Old, Old Kuching - Part 5

Here's a couple of old photographs I came across recently.

The first is a very recognisable place to most of you, I'm sure ... even though the surroundings are a bit strange, the main landmark hasn't changed. This was taken in the mid-1950s.

The next one is obviously some form of amusement park. I think this one was taken around the in late 1940s or early 1950s. Does anyone know where it was located?

The next building should also be quite familiar. I think it still looks much like it did back in the 1920s when this photo was taken. Do you know what's the name of this building though?

I may put in more later if I come across any ...

I would encourage any of you who may have interesting old photos of Kuching to send me scanned softcopies for sharing with the whole group.
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Best Caption Time ... once again

Take a look at this most interesting photo from more than 30 years ago. Can you identify the handsome young man in the photo? Why was he smiling so sweetly? What was he doing? What was he thinking? Does he still have such sexy legs?

The usual rules apply. Put in what YOU think is the best caption for this photo. Attractive no-prizes apply for the most creative captions.

Ahh, the good old days. As the song goes ... "Those were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end" ... da da da da ...

x

The Gift of the Gab

I first learnt of the expression "the Gift of the Gab" from Bro Adrian, who (as KC said) is undoubtedly one of the best English language teachers anyone could have. As some of you may know, having the gift of the gab means a person is endowed with the ability to speak well or persuasively.

I also found out that this expression had a certain Irish connection. It is linked to the Blarney Stone, which is a block of bluestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle, Blarney about 5 miles (8 km) from Cork, Ireland. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of the gab (great eloquence or in Irish 'solabharthact'). The stone was set into a tower of the castle in 1446. Today the castle is a popular tourist site in Ireland, attracting visitors from all over the world to kiss the Stone and tour the castle and its gardens. (Next class trip, anyone?)

The origin of this custom is unclear, though the word "blarney", meaning to coax with soft talk or to mildly deceive without offending, probably derives from the stream of unfulfilled promises of Cormac MacDermot MacCarthy to the Lord President of Munster in the late sixteenth century. Having seemingly agreed to deliver his castle to the Crown, he continuously delayed doing so with soft words, which came to be known as "Blarney talk".
 
Well, some have it and some don't. Which brings me to this old photo below. This photo shows some who obviously had the Gift of the Gab, as they were members of the St Joe Debating Team (at least that's what Vernon Chew, who sent me this photo, said. Thanks Vernon!)
 
 

 
 
I'll leave you to name the individuals in the photo, as well as figure out what were all the awards they won.
 
Have fun !

Back in Time at the Museum Grounds

Since we've been talking about the Museum Grounds recently, let's continue the reminiscing just a little more. Here are photos of some young chaps on a fun outing in Feb 1972. That's almost 38 years ago !

Try to recognise the familiar faces.  I'd also suggest that you take note of the background scenes, where some of the old structures may not be around any more.

Photo 1

(Who can remember what that rock carving is?)

Photo 2

(Peace and Friendship under a Tree)

Photo 3

(Happy Buddies)

Photo 4

(Love the pants, John!)

Photo 5

(Monkeying around on the Bars)

Photo 6

(John showing off his Big Cannon?)

Photo 7

(Resting on a Rock garden?)

Photo 8

(Just swinging around)

Photo 9

(What a stylish pose!)

Wonderful pictures ... wondeful times ... wonderful memories ...

Thanks for the photos, John!

Memories: A Singapore Trip in 1976

Here's an old photograph of a group of buddies on holiday in Singapore. The year was 1976, and most of the guys in the picture were seventeen years old.  Perhaps JL, who sent me this picture (thanks John!), can share more about the dates, location and what the guys did in the Lion City.

I'll let you identify the six groovy* guys yourself. Alas not everyone in the picture is still with us. Which makes it an even fonder memory.

(*Whenever I use the word "groovy", my daughter usually cringes. However in this case, I do think it's the appropriate word to use, as we were (and ... ahem ... still are) groovy, hip and cool ......    :-)

Old Photos in the School Hall

Someone asked about the old photographs hanging beneath the name boards in the school hall (William Tan Auditorium). At our recent visit, I did try to take a picture of each of them, but some of the shots may not be very clear because of the somewhat reflective surface. Still, I think you can make out what each photo is about.

This was St Joe in the early 1930s. The new side wings were built in 1927.

I think you can read the caption on this one. Wah, back then it only cost $7,953 to build this block !

This one depicts Sports Day in the 1930s.

This is a rear view of St Joe in the mid 1950s. Obviously there were a few blocks added later.

This apparently was the entire population of St Joe in 1922. I counted about 180 .. what did you get?

These solemn looking chaps were the School Band. Their conductor was Fr Driessen (on the left). I sure hope their music was more cheerful than their expressions ;-)

I think you can read the caption on this one which shows the Mill Hill priests.

Another one on the Mill Hill priests.

This is the ORIGINAL St Joe School building, built in 1882.

This one was taken in 1927, soon after the new wings were completed.

In 1957, the main buildings are beginning to look like when we were there in the 70s.

The last two depict aerial shots of the old Cathedral, St Joe and St Teresa's Schools. They didn't have a "love bridge" back then, so I guess they just jaywalked across ;-)

I like this shot a lot. It shows the old and the new St Joseph's Cathedrals standing side by side. I'm sure the architects among us would have much to comment about the contrasting design styles.

Were YOU in St Joe Primary 4B (1969) and 5B (1970) ?

Here's another set of old class photos, contributed by John Lee. I don't know how you keep your photos so well, but we all thank you, man !

Primary 4B (1969)

Primary 5B (1970) - photo a

Primary 5B (1970) - photo b

Well, were you there? Who do you recognise in the photos ? How have they changed ?

Geez, don't forget this was about 40 years ago !!!!!

Memories of St Michael's Canteen

During our days at St Joe in the 1970's, St Michael's Canteen was a favourite haunt for many of us. In fact many generations of students have been enjoying the food (kolo mee, laksa, fried tau hu, hay pia, etc) and desserts (ang tau peng, special) at St Mike's. Here's an old photo of the place back then (courtesy of John).

St Mike's Canteen was so much a part of our student lives. However I bet many have forgotten that it was actually the canteen serving the St Michael's Club next door. I remember the Club from my early primary school days - my late grandfather was a member and used to enjoy playing mahjong with his friends there. I also remember a billiards room and a tennis court. Also during the St Joseph's annual fun fairs, many games activities (e.g. Lotto) were carried out in the Club building itself.

For years after St Michael's Club was closed down, the Canteen continued operation. Then at one point, they decided to rename it Nyait Yang Cafe, I believe after the owner.  Eventually they had to move out of the premises because of some authority ruling (something about government land, if I remember correctly).

St Mike's first relocated to Satok Road, before later moving to their current premises in a shoplot on 3rd Mile, near to Timberland Medical Centre. The business is now run by John, whom most of us are familiar with. It has renamed to St Michael Cafe, and here's a recent picture.

Here are some of your memories of St Mike's Canteen ...

"The COIN PHONE at the side near the exit to the toilet is one of the most memorable / popular communication tools at that time for a lot of people, including myself. During those days house phone was like a premium ... same goes if your dad had a car you were somebody.... A lot of the boys queued for their turn to use the pink colour phone to call the lucky and popular STS girls who had phone at their homes those days.With 10 cents you could talk for hours if nobody was waiting for the phone and each time that happen St. Mike's John's late father would shout at you and say the phone was getting "hot" and melting and hang up the phone.....enough is enough!!!!!! (During those) times with 10cents per call and technology was not able to cut off after 3 mins so you could talk for as long as the 'Old Man' was not around or you have to stretch the cord and position yourself outside near to the toilet to hide from him.......very desparate but....Some lucky ones had phones at home but I am sure alot of the boys had queued and use the Pink phone....Unlike today even the primary school boys have handphone and facebook".  --- BW

"I recall that we sometimes made our own drinks and pay of course at St Mike's and (we) also enjoyed the prawn or tow hu fritters and then went on to the museum grounds on our way home - "monkeying" around on the swings or the metal frames" --- JL

"We used to go to St Mike's for half an hour on most weekeday evenings, when we took a break from studying at the library" --- Anon

"... When I was in Form 2 or 3, after spending all my bus fare (at St Mike's) on a few occasions, I had to walk all the way back to Kenyalang Park - quite a trudge but obviously it laid the foundation for my ability to walk long distances, even these days." --- PT


I'll add more memories & recollections as they are sent in. Or you can just add them yourself as comments.

Indeed, St Michael's was a big part of our schooldays and teenage years. To relive the tradition, we shall be visiting the new St Mike's for brunch on 23 Dec.

Action Stars from TV ?

Take a look at this old photo from 1973.

Doesn't it remind you a little of a popular TV series that we used to watch in the 70's ... (and which also got revived in a recent movie)  ?

Do you know which one I'm referring to ?

Cast your mind back to popular TV series from those days - the one with two guys and a car ... a cop series ... lots of action ... lots of shootouts ... lots of car chases ...

Yes, I'm referring of course to Starsky and Hutch ...

Here's the original with David Soul and Paul Michael Glaser ...

Or even the new 2004 movie with Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson ...

Now turn up your computer volume and enjoy this short video clip, which is bound to bring back memories ...

So John & Jensen, which one of you is Starsky and which Hutch ?

Another Sports Memory

Here's another old photo that ELAS brushed the dust off and took from his album. Thanks bro!

Another nostalgic moment from the glorious sporting days of St Joe. I don't remember all of these people in the shot, but certainly half a dozen or more are within our close circle of buddies.  You can also see Bro Columba, Bro Mark, Bro Hycinth (?) and Anthony Goh.

Can anyone pinpoint the year this was taken? Or even the occasion? I zoomed in as much as I could on the trophies, but the wordings are not legible. See for yourself.

One thing's for sure though. The backdrop is our unforgettable school toilet ... no doubt a multi-sensory memory for many.

Call for Old Photographs

Hi all,

In order to prepare an interesting "Walk Down Memory Lane" item for the Grand Reunion on 23 Dec, more  material from the 1970s is needed.. I'd like to appeal to ALL of you to dig deep into your albums and storage boxes, and find some of your old photos or memorabilia from that period, scan or take a photo of them and send to me at jslyong@hotmail.com . Please try to do this before 5 Dec, so we have time to put them together and develop a nice presentation piece (which all of you will receive after the event).

Many thanks.
--- WJ

Mini Album from Across the Bridge

I've been gently reminded that I haven't provided much coverage of our sisters from Across the Bridge in recent months. Let me assure you this isn't deliberate - only that in the past few months there've been several other topics and activities that have distracted my focus in this blog.

So to redeem myself, here's a Mini Album of photographs of our STS sisters from the 1970s. I'm afraid you guys will have to do the identification of the roses for yourselves. Nor can I provide any clues on when, where and why.

What's happening here ?

Baywatch ?

 

The Committee ?

Hitting the High Notes ?

Snacks and Beer ?

Over to you ....

Caption time again ...

Here's another picture from the past ....

The place is London, UK.  The year is either 1977 or 78.

What in the world were these five dashing young men from Borneo up to?

Anyway, here's another opportunity for you to suggest the best caption for this photo.

UPDATED - Old Photographs from the 70's

Here's an old photo of St Joe sometime in the 1970's (shamelessly "borrowed" from other ex-Josephians' website :-).




If any of you have other photos of life at St Joe in or around 1976, please scan them and send me a digital copy. I'll put them up on this site for all to enjoy.


Thanks guys ...