Last additions - Tal-Handaq Nostalgia

Last additions - admin

Anyone we know?232 viewsDriving licence from 1957.
Offers on deciphering Phylliis' surname gratefully received.adminAug 05, 2021

Red Arrows over Marsamxett 1978301 viewsProbably photoshopped.

Watch the REAL THING 1969 (not colour sadly).

adminJun 27, 2021

BEA advertising poster 1960s283 viewsArtist's impression or painted from a real photo? If a photo, who?

Looks like an Albacore (apart from the red sails, artistic licence).adminJun 13, 2021

School Club in Valletta c.19601523 viewsPhotograph was taken at the School Club in Valletta, in about 1960. Some names are missing, but all the following were in the photo.

Far back standing centre possibly Mark Tagliaferro (left) in dark jumper, Mike Hay and Willie Willman.

Back left is Peter Searle, Ian McCaul. Girl standing on chair on left hand side is Diane Murton, Phyllis Hannan and Carole Knight (father taught at TH), Mary Bishop, Anne ? Elsie ? Janet Merriman (now Witcher) with folded arms standing behind Andy Wilkin (who is far left front row wearing glasses), Diane Rowe behind her. Pat Bryce, Marian Totman, Carole Matthews, Anne ? Pauline Gill wearing glasses, Patricia Hatton, Marie Allen wearing white jacket. Robin Bowes back right.
Far right facing away in horizontal-stripe Malta weave skirt - Margaret Duguid.

Front row: Andy Wilkin, Bev Pearce, (boyfriend of Bernice), Bernice White, Ann ? Girl? Paula Finch, top part of Edna Pritchard's face, and John Finch. Mr and Mrs Matthews sitting in front of Carole Matthews.

Photo : Marie Allen CurleyadminMay 29, 2021

All The King's Men 1976 - listen again444 viewsThanks to David Corcoran for this recording of the 1976 Christmas show.

Should start to play when you click HERE

(....if not, scroll down that page to find the play button at ATKM. Cast names there too).

adminMay 14, 2021

Aerial view taken 2000, photo courtesy Keith Poulton453 viewsInto my heart an air that kills
From yon far country blows:
What are those tin remembered roofs?
What bell, what kids are those?

That is the land of lost content,
I see it shining plain.
Hot dusty classrooms where I went
And cannot come again.

(With apologies to A.E.Housman)1 commentsadminMay 01, 2021

Farewell Sir336 viewsHRH Prince Philip 1921-2021

Times of Malta article on new Malta stamps to be issued on 10 June 2021 which would have been HRH's 100th birthday (but omits to mention his command of HMS Magpie in Malta!) see HEREadminApr 10, 2021

Notta lotta people know this ............................... The Investigator330 viewsThriller puppet show by Gerry Anderson of Thunderbirds fame, filmed in Malta in 1973 . This particular pilot never took off.

Watch clips HERE

Read about it HEREadminApr 05, 2021

A film for April Fools255 viewsBlack Eagle - possibly the lamest film made in Malta (or anywhere), despite Van Damme's and Kosugi's best (or worst) efforts. Not made as a comedy but laughable in every way, redeemed only by the scenery (but of course no extras available from TH to save the day), 1988.

Film HERE

More stills HERE

What the REVIEWS SAID (scroll down).
adminApr 01, 2021

Vendetta for the Saint294 viewsMalta posing as Sicily & Capri. Watch for the Kinnie advert during the fight (Naxxar church), and of course the 'Palermo' bus (M'xlokk, Mdina). Good classic episode (1969).

More shots HERE

Full film HERE
adminMar 17, 2021

Lija bus 3032, a tight squeeze248 viewsLija Bus no. 3032 daily trip passing Triq il-Mithna on its way to Valletta, 1960s.

Photo source unattributedadminMar 08, 2021

HMS Serapis bringing Edward, Prince of Wales to Malta 1876243 viewsSerapis was one of five Euphrates class, originally built as troopers.

HMS Hercules behind (just ahead).

Read about the partying Prince in the TIMES OF MALTAadminFeb 24, 2021

Something to look forward to...342 viewsMore restored buses now doing tourist trips.

Click HERE for full article from recent Times of Malta.

See also THIS ONE adminJan 22, 2021

Mr Bob Dickerson 1928-2020371 viewsKeith Dickerson writes..."It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that Robert (Bob) Dickerson, Art Teacher and later Head of the Art Department at Tal Handaq from 1958-1968, passed away at the age of 92 on 19 December 2020.
Bob returned to the UK on 4 July 2018 after living in Malta, Cyprus, Sardinia and Rome with his 2nd wife Brenda for over 40 years. He moved into sheltered accommodation in Ipswich in August 2018 and continued painting until the end of his life. He moved into a nursing home in October 2020 where unfortunately he caught COVID-19.

I have created a dropbox folder containing over 100 photos of Bob taken during his life HERE
(https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3j68h3qed1zo2c9/AADS4TNli-_Os0GCOYfw5u_7a?dl=0)
If you have any other photos of Bob please send them to me via Admin and I will upload them.
Best wishes, Keith Dickerson"adminJan 07, 2021

From the archives - the 68-71 team reunions449 viewsWith thanks to Judith Chitty Blair and Bob Callaghan. Photo by Robert Martin.

See THIS PAGE and the other headers there.

adminJan 03, 2021

Merry Christmas from Valletta 2020231 viewsSome outstanding lights if you google them.adminDec 21, 2020

"Schoolies" - hot off the press392 viewsSelected Stories of the Royal Navy Instructor Officers' Association (RNIOA).

Also contains some jottings by Miss Yule (viewable here on THN too).

Buy your copy HERE

Tell them we sent you !!adminDec 06, 2020

Restoration of the Verdala "lantern"...255 views...by the Malta Restoration Directorate, 2020...

...but not yet on their WEBSITE

adminNov 24, 2020

Eagle Aviation Dakota - Blackbushe to Luqa3234 views1956

"The plane took off from Blackbushe and climbed to 10,000 feet which was its cruising height, but the flight to Nice was terrible, there were storms all the way, and apart from flying upside down the aeroplane was being buffeted all the way. Flying at 10,000 feet meant that if you hit an air pocket, the aircraft would drop almost 2,000 feet. The poor flight attendant Miss Bolton went through the aircraft picking up sick bags, the only person not sick was Kelvin, the only one on the aircraft able to eat his inflight meal and drink his tea, he even sucked on a sweet for landing so that his ears would not be painful. Then the aircraft made a perfect landing at Nice and all the passengers got off. Kelvin bless his cotton socks called 'Bboobb' at the top of the landing steps, and like a good boy he covered every step in inflight meal, crisps, cup of tea and the sweet. The French ground crew were not happy and said so."

Read Mike Palmer's memoirs by instalment here - The Old Sea Dog

NB- The link will take you to the latest chapter. To start from the beginning (posted 17 Oct 2020) keep clicking on "More Posts" at the bottom of his page.

Be sure to tune in regularly to Mike's blog for the latest in nostalgia (and to leave an appreciative comment). adminOct 20, 2020

Videos from 2005 before demolition568 viewsA reminder to view Bruce Williams' TH website and watch videos donated by Lynn Mentiply.

The blue link should land on Bruce's video page, then scroll down the page. There are five to watch not including the one at the foot of the page which is not playing.

Be sure to check out the rest of his site via the Home button in the photo of Bruce near the top of his page.2 commentsadminOct 01, 2020

Never trust a Pongo212 viewsSome great Malta stories HERE. Thanks to Jan Meecham.

Type Malta into his search box when you've read this one.

adminSep 16, 2020

Another Verdala Memoir...221 views...by SUE ADAMS

Click on blue link (Sue Adams' name) and scroll to page ten if it doesn't land there.adminAug 22, 2020

Sports Days 1954 & 55 at St Andrew's Army School173 viewsStarring Bernard DerrickadminAug 15, 2020

Magazines289 viewsLink to the magazine collection, all scanned by David "Prefect" Gerrard....

>>> HERE
adminJun 20, 2020

Washing Up in Malta296 viewsBy Josephine Burden, ex-Tal Handaq

From the blurb - "Washing Up in Malta is about travel, coming of age, mothers and daughters. The lives of two women, Jessica and Grace, unfold across a century of change. Their particular journeys take them through Scotland, England, Germany, Africa, Bahamas, and Australia. Through it all, the place that punctuates their lives as a marker of home is the tiny island of Malta, at the centre of the Mediterranean Sea. Grace begins her journey here, and Jessica completes the circle by returning to Malta toward the end of her life."

Buy online or read for free HEREadminJun 10, 2020

Anyone we know?314 viewsAlhambra 1970s.adminJun 09, 2020

School Hall mid-70s497 viewsWith ballroom shine to the floor done during summer hols. The organ beloved of Mr Gerrard that used to be on the balcony was probably removed at the time of the "Mintoff withdrawal" in 1972, destination unknown?

(But why didn't I take one of the stage?)

Compare with THIS ONEadminApr 26, 2020

Barrakka lift probably c.1980 before demolition281 viewsYou can google the new one.

Photo : source unknown.adminMar 18, 2020

Prize Day 1966462 viewsThanks to Paul GentleadminFeb 07, 2020

Prize Day batting order 1966421 viewsThanks to Paul GentleadminFeb 07, 2020

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Tal-Handaq Nostalgia

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