BIAN TEE JAMES LIM - Aberdovey, Wales, 1953

I WAS AMONG 4 MALAYSIANS FROM THE THEN MALAYSIAN TEACHERS COLLEGE, KIRKBY LIVERPOOL. LANCHASHIRE SENT FOR A ONE MONTH'S STINT AT THE OBSS AT ABERDOVEY, WALES. I ENJOYED MY STAY THERE. THE WARDENS AND ASSISTANTS WERE STRICT BUT FAIR AND KIND. I AM PROUD TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO UNDERGO INSTRUCTIONS FROM CAPT. FULLER OUR WARDEN. COMING FROM AN UPPER MIDDLECLASS CHINESE FAMILY I WAS SHOCKED WHEN ASKED TO CLEAN THE TOILETS. MY PARENTS EMPLOYED FOUR MAIDS. WE CHILDREN WERE UTTERLY SPOILT. WHAT IMPRESSED ME WAS THE SUBJECTS TAUGHT THERE SUCH AS MAP READING/FIELD STUDIES, KNOWLEDGE OF VARIOUS KNOTS,MORSE CODE, CANOEING, THREE DAYS ON BOARD A SCHOONER IN THE IRISH SEA ETC. I WAS IN THE RALEIGH WATCH. I DREADED THE EARLY WAKEY-WAKEY SWIM. I WAS CHILLED TO THE BONES. I STILL HAVE THE OLD SEASCHOOL TIE BLUE AND WITH SLANTING GOLD ROPES ON IT-A TREAURE I MUST SAY.IT IS ALMOST SIXTY YEARS NOW BUT I STILL HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF MY STAY AT OBSS ABERDOVEY WALES. IN MY MEMIORS I HAVE WRITTEN A CHAPTER OF MY OLD ALMA MATER. I HAVE LEARNED TO SERVE AND NOT BEING SERVED AND NEVER TO YIELD.....JAMES LIM