With the publication of his Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage [697 pp, Oxford, £50], QC old boy and former master (and briefly headmaster) Dr. S. R. R. Allsopp has accomplished a feat of immense scholarly importance, perhaps unequalled in the field of Caribbean linguistics. A pioneering work, the dictionary is the first to cover Caribbean English words and phrases as used across the entire region bounded by Guyana, Belize, the Bahamas and the Leeward-Windward chain.

Drawn from data gathered from language workshops and speech recordings, and from over 1000 sources of Caribbean writings, the dictionary contains over 20,000 entries. Full etymologies are given, with each entry traced to its African, Amerindian, Chinese, English, other European or Indic roots--so now is your chance to discover the origins of backra, douglah, gody, mauga, mako-man, payass (or piasse), stelling (no, it is not the Dutch word for wharf) and as host of others.

The dictionary is the culmination of over 20 years of work, which included research in West Africa, by Richard and his team of assistants at UWI's Cave Hill campus and elsewhere in the region under the Caribbean Lexicography Project. A French and Spanish Supplement edited by Richard's wife Jeannette (nee Mercurius) is also included.

Richard, who recently retired from the UWI as Reader in English Language and Linguistics, lives in Barbados. He is a member of the Editorial Board of the New Oxford English Dictionary.

To the bereaved relatives, the Association tenders its sincerest condolences.

OBITUARY Maurice Irvin Cecil Hahnfeld With the death of Maurice Hahnfeld on 25th February in his 64th year, the Association has lost one of its most active and popular members. He was a member of the Management Committee from 1992 to '94, and would doubtless have remained there longer but declined to stand for re-election on the grounds of ill-health. A capable organizer, Maurice was largely responsible for the success of the first two of the annual garden parties held at St. John's Nature Garden, Clapham. Maurice attended Queen's College between 1943 and 1949 where he was latterly Assistant Troop Leader of the Scouts (Troop 27). After a short spell as a Booker Cadet, he came to England in 1950 with the intention of studying law. However National Service intervened, and he decided that the RAF was the life for him, spending 19 years in the service including a long spell in the Far East. As Air Quartermaster in the VIP Crew, with the rank of Flight Sergeant, Maurice can be said to have been actively involved in shuttle diplomacy--ferrying various dignitaries back and forth between Singapore and Malaya in the period leading up to Singapore's eventual separation from the Malaysian Federation. His funeral on 6th March was well attended, with a strong QCA contingent including the President, Management Committee Chairman and two other Committee members. Val Smith of the New York Association, an old friend of Maurice's, flew over specially for the occasion. At Val's instigation Laude Gratemur Scholae was sung at the end, just before the cremation began. Maurice is survived by his mother Daisy (who lives in Canada and, at 88, is still playing championship bridge!), widow Doris, and daughters Laura (by his first marriage) and Lyn. To all of them the Association extends its deepest and sincerest sympathy.

Lynette joined the staff of Queen's as Prep Form Mistress in September 1943 (the term that QCA members Ian Wishart and Gerald Wong entered the Prep) and also undertook the role of Music Teacher which she initially shared with H. V. ('Paupee') Taitt until his retirement. With the expansion of musical activities under the Sanger-Davies regime and the subse4uent abolition of the Prep, the teaching of music became her main occupation until she left Queen's to head the Department of Culture from which she retired a few years ago.

Her birthday began with a mass at which the Woodside Choir under old boy Billy Pilgrim performed, and ended with an impromptu party when a few of her former students at the Teachers' Training College turned up to remind her that it was not only Queen's College that had claim on her. The house was overflowing with flowers and cards, including one from President Jagan.

Some days later the event was celebrated in grander style at a function held at the school arranged by Headmistress Diana Rutherford in co-operation with QCOSA. Tributes were paid by Master of Ceremonies Vic Insanally, QCOSA past President and Chancellor (of the judiciary) Aubrey Bishop and by QCOSA President, Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis. Also present were Lynette's sister Doreen Roberts (widow of Lloyd) and former Bishops' High School Headmistress Carmen Jarvis (nee Peterkin) who began her teaching career at Queen's. (It says much for Carmen's dedication and stamina that she was not put off teaching for life by the sometimes obtuse reactions of adolescent schoolboys to the arrival in their midst of a young, attractive teacher--those were pre-PC days !)

Laurie sent all overseas Alumni Associations a copy of the congratulatory letter that he had written to Lynette. It ends: 'PS How is it we seem to age every year and you look the same way?' (Never a truer word..)

Silk neckties of the original and sesquicentennial designs (only a few of the latter) are available from Ian Wishart, price £16 each or £15 for multiple orders; postage extra. They will be on sale at the Garden Party as usual.

We keep trying. Surely someone out there has something of interest to relate or announce. We desperately seek articles, news about old boys/girls, anecdotes etc., etc. Contributions to Ian Wishart (or any other member of the Committee) please.

4 AUG 96	QCA Garden Party & Barbecue, St. John 's Nature Garden, Clapham (see flyer)
16-23 AUG 96	BHS Association 5th International Reunion; Dinner Dance at the Savoy, Sat 17th (contact Joy Leitch 0181 555 6842)
7 SEP96	St. Rose's (Ursuline Convent) Association reunion lunch, St. Vincent House, Pembridge Square, London W2. Details from Jean Nelson (Tel. 883 716566) or Pamela Walters (Tel. 01787 227316--call between 6 and 7 pm.
1 NOV 96	QCA AGM and Social
6 DEC 96	QCA Annual Dinner
5 - 8 SEP 1997 (?)	QC Alumni Associations International Reunion, New York (provisional).