Malcolm Parry (QM 1945-1950)

“My first-ever attendance at the annual event looked likely for a while. Related plans to fly from Vancouver, BC changed, though, so the 2024 event is now a possibility.

This year's menu definitely has the edge on meals served to us at the Moss Close canteen. The latter entailed a stroll up Lichfield Street and presentation of tickets offered on Monday mornings by Sergeant Major Sam Crudace.

Twenty pounds (discounted from £45) sounds to be a good deal for D.P.J. "Dippy" Fink's 1554-1954 school history. Still in excellent condition, however, is my five-quid original in which the list of subscribers includes a certain M. Parry at 62 Wallows Lane.

I still think of QMGS's present location, Mayfield, as "big school's" rugby and cricket field where the attached photo shows the old pavilion at the left. Team members likely were  students at Moss Close then. Diametrically disposed are humdrum and illustrious alumni: Parry standing at top left and and future Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald seated at right. Beside the diminutive "Fitz" is the bulky but most sportif Barry Rogers whose enormous and immaculate cricket pads contrast sharply with ones drawn from the school pavilion's stock.

Other Marians include (back row) Harden, Messenger, Cox, unknown and Lambert, and (front tow) Chidlow, unknown, Barry and "Tutty" Taylor holding the ball.

All that said, here's wishing attendees a splendid and memorable get-together. I'll raise a tot to you all while dining aboard Discovery Princess out on the Pacific Ocean.

Cheers: Malcolm Parry”