We have received this great response to the recent post on the 60th Anniversary of the McLean Hall.  It is from Alastair Barnett in British Columbia – regular readers of this blog will remember the article he wrote on his childhood as a wartime evacuee in Fearnan.

Alastair wrote:

“This interesting and meticulously researched post certainly enhanced my Sunday morning. Not only did I find the details of the hall’s inception absorbing but the photos of some of my old neighbors, school friends and acquaintances touched me profoundly: Childhood friend and mentor Chrissie Brace, (nee Butters) from Springbank Cottage, “Dolly” Stewart from the hotel, John McLean (known affectionately as” Johnny”) the Grindley children, Catherine McDougall, schoolteacher Miss Maynard, Andy Dot, and I’m certain I recognize a schoolmate Billy Ross — so many memories.

One lady I identify in the audience was an accomplished whist player. When a progressive Whist Drive was held in the school, she fairly bristled when I became her partner for a brief period as we moved from table to table. Who could blame the dear lady? I was twelve and quite useless at card games; and she intensely disliked losing. I never discovered why I was made to participate.

Thank you for posting this informative article and congratulations to everyone involved in the success and preservation of the hall. Best wishes on your anniversary celebrations.

Incidentally I believe I’m correct in saying Mrs. Hodgeson is the lady in the center of the photo next to “Dolly” Stewart.

PS: I found Aneka’s recording of Japanese Boy on YouTube. The melody lodged itself firmly in my brain and I’ve been compulsively humming it all morning. (And I’m sending it out to friends here in BC.)”

Many thanks, Alastair, and Mrs Hodgson is now correctly identified in the photo.