175 Anniversary of Bishop Feild College and School

The college will be 175 years old this year. What a history lives in the bricks of the old school? It lies vacant now but the work is about to begin to restore it to its former glory.

Bishop Edward Feild, the second Anglican bishop of Newfoundland, founded the school in 1844 shortly after his arrival from England having been appointed to the See by the Archbishop of Canterbury, William Howley.

Now, in August 2019 the call has gone out to all boys near and far to meet us in St. John's, NL to renew old memories and to inspire the future years of Feildians to come. The Reunion takes place at the Remax Centre (Curling Club) on the weekend of August 9, 10 and 11. Hope to see as many there as possible.

Last Thursday I finally received the Bishop Feild College Directors' Minute Book from the Rooms. Thanks to Greg Walsh, Archives Director, we are finally in possession of this valuable book in our College's history.

This minute book was found in the court house. Somebody sent it to the Rooms for safekeeping. I was alerted to its existence and contacted the Rooms to have it de-accessioned to our archive. Mr. Walsh agreed it should be here and finally it has found its proper home.

The minute book contains the minutes of meetings of the directorate of the college. I have included a sample page for you to look at. It contains the history of the College from 1905-1916.

Bishop Feild Boys at Bannerman Park

Grade 3 BFC Bannerman Park/Feildian Grounds 1952

From time to time I am given a photograph of a class at BFC. About a year or so ago Bill Goodyear gave the one below of his Grade 3 class with most of the young lads named. I post it here for your enjoyment. Unfortunately, I cannot be sure of all the names and the places in the picture, so have a look. Let me know if I have made a mistake.

FR: Lying down: Paul Facey, Unknown

R2: Unknown, Rex LeDrew, Bill Goodyear, Unknown hands on face, John Lear, Robert Hall, Neil Crane ( I remember Neil, he was killed in New Brunswick), Unknown, Unknown, Geoff Lewis, Dave Campbell, Unknown, Randy Bell (?), Don Davis, John Calver

R3: Ches Netten, Unknown, Keith Lashana, Unknown, Unknown, Doug Follett, Peter Martin, John Windsor, Paul Emberley

R4: David Brazil, Unknown, David Mercer, Unknown, Unknown, David Brown (?), Unknown, Unknown, Unknown

Hockey Picture

At our last lunch on January 19 Henry Summers gave me a copy of this photograph. I have many of the names but not all. If you know the boys here and if you know the date please get in touch.

Feildian Hockey Team

          

Year 1961-62

FR: Eldon Drodge, Doug House, Earl Wicks, Henry Summers, Earl March, Howard Hickman,Alec Yetman

BR: Ed Pennell, Rhodi Mercer,  Dick Wiseman, Barry Fraser, John Downer (?), Dick Parsons, Art Piercey, Dave "Stubby" Morris, Tom Collingwood, Gerry Critch, Doug French

At this lunch we had a guest speaker, Dr. John Hewson, who taught at BFC in the 50's. He gave a talk about his memories of Feild and how he came to teach there. We had many a good laugh at the memories he stirred up and it was my honour to introduce him and thank him for attending. 

Dick Cook had a card that we will send to Bob Cole in commemoration of his appointment to The Order of Canada.

See you at the next lunch!!

Floreat Semper Bishop Feild