Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
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Dear Friends,
Some old correspondence that was exchanged between ASAA in the past and a recall of the probable causes for the Abbot´s negative response?
Also, some sad news.
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From: Peter Sammy <peter.linda.sammy@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, May 26, 2010 at 6:01 AM
Subject: Some Sad News
All,
Sorry about the late notice, but with all that is going on, I really did not remember to call you yesterday.
Some sad news, my mother (84) died suddenly on Monday afternoon (Aortic dissection).
The funeral is on Thursday at 11.00AM at the Curepe Presbyterian Church tonight there is a wake service the same church at 7.00PM.
Peter
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ASAA Bank and Auditor.
From: Chris Knowles
Dear Dennis,
Further to the developments of last week Peter has named Scotia Bank Trinidad and Tobago Limited of 56 Eastern Main Road
Ian Gomes suggested Milton Julien, an old boy, as Auditor.
Unfortunately Milton
It appears that ex-MSB Chartered Accountants are rare if not non-existent!
I will continue to search (for a pro bono arrangement if possible) and I would appreciate any further help available.
That is the state of play.
Regards,
Chris.
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From: Nigel P.Boos
Don,
Looking back at the correspondence on this matter, it does not appear that I ever thanked you for your interesting insight as to the possible reason for the Abbot's refusal to allow us to use the words "Abbey School
Let me correct that right now.
I do sincerely thank you for your response, and look forward to continuing our correspondence on this and other matters, as they arise.
To all the Members of the ASAA Committee:
It appears, however, that there might be another spoke in the wheels as well.
From what I'm told, the Gift Shop might also be a part of the problem.
I understand that, because of the shortage of monks at the Monastery, at some point in the past, the Gift Shop had been handed over to a lay person, name unknown, to run it on their behalf.
A not very good job was done and there proved to be shortages of this and that, the shop was maintained very shabbily and poor management in general was the order of the day.
The concessionaire eventually opened up another shop in Arima, using the name of the Abbey.
This created problems, and as I understand it, the Monastery eventually took over and closed down the Arima operation.
One can therefore appreciate the sensitivity surrounding the use of the Abbey's name, and this could explain Fr. Abbot's response.
But it leads one to a more basic question, doesn't it?
And it is this - in light of these two distinct and serious situations, both of which have impacted on MSB,
I wonder whether the Monastery has ever employed the services of a legal advisor, and if not, why not?
The assets of MSB are vested personally in the Abbot, as Corporation sole, and it would appear that either today or in the past, decisions may have been taken and contracts may /may not have been signed without proper legal advice.
Such advice would have precluded the possibility of the infractions above.
We have lawyers within our ranks, who should be able to offer advice to the Abbot.
It is a shame that there seems to be a divide between the Abbot and the ASAA.
It should be clear to everyone now, that we, as a group, have the affairs of the Monastery at heart.
We want to help.
We are like a little army of qualified soldiers, waiting to be asked to do something, to accept the responsibility for whatever, and we have not been asked to do anything as yet.
Is it that we are seen as ineffective or inefficient? Is our good-will in doubt?
Is our only purpose the holding of an occasional Reunion ?
What really is our purpose, and are we achieving it?
Have we approached the Abbot and offered our services as a group in whatever way we can help?
Is the ASAA even effective again?
What's going on?
There has been no communication from any of the ASAA committee members for many months, and even my own messages to the Committee Members receive no response.
Am I in the boondocks? If so, why?
I believe that the ASAA is in an unique position to offer advice and much needed support to the Monastery at Mt. St. Benedict .
I believe that serious discussions should be held with Fr. Abbot, to offer our advice and assistance as he sees fit.
Unless these talks are held, the purpose of ASAA will remain merely to be a very specific social networking organization geared to organize the occasional back-clapping reunions, dinners, etc., but other than that, to have no other particular rationale for its existence.
My position: I am requesting a response from the ASAA Committee by November 30, 2009.
Failing this, I shall investigate privately and not as an Old Boy of MSB, how I personally might be of some help to the Abbot and the community.
With the greatest respect and good-will,
Nigel P. Boos
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October 18, 2009
Don,
Being the 'Legal Mind' that you are, is there any possible way (as an Old Boy) that you can give advice or, propose some means for Abbot John to manoeuvre, navigate or circumvent around this magnanimous challenge that rides with such devastation upon their Spiritual shoulders.
I would like to hope that from all of us who roamed through the portals of this fabulous institution and blessed threshold of Spiritual development, can in some tangible way, and rally forth with some unified, productive options for His Lordship to consider.
I appeal to all the young/old boys, now mature, wise and willing adults to get together and, not just think about it, but do it.
As ever, with love and caring,
Art
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From: idmitch@anguillanet.com
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:49:45 -0400
Hi Nigel,
I hesitate to respond as I probably know less than any of the other correspondents.
The story I heard a couple of years ago at the first reunion in Trinidad was that the son of a cook at the Abbey School
He claimed squatter’s rights.
The Abbey did nothing to evict him.
They may, I gather, have now lost their right to do so.
He uses the building for his various businesses under the name of the Abbey School
Something like that, nothing to do with us.
Don
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From: "Nigel Boos" <nigelboos@yahoo.ca
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 6:52 PM
Dennis,
The May 22, 2009 letter from Abbot Pereira to you states, "I do not approve of the use of the name 'Abbey School
This is quite shocking, indeed, and I would be very interested to know whether our Old Boys Association or any Old Boys in particular were responsible for this apparent abuse.
Would you be able to enlighten me on this matter?
Does it require an apology to the Abbot for whatever was done?
Are we going to leave the matter unanswered?
Is some restitution required or expected?
Surely, we can't leave this matter hanging out there unfinished!
I would appreciate some sort of response, if this is possible, please.
Thank you.
Nigel Boos
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From: Nigel Boos
Thanks for this insight, Don.
For a while there, I wondered whether we were ourselves responsible for the abuse attached to the Abbey School
If what you say is correct, then I have to wonder at the lack of due diligence as exercised by the Monastery in monitoring the physical assets of their community, and I would have to suggest that if they hadn't been doing such monitoring at least on an annual basis, well, perhaps they should start now.
What a terrific shame. The guy who runs the place (is it the St. Benet's Hall, perhaps???) must have seen a loophole in the law and exercised his right as a squatter. But I also believe that actions may be taken by the Monastery at least once a year, with photographs, etc., to prove a point, where, for example, they might block the road for one day a year (or so I've been told) to assert their rights over it. If they don't do this, I've been told, they might eventually lose the right to cal the road a "private road" too.
They'd better watch it! And someone should inform the Abbot, if what I say is correct.
On another point, since we can't use the name "Abbey School
Nigel
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From: "Nigel Boos" <nigelboos@yahoo.ca>
Sent: Friday, October 16, 2009 6:52 PM
Subject: Were we responsible?
Dennis,
The May 22, 2009 letter from Abbot Pereira to you states, "I do not approve of the use of the name 'Abbey School
This is quite shocking, indeed, and I would be very interested to know whether our Old Boys Association or any Old Boys in particular were responsible for this apparent abuse.
Would you be able to enlighten me on this matter?
Does it require an apology to the Abbot for whatever was done?
Are we going to leave the matter unanswered?
Is some restitution required or expected?
Surely, we can't leave this matter hanging out there unfinished!
I would appreciate some sort of response, if this is possible, please.
Thank you.
Nigel Boos
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The Abbey MSB Book
10 nov 09
From: Nigel P. Boos
Sure, Arthur,
In fact, I send it out with every update to the database I'm trying to build.
The ASAA Committee is headed by Joe Berment, I believe, but others are also involved, so I'll copy this note to as many members as I know about, and Glen can click on each name (above) to get their email addresses.
I hope this helps, Glen.
Nigel
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On 2009-11-10, at 4:18 PM, Art & Val Knaggs wrote:
Nigel,
Do you have the Trini Commitee e-mail that you can give Glen, so he can formulate a plan.
Or pass him on to someone who can help.
Deeply appreciated.
As ever,
Art
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Wed, March 17, 2010 3:17:00 PM
ASAA Incorporation Progress.
From: Chris Knowles
Dear Ladislao,
Denis Gurley was in touch with Joe and me recently to let us know that the Registrar of Companies has approved the use of the name ‘Abbey School Alumni Association’ by our group.
Because of the length of time since we (you, Joe, Denis and I) signed the application it has become necessary for us to resubmit a newly signed application, and Denis has prepared such a document which I signed this morning, with Joe and Denis to sign shortly.
We have gone ahead without you as you are in Caracas
It is permitted to use three signatories.
In order to acknowledge your input into our efforts we will be recognising your status at the meeting which we will hold after the Association is legally incorporated; this initial meeting is a normal part of the practical establishment of such legal entities.
We will keep you up to date as things progress.
(I am going to London
With best regards,
Chris.
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Who remembers the book Elementary Analysis?? What was in it???
Ladislao Kertesz at kertesz11@yahoo.com,
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Photos:
06WK0015PTAWKE, Peter Tang and Winston Kerry.
03SC2015GRP, Francis Pereira, Salvador
58LK0002BOOK, Elementary Analysis used in 1958.
58RB0003a6UNKNOWN, I wonder why no one recognizes this fellow?
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