Tal-Handaq Nostalgia

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

Last additions - admin
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 Gozo hydofoil 1964 - Postcard191 viewsIn 1964 the Malta Aliscafi Ltd started operating a hydrofoil service between Grand Harbour and Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. The hydrofoil in use was the Delfin. It was commonly known as L-Izgicc. The company went bankrupt in 1968 and Delfin was sold in Italy.adminJan 31, 2020
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 Ray Calleja inventor of Twistees passes to the great tuckshop in the sky292 viewsRead more HEREadminJan 09, 2020
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 Making a comeback215 viewsNewly restored buses for hire from Malta Bus Co-op

See also THIS ONE

1 commentsadminJan 05, 2020
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 Merry Christmas from Valletta 2019246 viewsThis is a large Christmas "tree" of illuminated Mdina-glass baubles on display in Valletta.2 commentsadminDec 24, 2019
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 On this day - Jane Arbuthnot - Harrods bomb 1983468 viewsThanks to Vic Weekes for reminding us of the tragic loss of Jane Arbuthnot with whom he also served in the Metropolitan Police. Jane was taken bravely doing her duty at a call where they knew the code-word had been given and the danger was real and imminent. Each year on the 17th December a small remembrance service is held at the spot.

Memorial HERE

Jane at TH HEREadminDec 17, 2019
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 From the archives - 50 years on.556 viewsThe name of the school was changed from RNS TH to SCS TH in 1969 (Service Children's School), though it continued to be administered by the Royal Navy. All other service schools in Malta then came under the remit of the RN, Captain HC Malkin (Headmaster 1966 - 1970) being appointed the first OiC Service Schools, Malta & Naples.

Photo : Evan Potts
2 commentsadminDec 12, 2019
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 All the best from Farsons 271 views1960s ad. Reads "Simonds Farsons Cisk is the largest and most up to date industry on the island" !!2 commentsadminDec 06, 2019
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 Aerial view mid-60s692 viewsCompare with the layout plan HERE

The corrugated-roofs were Romney huts (not Nissen huts except no.3 on the coloured plan, bottom left, which was).2 commentsadminNov 22, 2019
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 Aerial plan mid/late-60s566 viewsNorth is right

Compare photo view HERE

Key : 1. Block 11 - NAAFI dinners & galley, also break-time milk ration
2. Block 11 - 6th form
3. Old Music Room / Careers Room / sometime L6th common room
4. Block 12 Classrooms
5. Block 12 Classrooms
6. Language Lab
7. Caretaker's Store, formerly RSA Secretarial & Commercial classroom
8. Tuck Shop
9. Science Block (13)
10. Block 1 Classrooms & Biology Lab
11. Block 2 Classrooms
12. Incinerator
13. Girls' toilets
14. Block 3 Classrooms
15. Block 4 Classrooms
16. Block 5 Classrooms
17. Block 6 Classrooms & Metalwork / Tech Drawing
18. Block 14 Classrooms RSA Secretarial & Commercial
19. Boys' Toilets
20. Block 15 Classrooms
21. Library
22. Block 16 Classrooms
23. Girls' Toilets & Showers
24. Hall
25. Boiler Room
26. New Music Room
27. Gymnasium & Showers
28. Netball / Tennis Court
29. Woodwork Block (7)
30. Groundsmen's Store
31. The "Field"
32. Art Block (8)
33. Art & Craft Block (9)
34. Block 10 Classrooms
35. Admin Block (+ Sick-bay at rear opposite NAAFI scran hall)adminNov 22, 2019
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 Faithful573 viewsRosalie Hide, now Stephens, writes "HM Tug Faithful, one of the tugs my father was skipper of. It was his favourite as it was a paddle tug. This was painted by one of his ship's company".
Thank you for permission to publish, Rosalie.adminNov 16, 2019
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 Triton Fountain 1960s325 viewsAfter Kingsgate became Citygate (1964).2 commentsadminNov 02, 2019
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 Enterprises at MGSC, games afternoon 1967631 viewsMr Roy Tatton on left, Jill Thackray centre front, poss Eddie Eichmann on right?

Photo : Jill ThackrayadminOct 22, 2019
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 Enterprises at MGSC, games afternoon 1967616 viewsNote the yacht moored to the buoy on the right - the Lucette. Read her famous story HERE and watch the film (names changed) HERE

Photo : Jill Thackray2 commentsadminOct 22, 2019
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 What happened to the proposed donkey?237 viewsArtist's impression of the planned Paradise Bay Hotel.

Times of Malta 23 March 1961.adminOct 12, 2019
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 Invites from 1969428 viewsCourtesy of Christine Kate Spencer (now Liddy).adminSep 30, 2019
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 Malta Independence 1964225 views21st September

See Youtube

...and lots more clips there.adminSep 22, 2019
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 On this day 1965 - Hal-Far262 views1st Sept 1965 RNAS Hal Far was formally handed over to the RAF.

Picture taken 31 August the last day of HMS Falcon.

By kind permission of Mark Woolley whose father Bob took it. See Woolley FamilyadminSep 01, 2019
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 The Pit 1967-81952 viewsKay Carberry behind the bar in the Pit, with Corinne Bevan.
Pepsi & Coke only of course.adminAug 17, 2019
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 THE PIT Friday 3rd November 1967496 viewsPoster by Sally Rathmell, with thanks to Jenny Shillitto (now Banbury).adminAug 11, 2019
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 Boy in grey blazer 1952195 viewsNow identified as John Clark, TH 1947-1949 & 1952-1954.

(...not forgetting that there were still some junior classes at TH in 1957).

adminAug 05, 2019
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 Could Malta have become a US possession?394 viewsJudge for yourself HERE

Watercolour USS Constitution in GH 1804, Edwin Galea
adminJul 25, 2019
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 Looking for that elusive present...184 views...for him/her who has everything?

What about a Xarabanc ?

adminJul 19, 2019
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 Suna in Marsamxett313 viewsJoe Mardel at the helm, 1958.

Suna was a "windfall" yacht. With Star & RNSA 14' as supporting cast.

See Windfall Yacht Suna
adminJul 06, 2019
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 Traditional farewell to C-in-C287 viewsAdmiral Sir Alexander Bingley, Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean Fleet and NATO Commander Allied Forces Mediterranean, being rowed to HMS Surprise by his senior Captains and Flag staff on his departure from Malta, 1961.

Photo : Matthew ElluladminJun 21, 2019
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 Primary children visit Ark Royal in GH 1973-4372 viewsNow known to be Luqa Primary thanks to Tamara Lewis (kneeling front left with finger in her mouth).

Photo : Brian FairbothamadminJun 14, 2019
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 More dinghy racing, circa 1965237 viewsSwordfish from Garrison Club in Marsamxett. Sail no.174 in centre.

Navy dentist Jerry Gardner (RN Tower Road clinic) sailed 175 (actually a Navy boat from St Angelo) and lavished much attention on her with gleaming mirror finish. He kept her at MGSC and constantly beat the Pongos. In retaliation he was disqualified for not wearing the correct "15" mark on the sail. Sour grapes or what !adminJun 09, 2019
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 Folkboat "Angela" at MGSC Hay Warf 1970409 viewsMartin Donnelly on helm, possibly David Kingdon on foredeck? (Or was it vice versa?).

Apologies for camera shake and poor quality.adminJun 02, 2019
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 More sailing in Marsamxett286 viewsFrom the Times of Malta 26 July 1970. Folkdance was a Garrison boat. Mike Johnson taught at St Andrew's.

Pictures of Sonia and Sheba (Navy Folkboats) required !!adminMay 27, 2019
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 Garrison club dinghies in Marsamxett. Postcard247 viewsPre 1980 when the Carmelite dome came to dominate the skyline. (Probably Swordfishes pre 1968 when the club bought Pegasus dinghies. Club closed in 1978 of course).

Sails have been coloured in, they were white. Some cards show them as white but are less clear.adminMay 26, 2019
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 Bathing machine199 viewsBalluta Bay c.1960

Photo : Norman SchembriadminMay 19, 2019
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 Making Tracks291 viewsIn September 1956 families enjoying the sun at Military Bay (now Golden Bay) are seemingly unconcerned by the landing craft sharing the beach. The vehicles are LVT-3s, known to their British users as the Buffalo, and their crews are training for the invasion of Suez.

Photo : The Tank MuseumadminMay 10, 2019
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 Ark in GH272 viewsHMS Ark Royal with Fairey Gannet taking off and SS Freshpring or Freshspray alongside delivering water, November 1960.adminMay 04, 2019
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