THE CHORISTERS PICNIC OF 1957 – by Bernard VanCuylenburg
The photograph is of the choir of St., Anthony’s College Kandy, on their annual picnic in 1957. That year the choristers were taken to the Laxapana Scheme near Norton Bridge. This dam and the bridge were not far from Carolina Group Watawala where my Dad was Planting. When my Dad and Mum heard of this, he invited our Choir Master Mr. Cyril Brown and the choristers to stop at our bungalow for Breakfast – an invitation which was gladly accepted.
The photograph taken that day on the front lawn after Breakfast, with Dad and Mum in the center in the front row. I am on the fourth from the right, partly hidden wearing a blue jumper, behind the boy (Tony Hall) wearing a tie. Ralph Barthelot is the second boy from the left in the front row, next to Neil Wijeratne also wearing a tie.
You can note the mist in the background. On a very clear day when there was no mist, one could get a clear view of Adams Peak.
Precious memories are made of moments like these.
Here are the names of the Choristers in that memorable
photograph taken during the picnic of 1957. On the way to Norton Bridge our destination, we stopped at Dad & Mum’s on Carolina Group, for Breakfast.
BACK ROW: Harold Candappa, (Head partly covered) Winston Bailey, Steve Morrell, Ian Fernando, Victor Bailey (Forehead bandaged) Trevor Berenger, Dunstan Taylor (in glasses) ?
Monty Holsinger OR Chris Duffv Tytler? Christopher Koelmeyer, David Forbes (In a Beret). In front of David is Anton Wijeratne.
SECOND ROW FROM THE BACK: David Berenger, Arlo Tyler,
Robin Koelmeyer, Christopher Pereira, In front of Chris Pereira is Patrick Berenger. Next to Patrick is Royston Hyde, next to Royston is David Pate and next to him is Michael Joseph, just behind Mum’s right shoulder. between Mum and Dad is Tony Maxworth. Next to Dad =?? then Errol Colomb, Ronnie Bolling.
Next to Ronnie is Bernard Van.(In black Jumper).
Behind Bernard ?? Leaning on Bernard’s left shoulder is Sheridan Orchard.
FRONT ROW: Gerard Taylor, Ralph Barthelot, Neil Wijeratne in Tie, immediately behind Neil is Anthony Ranasinghe. Next to Neil is Rodney Lobo (In a Jumper), then Angelo Perera (Hands folded in front) Mum & Dad. Looking away from the camera next to Dad is Ronnie Barber. Next to Ron is Patrick Smith in Jumper, Tony Hall in a Tie, and John Poulier.
A Question Mark ?? denotes that identification is not possible !
Fond memories of happy days……….
Bernard VanCuylenburg
