebook, he posts lots of Malta info and photos there, even though living in Oz).
adminDec 23, 2023
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Bernards of Harwich (advert from school magazine)47 viewsBefore they closed Bernards supplied Naval uniforms in most of the R N ports home and abroad. They also supplied our school uniforms. But did you know that on their top floor of their Sliema branch they stocked Hornby Train Sets!derrick calverDec 04, 2023
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Capsize - more sailing from 1970158 viewsStarring Tony Sarginson & David Fletcher
Rumour had it that the Shack flight cost £3000 (about £60k today)
Cutting courtesy of TS
adminNov 18, 2023
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More boats at Hay Wharf 1950s-60s37 viewsLeft to right 1.Swordfish (15): 2.possibly International 14 (K denotes GB/UK): 3.unknown with C sail emblem and pointed canoe stern, probable fixed keel judging from tiller going through hull. Another one beyond it unrigged. Ideas welcome.adminNov 05, 2023
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Folkboat "Folklore" at MGSC Hay Wharf 197043 viewsWith Martin Donnelly and Joe Vincenti. Another painting by MD's talented mother.adminOct 21, 2023
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Sailing at MGSC Hay Wharf 197097 viewsPainting by Martin Donnelly's mother.
Dinghies are Pegasi (nominativus pluralis - Ratty non iratus erat).
adminOct 07, 2023
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On this day 2003 - singer Robert Allen Palmer b.19 January 1949 – d.26 September 200373 viewsRobert mainly lived in Malta from 1950 to 1961 (age 1-12). His father was RN (Dingli) and Robert went to Verdala and/or Tal-Handaq (exact dates are unkown).
He mentions his time in Malta briefly HERE (wind forward 15 mins) and in other youtube interviews.
2 commentsderrick calverSep 26, 2023
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The Battle of the River Plate - on Gozo79 viewsScene from the filming, 1955

See also the VIDEO CLIP

The full film is also on youtube
adminSep 01, 2023
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Pirates of Penzance 1974149 viewsProduction by SCADS. Members of the Services Choral & Dramatic Society were mostly school teachers and spouses, servicemen and their wives, and a sprinkling of pupils from Tal-Handaq (especially useful when younger cast members were required). Most productions were put on at Tal-Handaq in the school hall, but occasionally (as in the case of 'La Vie Parisienne' in 1976) the Manoel Theatre was the venue.

Cutting from the Dolphin & Eagle, 15th March 1974, courtesy Mr Hugh Ritchie (TH staff).
adminAug 18, 2023
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Laws at Sea132 viewsLt Cdr Mike Law and Miss Pat Bower, as they were then, racing RN Swordfish in Marsamxett 1958/9. We lost Capt Law in 2015 and Mrs Law a couple of weeks ago, aged 95. Now sailing on a cloud together. Fair winds.adminAug 06, 2023
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HMS Forth 1952122 viewsin 1952 the 1st Submarine Squadron comprised H.M.Submarines Sturdy, Sanguine, Sentinel, Tabard, Teredo, Trump, Token and Trenchant. Some shown here alongside and around depot ship H.M.S. Forth in Msida Creek.adminJul 23, 2023
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Captain of a Diso 2118 viewsCaptain and Mrs Gilchrist being sent off in a dghajsa Sept 1971 at the end of his tour as Captain HMS St Angelo.

Photo : Official Naval Photographer
adminJul 08, 2023
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Captain of a Diso81 viewsCaptain and Mrs Gilchrist being sent off in a dghajsa Sept 1971 at the end of his tour as Captain HMS St Angelo.

Photo : Doune Gilchrist (now Sinclair)
adminJul 08, 2023
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TH Girl?7448 viewsA British family shopping in Paola 50s/60s - is the girl looking at the camera from TH? Certainly wearing collar & tie. Anybody recognise her?adminJun 21, 2023
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More Pulp76 viewsMichael Caine again filming Pulp 1971/72

View film free HERE
adminJun 12, 2023
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Not a lot of people know that!76 viewsMichael Caine in Mdina while filming Pulp 1971/72

View film free HERE
derrick calverJun 12, 2023
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Verdala 1960s109 viewsAn unusual aerial photo showing the whole of St Clement's Retrenchmentderrick calverMay 28, 2023
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Vittoriosa from Verdala 85 viewsVittoriosa taken from Verdala rooftop, 1920sderrick calverMay 28, 2023
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Marshall Court 104 viewsThe building of Marshall Court for Navy families (early 1950s?)derrick calverMay 19, 2023
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Mosta Iron Bridge (to Fort Mosta)61 viewsScene of rock-climbing days with Mr Tomlinson. Started 1844 the bridge took 27 years to complete. Crossing it in the 1950s was a little more nerve racking than the new bridge built in the 1980s. derrick calverMay 19, 2023
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Prince Charles on RASC Eden, Malta 1968 (orange shirt)80 viewsSee the whole FILM (need access to BBC iplayer)

See also THIS ONE (same film)
adminMay 06, 2023
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Royal Naval Supply & Transport Service92 viewsRNSTS (formerly SNSO) at Pinto Wharf 1971. The original facade was later rebuilt and now forms part of Valletta Waterfront.derrick calverApr 27, 2023
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SNSO Naval Stores / Dockyard Technical College120 viewsThe metal buildings were used by SNSO after WW2, and later as classrooms by the Dockyard College.

See also this one
1 commentsderrick calverApr 27, 2023
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SNSO Naval Stores Office 1942114 viewsSNSO Malta after bombing April 1942

Photo : Imperial War Museum
1 commentsderrick calverApr 27, 2023
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Malta Milestone - 196575 viewsLovely little ten-minute documentary - WATCH HERE


adminApr 18, 2023
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HAFMED (MALTA) - HQ Allied Forces Mediterranean (Floriana)77 viewsPlaque / Shield / Crest / Badge - another ebay findadminApr 09, 2023
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Another Bob Dickerson painting for sale, this time on ebay110 viewsSee HERE

adminApr 05, 2023
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