Newsletter
for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 29 of March 2020 No. 960 extra
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Dear Friends,
I have created an extra edition to take care of
miscellaneous articles that might not be as interesting as the weekly issue but
have to do with our School and Oldboys.
Wayne Vincent Brown was a classmate of mine, tormentor
during meals during the first month at school, as my knowledge of English was
zero when I arrived in September 1955.
The table head prefect wanted me to learn as fast as
possible and assigned WVB to the task.
If I did not ask for the food in English then there
was nothing to eat.
Soon he saw me as a lost cause and left me alone and I
was allowed to take the leftovers in the dishes.
Really it took me quite a while to learn decent
English enough for me to write essays, let’s say six months.
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Wayne Vincent Brown, July 18, 1944 – September 15, 2009
Wayne
Vincent Brown (Wayne Brown as he was widely known) was a poet, memoirist,
journalist, literary scholar and creative writing teacher. Born in
Port-of-Spain on July 18, 1944, he was the author of two books of poetry, two
books of short stories and remembrances, and a biography of Edna Manley. He
also edited several books of poetry and was the longstanding editor of the
Jamaica Observer’s Literary Arts Magazine. He died of cancer on September
15, 2009, in Kingston, Jamaica.
One
of the “new wave” generation of poets succeeding Derek Walcott, which included
Eddie Baugh, Mervyn Morris and Tony McNeil, Brown was credited as having a
vital and authentic voice from his first collection On the Coast (André
Deutsch, 1972). Poet Ted Hughes said of the book, “Wayne Brown’s poems are
often startling and always the genuine thing. His West Indies is real, infinite
and near. His flexible natural instinct for ranging through the different and
contrary dimensions of his life seems to me new—and his life feels actual.”
Brown
joined the Trinidad Guardian as a sports columnist, writing about horse racing,
in 1963. He left the paper and journalism in 1964, and entered the University
of the West Indies, Mona, to read for a degree in English. Walcott, with whom
he had developed a relationship, read some of his poems from this time.
Ramchand reports that Walcott told Brown, “Good; you have to start working
hard.” Which he certainly did. His first collection of poems, On the Coast, won
the Commonwealth Prize for Poetry and is thought to have been the primary
motivation for Brown’s selection as Gregory Fellow in Poetry at the University
of Leeds in 1974. He was the only non-British poet to hold the post. At Leeds
he co-edited a book commemorating 21 years of Poetry & Audience magazine.
Nineteen-seventy-six
saw the publication of Edna Manley: The Private Years (André Deutsch), Brown’s
biography of the Jamaican sculptor and arts patron who was the wife of Jamaican
statesman Norman Manley and mother of Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley.
Brown
had a longstanding relationship with Jamaica, living there after graduation,
returning periodically over the rest of his life and finally settling there in
1997. Though identified as a Trinidadian writer, through his dedication to the
magnification of literature in the Jamaican press he nurtured the voices of a
new generation of Caribbean poets and fiction writers. With his Creative
Writing Workshop, begun in Trinidad and conducted over sixteen years in various
incarnations and in different locations, he coached writers including Amanda
Smyth, Andrew ‘Kei’ Miller, Gwyneth Barber Wood and Delores Guantlett.
He
had a long career as a teacher; a two-year turn at Fatima College in Trinidad
preceded positions lecturing in English Literature at UWI, St Augustine and
Mona, among other international posts. Before his death he was a tutor in
Creative Writing for the MFA programme of Lesley University, Massachussets; and
also taught an online course for Stanford University, California.
Brown
earned several honours during his career as a writer. In 1968 he won the
Jamaican Independence Festival Poetry Prize; he taught as a Fulbright Scholar
at the University of Albany, Georgia; and was a fellow of Yaddo, MacDowell, the
Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and the Rockefeller Foundation.
In
1984 he returned to journalism with the column In Our Time, a wide-ranging and
elegant commentary on subjects personal, political, cultural and artistic. The
column, begun at the Trinidad Express, was published in the Trinidadian,
Jamaican and Guyanese press over its lifespan — upwards of 3,500 editions. He
came to regard In Our Time as a way that he could speak directly to his people
– the people of the Caribbean. He also wrote a short-lived column called
In the Obama Era for six months in 2009. It followed the weekly series The Race
for the White House, which appeared between February and November 2008 in the
Express, the Barbados Nation and Guyana’s Stabroek News.
Brown’s
second volume of poems, Voyages (Inprint Caribbean, 1989), was followed by two
collections of short stories and memoirs, Child of the Sea (Inprint Caribbean,
1990) and Landscape with Heron (Observer Literary Books, 2000). He considered
the title story of the latter his finest work of fiction. On the Coast is scheduled
for re-publication by Peepal Tree Press, which is also slated to publish a new
collection of stories and remembrances, The Scent of the Past.
Brown
married Megan Hopkyn-Rees in 1968; they divorced in 1981. He is survived by
their two daughers, Mariel and Saffrey. Mariel quotes him as saying, “When you
and Saffrey were born, I became a celebrant of things outside of myself. I was
enamoured of the vivacity and the variety in things.”
Brown had a longstanding relationship with Donna
Benny, with whom he lived for some twelve years. At the time of his death his
partner was Mignon Manderson-Jones.
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Adolfo´s whatsapp group, used by those
who get the donations from TnT.
On Sun, Jan 12, 2020 at 2:38 PM GEORGE
MICKIEWICZ wrote:
Hi Nigel et Al
In response to your note below, my
humble opinion based on my limited historical knowledge, there has been a TEAM
OF SEVERAL LEADERS who have emerged over the last decades since the closing of
our beloved school.
I reconnected with the Abbey School
around 2007 when I found a reference to the Circulars in Google. Reflecting on
what I have learned since, I see the following as leaders that have contributed
to our global alumni in one way or another:
Art Knaggs – Oasis
Ladislao Kertesz – Circulars
Don Mitchell -Blog for Circulars, reunion, and overall contributor
Nigel Boos – Database, Scouts, Photos, Librarian/Historian and overall contributor
Joe Berment-McDowald – Past ASSA president, organizer & main fund raiser for our
Venezuelan alums-in-need
Dr Adolfo Aumaitre – courageous transporter of USA $, medicines, goods, etc. to our
Venezuelan alums-in-need via a boat trip from Trinidad to Venezuela
Don Goddard – 2018 Brother Vincent/Lionel Roberts St Petersburg reunion organizer
Glen McKoy – Cheerleader and overall contributor
Kazim Abasali – Creator & keeper of the MSB web page, Facebook, current Database
and general IT related contributions plus overall contributor
Father Harold Imamshah – Spiritual Director.
Many others, unknown to me at this time,
have stepped up and led Abbey School-Mount St Benedict related efforts at one
point and time. We recognize them too. Thank Y’All Very much for your value
adding leadership in these accomplishments. I am very proud and celebrate each
one of you.
16/1/20 Aumaitre Adolfo: This is a note
coming from:Abbey School Leadership Team 13 de Enero 2020.
Thank you, George and Nigel for your
contributions. As Nigel shared, I consider Knight Ladislao as our present
leader. And as Nigel shared King Arthur for his herculean task. Ladislao is
also courageously fighting this battle of survival in this our times as Arthur
did in his time. With what Venezuela is experiencing and Laz efforts it is
indeed admirable of him too.
Nigel, I know you are a humble person.
You have contributed a great deal my friend. What you have done too needs
mention and Knighthood.
And Glen for his overall cheer-leading
support and keeping the White Stones stories alive. Don for sharing what
Ladislao puts together. All in all, everyone mentioned by George has paid their
dues and is truly loved, admired and appreciated.
Joe, Dr Adolfo, Don Goddard, and so many
more
As Don told me in our Trinidad reunion,
what we do is a labour of love. We seek no payment. To God be all the praise
and glory.
Finally, I am in the process of writing
a report communicating the happenings of my life recently. Thanks to Ladislao for
asking me to contribute. He works behind the scenes also. There is a great deal
happening at present that I must share with you all. First and foremost it goes
to Ladislao as my yearly submission to him. Thank you Ladislao for continuing
and for keeping us together.
Love you all. Nigel, we are keeping you
in our prayers.
1/17/20 Aumaitre Adolfo: Good afternoon brothers, unfortunately I had to leave my Movistar number 04148797398, please contact me by 04168979364 or by 04128330565, thank you and God bless you
1/17/20 Mezzana Luis: Thank you, Adolfo. I already wrote it down.
1/18/20 Luongo Miguel Angel: I am remembering right now (it is 12:33 a.m.) that it is already January 18 and Winston Cabello Luongo is having a birthday. Cousin: I wish you have a truly happy birthday, doing exactly what you like best, with congratulations from family and friends.
Strong hug, with the same affection as always !!!
18/1/20 Lopez Jesus: Brothers good
afternoon, if for me a pleasure to tell you that I am in the island, wao
all's of you don't imagine how this country is now
18/1/20 Robleda Santiago: good for you
hope you send photos to see the changes enjoy it brother
18/1/20 Lopez Jesus: Remember brothers
is a house in San Fernando from 1966, and it's an island, because all
around they are buildings of concrete gravel sand and cement, I am taking
this FOTO in a fuel station, and here nobody make a line to buy gasoline or any
fuel, really this it's an easy country have a good economy and the people here
look without problem, like us 20 years ago poor Venezuela, here the store are
full of everything and people could buy all they want
18/1/20 Aumaitre Adolfo: Good afternoon,
brothers, I was chatting on WhatsApp with Joe and I told him that our brother
Jesús López, went to Trinidad to work this week illegally, due to the problems
that there are in obtaining a visa, he told me to tell you, that if any of us
comes up to go to work, that they do not do it illegally, because it is very
difficult for them (TT old boys) and almost impossible to help them legalize,
since there is relentless persecution, almost a hunting, against the
Venezuelans who are illegal there. The police raid all the houses without prior
notice, they ask for the documents and they take prisoners to those who are
illegal, in addition they are selling false yellow refugee certificates and
whoever they grab with one of those false certificates they put from 15 to 20
years in prison. That was his comment to you.
19/1/20 Lopez Jesus: Good afternoon dear
brothers, remember and enjoy this FOTO, I hope all's of you can come here, and
experiment the emotions that this moment went for me The negro woman is the
daughter of the Mrs, how sold us the Candi's and the ice cream, when we walked
to the swimming pool She is the sister of my daughter... I beg you pardon,
because I wrote with mistakes but I very emotional
19/1/20 Robleda Santiago: thanks for the
photos It brings me memories 50 years I haven"t seen my school although I
have pretty bad momory
26/1/20 Luongo Humberto: 0424
8285184... To all my friends and group colleagues, and especially to the
administrator, I inform that I will stop using this number for which I am
writing to you and will start using the one in the heading, that is, 0424
8285184 ... I thank you, therefore, proceed from this very moment to eliminate
or cancel this number and use the new movistar that I am giving now. I thank
you very much for your help and collaboration to be able to communicate again.
..hug. . Grateful.
1/26/20 Aumaitre Adolfo: I still cannot understand, because people allow themselves to be manipulated so easily, one goes through the PSUV identification points and there are people like ants. Could it be that maduristas do not go hungry and need? That they have everything covered with the bonuses they give you and is that enough to cover all your needs? It is incomprehensible! Good morning brother Humberto, how are you? I have registered 3 phone numbers of yours 0416, 0426 and 0424 now, which one are you not going to use anymore?
1/26/20 Luongo Humberto: 0416 4 893234 .... that is, the first one you mention. Please delete it and thanks. It is almost out of operation and I cannot pay three rents despite having Wifi at home. Thanks brother. The movistar joins the group, that is, 0424 8285184. Hug
2/2/20 Lopez Jesus: Believe all of the
trouble in nineteen century an in this twenty had been created for humans
2/2/20 Aumaitre Adolfo: Jesús, did Joe
contact you? Winston is back on TT he arrived last night and I send him
your phone number, he promise me he will contact you this week
2/2/20 Lopez Jesus: No brother, how do
you do, when you have an opportunity to speak with him said him I am waiting
for his aides Ok brother thanks a lot for your good wishes
2/2/20 15:18 - Msbvtu Aumaitre Adolfo: I
spoke with Joe this morning and he told me he was going to call you, hevask
excuse but he missed you phone number Spoke with Winston this morning too
and he will call you during this week
2/2/20 Lopez Jesus: I at this moment
need to contact them here where I live said me if them go
with me to the emigration ministries I get the pink card, that is the residents
card for had been studied at Mount Well brothers how do you all's, every night
I checked the news of our country and my hoped are standby Ok brother
Adolfo, I going to try contact with them
2/2/20 Aumaitre Adolfo: By the moment at
least we are alive
2/2/20 Lopez Jesus: My God protect you
all's, but brothers, what difference is here to our country
2/2/20 Aumaitre Adolfo: It is different
for us that used to study there for a few years
2/2/20 Lopez Jesus: You maybe not
believe me but here I start to remember all the English that father Bernard tech
me
2/2/20 Aumaitre Adolfo: Jajajaja
2/2/20 Lopez Jesus: Teach
2/2/20 Aumaitre Adolfo: You will never
forget that because you learned it as you second mother tongue Jajaja
2/2/20 Lopez Jesus: Yes that is really
the truth
2/2/20 Aumaitre Adolfo: I am happy that
you are well and enjoying it
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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz, kertesz11@yahoo.com, if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any
old boy that you would like to include.
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Photos:
19DG0002CGODGO,
Christian and Donald Goddard
17LK9187FBRGAWFE,
Richard Galt and wife
70UN0002CLASS1975,
UNKNOWNS
80UN0001CLASS1985, UNKNOWNS
