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Pulteneytown
Academy Reunion 1970 - 1977 Mandy'
Family Meets Her In Australia 27
March
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March 2001 Mandy - Back in Australia. THE END TO A REUNION BUT THE BEGINNING TO REKINDLED FRIENDSHIPS! Hi there 'PULTENEYTOWN ACADEMIERS'!!!!! I can still hear the cheers now!!!!! It's all on video!!!!!!! I've practically worn the tape out watching it over and over again. Well, as the title suggests, it may be all over but I'm sure we've all been able to rekindle old friendships. There's no way I'm letting the few I've managed to catch up with slip through my fingers again. There's nothing like the old friendships from your school days - you cant put on any airs and graces with them as they KNOW who the real you is and I like that. It was great just being our old selves don't you reckon? I, for one, had the BEST TIME on the night and I've heard so many of you state the same. It was great to have such a great turn out and I was delighted to see so many of our teachers come along. I thought they were going to out last us 'youngies' at one stage. Don't you think that we grew up in the best era of MUSIC? I didn't want to get off the dance floor when the likes of BAY CITY ROLLERS, ABBA, RACEY, RUBETTES, QUEEN etc etc were playing. All the modern day junk that they play now will never replace the likes of these bands. That was self explanatory on a night out in Thurso that I had whilst I was over there. Someone put on a request for me (BAY CITY ROLLERS of course) and the dance floor was packed within seconds. When it went back to all that rap stuff, it thinned out equally as quick. Some DJs are just not in touch with what people want although the one that we had on the night, Peter Sutherland, obviously sussed us all out. It was also great to hear some SCOTTISH MUSIC for all the effort some of the guys put in with the wearing of their kilts!! I'm getting my photos back today (all 120 of them) so I'm looking forward to finding out who exactly were the TRUE SCOTSMEN. I'm sure I was down on the floor at one stage clicking away from underneath kilts!!!! Talking about photos, the one which was in the 'Groat' newspaper is much better in colour!!! If you want to get one, then it will cost seven pounds fifty and can be obtained from MACDONALD'S in Back Bridge Street (upstairs). He took a few but the one in the paper he chose because he thought it was the best overall. However, I notice that it is not clear of a few people so you can always go in and check out the others to see if they are any better of yourself. I'd like to thank everyone once again
for making it such a memorable night. Thanks very much for my lovely
unique, hand blown glass photo frame (the photo fits in it perfectly)
and takes pride of place on my sideboard). Thanks also for all the
lovely comments most of you made in my autograph book. Unfortunately the
book never made it all the way round the tables which is a bit sad as I
wanted everyone to sign it. Well I must go now and get some sunshine!!!!! "Rub it in" I hear you all say!!!! I'm still trying to thaw out!!!!! Please all try and keep in touch so that it won't be so hard when we try and organise the next reunion!!! Bye for now Love Mandy xxxxxxxxxxx Last Letter From Mandy before she sets off from Aussie Hi there Well, this is 'D' DAY for me as I'm off!!! I fly out for 'BONNY SCOTLAND' this afternoon. IT'S ALL HAPPENING!!!! Just hope that I get to follow behind a SNOWPLOUGH or I'm in BIG TROUBLE!!!! I'm sure there will be a few others in my situation as a few will be travelling up from down south on the Friday. We may have to celebrate the reunion in HELMSDALE if we can't get over that dreaded ORD!!!! I'm sure you will spare us a thought or two as you're sitting down in The Norseman eating your ROAST DUCK!!!!! Not much to report this last update except that there are a few more photos added to the reunion site of the Caithness.org (they're a must see!!!). Anyone else who would like to 'donate' their lovely pic are most welcome!! As I won't be here, please send it through to BILL FERNIE at www.caithness.org I'm hoping that a few more tickets will have been sold by the time I reach my sister's on Friday afternoon!!!! See what you can do!!!! Well, this is it - will see you all on Saturday night at 7 pm!!!!!!! IT'S GOING TO BE THE 'BEST' NIGHT, providing most of us get there!!!!!!! Love Mandy xxxxxxxxxxx 28 February 2001 Corinne Rae picture in. 27 February 2001 Lorna Rosie picture 26 February Two more pictures - all growed up 23 February 2001 Another picture From Mandy Donna MacArdle coming to the reunion 22 February 2001 WOO HOO!!! Nine days before we all REUNITE!!! Don't know about all you, but I'm sooooooo excited!! A few things to report here, the first being that DONNA MACARDLE has been contacted and is COMING!!!!!!!! She has a nice little surprise in store for you all and all I can say is that I'm glad KATRINA SWANSON is going to be there!!! Anyone who knows what Katrina's occupation is, will know what I mean!! Linda Bruce has kindly offered to give a couple of people a lift on her way up the road. She lives in Edinburgh and thought of Sally, Lorna and Wilma at first as I mentioned their names. Wilma unfortunately won't be able to make it so if Sally or Lorna would like a lift, then please contact me and I will give you Linda's address. As they may already have planned their own way up, if there is anyone else who is stuck, please let me know and I'll check with Linda. My sister has emailed me to say that there have been a few people up for their tickets in the past few days but we're needing the ticket sales to speed up a bit because the hotel has been asking me for numbers. Again, if you don't already have your ticket, please get it as soon as you can from:- ROWENA FALCONER TEL: 605213 (you can always put a cheque in the mail to her) My sister also pointed out that a few people have been asking my sister-in-law who works in a local shop as to where they can get their tickets from so it's obvious that there are some people still in the dark with regards to all the details. Can you please look out for anyone that you know from our Academy days and just double check with them that they know what's what?!! I'll close now but will get back to you before I leave next Wednesday to give you a final update. Any queries in the meantime, please feel free to contact me (I'm always here, chained to this thing!!) Love Mandy 17 February 2001 Mandy has found Alison Greaney who moved to Italy 20 years ago. Long story and she may tell you later. 17 February 2001 Hi Everyone 13 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!!!! My stomach is in knots as I read that title!!! Less than TWO WEEKS to go!!!!! Well there's a few things to report and I'll start with telling you that LINDA BRUCE has been found (all thanks to Ann Munro) and she's definitely coming. Ann has also been on the phone to Peter Sutherland the DJ to confirm his hours on the night and he's stated that he's all ours for as long as we want!! The only problem being is that I've checked with The Norseman Hotel and they've informed me that the bar will close at midnight and drinks will only be served, after that time, to residents of the hotel!! Guess that's myself, Ann, Katrina and Jacqueline covered as we're the only ones, so far, who have a booked a room. Anyone else REQUIRING alcohol after midnight,please get yourself booked in now!!!! The hotel is offering a discounted twenty pounds bed and breakfast. Thankfully, the reunion starts at 7 pm so 5 hours isn't too bad for every one to catch up (we'll just have to talk non stop - that shouldn't be too hard for me!!) ALLAN TAIT has emailed me and seems interested so hopefully he will be another one to add to the list. KEVIN GUNN - a dead cert!!!! Again, Ann has been really helpful and phoned Kevin to advise him of all the details. He's also spoken to my sister and has reserved his ticket. Sharon Mackenzie and Ralph Farquhar are two names which Jacqueline Wilson recognised from the last update and she's going to try and contact them. Deirdre Steven was another ? but she has been contacted by William Munro and sounds keen to come. Scanning down all the names on the classes list, I reckon all that can be contacted have so it's just a matter of waiting now to see who gets their ticket and turns up on the night. I really hope we get a good turn out but I'm SURE we will have a GREAT night no matter what. I will have to be getting back to the hotel with final numbers next week so please try your best to get your ticket before then. My sister works through the day but is usually in in the evenings. If you don't want to make the trip up there in case she's not in, just give her a call first (she won't mind - she's my BIG SIS!!). A couple of things before I sign off:- 1. Can someone contact Muriel Watt with
the details as no one has really said that they've spoken to her. 3. Have just sent through ALISON GREANEY'S photo to the Caithness.org site so please VIEW!!!! Another bonny wee lassagie!!!! UNFORTUNATELY, you haven't heard the last from me as I 'WILL' be back with a few more updates in the next week. KATRINA actually leaves for the UK on Monday so I'll have to be excited here all by myself!!!! I guess she wanted to travel on her own to get some REST before the big night!!! As if I would keep her awake!!!! UNTIL NEXT TIME!! Please get your TICKET!!! Love Mandy xxxxxxxxxxx
20 days to go!!!! Unbelievable isn't it? It doesn't seem like all this started a year ago!!!!!!!! How time flies!!!!!! This is just a brief email to let you know about a few things. SHAMSHAD has been found!! I spoke to her yesterday (she now lives in Aberdeen) and she said that she's going to try her best to come as she'd love to catch up with us all again. I've been looking through the class list and I'm still no further on with the whereabouts of Linda Bruce? ANYONE? I'm sure there have been a few of you, throughout the past year, who have mentioned that you may be able to locate her. John MacLeod was VERY SUCCESSFUL with
his LETTER BOX deliveries!!! NOW!!! Yes, you guessed it!!!!! It's the
TICKET SCENARIO yet again!!! My sister has been sitting patiently night
after night with the home baked cake in the oven and the kettle on!!!
She's putting on the kilos as we speak having had no one to share it
with!!! Go on, be a devil and get up there for your ticket!!! If it's too much hassle for you to get there, just drop a cheque in the mail and she'll reserve one for you. Will go now and finish my packing!! I've only been at it for three months!!! LOOKING SOOOOOOOO FORWARD TO THE BIG NIGHT! Love Mandy xxxxxxxxxxx
John MacLeod has kindly offered to drop a letter into their mailboxes from me, telling them the situation but he won't obviously be able to reach all of them as he's busy with work. Any more REQUIRING a room for the night, let me know. I'll make this one short so to save myself for the speech on the night!!! Now if that's not enough to scare you all off, I don't know what is. My sister will probably be rushed off her feet now tomorrow - with REFUND REQUESTS!!! Until next time - probably a few days
time!! Mandy JAMES BUDGE I think all of the above have been told at some stage about the reunion as I have them all ticked off as being contacted but whether they know about the tickets is another thing.
Can you believe it?!! I have a few bits and pieces of information to tell you and I'll start with saying "GET OFF YOUR BEHINDS AND GET YOUR TICKETS!!!!" I had my sister all prepared for the 'BIG RUSH' after I sent you all my last update and was anxiously waiting the next few days for her to tell me that she had RUN OUT OF TICKETS!!!!!!!!!! Instead, she emails me after a week and states that nomore than, wait for it ................. 2 TICKETS had gone!!! She's having a good old laugh at me now, stating that the photographer isn't going to really have to bother taking his WIDE ANGLED LENS on the night!!!! I can just imagine 6 of us perched in a line for the REUNION OF THE MILLENNIUM PHOTO!!!!!!!!!!! So please, please, make a point of getting your ticket as soon as you can. To shut my sister up if nothing else!! Great news in that I received an email from William Munro today. He works for a Government Depart in Kingussie now (well he did today but who knows tomorrow!!). I've just sent him half a dozen old updates so hopefully they go UNSCREENED!!! William is definitely looking forward to the reunion and will see us all there on the night. He couldn't remember who we all are so I've sent him the list to jog his memory. C'mon William, how you possibly have forgotten us?!!!!! You've hurt our feelings now! Glad to hear that people are passing on the info re the tickets to others who are not on the net. Kay Howden has emailed to say that she has passed on all the details to Donna Wright and Jasmine Abel. I've 'placed' Corinne in charge of decorating the hall down at The Norseman so please feel free to take it up with her should the hall look pitiful on the night!!!!!!!! Corinne!!! Language p l e a s e!!!!! Seriously, a bunch of us 'lassies' were going to be doing it ourselves on the morning of the 3rd but the hotel said that if we provided the balloons, streamers etc, they would do it for us (so, it's all in THEIR hands!!). The pressure is off Corinne!! As I was looking through the class lists the other night, I noticed that I didn't have a tick beside TAM SUTHERLAND'S name. I'm wondering if anyone has told Tam or knows where to find him? Another mystery is SHAMSHAD AHMED. My sister said that David Simpson spoke to her the other day and said that he was having trouble obtaining her telephone number from her family (who I believe live locally). CAN ANYONE ELSE HELP OUT HERE? DONNA MACARDLE!! Donna left a message for me on the Caithness.org site some months ago but she didn't get back to me after I left my reply. A friend of mine said that she was in Donna's partner's company over the New Year so I have asked her to try and obtain her address through that source. I think you would agree that both Shamshad and Donna were a couple of characters so I'd love them to be there. Talking about the Caithness.org site, have you all been into the PICTURE GALLERY there? What a laugh, seeing all those old school photos of everyone. It would be even better if the other 95% of you sent in yours!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE! If you have one (and I'm sure you do) send it to me as soon as you can. Well, I'll finish here as I have a mountain of chocolate to consume (oh what pressure!!). It's my birthday tomorrow (no need to guess my age!!!) and there's no point in me trying to hide it either!!!!!! It looks as though British Airways had a plane all for me this week!! I've got 6 Family size packs of Galaxy Minstrals, mega box of Celebrations, 10 pack of Galaxy Ripples ............ I'm watering at the mouth just typing about them. Thank you to those who sent them - YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!! I reckon you've got ulterior motives for BEING SO NICE THOUGH!! I can just imagine me coming off the plane in Scotland representing 'BIG BERTHA'!!!! I'll wrap this up now by just reminding you about the TICKETS! I know, I know, I sound like a broken record but I won't be happy until those tickets run out! The more people at the reunion the merrier. Until next time - I'll give you a breather for a week or so! Love Mandy
It's crunch time so dig deep and get those coppers out because the tickets have arrived!!!! My sister Rowena has just emailed me to say that she got them about a half an hour ago!!! Hope she's guarding them like she would the CROWN JEWELS!!!! There are a few things I wanted to tell you in this email so please bear with me. PHOTOGRAPHER!! I asked Ann Munro to check the availability of Macdonald the Photographer and when she phoned, she was advised that he had already been asked to cover OUR REUNION by the John O' Groat Journal!!!!!!!!!!! We're FAMOUS before we start!!! THE NORSEMAN ROOMS!! I've mentioned quite a few times the fact that The Norseman has offered us a discount to stay the night. The charge is £20.00 per person, bed and breakfast. A few of you have replied to me saying that you wish a room to be booked but the hotel needs to know what type of room you want, ie single, double, twin? Hopefully more of you will want to stay the night as it will be really handy for you to attend the breakfast (should you be up to one!!!). PLEASE try and let me know in the next week or two and I would be grateful if you could mention this deal to people who are not on the net. SCHOOL PHOTOS!!! I'm STILL WAITING!!!! WAITING!!!!! WAITING!!!!! Thanks to everyone who has already sent their photos - much appreciated!! For those of YOU who have yet to send me yours, you may be persuaded to do so after checking out the 'BEAUTIES' on the Caithness.org site!!!!!!!! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I downloaded some of the ones that I've been sent to the site so Bill Fernie said that he would get them put on OUR REUNION SITE as soon as he could. I'm SURE they will bring a smile to your face!!!! C'mon now, get into the mood and BRING THOSE PHOTOS out the archives!! We're needing some laughs! LUNCH - SUNDAY 4 MARCH 2001 I know I may be getting a little too ahead of myself here but I just wondered how many would be interested in a lunch the following day? It seems such a pity that we're all getting together, after such a long time, just for the one night. I've asked Ann to book THE SILVER DARLINGS restaurant for 12.30pm so hopefully we'll have a good turn out. It would be good though to try and accumulate some numbers beforehand so if you could pass the word around re this, that would be great. PUPIL UPDATE!!! Corinne eventually got a hold of Kevin Harper. Kevin actually works for the same company as Corinne, which is Halliburton. Kevin is married with three kids, the latest two (twins) only being born lately so I reckon KEVIN has a pretty VALID excuse if he can't make it!!!!!!!!!! Sleep deprivation has to be THEE worst thing! Anyway, hopefully the TWINS will be sleeping through the night before 3 March!!!! TICKET SITUATION - AGAIN!! Last, but certainly not least (it's
okay, I'm just practicing for my speech here!!!), the tickets can NOW be
GOT AT!!!! Just in case you didn't READ or you ACCIDENTALLY deleted my
last update, I'll just recap re the ticket situation. Tel No: (0955) 605213 The tickets are £15.00 so it's up to you as to how you want to pay for it, ie cash or cheque and go up to collect your ticket or send a cheque in the mail. As I mentioned last time, if you send your cheque, please make it payable to ROWENA FALCONER or CASH (if the banking system allows it) and she will record a ticket number against your name (I have sent her the total class list). You can then pick your ticket up on the night at the hotel. I know everyone is busy these days but please try and see to the ticket within the next 2 weeks as, apart from the hotel needing to know rough numbers, I don't want to inconvenience my sister for weeks upon end. WELL, that's the end of yet another update. How quickly the time seems to be flying by!! Just a reminder - 46 DAYS TO GO!! Hope to hear from you all VERY VERY soon. Can't wait to see every one. Love Mandy xxxxxxxxxxx P.S. OOPS!!! It's really important that every one gets notified about the tickets (obviously!) so if you know, or see someone who is on the class list,please pass on the details as to how they can obtain their ticket. Who's been counting down the days?!!! I
sure have, 52 days to GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who can't
wait?!!!!!! I sure can't!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, enough excitement - I'll get on
with it! Quite a lot has happened since my last update to you all. Out
of the 72 of us, 69 have now been found!!!! Not bad going - THANK YOU
INTERNET!!! Have just come off the phone to Danella
who now lives in Denver Colorado. She hadn't heard A THING about
the reunion and I said that it was a wonder that her mum hadn't
mentioned anything to her as I thought a few of you had obtained her
phone number from her mum. Turns out her mum is actually holidaying with
her in Denver at the moment. Coincidentally, Danella's husband has been
going into the Caithness.org site for ages to obtain the details on the
local newspapers but he never saw any of the info re the reunion. It's a bit short notice for Danella at
this stage but she sounded keen so hopefully she will decide to come.
Who remembers 'SINCLAIR MACKAY'?!!! Who couldn't!!! Hi there 'Sinky'!!
Sinclair emailed me out the blue yesterday as he saw all the details on
the Caithness.org site. I was laughing because a couple of you had told
me that he would be no problem in locating as he was the Harbour Master
Assistant in Wick!!! NOT SO!!! Sinclair's been away living in Alness for
a while so thank God he saw the Caithness site. Roddy Mackay has caught up with Deirdre
Steven (she's coming) and he's been on the phone to William Munro so I'm
waiting on him to email me (think I said that the last time!!!!!!).
Andrew Mackay is still to be contacted, as is Kevin Harper. My sister
has just given me Andrew's phone number so I think I will phone him
today. Well, after all, he WAS the love of my life!!! Primary school
days of course!!! OOPS!! Did I just say that out loud?!!! I wonder if he
ever knew?!!!! Tommy/John Bremner's brother Colin also
got all the details from the Caithness site so he emailed me to let me
know that he would pass on all the info to him. Roddy also said that he
bumped into Tommy a few weeks ago at a dance and mentioned it to him
then. NOW!!! The TICKETS!!! They're ready,
sitting here beside me. I'm going to send them this week to my sister in
Wick as she will be selling them on my behalf. As I don't want to
inconvenience her TOO MUCH, I've told her that I just expect her to have
an OPEN HOUSE for 14 days, between the hours of 5 pm and midnight!!!!!!
Slight exaggeration there but for those of you who live locally and want
to go and pick your tickets up, she said that it would be fine to do so
after 5 pm as she works during the day. CASH would obviously be best but
if you want to pay by cheque then please make it out to MRS R FALCONER
(don't worry, she CAN be trusted!!!!!!!!). Actually, I'm not sure how
the banking system works over there now - maybe you can still make
cheques out to cash? I'll leave that one up to all you lot. For those of you who don't live locally,
please send your cheques to:- My sister's number just in case any one
needs it is:- (0955) 605213 The tickets are £15.00 each and the
breakdown of that is as follows:- Last thing about the TICKETS! I won't
give an exact date right now as to WHEN the tickets can be purchased
from my sister as you just never know how the postal system is. I WILL
be sending them this week but I will wait for confirmation from my
sister when she receives them. I will then let you all know that it's GREEN
FOR GO!!!! Have received another few photographs
from the 'old school days' but there are so many more DUE!!!!!! The last
week or so before I fly over there, I will be downloading everyone's
photo to EVERYONE ELSE (just to get everyone excited!!) so please make
sure that yours is here to send!! Just want to check again as to who wants
a bed for the night!! The Norseman is offering us all a discount and a
room will cost you £20.00. Can you please let me know if you want a
room as I have to let them know shortly. I was thinking of a breakfast
the following day for those who are up to it and also a lunch (in a
different venue) so that everyone can catch up with the people they
didn't get the chance to with the night before. DID THAT JUST SOUND LIKE
DOUBLE DUTCH TO YOU? It's just dawned on me that it's going
to be like starting all over again - the fact that the people who are
not on the Internet will have to be tracked down to be told about the
ticket situation!!! I'm tired just thinking about it. This has been a
task in itself, having found all you lot on the net!!! I would
really really appreciate it if you could pass on the info re the tickets
to any one that you meet (if you could phone them even, that would be
great. If they're not told then our numbers will obviously decrease. I
think there's about half on the net so that's a start. Well I'd better
shut up here before I put you all off coming. Promise I won't speak
SOOOOO much on the night!!! I'll probably end up with bronchitis, the
fact that I'll be coming from forty odd degree heat to minus
whatever!!!! Hoping to hear back from you all soon. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL AND ROLL ON 3
MARCH 2001 Love Mandy
Hi all you 'Pulteneytown Academiers' Mandy P.S. Anyone who has not contacted me but
who is on the list and reading 5 September ------------------------------------------------------------ |
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| The Champs at Netball? Mrs Gunn Danella McPhee (now in USA ?) Corinne Rae (lives in Wick) Elaine Christie (lives in Wick) Kathryn Begg (lives in Inverness) From left to right (front row) Katrina Swanson (lives in Aussie) Jacqueline Beattie (lives in England) Mandy Miller (lives in Aussie) Gym Teacher Mrs Scott  |
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| And THE FOOTY TEAM - Primary 7 From top row, left to right - William Munro Paul McNeill Robert Mackay (PRIM 6) Ralph Farquhar John Inglis Alan Tait Roderick Mackay Eddie Beattie (PRIM 6) Andrew Mackay Grant Campbell Colin Elder (PRIM 6) Donald Cornwall (PRIM 6) Kevin Farmer  |
