Hi all ,

Happy New year to all the members !

Having just returned from ' The Sunshine city ' after a fantastic holiday over the Christmas period , I'd be interested to know what your feelings are towards the post election violence in Kenya which continues to escalate at an alarming rate . It is generally felt that Mr Odinga won the election hence the disgruntled feelings amongst the public which started the present problems .

I personally in 40 years have never known the country so 50/50 divided . My main worry is that the two main tribes involved may never be able to settle their differences , people say that the only answer is a re-election , I realy don't think so , interested in your points of view ,
Richard

Dear All (those who knew him)

It is with great sadness that I have to let you know that on Thursday last week we lost Bjorn in a motorbike accident on the Isle of White where he lived and worked with his family.

I know to me he was a great friend and my Bestman, and who I personally have known for over 28 years, so please as hard a job as this is please can you pass this on to those who knew him through whatever media you have at your disposal, as it is very tough for his wife and family to reach all those who knew him from his past life in and around Kenton or indeed at Hillcrest Secondary and beyond.

I hope you will al join me in sending your support to the family at this time.

Mark Rush
Commercial / Project Manager
Jones Sweett International Limited (Dubai Branch)
Office 105
Khalid Al Attar Tower
Sheikh Zayed Road
PO Box 120699
Dubai

Tel: +971 (0) 4329 5755
Fax: +971 (0) 4329 5855
Mob: +971 (0) 50 352 7557
mark.rush@jonessweett.com
www.jonessweett.com

***Kevin Payne, beloved husband of Barbara, much loved son of Tony and Judy, brother of Barry, tragically killed in a road accident on December 26, 2007. Kwaheri Mass at Loreto Convent Msongari, Nairobi, Kenya, at 3PM on 7th January 2008.***

I was stunned to learn on Saturday morning from Julian Haddad that our childhood friend Kevin died in an accident on a road near Naivasha. Julian's family and my family got together yesterday and remembered Kevin; he was always chiding us for not getting together more, since we lived 2 driving hours away from each other, me in Philadelphia, and Julian in the DC area. Julian has known Kevin more than 30 years, and Kevin was a part of his wedding party. I met Kevin for the first time through Julian, back in our primary school days. Then we all entered Hillcrest Secondary School the same year.

As a First or Second Former, I remember going over to Kevin's house in Lavington for a sleepover. He was the Kenyan Junior Motocross champ several times (he subsequently won many more championships), and so he had many cool toys for us to play with in his garage. We took a couple of his motorbikes out for a spin, and I, being a clumsy first-timer, rode it into a tree and bent the handlebar. Kevin took the bike to his dad and asked him to fix it. "What happened?" his dad asked. Kevin said, "I rode it into a tree, dad." Then he turned to me and winked. That was the kind of guy that he was, always generous and looking out for you.

It was wonderful for me to meet up with him as adults two years ago when I visited Kenya. Now I'm glad I did; it would be the last time this side of eternity we see each other.

Perhaps some of you reading this are around in Kenya and you would like to go to the mass and be with Kevin's family and friends as they grieve. It would be good if you could make it. Some of you, though you aren't able to go like me, would still like to share your memories of Kevin. Please write something in the comments section. I am sure the family would appreciate reading them.

Rest in peace, Kevin. You were truly a quality guy. We are so very sorry to see you go, and we all will miss you.

I have just come across some old video footage of life in Hillcrest in the last century (1990). Over the next few months, I will be uploading these clips to youtube and displaying them on this site under the videos section.

If anyone else has video footage that you think may be worth posting, and you need help to get it on this site, please contact me.

This site now has over 1100 members who have sent over 5000 private messages to one another. So, despite the wonders of myspace and facebook, this creaky old web site still seems to have its attractions.

Well a call is out to all you guys and girls out there if you're in Dubai get in touch...ofcourse if you know me...Mark Rush

Some registrants tell us very little about their current situation, using statements such as "living" or "n/a" If you are not prepared to pen just a few words about what you are doing now, then please do not register on this site. Current registrants who have nothing informative to say will have their regisrations deleted in an attempt to ensure that we only have bona fide ex-Hillcrest registrants.

Barney Lodge

Thanks to all ex-Hillcrest students and teachers who sent in a few words about their recent history, to put on a 'Where Are They Now?' page. The Magazine will go to press soon, so this is a final call for any more.
Please supply your name, dates at Hillcrest, current abode, occupation (if any) and anything else you want to mention. Please email it to: dcbowman@hillcrest.ac.ke.

Thanks,

David Bowman (Magazine Editor)

I was going through my old drawings, and I ran across several caricatures that I did of my teachers, several lifetimes ago, for the school yearbooks. You can see how old these are by the yellowed papers, and by their completely juvenile nature. Man, was I completely disrespectful to them! As an act of penance, I will be posting them one by one on this site in the coming days. Teachers, please forgive me! You were such good sports.

First one up: Mrs. Jackie Guest, our lovely Queen Who Reigns Over Home Economics. My apologies, Mrs. Guest. You were so hospitable to Christe and me when we visited, and this is how I repay your kindness...