Fwd: EPISODE 480 THE CASTLEFIELD INSTITUTE… WHERE OLD FRIENDS MEET NOV. 29,2021

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From: “alan skeoch” <alan.skeoch@rogers.com>
To: “John Wardle” <jwardle@rogers.com>, “Marjorie Skeoch” <marjorieskeoch@gmail.com>, “alan skeoch” <alan.skeoch@rogers.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2021 6:28:22 PM
Subject: EPISODE 480   THE CASTLEFIELD INSTITUTE… WHERE OLD FRIENDS MEET   NOV. 29,2021

Note: I INITIALLY SENT THIS NOTE TO A FEW PEOPLE…I.E. THOSE WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED.  QUITE A RESPONSE SO

I AM SENDING IT TO USUAL GROUP…A REPEAT FOR SOME OF YOU.  TRIGGERED BY RESPONSE FROM KENT

Just a note about our Castlefield Institute…and our free swinging discussions of world affairs

EPISODE 480   THE CASTLEFIELD INSTITUTE… WHERE OLD FRIENDS MEET   NOV. 29,2021

alan skeoch

Nov. 2021

The Castlefield Institute has been in session for several years now.  It has even survived the Covid 19 shutdown

thanks to this daily Institute news letter which circulates to members. (and some non members)  John Wardle founded the institute to honour John

Ricker now well into his nineties and sharp as a tack.  Usually we meet in person once a month.

John Ricker once said “I have come to like dogs better than humans.”  …. which is not true .  The dog we all knew was named

Montesquieu  one of the leading forces in the French Revolution. A John Ricker hero.  A painting done by Paul underscores how close John Ricker

was to  this little white dog who often stole sandwiches and cake when members of the institute were distracted.

Wilf started us off on the right foot with a bottle of champagne to loosen our tongues.

John Wardle read letters of greeting from Phil Sharp and Bill Saywell and Bryce Taylor and verbal regrets from Sam Markou.

Then the toasts began and the laughter…and the stories some of which might actually be true.

The Institute members spent time discussing the impact of Covid 19, the state of the American nation, the local political scene

in Toronto and the future of our world.  Jumped around a bit.

Milton really warmed us all up with tales of the University of Toronto history department some years ago.  Seems most of the profs

had a weakness for Scotch Whisky.   Milton’s comments were spell binding at times when he got serious.  At other times however

he let his natural humour surface.   

The kitchen cabinet meeting before the formal meeting began.

John Ricker…musing.

We have all walked our way through our slice of history…and wondered at the meaning of it all.  We can lament some things and rejoice

in others.   And laugh at those who puff themselves up.  And cry for those who cannot do so.

In a serious moment, one of the Institute members asked John Ricker “John, I would be interested to know how your mind worked

in 1945 when you returned to Canada after the terror a a tail gunner in a Lancaster bomber…after knowing that many of your 

friends had been killed…what was on your mind after the war was over    You were still a kid really.  You had career choices.  Why did you decide to become

a history scholar?”

“I wanted to understand the forces that allowed so many people to fall into crucible of war.”  (paraphrase)

And when all was done…a case of wine appeared with a bottle for each of us.  Merry Christmas.  “If you do not take a bottle then

John will have to drink it all.”

I tried to grab a bottle for Sam Markou and Phit Sharp but was stopped..  Not trusted.

Paul did the painting of John Ricker and his dog.   He is also the author this year of a major book on aboriginal history.  (title?)