Calendar Event
2023 Malta Reunion
Saturday 16 September, 2023Saturday 23 September, 2023
In September 2023, 25 ex-teachers representing all the schools in Malta, visited the island to celebrate the 50 years since most of them went to Malta after the forced withdrawal in of British servicemen 1972.
After many years of educating the children of British Forces personnel in Malta, all Service schools on the island finally closed their doors in 1978 and all of the staff were dispersed - to Germany, Hong Kong, Brunei and Cyprus, whilst others returned to the UK. Despite the passing of years, a close family bond has survived and many Malta reunions have been held throughout the UK and in 2012, thanks to the skills and expertise of Chris and Mike Ford, we all assembled in Malta for a "Rare Old Time"!
Sadly, Christine is no longer with us but her legacy lives on and when Christine and Hugh Ritchie mooted the idea of another Malta reunion in 2023, the response was amazing, despite the fact that all of us are now in our seventies and eighties! Hotels were booked, flights arranged, sun factor 50 purchased and we were ready to rock! (figuratively speaking).
25 of us returned for another memorable visit to our beloved island, the land where many of our own children were born, the country in which some of us met our husbands/wives and a nation close to all our hearts. Many mini-reunions were held throughout the week we were there, culminating in a superby lunch, enjoyed by all in the Palace Hotel, Sliema on Tuesday 19th September. As the chat developed, so did the years roll back and soon we were re-living "Saturday Night Fever" all over again.
Despite the fact that Malta has stepped into the 21st century in style, with a highly efficient urban motoway system, high rise flats everywhere and a myriad of hotels, bars and resaurants, the warmthh and generosity of the Maltese people remains the same. They even covered our visit with photographs and an article in "The Times of Malta". Finally, we all said we enjoyed it so much we are all ready to sign up for the next Malta reunion in Malta!
(text written by Tom Jordan)
The 25 ex-Malta teachers outside of the hotel in Sliema.
A grand lunch out - all together in the hotel.
Tom, Sue and Bernie visit the old Verdala school site.
..and Verdala from times past. Many of us tried to visit our old schools, but Maltese school holidays and the demolition of some schools meant it was not possible to organise many visits.
Tom, Christine and Hugh - the "leaders" of this reunion - outside the hotel in Sliema.
Grand Harbour, Valetta
A view of Valetta - one of the wonders of Malta.
The previous 2012 reunion, with Christine Ford sitting on the left.