1953 – WHAT A YEAR!!!  Having recently returned from a stellar reunion to commemorate the foundation of our OMA I remembered what I wanted to say! I was the only one to attend who actually left Saint Michael’s in 1953 – fifty years ago and no-one of my class to accompany me. John Remmington was with us – student number 4 but he left in 1952 – but where were the others of the so-called class of ’53. We’ll never know. But thanks, anyway, to the many who “made my day” regardless. Not least to those who made the event possible. But, to the point, a few weeks prior to the reunion, thinking somewhat presumptuously that I may be called upon to speak, I had typed in “1953” into Google (if this doesn’t mean anything ask an internet user) and the following is a précis of what came up: First, items that I think students at school at the time will relate to. Sweet rationing ended in March. I’m serious! Prior to this, from the beginning of the war, the sweet ration was only 4 ounces a week. Must have been good for the teeth! Now to the more serious. The infamous North Sea flood; many were drowned in Heacham alone, and a total of 307 died on the east coast the night of 31st January. Queen Mary, the school patron, died in March (and so did Joseph Stalin). There are few births of note in 1953 except, perhaps, Tony Blair. The school was seriously represented in the Mall for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2nd. Early that morning the Evening Standard had banner headlines “Tenzing and Hilary Climb Everest”. It was quite a day. Once the sun came through we really felt we were part of history. A final item with links to Saint Michael’s: the CIA helped to overthrow the government of Mohammed Mossadegh and reinstate the Shah. We had many Persians at school whose future could well have been determined by this event. And now a list other items, some good, some bad but all indicative of a special year. DNA was discovered and Jonas Salk announced his polio vaccine. Surely two of the most significant discoveries of the century. Colour Television sets went on sale for the first time in the US for $1 175 each. Truman was succeeded by Eisenhower, Tito took over in Yugoslavia, Castro started the Cuban revolution and Krushehev succeeded Stalin. The Korean War came to an end – although it still simmers today. Dag Hammarskjold elected Secretary General of the United Nations. And Winston Churchill was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. A year indeed! Michael Pleming January 2004