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January 2024

Famous Names (18)

By |2024-01-18T16:06:32+08:00January 18th, 2024|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|

….born in Singapore in 1909, went to an Anglo-Chinese School in Swatow, China, before returning to study at the Raffles Institute at age 16. He was actively supporting the Chinese by organising relief funds and the boycott of Japanese goods after the Japanese attacked in 1937. His commitment to Chinese resistance increased with the Japanese invasion of Malaya. Just before the fall of Singapore he and other community leaders who were targeted by the Japanese sailed via Sumatra for India. There he was recruited by Force 136… (read more here)

 

Here’s a photo of the famous Colonel Lim Bo Seng (in case some of you were wondering what he looked like).

August 2023

“Mr Addis takes over”

By |2023-08-04T15:25:53+08:00August 4th, 2023|Categories: history, People|

According to this article (from Times of Malaya & Straits Echo, dated 16 September 1950), Mr Addis took over from Sir Ralph Hone – as Deputy Commissioner-General for Colonial Affairs South-East Asia.

Major-General Ralph Hone was once the Chief Civil Affairs Officer responsible for the Peninsula; this was of course during the British Military Administration.

June 2023

April 2023

March 2023

…that famous, tragic, romance…

By |2023-03-31T16:37:15+08:00March 31st, 2023|Categories: childhood, concerts, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: |

Some of you may have already guessed this play, merely by the “balcony scene”. 🙂

This play was organised by none other than the ACS Music and Drama Society, back in 1976. Just to refresh your memories (if you’ve watched it), the leading roles were played by Tan Seow Heng (Juliet) and Emmet O’Sullivan (Romeo).

 

We thank Ong Su-Ming for sharing this photograph with us.

January 2023

December 2022

November 2022

Guess Who?

By |2022-11-25T16:47:31+08:00November 26th, 2022|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|

Does he look familiar? No? What if I told you there’s a building named after him, along Dairy Road (now known as Jalan Raja Musa Mahadi)?

In case you’re still puzzled, this gentleman is none other than Prof Dato’ (Dr) Ungku Omar bin Ahmad. We don’t know much about his personal life. However, thanks to Prof Dr Zainur Rashid Zainuddin, we do have a short summary of his contribution towards the local medical field.

Restored!

By |2022-11-24T15:50:09+08:00November 24th, 2022|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Natural Heritage, People, Restoration|

This house (in Pasir Salak, Perak) was said to be built in the 1980s, to resemble the house of the late Dato Maharajalela. It later fell into a sorry state (as seen above).

But, the good news is……it was later restored!

If anyone could shed more light on this restoration project, we’d love to hear from you.

We thank Tomb Raider Hunter for these pictures 🙂

October 2022

Famous Names (17)

By |2022-10-12T16:49:58+08:00October 12th, 2022|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|

First he practised medicine in Penang before he moved to Ipoh in 1912, becoming the first Asian with a Western medical degree in Perak. His new clinic was at Tatlock Street; two decades later, a new central market was built in the area, which helps explain why Tatlock Street is now called Hala Pasar Baru.

He then served the Kinta Sanitary Board (the precursor of Ipoh Municipal Council) before he joined the Perak Chinese Maternity Hospital as Medical Superintendent in 1922. He held that post for over thirty years and was the driving force in obtaining funds and government approval for establishing the new Perak Chinese Maternity Hospital at its present site in Jalan Kampar in 1937. (read more here)

 

Yes, we’re talking about Dato Dr Khong Kam Tak, CBE, JP.

An Interesting School Trip

By |2022-10-07T16:31:47+08:00October 7th, 2022|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, mission schools, People|

Is it a bird…is it a plane…..? No, they are most likely staring at the Birch Clock Tower. 

The gentleman (holding some papers) is none other than Rev J Appaduray. The boys in the background are students from St Michael’s Insitution.

Here’s another picture of the group:

(read the full story here)

August 2022

Goodbye to a Legend

By |2022-08-04T14:42:27+08:00August 4th, 2022|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, orbituary, People|

source: BWF Virtual Museum

With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to Dato’ Ng Boon Bee DPTJ AMN. He was a Malaysian badminton player, whose success in doubles earned him recognition as one of greatest doubles players in badminton history. 

Ng Boon Bee is probably the finest sportsman to come out of SMI, being one of the stars of the Malaysian Badminton team from 1960 onwards.

Some of you may remember that year, when the Thomas Cup was paraded through SMI.

In partnership with Tan Yee Khan and later P Gunalan, he won doubles titles in all the big national and international tournaments, including the All England Doubles title twice and the Malaysian title six times. 

 

Our condolences to his family, as well as his ‘family’ in the sporting arena.

July 2022

Ahmad Noor @ Halaloedin Hamzah

By |2022-07-01T11:19:41+08:00July 1st, 2022|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|

Have you heard of Ahmad Noor? Perhaps you knew him as Halaloedin Hamzah?

He was a Mandailing from the Dutch East Indies who free-lanced for Kompas in the early days of his career. He fled and sought refuge in Malaya, when the Dutch authorities cracked down on railway strikers in 1929, in which he was involved, and staged a mass arrest. He later changed his name to Ahmad Noor Abdul Shukor, and had a short stint with Saudara in Penang. (read more here)

The picture (taken from the Kinta Valley book) isn’t that clear…but I believe Ahmad Noor is probably the gentleman standing in the middle.

May 2022

April 2022

March 2022

February 2022

Another British Resident of Perak

By |2022-02-07T15:51:39+08:00February 7th, 2022|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|

Here’s a picture of the Hon. Mr R. G. Watson, British Resident of Perak. This picture was taken from the G.C.V.O. Week booklet, published around 1914.

This booklet is an account of the celebrations at Kuala Kangsar from 21st-28th September 1913, to mark the presentation to His Highness the Sultan of Perak of the insignia of the G.C.V.O. (Grand Cross of the Victorian Order).

We thank Winson Saw for sharing this with us.

January 2022

November 2021

Where are they now?

By |2021-11-23T13:44:40+08:00November 23rd, 2021|Categories: childhood, concerts, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

We received this lovely photo from Eric Low. He’s hoping for any information regarding the young people in the above photo.

In his own words:

Once upon a time there was this band in Ipoh who called themselves “The Rain People” (**) … The 1968 or 1969 picture below was taken in one of the Catholic Churches in Ipoh when and where we performed at the birthday party of Rev Bro Ultan Paul of SMI ….
Enlisting your assistance to see if any of you recognise some of the faces, for me to reconnect with a couple of them …
Left to right (standing): We were all ex-Michaelians
Michael Wong (with the drumsticks, whom I know is still in the UK; lost contact).
Next to him – David Hew (whose family owned the Orchid Farm off Tambun Road, which he took over in running; still in Ipoh I am guessing; lost contact).
Miss Wong Mei Ching (of Housing Trust, she was a 6th Former at SMI then).
Yours truly. to Mei Ching’s left ….
Guy in the glasses was my best friend, Richard Chan, who sadly passed away many yeas ago; I managed to get him Aussie citizenship in the 1970s.
And in centre frame (always wanting to be different), sitting down, is Zainal from Kampung Manjoi (someone whom I am desperately trying to reconnect with …)
I am praying that some of these innocent faces of a yesteryear ring a bell with someone out there …

The Royal Bodyguards

By |2021-11-12T16:57:41+08:00November 12th, 2021|Categories: history, Memories, Natural Heritage, People|

Did you know that the Perak Sultan once had bodyguards comprising members of the Mounted Police? Here’s an article from Harchand Singh Bedi, which appeared in The Star recently.

HRH Sultan Abdul Jalil, the Sultan of Perak, and his consort surrounded by their Sikh bodyguards comprising members of the Mounted Police from the Federated Malay States in the early 1900s.
Photo from Star Online

In the early 1880s, a small body of cavalry troops was established to suppress highway robberies, then of almost-daily occurrence in the pass between Taiping, Kamunting and Kinta. They guarded the pass at night; due to their vigilance, the dangers faced by travellers soon disappeared. The construction of the Taiping Kinta cart road and other roads in Kinta, telegraphs and railways, caused the troopers to be less necessary.

Following the formation of the Malay States Guides in 1896, the cavalry troop was separated and transferred from Taiping to Kuala Kangsar to form a royal bodyguard to escort His Highness, the Sultan of Perak. (read more here)

October 2021

Famous Names (16)

By |2021-10-06T16:18:03+08:00October 6th, 2021|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|

At 21, he inherited his father’s estate. His enterprising approach and advantageous connections combined to bring him early and continued success as a miner. In 1898 he contributed $1000 to establish the Perak Mining and Planting Association. He developed eight mines in Kinta : two at Kampar, three in Gopeng, and one each at Papan, Tronoh and Chenderiang employing 8,000 coolies in total. The richest mines were at Kampar where lit by electricity the mining could continue day and night. He became very well established in Kampar as the leading towkay, became President of the Chinese Club, built a magnificent mansion and jointly with fellow miner Chung Thye Phin he establishing a Chinese Theatre. With this friend he also built a grand bungalow on Gopeng Road named Forest Lodge…(read more here)

I think that last sentence gave it away. Yes, folks. The gentleman above is none other than Eu Tong Sen himself 🙂

September 2021

The Perak Pioneer

By |2021-09-06T11:58:44+08:00September 6th, 2021|Categories: history, Memories, Natural Heritage, People|

The first issue came out on 4 July 1894; a quarto 4-page bi-weekly edition, which evolved into a 4-page folio journal. By 1 January 1901, the Pioneer was converted into a tri-weekly issue – which soon expanded into 6 pages. By 1 March 1905, this paper transformed in a daily paper. It had 8 pages, with daily service of Reuter’s telegrams and the latest news relating to the Federated Malay States and the Straits Settlements. (read more here)

The picture shows the 1st issue and the printing offices. The gentleman shown is none other than the proprietor – Syed Abdul Hassan Ibnay Burhan.

August 2021

The Perak State Council

By |2021-08-26T15:28:43+08:00August 26th, 2021|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

In the early 1900s, these ten gentlemen formed the Perak State Council.

They were:

  1. Raja Chulan bin ex-Sultan Abdullah

  2. Mr R. J. Wilkinson (Secretary of the Resident)

  3. Mr E. W. Birch, C.M.G. (British Resident)

  4. Towkay Foo Choo Choon

  5. Mr C. W. H. Cochrane (Assistant Secretary to the Resident, Clerk to the Council)

  6. HH Sultan of Perak, Sir Idris Mersid-El-Aazam Shah, G.C.M.G. (President)

  7. Towkay Leong Fee

  8. Towkay Chung Thye Phin

  9. The Orang Kaya Kaya Sri Adika Raja Shahbandar Muda, Wan Muhammad Saleh, I.S.O.

  10. Towkay Heah Swee Lee

 

July 2021

Who are they?

By |2021-07-19T15:02:11+08:00July 19th, 2021|Categories: Memories, People|

Do you know them? Perhaps you may recognise some of these ladies. We welcome any information – especially if you can translate the caption for us 🙂

Was this the era when the “beehive” hairstyle was all a rage? 😉

May 2021

April 2021

February 2021

January 2021

‘congratulations’

By |2021-01-08T16:04:14+08:00January 8th, 2021|Categories: Events, Identify Photographs, People|

This photograph, taken on 7th January 1919, shows Dr A C Kathigasu and his 19 year- old bride, Sybil Daly on their wedding day at St John’s Church (now St John’s Cathedral) in Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur. The page-boy is Eric Jeremiah, the 6 year-old son of a family friend Iris Jeremiah.

November 2020

A Royal book…

By |2020-11-20T14:56:51+08:00November 20th, 2020|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Have you ever owned such an exercise book – with British Royalty on the front cover? Personally, I’ve never seen one so unique. Was it common stationery back then…say in the early 1950s? 

 

 

Incidentally, today also marks the 73rd wedding anniversary of HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip 🙂

UM’s 1st Medical Grads, 1969

By |2020-11-04T15:07:42+08:00November 4th, 2020|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

SMI was proud when the first group of medical students to graduate from University of Malaya included five Michaelians. They are pictured above with another Old Michaelian, Mr Vincent Ooi Eu Sen FRCS, Head of Department of Ophthalmology at the University.

They are, from left to right:
Doctors Chin Kit Kong, Ooi Eng Aun, Chong Min Sin, Vincent Ooi Eu Sen, Thong Yee Heng, Chua Chin Tong.

145 years ago

By |2020-11-02T16:03:10+08:00November 2nd, 2020|Categories: history, Memories, orbituary, People|Tags: |

Here’s a little history recap for you:

This grave is among one of seven Christian ones in Kampung Pisang, Pasir Panjang Ulu (in Perak). The cemetery is said to be within a placid jungle clearing against a backdrop of banana trees and thick foliage, close to the Perak River. (read more here).

October 2020

Famous Names (13)

By |2020-10-30T15:56:02+08:00October 30th, 2020|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|

He made the best use of his time in the colony by learning Cantonese, and later Mandarin and travelled extensively in China. He held a number of Senior posts in Hong Kong, British Guiana and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), before being appointed as Governor of the Straits Settlements and High Commissioner of the Federated Malay States in November 1929, taking up the appointment in February 1930, in place of Sir Hugh Clifford who had retired due to ill-health. (read more here)

Who’s our featured celebrity today? He is none other than Sir Cecil Clementi!

The ‘Super Spy’

By |2020-10-16T16:23:08+08:00October 16th, 2020|Categories: history, Memories, People|

Forget James Bond, here in Malaya we had a “super spy”. The photo isn’t all that clear (well, he was spy after all!), but you can more or less get a hint of what this spy looked like.

Based on a press cutting, he was known as: “A cunning triple agent who was feted by the British, the Japanese and the French, Lai Tek infiltrated the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) to become its secretary-general from 1938 till 1947. His duplicity was discovered in late 1945.”

How’s THAT for a  spy? 🙂

September 2020

Famous Names (12)

By |2020-09-04T16:23:10+08:00September 4th, 2020|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

This is part of a portrait picture of a gentleman who had the wellbeing of all people of all races at heart. This picture was taken from an article, which describes our ‘celebrity’ as “a good-hearted, unpretentious, scrupulous and honest man who led the Indians in the fight for an independent Malaya”. 

I think our history buffs are already ‘yelling’ out the answer. Yes folks, this is none other than Tun V. T. Sambanthan 🙂

August 2020

Of Women and Merdeka…

By |2020-08-24T12:41:29+08:00August 24th, 2020|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Meeting of Kaum Ibu members in Ulu Selama, Perak (1958).

The confederation of Kumpulan Kaum Ibu into independent organisations later brought about the creation of Pergerakan Kaum Ibu UMNO (renamed Pergerakan Wanita) in 1949 when the party realised the importance of a permanent women’s auxiliary body. Its leader Puteh Mariah was a dedicated and feisty who took this body to greater heights and she fought for women’s rights thus creating new ventures for women in many areas.

Kaum Ibu also provided classes for betterment of its women and this resulted in some of them being appointed to senior party positions….(read more here)

Famous Names (11)

By |2020-08-10T15:32:55+08:00August 10th, 2020|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: |

He had been part of the SMI family since 1939 and had helped to rescue vital equipment before the Japanese took over the school buildings. As a musician himself he gave personal encouragement to the Military and Cadet bands, as well as to stage productions. For more than 40 years, he served the students, the staff and the school with great respect, understanding and love. 

The Michaelians are already grinning at this entry 🙂 Yes, boys (and girls), our featured celebrity is none other than Bro Ultan Paul!

June 2020

VIP visit

By |2020-06-25T09:41:25+08:00June 25th, 2020|Categories: childhood, Events, history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

Back in 1952, Countess Mountbatten visited St Michael’s Institution. As President of the St John Ambulance Association in London she toured Malaya, visiting centres where St John Ambulance activities were organised. In this photograph, she’s addressing an assembly at the school hall – where she declared a half-holiday (much to the students delight!).

“a Christmas present”

By |2020-06-10T12:12:49+08:00June 10th, 2020|Categories: history, Memories, People|

Yes, yes…I know it’s not Christmas. But here’s an interesting story which appeared in the Leader magazine.

“A week after her marriage in Singapore, Mrs Bloom found herself a captive of the Japanese. Then, thrown together in misery, Occidental, Chinese and Sikh found that prison bars could not confine the human spirit. In Britain on Christmas Day in 1949, it is good perhaps to reflect on another Christmas in a far-off land just six years ago ….” (read more here)

Robin Hood in Malaya?

By |2020-05-29T11:42:43+08:00June 1st, 2020|Categories: Events, history, ipoh, Memories, People|

When the 1939-45 war in Europe ended, in which Police Lieutenant Dick Villiers had visited the continent more times than a peacetime tourist, he was dropped into Malaya as a member of Force 136. When the Japanese capitulated in 1945, Dick left the jungle in Lower Perak and by accident met the Loh family at Telok Anson (now Telok Intan). This was the beginning of an enduring friendship.

With nourishment in short supply at the end of the war, the Loh’s three month old daughter, Diane, was facing a bleak future. Dick began to feel peckish too when the army refused to put him on rations due to his ‘unofficial’ status. Similar situations had cropped up in Europe when he had ‘dropped in unannounced’ and so, like Robin Hood he solved the problem by using his special skills. (read more about his story here).

Yes, we had a ‘Robin Hood’ here in Malaya too! 🙂

May 2020

Opening of the New Library

By |2020-05-27T09:28:53+08:00May 27th, 2020|Categories: childhood, Events, history, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: |

This photograph was taken during the official opening of the new ACS Library and wing, on 11 June 1955. The gentleman unveiling the tablet is said to be the Perak Deputy Menteri Besar. Does anyone know who he was?

Also in the photograph are: Methodist Bishop Raymond Archer (left) and school Principal Ralph Kesselring (right).

Special thanks to our donor – Ann Kesselring Hamon.

 

Famous Names (10)

By |2020-05-25T21:14:46+08:00May 25th, 2020|Categories: Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|

Today’s “celebrity” is not a politician or statesman. Our famous personality once performed as a solo artiste in 1977 at the Green Fern Coffee House, Ipoh. The Green Fern Coffee House is, of course, no longer around.

I’m sure some of you recognise him (pictured above). Yes, this is none other than Joe Chin, formerly of the Fabulous Falcons!

Joe, if you’re reading this….I’m sure your fans would love to hear from you 😉

Celebrating Hari Raya in Papan

By |2020-05-21T10:27:23+08:00May 22nd, 2020|Categories: childhood, festivals/celebrations, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Taken in Papan in the grounds of the Raja Bilah complex outside the Rumah Besar (also known as a Rumah Godang), this photograph shows Raja Yaacob in ceremonial Malay dress with several other Malay men seated or standing around a table. There is a label on the table in Jawi that we believe translates into Hari Raya 1333, which would date the photograph as either 1912 or 1913 in the Gregorian calendar.

How are YOU planning to celebrate Hari Raya this year?

…oops!

By |2020-05-19T10:13:07+08:00May 19th, 2020|Categories: Memories, People|

This article was taken from the Straits Times dated Monday 24th June 1963. It states that the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, who arrived in Ipoh from Alor Setar was given somebody else’s coat as his own was missing!

Later, the stranger’s coat was handed over to the Malayan Airways. The airline somehow managed to recover Tunku’s coat, while the dark blue coat was flown back to Ipoh. The coat was said to contain $30 and five lottery tickets.

I do wonder what became of those lottery tickets 😉

April 2020

Famous Names (9)

By |2020-04-12T13:09:50+08:00April 13th, 2020|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|

  • He was the vice-president of the Penang Anti-Opium Association in 1906, and played a key role in the first Anti-Opium Conference in Ipoh. 
  • Then, he started a small practise at 12 Brewster Road, and gave his support to the Perak Chinese Amateur Dramatic Association and the Ipoh library project.

Yes, our “celebrity” for today needs no further introduction. I’m sure some of you can easily recognise him from the photo too 😉

March 2020

Perak Mentri Besar gets a promotion!

By |2020-03-23T10:19:53+08:00March 23rd, 2020|Categories: history, ipoh, Memories, People|

Remember Mohamed Ghazali bin Haji Jawi? He took over as Mentri Besar of Perak back in August 1957 (after Dato Panglima Bukit Gantang resigned). 

This newspaper cutting was taken from The Straits Times dated Tuesday, 1st of March 1960. According to the article, Mohamed Ghazali was appointed Malaya’s Ambassador to the UAE.

“Gone but never forgotten”

By |2020-03-20T11:27:47+08:00March 20th, 2020|Categories: Events, history, Ipoh Town, Memories, orbituary, People|Tags: |

No, we’re not in a morbid mood this Friday. In fact, tomorrow (21st March) will mark 71 years since the burial of WW II heroine Sybil Kathigasu (nee Daly).

We have here a photograph taken at St Michael’s Church, way back in 1949. The hearse can be seen arriving at the tree-lined Church Road. Also note the crowds of well-wishers and altar boys lined up on both sides of the road.

February 2020

A Royal Visit

By |2020-02-05T16:55:07+08:00February 5th, 2020|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

The gentleman in the centre (with glasses) is none other than His Majesty Sultan Idris. The lovely lady is His Majesty’s Consort – YTM Che Puan Negara Aminah.

We believe this photograph was taken at a factory, probably sometime in the 70s. Could anyone tell us more please?

January 2020

December 2019

November 2019

VIPs at a dinner…

By |2019-11-22T14:26:54+08:00November 22nd, 2019|Categories: Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, People|

We thank Muhammad for sharing this photo with us. His grandfather – Mohd Ali bin Pitchay – is the gentleman on the extreme right. Can you identify the others in this photo? 😀

We were told that this photo was taken inside the Lam Looking building…

The Teacher…and his students

By |2019-11-04T14:48:03+08:00November 4th, 2019|Categories: childhood, Events, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , |

We thank Barat Kumar for sending us this picture. In his own words, Barat explains:

“As we bear witness to the passing of a great man I would like to share this picture of Our beloved Mr Selvamany. Picture was taken on 14 July 1972 at a farewell assembly. This was when he went on transfer. From left Thian Hock (?) and Chong Kee Seng. 
Accompanying Mr Selvamany is Principal”

October 2019

Milo Tricycle?

By |2019-10-07T16:36:19+08:00October 7th, 2019|Categories: childhood, food, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Long before the famous Milo Vans, there was the Milo Tricycle. We believe this was the brainchild of an innovative Indian gentleman in the late 1950’s. He lived in Buntong but kept his tricycle in a shop in Old Town. The picture featured on today’s blog is a replica of the Milo Tricycle, made by our contractor Y Cheng Thymes.

There is also a bit more about the men behind the Milo Tricycle, on this Ipoh Echo link.

 

September 2019

August 2019

July 2019

A Tribute to Nurses…

By |2019-07-31T16:47:23+08:00July 31st, 2019|Categories: ipoh, Memories, People|

We have here a lovely photo from Shuen Huey Foo, showing some of the nurses from Ward 8 of the Ipoh General Hospital. Do you recognise them? What about the person in the portrait?

May 2019

Award for a Brave Girl

By |2019-05-24T21:36:51+08:00May 24th, 2019|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Remember the time (back in school) when you received an award for excellent exam results? I remember getting an award for good PMR results (though I can’t recall what the prize was).

Well, back in 1947 Dawn Kathigasu received an award for bravery! The gentleman beside her is Mr A. Aston (British Resident Commissioner for Perak).

 

“To Sir with Love”

By |2019-05-17T16:46:39+08:00May 17th, 2019|Categories: greetings, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

No, we’re not talking about the movie 😉 We’re actually dedicating today’s post to a well-known and well-loved educator. I’m sure most of you will recognise him from the photograph. 

Happy belated Teacher’s Day…to ALL those dedicated men and women who made us who we are today!

April 2019

“I want to ride my bicycle”

By |2019-04-05T15:14:24+08:00April 5th, 2019|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Here is Percival Moss, with his ‘faithful ride’. Moss was a tailor who sewed uniforms for the Malay States Guides and other military organisations, back in the early 1900s. We thank his grandson Bernard for sharing this photograph (along with many others of the Moss family, who once lived in Taiping). 

Any guesses as to what type of bicycle he’s riding?

March 2019

Teen Idols?

By |2019-03-22T16:54:50+08:00March 22nd, 2019|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

When The Falcons had to end due to their manager quitting, the band members, Joe Chin, Michael Ho, Christopher Choong and Thomas Ham decided to concentrate on their education, leaving the stuffed Falcon (the band’s mascot) with Christopher. But not long after that, Joe and Michael found two other guys, (Kenny Ham, Thomas’ brother and Vincent Joseph, his cousin), who shared their interest and together they formed ‘The Teenage Fentons‘….

Just wondering…any of the members of the Teenage Fentons still around? We’d love to hear from you 🙂

Singing with emotion

By |2019-03-21T13:01:21+08:00March 21st, 2019|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Audiences said what set her apart was her complete immersion into the emotion of her songs. Most of her songs are sentimental love ballads, wistful, nostalgic melodies, and her entire composure and movements would reflect the mood of her music. She often cried as she sang on stage…. (read more here)

This time, we’re featuring a celebrity closer to home. The above photo is none other than Taiwanese singer Yao Su Rong. Do you remember her?

“for your eyes only”

By |2019-03-07T13:20:40+08:00March 7th, 2019|Categories: childhood, Events, ipoh, Memories, People|

courtesy of: Hong Soon Keong

In the 1960s, a magician by the name of John Calvert drove from the Ipoh Airport to Lido Cinema…blindfolded! No, I’m not kidding; the above picture was taken at Cockman Street showing Calvert in an Austin Gypsy..with his eyes covered.

We’re not encouraging you to try this stunt…but we’re wondering if anyone out there remembers John Calvert and his magic show 🙂

November 2018

Famous Names (8)

By |2018-11-21T16:52:16+08:00November 21st, 2018|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: |

Some of you may already recognise this person. For those who don’t, here are some fun facts about him:

  • he was an architect and developer
  • he once worked for the Ipoh Town Board as a draughtsman
  • he also owned Caxton Press (along Belfield Street)
  • he and his family lived at Dulcieville Lane

Yes, he is none other than C H Labrooy!

October 2018

Sneak peek – inside the Kinta Kellas Estate bungalow

By |2018-10-05T15:36:37+08:00October 5th, 2018|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, Natural Heritage, People|Tags: , |

Hypothetical scenario: Imagine you’ve just inherited a LOT of money…and you’ve decided to build a beautiful mansion. Well, let us ‘help’ you with some interior decoration ideas 😀

We have here some photographs of what the inside of the Kinta Kellas Estate bungalow once looked like. Yes, this wooden bungalow once belonged to none other than William Kellie Smith – of the famous Kellie’s Castle.

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courtesy of the Estate of William Kellie Smith

Let the music play…

By |2018-10-01T16:34:51+08:00October 1st, 2018|Categories: concerts, Events, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: |

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courtesy of: Charlie Choong (click to enlarge)

We believe these musicians were part of the Perak Hui Zhou association. While we try to find out more about this, perhaps someone out there could help us out. Does anyone remember this public performance? And if you do, do you recognise the buildings in the background?

September 2018

August 2018

Lower Six Science 2, Anderson School

By |2018-08-24T15:08:05+08:00August 24th, 2018|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: |

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from Gurpal Singh Bhuller (click to enlarge)

We received this via email from SK (who sent it to us on behalf of the donor). According to SK, Gurpal is looking for his former classmates.

Anyone out there from Lower Six Science 2? Gurpal is looking for you. Incidentally, SK told us that this picture was taken in April 1967 – Gurpal’s last day at Anderson School; apparently one of his classmates lent him a coat to wear – yes, the young man in the dark coat is none other than Gurpal.

 

A different kind of ‘banker’…

By |2018-08-15T17:20:05+08:00August 15th, 2018|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

Chettiar (or Chetty) is a title used by various mercantile castes and social levels in South India – especially in the state of Tamil Nadu. They claim a legendary relationship with the Hindu God Murugan; according to the legend, Murugan married Valli (who was from a tribal group), hence her tribe was later called Chettyars – in order to restore Valli’s status as a consort to a god.

Interestingly, here in Ipoh there were more than 100 Chettiar families once. They were known as the Nattukottai Chettiar. These financiers were preferred to the usual bankers back in the day. On our database we have an interesting interview with the last of the Nattukottai Chettiars in Ipoh.

Here’s a picture of what may have been the inside of a Chettiar’s ‘office’…

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from the book “Legends, Lessons and Love” by Jamilah Ariffin

July 2018

June 2018

Famous Names (7)

By |2018-06-18T16:07:52+08:00June 18th, 2018|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|

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Picture from Winson Saw, Penang

The picture is not that clear, but I’m sure you can more or less see what our featured celebrity looks like. Born in 1884, he joined the Malayan Civil Service as a cadet in 1907. In 1932 he was appointed British Resident of Selangor and the following year as British Resident of Perak, a post he held until 1939 when he returned to London as Head of the Malay States Information Agency. He is none other than Sir Geoffrey Edmund Cator, CMG.

And yes, the famed Cator Avenue was named after him 🙂

Table Tennis Winners

By |2018-06-13T15:36:16+08:00June 13th, 2018|Categories: Events, games, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , |

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picture courtesy of: Haji Musa & family

Yes, those in the leading car in this parade were the Perak State Table Tennis Team. Incidentally, the team won the National Table Tennis Championship back in 1967. The winners went on parade through Hugh Low Street – passing the premises of the Oversea Chinese Banking Corporation. The President of the Perak Association, Towkay Chong Kok Lim (later Tan Sri) was said to be in the leading car. Does anyone remember this parade?

Sports Day, at the Anglo-Chinese Girls’ School

By |2018-06-11T15:25:12+08:00June 11th, 2018|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People, Sports|Tags: , , |

Yes, you read it right – Anglo-Chinese Girls’ School. Maybe you’re more familiar with its current name – Methodist Girls’ School (MGS).

Anyway, here is a nostalgic photograph taken during the sports day. The guest of honour is none other than Mrs Florence Kesselring.

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photo courtesy of: Ann Hamon (nee Kesselring)

April 2018

February 2018

Who is she?

By |2018-02-19T16:57:32+08:00February 19th, 2018|Categories: celebrities, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: |

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Yes, we’ve featured calendars with pretty women before. No, we’re not selling this particular calendar. What we’d like to know is: have any of you seen this calendar, which was printed for G.E.C.? If so, do you recognise the famous face gracing the month of July?

Famous Names (6)

By |2018-02-09T16:21:37+08:00February 9th, 2018|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|Tags: , |

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At 18 years old, this gentleman started working in a tin mine under the guidance of his uncle. Years later, using his accumulated savings, he managed to buy the Chung Thye Phin Villa and helped convert it into a private hospital. Ever the philanthropist, this same gentleman also set up Shen Jai High School. I think by now most of you would have guessed who I’m talking about (some may have even recognised him in this photograph!) This person is none other than Foo Nyit Kai (also known as Foo Yet Kai)

January 2018

Outside Grandma’s house…

By |2018-01-30T16:02:15+08:00January 29th, 2018|Categories: childhood, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|

Today’s blog picture is from Sybil de Roquigny (via email). She tells us that this is the embankment (with a flight of steps) in front of her grandmother’s house; if you stand at the top, you get a good view of the Kinta River.  Sybil’s grandmother – Chow Yoon Soo – was the second wife of Leong Eng Khean, and she lived at No. 8 Clayton Road. The house of course is no longer there. It was demolished and now standing in its place is Cititel Express. This picture was taken in 1950.

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Meeting the ‘king’

By |2018-01-24T16:22:02+08:00January 24th, 2018|Categories: ipoh, Memories, People|

No, not another Royal…not the King of Rock & Roll either. We’re talking about the King of Fruits! Yes…the DURIAN!

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courtesy of Ngai

This photograph was taken in 1995, according to our donor. From the buildings in the background, can you guess where this place is?

144 years later…

By |2018-01-22T12:26:52+08:00January 19th, 2018|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|Tags: , , , |

…from tomorrow, anyway. Yes…tomorrow – 20th January – will mark 144 years since the Treaty of Pangkor was signed.

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picture from: Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya

Unfortunately we do not have a photo of the Treaty signing. This photograph was taken on Pangkor Island, 9 months after the treaty was signed, in September 1875 when Sir William Jervois visited Perak. At that time Perak was already in the hands of J W W Birch, the First British Resident. This photo is therefore 143 years old.

In the photograph surrounding the seated Sir William Jervois, who was a military engineer and Governor General of the Crown Colonies of the Straits Settlements, are (from left to right): Dr A F Anderson, Captain W Innes, Major J F A McNair, Lt H E McCallum, W Knaggs (in a suit), J W W Birch (standing on the Governor’s left), Captain Speedy (on the steps and bearded), Frank Swettenham (nonchalantly leaning against the handrail).

 

Dinner with Royalty!

By |2018-01-17T16:48:20+08:00January 17th, 2018|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, ipoh, People|Tags: |

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special thanks to Anonymous

 

Do you know these VIPs? Ok, we’ll make it easier for you 😉 Seated on the extreme right is none other than S P Seenivasagam.

Next to him is of course Sultan Idris and the lady beside him is his Consort (Che Puan Negara Aminah). And how can we forget Lau Pak Khuan – seated in the centre!

Do you know any of the others in the photograph? Or…perhaps you recognise the background and are able to tell us WHERE this photo was taken?

“Care for a biscuit?”

By |2018-01-05T14:24:08+08:00January 5th, 2018|Categories: history, ipoh, Memories, People|

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This was not a posed photograph. In fact, this was a common scene during the Second World War – when expatriates stopped at the Ipoh Railway Station, on their way to Singapore. When Penang was invaded by the Japanese in 1941, all European Service Families had to be evacuated.

It may not be clear, due to the low resolution of the photograph, but did you notice the Huntley & Palmer biscuit tin?

December 2017

November 2017

Opening of the Premier Store

By |2017-12-02T11:15:06+08:00November 29th, 2017|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

Looks like the grand opening of a store in Ipoh. The back of these photographs say it’s the Premier Store, Ipoh (dated 11 Jan 1968). Any idea where in Ipoh this place was?

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The gentleman cutting the ribbon is none other than Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakkil Alallahi Shah, and the lady beside him is his consort YTM Che Puan Negara Aminah. We thank our anonymous donor  for sharing these photographs with us. 

Do you know them?

By |2017-11-02T10:42:26+08:00November 1st, 2017|Categories: Identify Photographs, People|

We’d like to thank Vivien Lian for this photograph. She found it at an abandoned building along Tambun Road (a stone’s throw away from Sekolah Raja Perempuan Taayah).

Do you recognise the people in it? Or, perhaps you recognise the building in the background? We’d like to hear your thoughts…

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October 2017

Royal Visit to Ipoh

By |2017-10-23T17:17:41+08:00October 23rd, 2017|Categories: history, ipoh, Memories, People|

The year was 20 June 1962, when King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit arrived in Kuala Lumpur. This was part of their state long visit. On 24 June, the Royal couple stopped by Ipoh. (pictures below taken from New Sunday Times, 22 October 2017)

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The King wearing his blue Royal Thai Air Force marshall uniform; the Queen wore an apple green Thai national dress.

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The royal entourage leaves Ipoh for Penang.

 

September 2017

Come meet the badminton heroes!

By |2017-09-21T09:36:53+08:00September 20th, 2017|Categories: celebrities, games, ipoh, People, Sports|Tags: , |

Thanks to SK, we have the following photograph – which was taken at the BWF World Senior Badminton Championships 2017.

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From left to right: Foo Lai Loon (MS 70+ ); Chan Wan Seong (MS60+);  Loo Ah Hooi & Ching Kon Kong (MD70+)
 

SK also shared the following message from Chan Wan Seong:

BWF World Senior Badminton Championships 2017 – List of Malaysian Medalists :

In MD50+, Sarawakian Ting Wei Ping ( not from BU Dragons group) & Indonesian Bobby Ertanto ( 1982 Indonesia Thomas Cup Partner of Liem Swie King) won Gold Medal.

In MD40+, Kah Kok Cheong & Lum Chee Meng ( not from our BU Dragons group) won Silver Medal.

In MS60+, Chan Wan Seong, and Ong Then Lin ( Ong is under MBA Group) won Bronze Medal.

In MS70+, Foo Lai Loon won Bronze Medal.

In MD70+, defending champions Ching Kon Kong & Loo Ah Hooi won Bronze Medal.

So Malaysia has won a total of 6 medals :
1 Gold, 1 Silver, 4 Bronze .

He added:
“This is the official BWF World Senior Badminton Championships 2017 held once every 2 yrs.
In the 2015 edition, he won a Bronze Medal in MS60+ and in 2017, he won another Bronze Medal despite being 2 yrs older now and facing younger opponents who have migrated to the 60-64 years age category.”

In the 2015 edition, Malaysia won only one Gold in MD70+ through Ching Kon Kong/ Loo Ah Hooi, and one Bronze in MS60+ through Chan Wan Seong.

 
 

SK would also like to extend an invitation to ALL the Andersonians

Date: 23 Sept 2017 , Saturday

Time : 12.00 pm to 4.30 p.m. Hi Tea

Venue :  Swez  Brasserie East In Hotel Petaling Jaya

Cost: About RM 63 for Seniors Discount.

Contact Person: Darren Teh – darrenyft77@gmail.com

 

ps: You’ll also have a chance to meet our badminton stars Chan Wan Seong and Loo Ah Hooi – both former Andersonians – in the flesh!

August 2017

“Hello? Is it me you’re looking for?”

By |2017-08-16T10:43:35+08:00August 16th, 2017|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

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Here’s another NST picture, showing the ‘hello girls’ (as they were called). These girls worked at the Ipoh Telephone Exchange once upon a time. Dewi (wearing a checkered dress), and her sister Jamilah (face towards to camera) both worked 6-hour shifts at the Exchange. This picture is dated 1st November 1953.

Remembering Rose Chan

By |2017-08-10T09:15:01+08:00August 9th, 2017|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, People|

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This lady needs no introduction….I think EVERYONE knows who she is 😉

Rose Chan was born Chan Wai Chang in Soochow, China, in 1925 to acrobat parents. She arrived in Kuala Lumpur at the tender age of six. Despite having no formal education, she demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit at an early age of 12 by charging her classmates to have their photo taken. After the failure of her first (arranged) marriage to an elderly Chinese contractor more than twice her age, a 17-year-old Rose became a cabaret dancer at Happy World in Singapore where she excelled as a dancer (read more here).

Famous Names (3)

By |2017-08-02T17:13:42+08:00August 2nd, 2017|Categories: history, ipoh, People|

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Today’s famous person was also known as the ‘Protector of Chinese’. One of his main duties was to monitor the Chinese Secret Societies. The Protector also held the responsibility for the registration of Chinese brothels, the owner, the Mamasan and the working girls, and inspecting the premises to maintain laid down standards of hygiene and accommodation. Still wondering who this gentleman is? Let me put you out of your ‘misery’…he’s none other than Mr William Cowan!

June 2017

Exploring Ipoh on a trishaw

By |2017-06-21T09:09:58+08:00June 19th, 2017|Categories: Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, People|Tags: |

 

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We thank Ruth Rollitt for this 1957 photograph. The lady in the trishaw is Mrs Iversen – yes, the same Iversen who built a number of iconic buildings in Ipoh (like the Telekom building along Cockman Street, the Geological Museum, as well as quite a few cinemas).

Do you see the building in the background? Recognise it? If you do recognise it, do let us know what it is…and WHERE it is 🙂

Exhibition at Anderson School

By |2017-06-16T15:46:32+08:00June 16th, 2017|Categories: childhood, Exhibitions, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

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Special thanks to Oon Eng Hock (and SK) for sharing the above photograph with us. Anderson Alumni might remember this special day…when the then Education Minister – En Mohd Khir Johari – (extreme right) visited the school for this exhibition. Oon is standing behind En Khir, and behind Oon is none other than the Principal – Mr Tagar Singh.

May 2017

Famous Names (2)

By |2017-05-31T15:38:45+08:00May 31st, 2017|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, People|

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Today’s celebrity was born in 1880 in Fuzhou (Fujian Province, China). Considered to be one of the elite Chinese in Ipoh, he became the Secretary and Attorney of Towkay Foo Choo Choon. He was also very influential in the Perak Chamber of Commerce. In 1924 he joined the Kinta Sanitary Board; 3 years later he was awarded the ‘Justice of Peace’ for his services in the state of Perak.

Who is he? Well, let’s give out a final clue before I reveal his name!

He was the owner of the Ruby Theatre building, custom-built by him to be leased to the very experienced cinema manager, Ong Ee Lim.

Ah! I see some smiles and some heads nodding….yes, he is none other than Lau Ek Ching!

Man of steel?

By |2017-05-19T16:30:31+08:00May 19th, 2017|Categories: Events, People|

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According to the caption of this photo, the man being rammed by a tree trunk (right) is Khoo Way Poon. Perhaps this was a martial-arts demonstration. Do you remember the event? More importantly, do you know Khoo Way Poon?

Famous Names

By |2017-05-10T14:46:41+08:00May 10th, 2017|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|Tags: , , |

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Our featured Celebrity was born in Wuhua, Guandong, China. He began as an apprentice in the Menglembu Tin Mines. His hard work eventually paid off when he could afford to run his own tin mines. He was also quite a philanthropist. Among his many good deeds include:

  • Treasurer of Yuk Choy High School, and also donated 2 classrooms
  • Treasurer of Perak Girls’ School
  • Vice Chairman of the Perak Ka Yin Association (from 1952-1953)
  • Hon. Chairman of the Ipoh Hakka (Khek) Association

In case you’re still wondering who this gentleman is, well let me put you out of your misery. He’s none other than Lee Kwee Foh!

April 2017

March 2017

A Round of Golf anyone?

By |2017-03-20T16:42:44+08:00March 20th, 2017|Categories: People, Sports|

We thank Ruth Iversen Rollitt for the photograph (below). She told us that her late husband Donald Baxter was rather fond of the game of golf. We believe that the gentleman posing with the golf club is Donald. Now, does anyone recognise the others in the group?

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February 2017

Looking For A Former Room Mate

By |2017-02-20T13:41:09+08:00February 20th, 2017|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Ian Horgan is trying to reconnect with a long lost mate, whom he shared a room with back in 1979/1980 in England. Here’s what he wrote:

I am writing to you to ask for your help in finding an old room-mate, Alan Tan. I shared a room with Alan back in 1979/80 in a house in Kingsland Road, Birkenhead, England. At the time Alan was attending Birkenhead Technical College studying for his ‘A’ levels. Although many years have passed Alan is not forgotten. I am a member of a WhatsApp group (15 members) who met each other at that time while studying, and we would love to rekindle our friendship with Alan. I am from England (now living in Australia) and the others are from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand and Hong Kong. I kept in touch with Alan for a while after he returned to Malaysia in 1980 but we lost contact. Unfortunately, the Internet was non-existent then.
Alan Tan – I think his initials were TC, so could be Alan TC Tan.
Last known address in Ipoh was 4 Jalan Mui Fah, Victoria Park.
Studied ‘A’ levels at Birkenhead Technical College in England. I think his ‘A’ level subjects were Maths, Physics and Chemistry.
Lived in Kingsland Road, next to the college. The landlady’s name was Mary.
Liked Tae Kwon Do.
Worked as a waiter in a restaurant many miles away – I think the restaurant was in Whitchurch.
Here’s a photo of Alan and me:
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This one includes Mary and some of the students that lived in house. I have circled Alan:
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I would be eternally grateful for any help in tracing my old friend. I’m hoping there is somebody (relative/friend) in Ipoh that could put me in direct contact with Alan, wherever he may be.
Kind regards,
Ian

Do you recognise Alan Tan? If you’re Alan, and you’re reading this, do leave a comment (or two); Ian would love to hear from you again!

January 2017

Birthday Party at Kam Loong

By |2017-01-25T17:14:00+08:00January 25th, 2017|Categories: festivals/celebrations, food, ipoh, Memories, People|

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This photograph – from Sybil de ROQUIGNY-IRAGNE – was taken at Kam Loong Restaurant, back in the 1960s. They were celebrating a relative’s 60th birthday!

Yes, the Year of the Rooster is upon us…and some of us are already in a party-mood 🙂

Does anyone have a funny story to share…about something that happened during a party?

St Michael’s Institution – Form 6, 1959

By |2017-01-03T10:26:25+08:00January 3rd, 2017|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , |

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I’m sure everyone recognises the gentleman seated in the middle. 🙂

Yes, he’s none other than Rev Bro Vincent Corkery – of St Michael’s Institution. The photograph was part of a tribute to Bro Vincent, congratulating him on his award (he was conferred the title ‘Dato’ back in 2014). In this same tribute were some of the names of the students:

Sivagami; Askari Badsha; Winnie Te; Khoo Kay Hock; Beatrice; Mary Ann; Lim Jo Hock; John Wai; Raja; and Telk Raj Sharma

SMI Alumni, are you in the photograph? Or, perhaps you know someone in the photograph?

(Note: This photograph was scanned off an article, hence the poor quality)

November 2016

Exclusive Photos!

By |2016-11-22T09:17:19+08:00November 21st, 2016|Categories: history, People|Tags: , , , , |

No, we’re not exposing any celebrity or political scandal 😉

Instead, we have here original press photographs from The Telegraph Newspapers Co. Ltd. These photos date back to 1950, during the fight against Communists.

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Flight Lt. A J De Saville and co-pilot P3 W J Sullivan, flying over Ipoh just before the bombing run

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A bomb aimer – M Thompson – on an R.A.A.F. Lincoln which raided Ipoh area

A Parade in Ipoh Town, 1947

By |2016-11-02T14:22:47+08:00November 2nd, 2016|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, People|Tags: |

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From what we know, there was a parade in Ipoh town back in 1947 – in support of the Kuomintang. We believe the above picture (from Lay Jin Chew) was taken at the same parade, which ran through the streets of Ipoh. Can anyone guess which street this is? On that note, do you know what business Barlow & Co Ltd was?

October 2016

August 2016

‘Twist and Shout’ !!

By |2016-08-26T14:43:11+08:00August 26th, 2016|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Untitled-1Courtesy of: Darren Teh

We thank Darren Teh for the above picture. He also shared the following with us via email:

I was staying in Greentown then and used to go to a classmate house in Fair Park where we all learn to dance the A Go-Go , The Shake and Off Beat Cha Cha! 

Darren also mentioned that the above album was from Charlie & His Go Go Boys.

So, we’d like to hear from the party-animals out there! Do you remember this band…or similar bands /albums…? 🙂

 

Meeting An Olympic Star!

By |2016-08-19T16:03:17+08:00August 19th, 2016|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: |

I don’t know if any of you remember this, but back in 1955 we had a visit from a famous Olympian – Jesse Owen!

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Facing the camera, on the extreme left, is Mr Kandvanam. Next to him is Mr Bulwant Singh. Jesse Owen (winner of 4 gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics) is the gentleman in the checkered shirt.

Lessons In Progress…

By |2016-08-17T10:24:29+08:00August 17th, 2016|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , |

CHIJ classroom

Convent Girls, do you recall what your classroom looked like? Well, this was a typical classroom at the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (or Main Convent) back in the late 1940s / early 1950s. We thank Marea Smith for sharing this nostalgic photograph with us. Looking forward to hearing from any CHIJ Alumni 🙂

ATTENTION!!

By |2016-08-05T14:26:27+08:00August 5th, 2016|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

20160702-004bpicture from: Rosemary Palmer

Remember the Home Guards? Here we have troop-in-training. The gentleman in white shorts is our donor’s father – M L Bernacchi. I’m sure some of you remember seeing the Home Guards on patrol, especially if you were one of those who lived in the New Villages during the Malayan Emergency.

July 2016

Who Are They?

By |2016-12-14T10:31:35+08:00July 18th, 2016|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, People|Tags: , |

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We received this photograph from Harchand (one of our Readers) some time ago. However, we do not know the names of these gentlemen. Do you recognise them? We were told that this photograph was taken somewhere in Perak (where in Perak, we haven’t the faintest idea 🙁 ).

Come on, History-buffs….put those thinking caps on!

 

UPDATE: Thanks to a link from Ngai, we now know that: the person making the announcement is John Gladwell (Officer Commanding the Kuala Lumpur Jungle Squad); also in the control room are Inspector Alma Singh (left) and Sub-Inspector Rustan Ali (holding a notebook). This picture was taken around 1958 – in the midst of the Malayan Emergency.

Day Trip!

By |2016-07-01T16:13:01+08:00July 1st, 2016|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Sometimes, families make day trips / weekend trips during school holidays and such. I wonder if this how these children found themselves posing next to the canon (picture below).

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Do you recognise the building in the background? I’m making a wild guess and saying it’s probably part of a museum. But I could be wrong though.

We thank Rosemary Palmer for the above photograph 🙂

June 2016

More Mysteries For You!

By |2016-06-13T16:07:10+08:00June 13th, 2016|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

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This was sent to us via email from Ann & Mano. According to them, the owner of this driver’s license was an RAAF personnel, and would have worked on aircrafts almost daily. The Singapore-issued license (1955) is the picture on the left. The picture on the right, however, is a photo of a particular airplane attached to his driving license. Therein lies the mystery!

Was this a common feature for such licenses issued back then? Anyone care to shed some light on this?

May 2016

The Famous Mrs Hew!

By |2016-05-20T15:08:08+08:00May 20th, 2016|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

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I’m sure everyone recognises this lady from Lat’s comics! She’s none other than Mrs Hew. Ever wondered what she looked like back in the day? Check out the picture below, taken from the NTPS Jalan Pasir Puteh 1962 year book.

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For those who still can’t identify her, look closer at the middle row – Mrs Hew is the lady second from the left.

Father of Modern Malaysian Education

By |2016-05-16T14:39:15+08:00May 16th, 2016|Categories: childhood, history, Memories, People|

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Since it’s Teacher’s Day today, we decided to feature a very prominent figure in our education’s history – Aminuddin Baki. Born in Chemor, he began his early schooling at Chemor Malay School and later at Anderson School. During his school days, he participated in student organisations championing the lot of Malay students, as he felt the indifference shown by colonial authorities towards Malay education had brought about the backwardness and provincialism of the Malay community. He believed that education was the means to inculcate national aspirations and improve the economic prospects of the Malays…(read more here).

While we’re still on the topic of education and teachers, do you remember someone from your childhood who was a positive influence in your life? Do share your memories with us.

April 2016

The Police Volunteer Reserve, 1970s

By |2016-04-29T12:47:30+08:00April 29th, 2016|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

carsam picpicture courtesy of Gary Lai (via SK)

We received this photo and description from SK:

This picture was send to me by Gary Lai from Anderson School, Ipoh. I have his consent to use the picture & story. He joined the Police Volunteer Reserve back in 1970s when he left Ipoh, in KL. Gary is pictured on the left & he lost touch of his friend in 1975. Hope Ipohworld can  publish this & also at the same time to look out for Gary’s friend. Gary told me he joined the PVR as a duty to the nation. Both of them patrolled the street with a regular policeman and enjoyed their task. They were also paid by their employers while performing their duties or when they took 2 weeks off for training.

They had also opportunity to practice shooting with  wesson smith pistols in 6 bullets chamber & Mark 5 bolt action rifle (10 or 12 bullets ) in sniping, squatting & sitting positions but missed the M16 practice as it was then newly issued. Gary recalled it was fun time walking the streets twice or thrice a week 6 pm to 11 pm at 40 sen an hour. It was not about money as they spent more than the stipend paid but the experience & the duty to the country. Well, Ipohworld, hope you will publish this for awareness in the Police Voluntary Reserve Unit. We have also other voluntary units like Civil Defence & Rela. The other unit is Polis Bantuan.

In a subsequent email, SK told us that Gary’s friend went by the name of Chuah (Gary doesn’t know the full name). If Chuah, or any of his family / friends, are reading this, we’d love to hear from you!

 

 

February 2016

A Tribute To One Half Of The Dynamic Seenivasagam Duo

By |2016-02-19T09:39:14+08:00February 19th, 2016|Categories: history, Ipoh Town, Memories, orbituary, People|

It was a solemn and heart-wrenching occasion, as the people of Ipoh (and even from others towns in Perak) came to pay their last respects to D R Seenivasagam. Some estimate the crowd of mourners to be well into the tens of thousands!

DR funeral 1click to enlarge

We’d love to hear from anyone who witnessed this event – perhaps you could also tell us who these gentlemen (pictured above) are. I’m sure they must be some of the many VIPs who came to D R’s residence to pay their respects.

And just so you know we were not exaggerating about the funeral crowd, the picture below was taken during the street procession, which passed through Brewster Road.

DR funeral 2

We thank Chan Kok Keong for sharing these photographs with us.

More Memories From Malim Nawar

By |2016-02-16T09:53:56+08:00February 16th, 2016|Categories: Identify Photographs, People|

IMG_0746_edited-1

Here’s another one from Richard Saxey’s collection. Yes, this is Malim Nawar! I know some of you can name all the gentlemen in this photograph.

But I’d like to draw your attention to the man with the coolie hat (extreme left). What is he doing?

The Milkman

By |2016-02-17T08:54:15+08:00February 5th, 2016|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Gogan Singh001picture courtesy of: Kalwant Singh 

Remember the milkman from days of old? Well, this milkman looks rather young…and here he is at his bicycle (the milk churn is hidden, on the back of his bicycle). This picture was taken at the Malay kampong at Lahat Road.

January 2016

Team Perak XI, 1957

By |2016-02-15T11:24:07+08:00January 22nd, 2016|Categories: history, ipoh, Memories, People, Sports|

MERDEKA feature004editedsource: NSTP
Back row, L-R: T.John, Foong Kam Choy, Ahmad Nazari
Centre row, L-R: Chan Tuck Choy, R. Anthony, Wong Kim Seng
Front row, L-R: Liew Fee Yuen, Loh Kam Fook, Ramadas Rao, Wong Kong Leong and Cheong Weng Leong

Remember these young men? It was October 5th 1957 when this team – Perak XI – defeated Kelantan 6-1, before entering the finals of the Malaya Cup!

December 2015

November 2015

A Memorable Photograph

By |2015-11-12T12:24:26+08:00November 11th, 2015|Categories: Events, People, Sports|Tags: , , , |

IMG-20151006-WA0031

We thank SK (one of our Readers) for sharing this with us. The gentleman in the tracksuit is Chan Wan Seong – who won the Bronze Medal in Men’s Singles 60+ category at the recent BWF World Senior Badminton Championship held in Helsingborg, Sweden. Posing with Chan is the BWF President Poul-Eric Hoyer Larsen (himself badminton legend!).

SK also shared this video link  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1hhMSyvKMI&feature=em-share_video_user

According to SK:

Chan Wan Seong won a Silver in the combine MD 120+ category partnering  Ong Sin Oong  in Changsa  Hunan China. Chan WS also  won a Gold  medal in MS 60+ category in Changsa, Hunan, China held from 29/10/2015 to  1/11/15.
Right now, Chan Wan Seong is in Pattaya competing in the MS60+ category in the Pattaya Sawasdee Cup from 13/11/2015 to 15/11/2015.

 

October 2015

September 2015

My ‘Mixed Rojak’ Family

By |2015-09-30T16:30:14+08:00September 30th, 2015|Categories: childhood, Memories, People|Tags: |

VNK & LEONG FAMILIES 1966

This is what our donor – KT Pillai – had to say about this photograph:

Taken in year 1966 as the baby my Mum is carrying is my younger sister. I am the third from left standing at the front row….sort of a frowning face kid. My eldest sister is beside me followd by my two younger brothers all standing together.
In Year 1967, my youngest brother was born. The other Chinese family are my 3 Uncles/ 1 Aunty.
This photo was taken in the front compound of my father’s house in Bruas, Perak. He was an estate owner and during this photo shot, he was away in India on a business trip.
My maternal grandma is from China and passed away in 1969.

 

August 2015

July 2015

Town Planning British Malaya, 1921-1929

By |2015-07-08T14:34:35+08:00July 6th, 2015|Categories: Books, history, Ipoh Town, People|Tags: |

Town planning BM002_edited-1

 

 

This book provides a fresh perspective and deepens previous studies of his [Charles Compton Reade] town planning ideas…..Charles Reade’s obscure and unattributed position in the history of Malayan town planning is now accorded its due recognition…a pioneer and founder of the town planning service in British Malaya (1921-1929).

 

Here’s a book by Kamalruddin Shamsudin (KLDIN) who was the Deputy Director General of the Federal Department of Town and Country Planning in Malaysia (2006-2014). Since the 1990s, he has both written and given talks about Reade’s contributions to Malaya during the British Administration.

Tentatively, the launch date for this book will be on 15th August. The book will be available after this date, but details will be confirmed later. We’ll keep you updated!

 

June 2015

Tales from the School Canteen

By |2015-06-02T17:38:10+08:00June 3rd, 2015|Categories: childhood, food, Memories, People|

batu_gajah_1956_23_at_the_canteenpicture from: Danial Doutriaux

Some school canteens sold food which were a crowd favourite. Some were known for their cheerful hawkers. Food aside, some canteens became a ‘meeting place’ for friends (and enemies too!). The picture shown is that of the Batu Gajah Convent’s canteen, back in 1956.

May 2015

“Mobile” food…

By |2015-05-25T16:12:09+08:00May 25th, 2015|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, ipoh, People|Tags: |

moto-monday-jm

For those of you who remember, we featured this photo in our Falim Exhibition two years ago. What’s fascinating about this hawker on wheels, in that he’s determined to peddle his wares – in spite of the traffic along the road 🙂

I wonder what he was selling. On another note, does anyone recognise the building in the background?

Book Launch: Redoubtable Reformer – The Life and Times of Cheah Cheng Lim

By |2015-05-07T10:39:29+08:00May 7th, 2015|Categories: Books, Events, Heritage Books, history, People|

Cheah Cheang Lim_book launch_edited

Want to know MORE about Cheah Cheng Lim? Get his book now!

This book will be launched at the Flemington Hotel, in Taiping, on 15th May 2015.

Admission is free; however there is an optional dinner priced at RM 38 per pax.

For more information, contact Yeap Thean Eng (President of the Taiping Heritage Society) at 012-5382743

or, email Areca Books arecabooks@gmail.com

More Memories from Malim Nawar

By |2015-05-05T09:02:32+08:00May 1st, 2015|Categories: childhood, Memories, People|

MalimNawar2

We believe this to be the family of Richard Saxey (our donor) and Wendy Lewis – in Malim Nawar.

I’d like to draw your attention to the unique furniture…

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By popular demand, we’ve included the second photograph from Richard Saxey’s collection.

April 2015

Methodist School, Malim Nawar

By |2015-04-20T16:55:07+08:00April 20th, 2015|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Malim Nawar Methodist School circa 1959-1960

Our donor Richard Saxey tells us that this was taken around 1959-1960. He also mentions his teacher Mrs Kumar. So today we’d like to ask the ‘members of the Malim Nawar family’ – do you remember the Methodist School in Malim Nawar?

ps: In a recent email, Richard talked about his childhood friend Cynthia Hunter. Cynthia’s father William Hunter worked for Anglo-Oriental (Malaya) Ltd. If anyone out there remembers them, do leave a comment or two on this post 🙂

A Unique Badminton Team!

By |2015-04-10T17:08:06+08:00April 10th, 2015|Categories: childhood, games, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

MalimNawar Badminton

Here’s another blast from the past from Richard Saxey. He tells us that this is “the picture of the badminton team, showing my elder brother Mr. E.H.White (know as Mick), I cannot remember if the team was a Malim Nawar team or a Perak River Hydro team (Malim Nawar)”.

Can’t wait to hear more from the you folks – who were once part of the Perak Hydro / Malim Nawar gang!

Class of ’70

By |2015-04-01T16:19:01+08:00April 1st, 2015|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, People|

unknownSchoolClick to enlarge

We thank Charlie Choong for this photograph. As written on the photo itself, the year is 1970. What we’d like to know is where this photo was taken. If anyone could help us translate the Mandarin, we’d be grateful. Perhaps, some of you out there may even recognise the people in the photo?

 

March 2015

Standard 2B, St Michael’s Institution

By |2015-03-27T11:14:26+08:00March 27th, 2015|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , |

OLOLoldpics050picture from Mr & Mrs Rasiah Anakili – click to enlarge

We recognise Bro Pius Kelly, who was the 9th Brother Director of St Michael’s Institution, seated in the centre. Do you know who are the teachers on his left and right? Were you in Standard 2B, class of 1956? If so, where are YOU in the photograph?

The Hopoh Association

By |2015-03-25T16:56:26+08:00March 25th, 2015|Categories: Identify Photographs, People|

Have you heard of the Hopoh Association? The Hopoh Association is formed by members from the Hopoh area of Guangdong, China. They speak the Hakka dialect but with the Hopoh intonation which is quite different. The picture below shows the Perak Hopoh Association, celebrating their 9th anniversary. The building in the background is along Jalan Che Tak, Ipoh.

20071213-002click picture to enlarge

We’d love to hear comments from you, especially if you recognise some of the people in this picture….

The Malim Nawar Story Continues….

By |2015-03-24T09:27:12+08:00March 24th, 2015|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

We’ve had such an overwhelming response on our previous posts about the Perak Hydro Plant at Malim Nawar, which led us to uploading this photo (see below).

IMG_0724click to enlarge

This photograph was sent to us via email from Richard Saxey. His father – Frederic James Saxey – was the Superintendent at the power plant back in the 1960s. We thank Richard for this photo (which is part of collection of photographs he sent us). Those of you who were part of the ‘Perak Hydro family’ may recognise these faces. Could we have some names please?

Book Launch: Iversen – Architect of Ipoh and Modern Malaya

By |2015-03-20T15:06:56+08:00March 20th, 2015|Categories: Books, Events, Heritage Books, Memories, People|Tags: |

Iversen_Ipoh launchclick poster to enlarge

 

For those of you who have been waiting patiently, well keep this Sunday 22nd March 2015 free!

The Iversen book is finally out and will be launched at:

Venue: Sarang Paloh Event Hall,   No.16, Jalan Sultan Iskandar (Hugh Low Street), Ipoh

Time: 2.30 pm

 

Come meet the author – Ruth Iversen Rollitt – in person!

 

‘Girls Just Want to have Fun’

By |2015-03-10T15:46:32+08:00March 10th, 2015|Categories: childhood, Events, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , |

20100124-004bpicture from: Ho Hoo Wan, Ipoh

These lovely ladies are part of the Form V batch of 1958 – from Sultan Yussuf School, Batu Gajah.

They were some of the many youngsters who attended the Farewell Dinner.

We have the names of these beauties….

Standing from left to right they are:  Thong Mee Len, Poh Ching, Nelly Maniksha, Leelavathy, Tessie Perira, Anna Yoong.

Sitting from left to right:  Lim Yoke Siew, Ho Kuan Thye, Cheah Soo Har, Chan Yoke Heng, Choong Chin Choo, Wong Choong Yoon and Loh.

 

If you are one of the above ladies in the picture, do share your memories with us!

The Nazareth Kindergarten, 1970

By |2015-03-02T15:13:20+08:00March 2nd, 2015|Categories: childhood, festivals/celebrations, games, People|

CCparty2Farewell Party for Fr Ciatti, April 1970 (click to enlarge)

CCparty1Christmas Party, Nazareth Kindergarten. Catholic Centre, Ipoh. 10th November 1970 (click to enlarge)

 

These photographs were taken from Michael Ho’s collection. It wasn’t that long ago, so I’m sure some of you might remember this kindergarten.

Today, this building is still standing….but it’s no longer the Catholic Centre; it’s now a thrift store, where most items are sold for RM 2.

February 2015

The Prefects of NTPS Pasir Puteh

By |2015-02-02T14:28:51+08:00February 2nd, 2015|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

NTSP Prefects 1967picture courtesy of: Mano

Mano sent us this a while ago. He also included the following words: “…a photo of the school prefects of NTPS Pasir Puteh in 1967. Standing behind the headmaster, Mr. Bhagwan Singh, is none other then DCP Perak, Datuk Paramasivam!”

So NTPS Pasir Puteh Alumni….what do YOU remember about this group photograph? Are you in there somewhere?

January 2015

Winners of the Singing Contest

By |2015-01-16T16:39:46+08:00January 16th, 2015|Categories: childhood, concerts, Events, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , |

We all know Elvis Presley had his share of impersonators; some were almost as good as the ‘King’ himself  – with the deep voice AND the gyrating hips!

Frank Sinatra (or Ol’ Blue Eyes, as some know him) had his share of impersonators too. Speaking of which, does anyone remember the Frank Sinatra singing contest back in 1959? It was held at the Lido Theatre…perhaps this picture might refresh your memory!

20080125-021

If you’re one of those in the photograph, do share with us your memories!

December 2014

Presents, presents and MORE PRESENTS!

By |2015-02-23T11:18:22+08:00December 26th, 2014|Categories: childhood, festivals/celebrations, history, People|Tags: , |

1963 1998

Just in case you didn’t know, today is Boxing Day – nothing to do with the actual sport, but rather it’s the day where gifts are exchanged and opened. In some countries, today is an official holiday too! The picture above, from Ruth Iversen Rollitt, was not taken on 26th December…but I think fits well with the idea of giving and receiving presents. Ruth tells us:

These pictures are from Christmas 1963 when Father Christmas visited the children at St Andrew’s Presbyterian church in Ipoh. Vivi Iversen (Per’s wife) and son are getting a gift from Santa….I am standing with little Donald in the middle, my mother is on the extreme left.

November 2014

Afternoon Tea?

By |2014-11-12T16:27:44+08:00November 12th, 2014|Categories: Events, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

afternoon teapicture from Larry Sawyer

Here’s another one from the same donor who sent us those Malim Nawar photos. Looks like these men (and women too!) are in the midst of an interesting conversation. Note also the table layout – I see some teacups and some fancy glasses. Not forgetting the rather unique floral arrangement too 🙂

Family Outing

By |2014-11-11T15:23:32+08:00November 11th, 2014|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

1950 013

Back then, some folks in Ipoh counted the cinema halls and the famous Ipoh Race Course as part of their usual hang-outs (of course this was before Parkson and Aeon/Jusco came about!). What I found interesting about the above photo – of the race course nonetheless – is the outside of the Grand Stand. Note the potted plants along the steps. I wonder if the Grand Stand looks the same now. Anyone been to the race course lately?

I believe the little girl in the photo is none other than our donor Ruth Iversen Rollitt. 🙂

October 2014

The New Science Lab!

By |2014-10-16T12:45:00+08:00October 16th, 2014|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , |

BGConvent

We received this from Daniel Doutriaux (part of a  series of photographs from an album). These are the girls from Batu Gajah Convent – excited as they explore the new science lab. The year was 1956….do you recognise any of them in the photo? (Or, maybe YOU are in there?) We’d love to hear from the Convent Alumni 😉

Going for a drive…

By |2014-10-30T09:01:23+08:00October 10th, 2014|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

Nigel&Father-50GopengRoad_edited-1

Nicholas Jennings (our donor) tells us that: the boy standing on the running board is his uncle Nigel (the third son of J A S Jennings). At the wheel is Eric Jennings (the eldest son), and seated beside the driver is Rose Winnifred (Freda) Jennings. In the background is the family home (No. 50 Gopeng Road) – which Jennings called “Midhurst”. Can our car enthusiasts identify the model of the car?

Are these ACS boys?

By |2014-10-07T11:41:43+08:00October 7th, 2014|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

SCAN0024

We received the following email from Kong Khen:

“Recently, I found a class photograph of my dad taken in 1940. I’ve identified it as the remedial class of English lesson, from what was mentioned by my dad.

Could IPOHWORLD help to confirm if the teachers were from ACS school.

Dad mentioned that he attended English lesson on the top floor of Foong Seong Building- new town. However the location where the photo was taken seemed to be in a compound.

The photograph is in my blog.”

Can anyone help Kong Khen please? I’m sure there are some ACS Alumni out there who are in this photograph.

September 2014

Do you know them?

By |2014-09-19T15:34:09+08:00September 19th, 2014|Categories: Events, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Image (7) new2_edited-1

Larry Sawyer sent this to us. It looks like the inside of that famous power plant (which caught everyone’s attention on the blog!). What we don’t know is: Who are these people in the front row? Could it be the Manager and a guest (with their respective wives)?

I’m also curious to know who the lady in white is…..I do love her ensemble – very stylish, don’t you think! 😉

‘Koay Kak’ at Bercham

By |2014-09-11T10:25:27+08:00September 11th, 2014|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, People|

CharKoay1

If you happen to drive by Persiaran Bercham Selatan 1 (just behind 7-11), you might see this man hard at work! He may not be as vigorous as the famed ‘Spiderman’, but I’m sure his dish has its own unique taste. Here’s a closer look (picture below)

CharKoay2

Our photographer told us that this dish – Koay Kak, as the hawker calls it – costs RM 2.3o (RM 2.80 with egg). Has anyone tried it? If you have…you know what to do 😉

August 2014

Thum’s Burger

By |2014-08-07T14:27:26+08:00August 7th, 2014|Categories: childhood, food, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

burger

I wonder if anyone out there remembers this young man (first picture). These pictures were part of an article which appeared in the Star (26th July 2014); according to the writer, this white van (second picture) was usually parked under a tree (around Canning Garden) while the many customers waited in line to be served. I’ve not come across Thum’s Burger (as advertised on the van) – perhaps it was before my time? 😉

Could anyone shed some light on this? We’re curious to know more about this mobile burger stall.

July 2014

The 4 Ipoh-Born “kids”

By |2014-08-01T10:48:38+08:00July 31st, 2014|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

RasaSayang

When we talk about meeting up with old friends, more often than not we end up at a local cafe/restaurant. Can’t help it, we Ipoh folks love our food, don’t we? 😉 Hence, we at ipohWorld also decided to start a little ‘food-section’…to highlight some all-time favourites which are both tasty and affordable.

We’ve decided to do something different for our food-blog today. Here’s a photograph of Ruth Iversen Rollitt (wearing a light blue top) having a meal with 3 other Ipoh ‘natives’, namely: Daniel Choo (an architect in Luxemburg), Mariam Mokhtar (a well known writer) and Ming. According to Ruth, they met up at Rasa Sayang (a Malaysian restaurant along Macclesfield Street, London). Ruth also mentions that the food at Rasa Sayang is quite authentic.

Here’s a thought for you Ipoh-natives around the globe: have you been lucky enough to sample good Malaysian food in a foreign country?

“Friend” or “Foe” ?

By |2014-07-10T15:39:15+08:00July 10th, 2014|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, People, tourism|Tags: |

durian

Love it or hate it, this beauty is regarded the King of Fruits in this part of the world. The durian may have a strong odour which puts people off, but once you get past the smell to taste the creamy flesh – well, need I say more? 😉

Leong (our photographer) managed to capture this man in action. He usually sets up his stall along Jalan Canning Estate. Incidentally, Osbourne Street was once known as ‘Durian Street‘; do they still sell durians there? I haven’t seen any stalls there lately….

Sam Tet Group Photo

By |2014-07-02T15:52:39+08:00July 2nd, 2014|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

I’m just making a guess here – I think this picture was taken in the 1950s, but I could be wrong. Date aside, what we’d like to know is who are these people in the picture. If anyone can translate the words at the bottom, we’d love to hear from you.

sam tetclick to enlarge

June 2014

May 2014

ACS Alumni Dinner 2014

By |2014-05-20T23:20:44+08:00May 20th, 2014|Categories: celebrities, festivals/celebrations, Memories|Tags: |

Poster - Celebrating umpteen years of life & friendship together 2014

It’s Party time again! ~ Come & CELEBRATE! our fun & wonderful years of Life & Friendship Together! – *Saturday, August 2nd, 2014* *@ Kinta Riverfront Hotel & Suites, Ipoh.*

This year will see the debut of our Alma Mater’s magnificient Bagpipers & Wushu Drummers!  Get ready to be tickled and entertained by the professional emcee, comedian & stand up comic ~ Mr. Stephen Fernando!

Hurry, book your seats now! for an evening of fun, cheer & reminiscence. For booking & inquiries, pls call | Ms. Lim 05 241 2523 or 05 253 2882 | Mr. Looi Teik Aun 012 515 1116 | Mr. Lau Wun Chew 017 882 0608 | Mr. Hum Kee Kuang 012 336 0770 | Collection : 47-A, Jalan Tokong, 31650 Ipoh.

A Malay Funeral

By |2014-05-02T16:06:01+08:00May 2nd, 2014|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

malay_funeral

Yes, this is indeed a Malay Funeral procession. This was taken, with kind permission, from the Imperial War Museum London. The photo was taken from a colour transparency, back in the 1950s. If you look closely you can see the Ipoh East Post Office in the background – that should give you a clue about the location.

We thank Mario Francis Armadass for giving us the link.

April 2014

The Passing of a Famous Local Historian

By |2014-04-28T09:06:55+08:00April 25th, 2014|Categories: history, People|Tags: , |

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It is with sadness that we advise of the passing of Chye Kooi Loong who left this world on Wednesday 23 April 2014.

Chye Kooi Loong, is a renowned war historian and former Home Guard warden during the Malayan Emergency. He is a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE), awarded by the Queen of England.

Mr Chye spent seven years researching and documenting the Battle of Kampar (30 December 1941 – 2 January 1942), an engagement of the Malayan Campaign during World War II involving British and Indian troops from the 11th Indian Infantry Division and the Japanese 5th Division.

He fought long and hard to turn the famous Green Ridge, Kampar into a memorial to remember the great and ultimate sacrifices made in the defence of Malaya.

He will be sorely missed.

We pass our condolences to his family in their loss.

May he rest in Peace.

The funeral will take place at the Kampar crematorium at 11.00am tomorrow, Saturday 26 April.

Were You a Proud Owner of a Ford Popular?

By |2014-04-23T11:05:40+08:00April 23rd, 2014|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , |

20070417-025

Mr Wang Min-Hua is. This was taken in October 1981 on the day he retired. From what we know: The car a 1954 Ford Popular Saloon registered number AA 8835, was bought new by his father and first registered in Ipoh on 8 April 1954. It has received loving care from both father and son since then and is in ‘as new’ condition. The 1172cc vehicle carries the engine and chassis number C769674 demonstrating that all is original. (more can be found here)

I’m sure some of you Sam Tet Alumni remember him. Oh, and let’s not forget about his lovely car too 😉

Kaya Puff for Dessert?

By |2014-04-15T14:27:50+08:00April 15th, 2014|Categories: food, Identify Photographs, People|Tags: , |

kayapuff1

I’m sure some of you have seen this shop….some of you may be regular customers too! This shop, located at Jalan Mustafa Al Bakri, is said to be famous for its Kaya Puff – a light and fluffy pastry with egg-jam filling.

kayapuff2

Ideal for those with a sweet-tooth, don’t you think? Have you eaten one of these tasty treats? Or, perhaps you know of yet another place which serves this particular sweet.

We’d love to hear from you 🙂

Could THIS be the famous Hugh Low Street Curry Mee?

By |2014-04-03T15:43:24+08:00April 3rd, 2014|Categories: food, Memories, People, tourism|Tags: , , |

In previous blog posts, we’ve had Readers talk about the famous ‘Police Station Curry Mee’. I do wonder if this (Restoran Xin Quan Fang) is the place you guys were talking about.

food1

If you answered yes to the above query, then perhaps you know these gentlemen. [And they in turn will know you as a ‘regular’ and probably also know your order 😉 ]

food2the ‘chef’ and his assistant

food3the final product!

March 2014

Once Upon a Time at Cator Avenue…

By |2014-03-18T15:28:21+08:00March 18th, 2014|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: |

photo_edited-1This photograph is from Ron Lee (from Australia), sent through SK – who then forwarded it to us.
(click to enlarge)

So, Cator Avenue boys…do you see yourself (and/or your friends) in this photograph? Do you remember the teacher? I can’t help but admire her sense of fashion…she must have been quite a character too 😉

Here Comes the SPIDERMAN!

By |2014-03-17T16:08:15+08:00March 17th, 2014|Categories: childhood, food, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

Mano asked if we could start a food blog page and after discussing it we have decided to intersperse our traditional style heritage photos with some food photos and invite comments on certain well-known local foods. If there is sufficient enthusiasm from our readers this will become a regular feature of ipohWorld’s World.

So what could be better than to start this new venture with the famous dish Sar Hor Fun and a picture of the most famous purveyor of this wondrous food – Spiderman.

Spiderman

We were fortunate to get this picture from Ms Ong Su-ming when she wrote her growing-up stories for our book “Ipoh, My Home Town”. As you will appreciate, like others in the book, it is a very rare picture and we are very happy to share it with you all.

But now it is your turn – Who remembers Spiderman, were his noodles really that special and where else on Kinta Valley could you get Sar Hor Fun in days gone by? Where can you find it now?

Have you seen a Pegboard?

By |2014-03-14T16:09:54+08:00March 14th, 2014|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , |

If you’d asked me before these photographs arrived, I would confess to not knowing what a pegboard was. In fact, now that I’ve seen what it looks like, I’m still wondering what they were used for. Well, for those of you who are still clueless about WHAT a pegboard looks like, take a look at Nick Band’s photos below:

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ps: we were told that the man holding the pegboard (2nd photo) is Lee Kit.

Getting ‘personal’ with a bucket dredge?

By |2014-03-08T08:55:40+08:00March 8th, 2014|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

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Here’s a close-up of a bucket dredge – for those of you who’ve seen an actual dredge bucket, you can imagine the size of this machine! We thank Alison Cotterill (nee Caldwell) for this photograph. From her emails, we think that this was probably part of the Keramat Tin mine in Bidor (if we’re wrong, do let us know 🙂 ).

Men’s Fashion from the 1930s?

By |2014-03-03T14:18:45+08:00March 3rd, 2014|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , |

20140226-005a(picture courtesy of Nicholas Jennings)

Whenever I see someone smoking a pipe, I keep thinking about Sherlock Holmes (perhaps it’s because I’m a fan of Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective). 🙂

The man in this photograph is actually Eric Jennings. This was taken in Ipoh, sometime in the 1930s, when Eric worked with his father J A S Jennings at the Times of Malaya newspaper.

The beautiful car aside, what really drew my attention were the shoes. I’m not a fashion expert, but I’m sure this pair of shoes were in style back then (probably with a unique name too!). Fashion experts out there, we’d like to hear from you 😉

February 2014

Lorong Said Tauphy, Greentown

By |2014-02-24T12:29:23+08:00February 24th, 2014|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, nature, People|

GTown(click to enlarge)

Yusof sent us these wonderful photos. From his email, we know that he lived in Greentown from 1969-1981. Yusof also had this to say:

“The house is one of six detached govt quarters surrounding a palm tree lined field within a circular lane off Jalan Iskandar, named  Lorong Said Tauphy. As depicted in the photos attached, Greentown was indeed green back then, with the fields bamboo hedges and abundant coconut trees. It is really a shame what Greentown has transformed into now. Anyway, I hope these pictures will bring back some memories of the original Greentown to some folks out there, esp. ex Greentownians. Looking forward to more pictures of Greentown then from those who still have the old photos.”

Like Yusof, we at IpohWorld also look forward to hearing from former and present Greentown folks! 🙂

 

The ‘Dobie-Woller’

By |2014-02-19T15:44:36+08:00February 13th, 2014|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

dobie_woller

Graham Barton (our donor) calls this the “Dobie Woller”. We locals call him the “Doby Man” 🙂

Looking at the lines of laundry (far right), I’m reminded of the famous ‘doby man’ who ran his business along Silibin Road.

I wonder if the Silibin Road laundryman is still in business….anyone knows more about it?

Std.2 Cator Avenue, 1962

By |2014-02-12T15:12:32+08:00February 10th, 2014|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

KC_cator-avenue2

(click to enlarge)

KC sent us this cute one via Facebook. We thought we’d share it with all of you – especially with the Cator Avenue Alumni 🙂

KC shared a little bit about this photograph with us:

This photo was taken when I was in Standard-2 at Cator Avenue Primary School. Some of us in the photo are still in contact with each other after all these years. The class photo was taken in 1962, if I remember correctly. Would like to get feedback from people who were in this class. Cannot remember the teacher’s name now. Along the teacher’s row, on the far left is a Caucasian boy. I remember him only as Ian. He was with us for one year and we never see him again. It would be interesting to know his full name and hopefully know where he is now. One of my classmate whom I am still in contact with reminded me, and I recalled, he had a fight with a boy from another class and both were called to the headmaster’s office. Those were the days…….

We look forward to hearing about all the other shenanigans you boys got up to in your youth….and like KC, we’re also wondering what’s happened to Ian!

A Different View of a Dulang Washer

By |2014-02-12T15:48:22+08:00February 7th, 2014|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Natural Heritage, People|Tags: , , |

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Most photographs of dulang washers show the ladies almost knee deep in water, while they rotate their dulangs. This photo here (from Alison Cotterill nee Caldwell) shows the dulang washer in a field instead! This area was probably near Kramat Tin (Bidor). Notice the 1 cubic ft box (bottom left), and the white bowl (above the large drum). Can onyone out there tell us what these items were for?

We thank Alison for this unique photograph.

January 2014

The 12 Inf. Hairdresser!

By |2014-01-10T15:09:30+08:00January 10th, 2014|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

barber

We thank Graham Barton for sharing these pictures with us. Do you remember such Hairdressers? Do they still use those(ever sharp!) razors/blades and ‘Good Morning’ towels? Looking at these pictures, I couldn’t help but think about the famed Star Barber – who once ran their business at Belfield Street 🙂

On that note, how much would a standard haircut and shave cost today?

New Book, Road to Revolution

By |2014-01-09T14:13:18+08:00January 9th, 2014|Categories: Books, history, Memories, People|Tags: |

Money047_edited-1

“Chan Sue Meng, the author of “Road to Revolution – Dr. Sun Yat Sen and His Comrades in Ipoh”, is the great-great-granddaughter of Lee Guan Swee, leader of the Tong Meng Hui (Chinese Revolutionary Alliance) in Ipoh, Malaya, during the 1911 Revolution. Two years ago, upon learning about the great deeds of her ancestor and portions of family memoirs, she decided to compile an annal of the activities of Dr. Sun and his revolutionaries in Ipoh, in an attempt to present the trail that was left behind by Dr. Sun and its impact on Ipoh.” – Wong Sin Kiong, Associate Professor, Department of Chinese Studies, National University of Singapore.

The above book can be purchased at the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall for $S 12.00 (RM 30.00). The book will probably be re-launched in Ipoh later.

Famous Names – Run Run Shaw

By |2014-01-09T09:18:18+08:00January 8th, 2014|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People, tourism|Tags: , , , |

runrunshaw(Picture 1: Run Run Shaw)

LOM-028(Picture 2: Runme Shaw)

We pay tribute to Run Run Shaw, of the famed Shaw Brothers, who passed away in Hong Kong yesterday.

The Shaw Organisation began in 1924, with operations in Singapore screening their own brand of silent movies. Frustrated by local distributors, they set up their own cinema, “The Empire”, to screen their movies. Led by brothers Run Run and Runme Shaw, they began to branch out into Malaysia building new cinemas and operating a mobile cinema for rural areas. However, it was only with the advent of sound that movies began to really launch themselves – by 1933 the Shaw’s had produced the Cantonese opera film ‘Normal Dragon’ which proved a breakthrough for them in both Singapore and Hong Kong. [more can be found at –  http://www.hkcinema.co.uk/Articles/shawbronews.html ]

I’m sure many movie-lovers out there remember these famous brothers and their contribution to the cinematic industry. I was not born in that era, but from what I’ve read (and heard) the Shaw Brothers always had interesting ways of advertising the up-and-coming movies. (see sample below)

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Something for the Foodies!

By |2014-01-03T15:43:17+08:00January 3rd, 2014|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

[ Warning: the picture below may cause some of you to drool excessively 😉 ]

party

We thank Alison Cotterill (nee Caldwell) for this one. To what we were told, this was taken at a wedding – and yes, folks…the guests are eating on banana leaves!

So, fellow Foodies…when was the last time YOU had a banana-leaf meal? 🙂

 

December 2013

Part 6, of Ipohbornkid’s series.

By |2013-12-30T12:51:59+08:00December 30th, 2013|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

The long-awaited Part 6 of Ipohbornkid’s series! Happy Reading 😉

Wan Hwa copy

The Schools that Chong Soon Fan Built – by IpohBornKid

(The picture above shows the generous donors for Wan Hwa Public Schools)

Many Chinese schools were built after World War II during the tin boom in the Kinta Valley, especially in Ipoh and surrounds in the early 1950s.   The establishment of these schools was driven by the tin miners’ desire to maintain the Chinese language and culture in their newly adopted homeland of Malaya.  However, there is one particular school that comes in mind that will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2014, ie. the Wan Hwa Primary Public School (萬華小學) in Menglembu.  The author wishes to congratulate the Chairman Mr Chong Yong Fook and his Board member, the donors, the Principal Mr Ong Yah, , teachers and pupils in their forthcoming  celebration, the 100th Anniversary of their Founding of the  School.

Many Chinese schools in Ipoh began to bloom in the 1950s and they include the Wan Hwa Primary School, the Yuk Choy Primary & High Schools, the Peraks Girls Primary and High Schools, Poi Lam High School, Sam Tet High Schools, Ave Maria School and the newest Sam Jai School.  Most of the X generation who went to the Chinese schools in Ipoh/Menglembu, will have gone through one of these schools.

In this article, the author will concentrate on the late Chong Soon Fan, JP, and his role in building the Wan Hwa Primary School (萬華小學) in Menglembu (萬裡望), which is currently located opposite his family home.  It is obvious that the school derives its name from the township by using its first character (萬) & Chinese (華) language school.

As far as the author can remember, Wan Hwa Primary had its humble beginning in the location where the Grace Lutheran Church is now situated.  It is at the southern end of Menglemgu’s Main Road (Jalan Lahat) where the road bends to the left.  A mountain stream runs along the boundary of the old school building.  This building, from memory, had a class room, a large blackboard facing south and with windows (facing east) opening to Jalan Lahat and the Tamil settlement across the field.  Below the window of this building was a small mountain stream that runs through Menglembu.

After the church bought the old school property, the Wan Hwa Primary School, in 1954, was relocated at the Assembly Hall Road and its entrance facing the western type bungalow of Mr Chong Soon Fan and the Nayang Picture Theatre.  On the western side of the school was the famous Kledang Hills of Menglembu.

The author remembered being in the original attap roof classrooms as a child of 6 years old in the afternoon school, after finishing morning school in ACS Ipoh.  However that arrangement did not last long and the author remained in ACS.  As the old school huts made way for the construction of the school hall, other developments were also taking place.  A U-shaped, single-storey building was built adjacent to the new school hall and the bottom of the U facing north.  At the far north end of the school was the Teacher’s quarters and the Principal and his family also lived there.

The old library building and the tuck shop were directly opposite the Nanyang Picture Theatre.  The old bicycle park was adjacent to the library wall.  All these structures including the Picture Theatre no longer exist.

Each Chinese New Year, the school grounds were decorated with paper banners hanging from a rope and on each paper, was written the name of the donor and the amount donated.  There were many donors in Menglembu (see picture) and Ipoh and most of them were tin miners and business people.  Many Clans denoted money to the school and in particular, the author remembered the Hakka Clan well as they were mainly tin miners, pawn shop owners and bankers.  Knowledge of the history of Hakka Clan in China will reveal their inborn determination for education and their participation as Generals and Scholars in Hennan Province for 2,000 years, before coming down to South China as Song Dynasty refugees.  Chong Soon Fan is of Hakka origin (Tai Poo, Quangdong Province) and had a strong urge to ensure the Chinese immigrants in Malaya can have a good Chinese education to maintain their language and culture.

As Chairman of the Board of Wan Hwa Primary School, he had to lead the donation and each year, whilst as Chairman, his donation amounts to $10,000 annually.  As Chairman, he was also able to encourage his business colleagues to contribute to the worthwhile cause, and they did.  Wan Hwa Primary School could not have existed without the generosity of the business and private donors.   Menglembu residents, having benefited from the school, should always remember the pioneering work of many philanthropists who readily gave their money for the building of the school and particularly the leadership shown by its Chairman, the late Mr Chong Soon Fan, who was also the “Penghulu of Menglembu”.

Chong Soon Fan passed away in 1969 and the Chairmanship of the school also went to his son the late Mr Chong Hong Chew, PJK, and later his grandson, Mr Chong Yong Fook.  The author congratulates Yong Fook in following a good tradition set up by the Patriarch.  One of the former Chairman Mr Chan Chak Yung was an old friend of the author for more than 50 years.

The author has visited the school recently and many changes have occurred.  The author would like to remind the people of Menglembu to remember the dedication and commitment of the pioneers who gave so much for the public education of their fellow immigrants in Menglembu and Ipoh.  I am sure that the current Chairman, Mr Chong Yong Fook could provide an aerial photograph of the present school to Ipoh World.

It is interesting to note that the late Mr Chong Soon Fan was at one time, the Chairman of the Board of 6 other Chinese schools including Yuk Choy, Perak Girl, Sam Jai and Wan Hwa.  The author heard a comment by one of his grandsons who said “the old man can afford many Mercedes Benz in his life time and yet he never bought one for this family.  He was contented with the old red Vauxhall Cresta (AA9788) who took his grandchildren to schools in Ipoh.  All the Mercedes went to the schools of course!” (Note- at that time each Merc costs $10,000 or more).   I believe that, he and his fellow philanthropists have accumulated enough good Karma for all their descendants to be blessed.

Here Comes Santa Claus!

By |2013-12-21T17:07:28+08:00December 20th, 2013|Categories: childhood, Events, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

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Here’s something to put you in the Christmas mood! We thank Alison Cotterill (nee Caldwell) for this one. According to Alison, this was taken in 1962 at the Lower Perak Club in Teluk Anson. On the far left is Trisha Caldwell, holding Fiona.

Well folks,  it looks like Santa arrived on foot instead of coming down the chimney! 😉 I do wonder what was in those large sacks…..

Untitled-1

Not wishing to have Teluk Ansom beat Ipoh, Ruth Rollitt sent us this one and said:

The Christmas party at the Presbyterian church was in 1963! Wow – 50 years ago. The little fair-haired boy is my brother Per’s son Morten – he is with his mother Vivi (Iversen). The lady in the batik dress on the other is my mother and the smiling lady is Dutch: Marian Voorhoeve – her husband was with Lindeteves Jacob and we are still much in touch.

Thank you Ruth for keeping Ipoh in the picture.

What’s Happening at Sam Tet?

By |2013-12-13T16:35:26+08:00December 13th, 2013|Categories: Events, history, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|

We’re hoping some alumni from Sam Tet, Ipoh, would be able to help us out with this photograph (see below).

St Mikes050

This was taken from the 90th Anniversary Magazine of St Michael’s Church (which is next to Sam Tet School). Does anyone remember when this photograph was taken? We don’t seem to have a caption for this photo, so we’re hoping someone out there could fill in some details for us.

We look forward to meeting some former Sam Tet students on our blog 😉

Famous Names – Sir Hugh Low

By |2013-12-12T17:01:24+08:00December 12th, 2013|Categories: history, People|

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You’ve heard his name many times – there’s even a road named after him – so today, we’d like to show you what he looked like! Yes, that’s him on the right…and on the left is none other than His Royal Highness Sultan Idris Murshidul’adzam Shah.

According to what we know, back in 1877 Sir Hugh Low established the Perak Council of State at Kuala Kangsar (together with Malay Royals, Chiefs and 2 Mining Towkays). This governing council gradually formulated the modern laws of Perak.

This picture was taken from the book 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya.

November 2013

Famous Names – B P De Silva

By |2013-11-25T15:39:30+08:00November 25th, 2013|Categories: history, People|

Ipoh folks have heard (and seen) the De Silva building in Old Town, but not many know about the man himself. Here’s a picture and a short description taken from the book 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya.

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Few Eastern jewellers can honestly claim to have received the partonage of royalty as often as Mr B. P. de Silva, of High Street, who numbers amongst his patrons the Duke of Connaught, the King of Siam, and the Sultan of Johore. The business was established in 1860 by Mr Silva’s father. All kinds of precious stones, jewellery of rare and unique design, and silverware in various styles of native workmanship are to be seen at this shop. Mr de Silva also does a considerable import and export trade, and with his large and experienced staff is in a position to execute all kinds of work connected with his business.

Surprise!

By |2013-11-08T16:15:13+08:00November 8th, 2013|Categories: childhood, Events, games, history, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

In our previous post, we had a reply from the brother of the pretty lady sitting on the sports car. We now know her as Joan Lau. After some searching, we found a picture of Lawrence Lau (see below).

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The caption for the above picture is as follows: “Adrian Boudville looking on, Barry Jansz acting as Time Keeper and Lawrence Lau acting as Starter.”

This was taken on 18th August 1971 at the Ipoh Railway Station. Anyone remember this event?

October 2013

What to buy for ‘Satu Kupang’?

By |2013-10-23T16:54:20+08:00October 23rd, 2013|Categories: childhood, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

magnolia

Do you recall the days when you could by an ice-cream sandwich for “satu kupang” (10 cents)? It was big money then, but today you hardly get a handful of sweets for that price.  The donor of this photograph says that the location is somewhere up north – Was “kupang” a common phrase used for money in Ipoh?

We thank Taj Firdaus for this photograph 🙂

September 2013

Remember that time when…

By |2013-09-16T08:42:38+08:00September 16th, 2013|Categories: childhood, Events, festivals/celebrations, greetings, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: |

St Bernadette’s Convent (in Batu Gajah) had a charity event for the victims of the Turkish earthquake? Here’s a photograph to jog your memory (see below)

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We were told that this replica of the Malaysian flag was made entirely of JELLY! Can anyone tell us more about this event? Do you recognise the official cutting the jelly?

 

Happy Malaysia Day, Dear Readers! 🙂

From the Days When Ipoh Had Style

By |2013-09-07T14:12:54+08:00September 7th, 2013|Categories: history, Ipoh Town, Natural Heritage, nature, People|Tags: , , |

Blog iverside

Just look at this grand old postcard from  the 1920’s. Recognise the place?

Well I guess most of you will not be able to pin this down, but as the postcard caption shows, it is the People’s Park, Ipoh. Historically the land was gazetted as the ‘People’s Park’, a gift from the government to the people of Ipoh. At the time the land was valued at $70,000 and was used to display a fantastic collection of Chinese plants presented by Yau Tet Shin. The Park was officially opened on the same day as the Birch Memorial Clock Tower was dedicated in 1909.

Today we have what is known as the beautified park, with its red yellow and blue plastic etc. For me I prefer Mother  Historically Nature as it used to be.

What about you?

Now Here’s a Sight for Sore Eyes!

By |2013-09-05T14:11:27+08:00September 5th, 2013|Categories: Events, games, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: |

1968SKCAI (2)

 

This great old photo came with the following message:

“Picture of me with the team 4x100m relay Cator Avenue school ipoh 1968. Hope my old friends in the picture memory of our history together.

from: Alaudin”.

So come on friends, tell which one is you.  And for those not in the picture, we always love to hear more about your schooldays.

Many thamks to Alaudin for sharing.

August 2013

Broadway, Here We Come!

By |2013-08-26T13:53:53+08:00August 26th, 2013|Categories: childhood, concerts, Events, ipoh, Memories, People|

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I was about 8 years old when I took part in a school concert (in the early 90s). The concert was for the Hari Anugerah (Prize Giving Day), and I recall being absolutely exhausted after every practice. I had to wake up early since practice started at about 8 o’clock in the morning. It went on past lunch time. I also had extra homework to do because practices were during school hours. What I hated most was when the music teacher told us that we girls had to wear make-up on the actual day of the concert…..sigh!

This picture was taken back in 1963. Were school concerts any different then? Like me, I’m sure the rest of us are wondering what happened to these ‘stars’ 😉

Anyone remember what this stage play was about? Did the ‘couple’ live happily ever after in the end?

NTPS Pasir Puteh Take Off For Penang

By |2013-08-19T18:13:32+08:00August 19th, 2013|Categories: celebrities, childhood, Events, games, Memories|Tags: |

6 (2) blog mano

 

Here is a bit of nostalgia if ever there was one! Sent in by Mano it is a photo taken on a bus on the way to Penang from the famed NTPS Jalan Pasir Puteh, Ipoh in 1967.

Mano tells us: At the rear is Semret Singh, SEA Games Gold medallist at the Hammer Throw in 1985 and 1989. He is the son of the equally famous Ghenda Sing (deceased) who donned the national colours for the Hammer Throw as well till he was 55!

To the left of Semret is Suhaimi who, together with his brother, formed the band Apple Jam and went on to open Ipoh’s first Discotheque – Apple Jam.

In the right half of the photo, in the middle, wearing a zippered shirt is Suhaimi’s brother, none other than Wah Idris – Musician extraodinaire from the Berkeley Scool of Music.

As for me, I’m the other Indian kid looking out the window, behind the Indian kid smiling at the camera.

Cheers to all at Ipohworld!

Thank you so much Mano – may

Dressing ‘Ipoh’ Style?

By |2013-08-14T08:27:46+08:00August 12th, 2013|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, People, tourism|

IpohGals

One look at this photograph and you will notice that not only were the Ipoh Girls pretty, they also dressed in style 😉

If you look close enough, you can probably deduce where in Ipoh Town these buildings are. But we’d like to draw your attention to the sign behind the lady with the handbag – ‘Dress Maker by Chan”. Is this tailor/dressmaker still around?

[We thank Charlie Choong for this photograph]

July 2013

Ipoh’s Finest Transport – The Trichair

By |2013-07-26T09:22:14+08:00July 26th, 2013|Categories: Ipoh Town, People|Tags: , , , |

New Transport blog

Yes here it is having just passed over the Hugh Low Bridge. Proceeding at a steady, somewhat leisurely, pace, the Trichair turned left and looked as if it was going to the nearby market. The photo was taken around 10.00 am on 23 July 2013 when I overtook them on the bridge and having pulled over sharply, jumped out of my car and caught them with the iPhone. They were totally unfazed with my performance, with the lady lightly gripping the side bars – completely comfortable in her plastic chair. By the time I had got back in my car they had disappeared into the traffic..

With the Trishaw no longer allowed to ply for fares in Ipoh, the Trichair is clearly the way ahead for those who don’t have cars, but I wonder what MBI would say if a few dozen of these hit the streets.

Vendors Outside the Cinema

By |2013-07-24T15:09:51+08:00July 24th, 2013|Categories: childhood, Ipoh Town, Memories, movies, People, tourism|Tags: , , , |

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We thank John McAuley – who was once part of the British Military serving in Malaya, back in the 1950s – for this photograph. Yes, folks it’s none other than the Majestic Cinema :). Although it doesn’t show up clearly, but if you zoom in you can actually see some vendors just outside the entrance of the cinema. Anyone remember them? What did they sell?

The Ssssnake Charmer

By |2013-07-19T15:05:33+08:00July 17th, 2013|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

snake charmer

Truth be told, I have never seen nor met a snake charmer. But I’ve always wondered HOW he makes those reptiles ‘dance’ to his music 😉

Have YOU seen/met a snake charmer?

 

Since the above photograph was not taken in Ipoh, we have another one – a different snake charmer but this time from Ipoh. Note: is he feeding the snake an egg?

snake charmer2

We thank Ruth Rollitt for both pictures.

Mr Postman!

By |2013-07-16T15:53:35+08:00July 16th, 2013|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

postman

Remember him….your friendly neighbourhood Postman? He used to go around on a bicycle with a large brown bag full of mail. Take note of his uniform too! What else do you remember about him? We’d love to read your comments and memories – especially those (like me!) who are more familiar with electronic mail 😉

We thank Ruth Rollitt for this photograph.

Need a Ride?

By |2013-07-08T16:44:51+08:00July 8th, 2013|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

girlonbike

This photograph is from Ko-Chi Wai. Do you recognise the building in the background? At one glance, I’m guessing it’s probably a school, but which school is it? And to the motorbike experts, correct me if I’m wrong – but is this young lady riding a Vespa?

June 2013

Specially for the ‘Foodies’ out there!

By |2013-06-17T16:29:41+08:00June 17th, 2013|Categories: childhood, Events, ipoh, Memories, People|

1965 ISC

Our thanks goes out to Ruth Iversen Rollitt for this one. Yes, it’s a barbeque party. And for those of you who can identify the venue, you’ve probably guessed it right!

This was taken around 1965. As a food lover (especially when it’s barbeque!), I do wonder if such parties still go on. When was the last time YOU enjoyed a nice cook-out with family and friends?

Book Launch – “My Days in the Sun: A Memoir”

By |2013-06-13T11:31:00+08:00June 13th, 2013|Categories: Books, Events, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

My Days in the Sun Invitation

Perak Academy and Areca Books invite you to keep 5th July free, for there will be a book launch at No. 41, Lapangan Symphony Business Park.

My Days in the Sun – A Memoir will be launched by Tan Sri Prof Khoo Kay Kim; plus, those of you who purchase this book will have a chance to meet the author too!

Here’s a brief synopsis of what the author – Mark Yoi Sun Soo – presents in his book:

In ‘My Days in the Sun’, a distinguished radiologist presents a candid self-portrait of his first 40 years. Mark Y.S. Soo was born in 1933 into a Cantonese family who divided their time between business interests in Malaya and Hong Kong. As a precocious child, Mark was an eyewitness to the Battle of Kampar, the Japanese occupation of Malaya and the post-war trauma of the late 1940s.

A graduate of Hong Kong University in 1957 and the Lysholm Department of Radiology in London in 1967, Mark Soo reflects on his intimate acquaintance with mentoring surgeons, eminent professors and pioneering radiologists, and offers privileged glimpses of the work practices in prestigious teaching hospitals in four different countries.

The humanistic philosophy of the Chinese sage Mencius, memorized at a young age under his grandmother’s watchful eye, made him a compulsively ethical practitioner in a moneyed profession. Ever the keen observer of life’s subtleties, Mark recounts many of the lessons he learnt, both moral and practical, during his time as a young medic in the Colony’s hospitals, a struggling general practitioner in Ipoh, a mature student of radiology in London and the first Asian Head of Radiology at University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, just before the riots of 13 May 1969.

Married with four children, Mark moved to Australia in 1971, where he still resides. From his traditional Chinese upbringing to his embrace of modern life as an immigrant of Australia, Mark Soo’s memoir conveys the sense and sensibility of an overseas Chinese who has lived in interesting times and memorable places.

In case you are unfamiliar with the area, here’s a map:

Location Map

Those interested, kindly RSVP before Friday 28th June 2013. Reservations can be made through –

Mrs Lee, of Perak Academy (605-5478949 / 016-5518172) contact@perakacademy.com [if you’re in Perak]

or,

Ms Kooi Nee, of Areca Books (604-2610307) arecabooks@gmail.com [if you’re in Penang]

Can you spot them?

By |2013-06-12T13:47:49+08:00June 12th, 2013|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, Natural Heritage, People|Tags: , |

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This isn’t a hard one to guess. Yes, it’s another photograph of Ipoh Motors Ltd. What I’m curious about is the street vendor – far right of this photograph (click to enlarge). What was he selling at that time? Can you also spot the petrol pump (below the sign Fargo Truck)?

This photograph is part of John McAuley’s collection. McAuley served in Ipoh in the mid 1950s.

Name the ‘Event’

By |2013-06-05T15:33:52+08:00June 5th, 2013|Categories: childhood, ipoh, Memories, People|

Richard Lee sent us this one via email. This was taken in 1965, during the Sports Day. Any idea what race these boys took part in? Maybe some of you out there are in this very picture 😉 If so, do tell us more about your memorable sports day!

SportsDay1965

The Perak Hydro Power Station, Malim Nawar

By |2013-06-03T16:04:41+08:00June 3rd, 2013|Categories: childhood, Events, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

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According to Wendy Lewis (the donor of these photographs), 
her father Alfred Simon (left) was the Superintendent 
of the Perak Hydro Power Station in Malim Nawar. 
On his right is none other than the Sultan of Perak.

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These 1966 photographs bring back lots of memories 
- especially for Wendy and her sister, since they 
stood at their gate to watch the entourage. 
Wendy also recalls Peter Channer being the General Manager. 
Do you recognise anyone else in these pictures? 
Perhaps, YOU might be one of the crowd too!
We'd love to hear your thoughts...

May 2013

The old man and his wares

By |2013-05-29T08:22:29+08:00May 29th, 2013|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|

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Here we have a cigarette vendor somewhere around the Ipoh Market. This photo was taken back in 1972 by Cheang Kum Seng, ARPS, a local professional photographer who has kindly allowed us to publish it. Do you recognise this man? Perhaps someone out there has seen him back in the 70s. I wonder what’s become of him now….

“Be Alive! Unleash the Magic in You” – A Motivational Talk

By |2013-05-28T12:22:19+08:00May 28th, 2013|Categories: Events, People|

Be Alive - Ipoh

Here’s an opportunity to meet Krushna Prabaskar – who is ‘no ordinary speaker’. Being visually impaired has not stopped him from living his life to the fullest, as he ‘was determined to use his handicap as a springboard for action’. Krushna will be sharing his ‘memorable experiences’ at a motivational talk, which will be held at the Tower Regency Hotel on 15th June 2013. The talk is from 9am-12 noon and entrance fee is RM 34. Come and be inspired by Krushna as he is said to have a remarkable way of connecting with the audience ‘through practical incidents’ and a ‘fine sense of humour’.

For reservations, do contact Ms Nandhini (016-3626225 / 017-2393847) or email her at info@globaleducationvillage.com

You may also register online at www.globaleducationvillage.com

 

Play Time!

By |2013-05-27T08:42:06+08:00May 27th, 2013|Categories: childhood, games, history, Memories, People|Tags: , |

Whether they’re quiet, noisy, cheeky, hyperactive, or even the book-worm types…..kids will always have a special place in our hearts 😉

Today, we’d like to share this photograph with you. We don’t know what these boys were up to when this was taken, but I would like to guess that they were probably playing hide-and-seek (note that both kids are behind a pillar). Notice what they’re wearing? Have children’s clothes changed much over the years. I’d say definitely…what say you?

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We thank John McAuley for this lovely photograph!

The Christmas Concert

By |2013-05-13T09:06:58+08:00May 13th, 2013|Categories: childhood, concerts, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , |

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I know it’s not even close to December yet…but all the same, I’d like to share Ruth Rollitt’s photo with you. This was taken at St John’s Hall back in 1958. According to the programme, those on stage were probably from the Ipoh Musical Society. The singers were accompanied by the band from the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (QMO) and the Perak Philharmonic Orchestra. This concert was in aid of the Federation of Malaya Red Cross Society.

Were you one of the performers? Or perhaps you recognise someone in this photo? Do share your thoughts with us!

April 2013

Where were YOU back in July 1955 – part 2

By |2013-04-26T16:41:43+08:00April 26th, 2013|Categories: elections, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , |

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picture 1

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 picture 2 1955_2c

picture 3

These three pictures were taken by Police Lieutenant Tom Turnbull during the transportation of ballot boxes to Kampong Gajah and Pasir Salak for the first Federal election.


Picture 1 shows the official boat carrying the ballot boxes and stuck on a sandbank in the Sungai Perak. Because the ballot boxes were on board it was important for the party to keep going and so boatmen and police had to simply get out and push. This happened three or four times before reaching Kampong Gajah. Picture 2 shows the back-up emergency boat which carried spare fuel, but was too small to carry the ballot boxes. The Police Lieutenant in charge here took Picture 3 and wryly remarked, “Perhaps the authorities should have employed a fleet of smaller boats similar to this. It seems to be carrying a fair pay-load without hitting any snags.” And the result of the election? The UMNO-MCA-MIC Alliance, headed by Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR), won an overwhelming victory (51 out of the 52 seats available), and he was appointed the first Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya.

If anyone out there has MORE memories about past elections to share with us, we’d love to hear from you. 🙂

 

Where were YOU back in July 1955?

By |2013-04-24T10:42:41+08:00April 24th, 2013|Categories: elections, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , , , |

The first Federal elections in Malaya were held in July 1955 to determine the new rulers of the Federation of Malaya after Merdeka (Independence). This was a milestone in the history of the country which led to the people becoming independent from the British on 31 August 1957. Of course the responsibility for the safety of the ballot boxes was given to the Malayan Police Force – a difficult task at the time as with many isolated villages with limited access and not forgetting that apart from natural hazards, the Communist Terrorists were still active, particularly in the Northern States.

The Police escort party from Batu Gajah first travelled to Kampong Gajah where they were divided into three sections: a section in each of two boats and one in a Land Rover. The first picture is of the Police Escort assigned to deliver and collect the ballot boxes to Pasir Salak and Kampong Gajah, by boat, along the Sungai (River) Perak.

While there were difficulties for those who traveled by boat, the road was not the best either and the Land Rover crews were lucky to get the vehicles through. The second picture shows one incident – the damage the Police Land Rover left behind it at Kampong Gajah. The vehicle was lucky to cross the bridge with its ballot boxes intact and would not have done so without a mighty effort from the villagers.

Since the 13th GE is just around the corner, we’d like to give you Readers a little ‘blast from the past’ – the pictures shown here (courtesy of Tom Turnbull) were taken way back in 1955, at Kampong Gajah, Perak.

1955a

The first picture – polling

1955b

While transporting the ballot boxes, the Land Rover had to drive across this wooden bridge! (yes, almost like a scene from Indiana Jones, isn’t it?)

Keep watching this space….we’ll have MORE of such pictures to share with you in conjunction with the up-coming polls! 🙂

 

Ipoh’s Common Folks?

By |2013-04-05T16:12:59+08:00April 5th, 2013|Categories: childhood, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|

Sometimes we’re so caught up with ourselves that we don’t ‘stop to smell the roses’ 😉 Here’s a look at what used to be a common sight in Ipoh – probably in the 1950s or 1960s. I do wonder if such a sight is present in this day and age…..but, like many of us I too am sometimes guilty of not observing my surroundings….

We thank Keith Nelson for this gem!

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March 2013

Home Guard on Parade

By |2013-03-28T13:54:52+08:00March 28th, 2013|Categories: history, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

HomeGuard

We thank Ong Kor Leong for sharing this photograph with us. Yes, this is indeed the Home Guard – set up by the (then) Government of British Malaya in countering the threat of Communist Terrorists. Once the threat of the CTs lessened, the Home Guard was eventually disbanded and the Malayan Territorial Army took its place. The Malayan Territorial Army was later renamed Askar Wataniah.

A Former CPM Heroine Passes Away

By |2013-03-26T14:07:57+08:00March 26th, 2013|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , |

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Suriani Abdullah, a well-known leader of the outlawed Communist Party of Malaya (CPM), died peacefully at 6am today at her home in Narathiwat, Thailand, after battling ill health for almost five years.

Suriani was born in 1924 as Eng Ming Ching, in Setiawan, Perak, and joined the underground CPM in 1940 at the age of 16.

She was then actively involved in organising women workers in the Kinta Valley and later participated in the anti-fascist guerrilla, the Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA).

She studied at the Nan Hwa High School in Setiawan together with CPM secretary-general Chin Peng and in 1975, became an elected member of the CPM’s central committee member.

More can be read at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/224537

Ipoh’s First Waiters’ Race

By |2013-03-09T11:37:28+08:00March 9th, 2013|Categories: festivals/celebrations, ipoh, Ipoh Town, People, tourism|Tags: , , , , |

ScreenHunter_09 Mar. 08 22.35

 

Despite Ipoh’s long romance with all things food-related and the abundance of hotels, restaurants and clubs in town, Ipoh has never before taken part in the international tradition of the waiters’ race. On the 25th of May 2013, that is about to change.

Organised jointly by the Ipoh City Council (MBI), Perak Tourism Association (PTA), Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), Perak Chapter, and the International Waiters’ Race Agency, Ipoh will be hosting its first International Waiters’ Race in D.R. Seenivasagam Park.

The Waiters’ Race (www.waitersrace.com) is a tradition originating in France, created to exhibit the skills of the famous French garcons by challenging them to race a street course while balancing a tray of beverages on the palm of one hand.

The earliest photographs of a Waiters’ Race were taken in the London Race of 1901, but the French roots of the race are over a century old.

Today, Waiters’ Races are held all over the world, including several held in Malaysia in the past. This is, however, the first time one will be held in Perak.

Demonstrations of ice-carving, flower-arranging, food-carving and a barista competition in coffee decoration will be held, along with a mini-treasure hunt, children’s race, parade of Perak school bands, and cheerleader demonstration for younger participants.

Over one hundred waiters and waitresses from Perak’s favourite eateries will be running the 1 ½ kilometer course through the park in three different races.

Visiting participants will be included from Ipoh’s sister city in Japan, Fukuoka, and Ipoh’s “friendship cities” Medan, Pusan, Hangzhou and Guangzhou.

Each runner will attempt to gain the fastest time while balancing their tray on one hand, without spilling any items. Running alone is worthless; winners have to arrive with a full tray or close to it.

The first race will be a Full Service Waiters’ Race where competitors run in traditional waiters’ attire over a challenging course including the steps leading to the bridge and a turn through the Japanese Garden.

The Quick Service Waiters’ Race will include hotel students as well as professionals and allow running shoes. Both races are open to men and women, prizes to be given separately to the best gentleman and best lady.

The third race will be an Amateurs’ mixed relay with teams comprising two men and two women each, dress code open to any attire.

Organizers hope to make this an annual event, celebrating Ipoh’s waiters, waitresses and culinary heritage for locals and tourists alike.

ScreenHunter_10 Mar. 08 22.36

In & Around Ipoh Town

By |2013-03-06T16:15:38+08:00March 6th, 2013|Categories: childhood, concerts, Exhibitions, Ipoh Town, Memories, People, Perak heritage Society, tourism|Tags: , , |

Family_0015

Here’s a nice one from a family album. We thank Alexander for this gem. According to him, the girl (standing) is his grandmother Madam Ursula. Behind her are her parents Mr Arokiasamy and Mrs Iruthayamary. The little one on the car is Ursula’s sister Kolanda Theresa. Incidentally, Mr Arokiasamy was involved in the textile & liquor business.

Anyone else have similar memories of their childhood to share? We’d love to hear from you 🙂

Walking Around Ipoh Town

By |2013-03-04T16:05:23+08:00March 4th, 2013|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People, tourism|

whatsIt

Try not to be distracted with the pretty ladies 😉 We’d like to draw your attention instead to the large sign on the far left of the picture. It seems to be an advertisement for a cinema. Any idea which cinema this is?

We thank Keith Nelson for this photo (we believe he may be one of the 4 gentlemen walking behind the ladies 🙂

February 2013

CNY Fashion – Ipoh Girls

By |2013-02-13T08:36:32+08:00February 13th, 2013|Categories: childhood, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

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I’m making a rough guess and stating that this picture is from the 1960s (if I’m wrong, let me know). I found the designs of these cheongsams quite interesting. Personally, I’ve tried looking around for a simple one at the malls…..and found that the ones sold are rather costly (especially since they are embroidered or have some elaborate bead-work). 🙁

I wonder, how much did a cheongsam cost back then? Were they sold at malls…or did you have to get them tailor-made?

January 2013

A Night of Music

By |2013-01-23T10:11:48+08:00January 23rd, 2013|Categories: concerts, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

pic003 copy 3

Could this be part of the Perak Chinese Amateur Dramatists Association (PCADA) building? To what we know, the top floor of the building used to be a hall.

With that in mind, we believe that the gentlemen in the front row (all in white shirts and narrow, black ties) are part of the PCADA String Orchestra. If you look closely at the bottom part of the photo, you can probably see some of the instruments too.

However, we could be wrong though. So if anyone has other suggestions, do feel free to leave your comments.

Cycling Around Ipoh…

By |2013-01-18T13:59:50+08:00January 18th, 2013|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, Natural Heritage, People|Tags: , , , |

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In the background is none other than the Fraser & Neave Ltd Aerated Water building. At the bottom right, there are railway tracks leading towards the F&N building. We don’t know who the gentleman on the bicycle is…neither do we know the date this photograph was taken.

We look forward to your comments – especially if YOU are the gentleman on the bicycle! 🙂

IpohWorld Blog Contest: Do You Know Her?

By |2013-01-16T09:23:52+08:00January 16th, 2013|Categories: Identify Photographs, People|Tags: , |

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We’re pleased to announce that today’s blog is part of a contest!

Yes, folks…..all you have to do is guess WHO this lovely lady is. This contest will run for two weeks from the date of publication of theis blog. All you have to do is tell us this Ipoh beauty’s full name and you’ll stand a chance to win a signed copy of the book “Ipoh My Home Town” – delivered personally to YOU! If we have more than one correct answer, the winner will be decided via drawing a name from a hat.

Sorry, but close members of the young lady’s family will not be considered for the prize.

So, put those thinking-caps on and get cracking! 🙂

December 2012

Congratulations for a job well done

By |2012-12-16T18:40:50+08:00December 16th, 2012|Categories: Ipoh Town, People, Restoration|Tags: , , , , |

I have chosen to feature this photo today to honout the owner, Mr. Lim of the Lim Kopi kopitiam in Hugh Low Street, who has done an outstanding restoration job on this building, inside and out. For those of you who are not aware this is the de Silva building in Belfield Street, Old Town, Ipoh which was derelict less than a year ago.

If only there were more owners like him.

156, Hugh Low Street, Ipoh

By |2012-12-07T10:47:27+08:00December 7th, 2012|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

From what our donor (Ko-chi Wai) tells us, this is a “view from inside Choon Seng shop house along 156 Hugh Low Street, ground floor front. Shows the structure of the horizontal sliding metal grill/shutter door, and an old heavy-duty weigh (in green, left bottom). My brother, sister and myself on the old Honda cub.”

This picture was taken in 1979. I wonder if the shop house is still there….perhaps another establishment has taken over? Those of you familiar with the layout of Hugh Low Street might be able to tell us more 🙂

November 2012

“At Ease”

By |2017-04-12T14:56:08+08:00November 30th, 2012|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

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Suriya Sankaran sent us this picture, along with an interesting email. According to Suriya, his grandfather – T.N. Balakrishnan – is the Inspector (with a pistol at his waist) standing in front of his troops. T.N. Balakrisnan was part of the Perak Homeguard, and this picture was taken at the stand off area in Bidor (Batang Padang District) during the early 1950s.

To read more about the Home Guard go to http://db.ipohworld.org/view/id/2224

And for those who are not aware of the special Chines force, The Kinta valley Home Guard please go to http://db.ipohworld.org/view/id/4162.

I am sure that those of you who grew up in the New Villages will have many memories of the Home Guard.

But, for readers who do nor know about the Briggs Plan and New Villages there is a well written account of life in a local New Village here http://db.ipohworld.org/view/id/3247

To conclude. Suriya is very keen to find out more about his grandfather and service in the Home Guard. Can you help him in his quest please?

The S.E.A.L. Trip

By |2012-11-23T15:40:32+08:00November 23rd, 2012|Categories: childhood, history, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

Ask me what SEAL is, and I’ll relate it to the US Navy SEALs 😉 But, here we have another type of SEAL – apparently this SEAL is a name of a factory (picture above).

This was sent to us from Ko-chi Wai, along with this message:

School Visit to S.E.A.L Corporation Ltd factory – This was a school visit by my mum’s class to a S.E.A.L Corporation Ltd factory located in Perak (might be Tasek). The company that owns the factor is now known as SEAL Incorporated Bhd, and the registration of the “Sealply” logo/trademark of a seal was last renewed by the company in 1991 (http://www.trademarkuk.info/tm/1214169/sealply). Taken in Oct 1964.

 

ps: is this factory still there?

Episode 5 – by IpohBornKid

By |2012-11-20T17:24:13+08:00November 20th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , |

 

The Grandchildren of Chong Soon Fan’s eldest daughter lived in the  “old house” at Main Road, Menglembu.  They were all studying in the English schools in Ipoh.  At the break of dawn, they all got up, brushed their teeth and started to walk towards the Chong Family bungalow opposite the Wan Hua Primary School.  There were two reasons for going to the bungalow, to have breakfast and getting a ride by car to school in Ipoh.

There were also 6th, 8th and 14th Aunties going to school in Ipoh,  Breakfast was served starting a 6:30 am.  Breakfast menu were usually, toast with Kayang and Coffee, porridge or simple rice meal.  Sometimes the late comers (usually getting out of bed late or spend too much time making up or some unexpected circumstances) would take their breakfast in the car.  Generally speaking, the aunties spent too much time making up their faces in the morning and they were causing the delayed departure to school   They were the elders and hence no comments or protest or you would get “hot tongue” for additional breakfast.

The Grandchildren living in the bungalow were spared these delays as they just walked from the front door of the house, cross the road and they were in school.  Lucky for them, but when they started to go to high school, they had to join the crowd.  By that time, most of the aunties have graduated from high schools.

The driver arrived at the bungalow at 7:00 am and his job was to take us to school.  Sometimes the car would not start because of flat battery and we had to push it to start.  Luckily there were plenty of people who can push.   We all piled up in a Red Vauxhall Cresta 1956 model  (AA9788) l with 3 forward gear, column shift and a bench seat in the front (seated 3 people including the driver).  Later in the early1960s, a Ford Galaxy (BH2131) was used to transport the kids to school in Ipoh.

The journey to school started usually at sunrise 6:45 am.  Turning out of the gateway to the right, it passed the Movie Theatre and at the junction of Lahat Road (Main Road), the car turned left and headed for Ipoh.  Passing through the Menglembu Police Station on the right, it continues north passing the saw mills and iron foundries before reaching Falim.  Passing Foo Nyit Sze bungalow on the right, it then crossed the Sungei Pari.  The road then became divided with lamp post in the centre.  Sometimes, the driver, on the urging of his passengers would overtake cars weaving pass the lamppost and crossed to the right hand side of the road and then weaved back between the lamp post into the left lane,  It was exciting start of the day to be thrilled.

In those days, there were plenty of bicycles and motor cycles competing for the road.  Bicycles were 2 to 3 abreast and sometimes they bunched together in a group of 12 cyclists.  Cyclists did not wear helmets in those days and it was amazing that accidents were quite rare with bicycles.

Prior to arriving at the railway crossing, the car would turn left into Maxwell Road.  After passing the road tunnel below, it turned left heading into the direction of the Kidd Bus Station.  Then it turned right into Ipoh Tutorial, dropped off an Aunty and returned into the main road and this time heading for Guru Nanak School.  From Guru Nanak, the next stop was the Convent and Rajah Perempuan, and it continued to Perak’s Girls High School in Kampar Road.  On returning from Kampar Road, it went to Jalan Datoh and headed in ACS Ipoh at Lahat Road.  In this route, the poor fellow who went to school in ACS was mostly late.  If the car is driven up into the main building, you are sure to be caught. by the Prefects.  The penalty at ACS Ipoh was one 220 yards round in the field for every 5 minutes late.

After much complaining and a change of circumstances, where there were two ACS students, the route was changed to ACS the first stop.  It then went ahead through St Michaels to Yuk Choy High School, then to Convent, Raja Perempuan and Perak Girls High School.  A few years later, the ACS boy got smarter and rode a bicycle to school.

There was no afternoon pickup service as the Grandfather used his car for business all day.   Most of us take the bus home.

There were no TV in those days and it was fortunate for the Grandchildren of Chong Soon Fan to have a picture theatre next door and the admission is complimentary.  I believe, the movie theatre leased the premises from Chong Soon Fan and he was given many complimentary tickets.  Coming home after school, one would throw the school bag into the dark corner, eat lunch and headed straight for the movies which started at 2.00 pm, school day or not.  It did not matter what language film was showing as long as we could sit there for one and a half hour entertained.  In a year, we can have seen at least 50 movies (twice a week) and sometimes seeing the same movie twice.

The favourite food for the movies were ice kachang or ice ball,  With the ice ball, you sit on the rattan seat (full of ticks) and you attempt to suck all the melted ice with the fan blowing hard under you.  Of course, your clothes were dripped with coloured ice water.  After the show, we cool our heads with the picture theatre tap located inside the cinema complex before returning home.

If we had seen a sword fighting movie, most of the boys would get some sticks and started to imitate the swordsman.  Yes that was fun until one of the younger boys got hit accidently with the stick and started to cry.  In a whiff, we all disappeared so no one can take responsibility for hurting the young brat.  We swore not to include him in our activities but he also managed to get in because he could invoke the elders to fix us.

By 6 pm, the local appointed time for evening meal.  Grandchildren can choose to eat at the bungalow or at the old house.  Most of the time, , the old house Grandchildren ate at the bungalow.

After dinner, we had a bath and changed into pyjamas.  We did our homework from 700 pm till 9:00 pm and were expected to go to bed by 9:30 pm.  .

The Main Convent Hockey Team

By |2012-11-19T17:30:31+08:00November 19th, 2012|Categories: childhood, history, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

Ko-chi Wai had this to say, when he sent us this picture:

Ipoh Main Convent XI Hockey Team 1960 – Photo of the Main Convent hockey team which my aunt (front row, 2nd from left) was part of, taken within the grounds of the school. It was marked as XI Hockey, 1960 at the back of the photo.

Well, Convent Girls….anyone of you in the picture? For those who were part of the hockey team, do you remember the teacher/coach?

Once Upon A Time….

By |2012-11-14T13:59:46+08:00November 14th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , |

…such a scene (picture above) was a common sight around Ipoh Town. I never had a pair of striped pajamas, but I do remember (as a child) walking about in cartoon-themed pajamas and bed-hair! This cute picture was sent to us by Ko-chi Wai, who also included this message:

My mum (Lau Siew Hwa), my uncle, and my cousin on the stairs at the side of the Rex Cinema building. On the right one can see the rear part of the row of shop-houses facing Hugh Low St. where my mum’s family stayed in one till late 1990s. One can see the back doors to the shop-houses, as well as the small trap doors at the bottom where the “night soil” buckets were placed. Taken in 1959.

Tilapia Fishes at D R Park?

By |2012-11-08T16:02:25+08:00November 8th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, nature, People, tourism|

Yes, you read it right!

The above picture, taken in 1973, shows a couple at D R Seenivasagam Park. Through email, Ko-Chi Wai tells us that:

the rocks at the far side of the lake are still there today. however, the wooden platform where they are standing, and the wooden zigzag bridge across the lake are long gone. when I was a kid in the early 80s, my cousins and I used to feed the tilapia fishes from the very same platform.

Have any of you been fishing at this lake?

October 2012

Born to Ride!

By |2012-10-10T12:58:14+08:00October 10th, 2012|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

We have here a photograph from Chan Kok Keong. Anyone recognise the model of the motorbike? If you look closely, you can see the number plate – PK 57 – which would give you a hint as to the year.

Did any of you/your family own a vehicle with a PK number plate?

Fashion of the 1920s!

By |2012-10-05T11:25:11+08:00October 5th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Nicholas Jennings sent us these – showing Freda, the wife of J A S Jennings (Editor of Times of Malaya).

Freda with her friends at the Ipoh Race Course

Freda playing billiards at the Crag Hotel, Penang

What fashion trends were popular during YOUR time? Did you attempt the ‘Jackie Kennedy’ look? Or perhaps you had a pair of ‘Saturday Night Fever’ pants? 😉

Episode 4: The 12 Grandchildren of Chong Soon Fan – by IpohBornKid

By |2012-10-04T15:01:48+08:00October 4th, 2012|Categories: childhood, festivals/celebrations, history, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

Here’s the 4th installment in IpohBornKid’s series. The picture (circa 1958) shows a little boy in brand new clothes – specially worn for Chinese New Year. In the background is the Man Hua Primary School.

Episode 4 -The 12 Grand Children of Chong Soon Fan

Celebrating Chinese New Year & the Ang Pow trail  By IpohBornKid 

This article describes the memoirs of the first 12 Grand Children of Chong Soon Fan where most of them had lived together and grew up together. The events mainly took place in the bungalow, the house of Chong Soon Fan in Menglembu, opposite the Man Wah Primary School in the late 1950s to early 1960s. Not long after the 1963, the elder Grand Children of Chong Soon Fan began to study in tertiary institutions. All the 12 grandchildren have either studied abroad or are now residing abroad.

Chinese New Year (CNY) was an important event in the family. From the children’s point view, it was a time to get something new and cash from the ang pows. In those days, the family did not spend too much money on new clothes or shoes and that only occurred during Chinese New Year.

During the eve of CNY, the family gathered together to have a reunion meal. Married daughters usually brought their husbands and children back to Menglembu, the headquarters of the Family of Chong Soon Fan. The cousins living in Menglembu, would anxiously wait to see their cousins from interstate. After the family meal, done in 3 batches of 12 were taken, the grandchildren would play with each other and renewing their relationship with each other. The night also led to the praying to the heavenly god (Tian Gong) around midnight, led by the matriarch of the family.

On the first day of CNY (Lin Chor Yat), it was a tradition to remain at home and not visit relatives. The visiting of relatives or the beginning of the ang pow trail started on Day 2 of the CNY. Hence on Day 1 morning, all grandchildren would line up and greet the Patriarch “Kung Hee Fatt Choy” and in return, each grandchildren was given an ang pow. In the 1950s, each ang pow contained a crisp new one dollar note. The sons and daughters of Chong Soon Fan got more than this and it was never revealed to the children who got what. It was not polite to ask.

Later in the morning, the Lion Dance troupes would arrive. They came to take the “green”, (a green “sang chow”) with the ang pow tied together. The Lion would first come into the house and bow to the God that was in the dining room and then back tracked to the front door. Firecrackers (big ones) were lit and this time, the Lion would take the green which was hung under the porch. The grandchildren will then wait for the next Lion Dance troupe to come.

On the second day of the CNY, the whole entourage of grandchildren in 2-3 packed cars did the customary route to get rich from their relatives. Most of the visits were to the sons and daughters of Foo Choon Yit, ie. the Matriarch’s siblings. Great Grand Mother (Mrs Foo Choon Yit) was first on the list (including 6th & 7th Grand Uncles) in Greentown, followed by 1st Grand Uncle (Foo) in Belfield Street, 2nd Grand Aunty(Lim) in Greentown, 3rd Grand Aunty (Khoo) Greentown, 3nd Grand Uncle (Foo) in Gopeng Road and 5th Grand Uncle (Foo) in Jalan Pasir Puteh.

In some years, the grandchildren also visited Grand Uncle Foo Yet Kai, a cousin of the Matriarch. At these visits, the grandchildren were well dressed and put on a good behaviour to show the relatives that they have manners. After saying the magic words, the ang pows flowed in and went straight into the pockets. A smile emanated from ear to ear. After all, the grandchildren appreciated cash and it was the only time of the year where you can get cash without doing any work. Cash was not the only things that the kids got from their relatives but food and soft drinks (F&N stuff) went into their hollow legs. Third Grand Aunty was best known for her “western” baked cakes.

Prior to New Year, the whole family were involved in making crispy wafers which wrapped like a fan (keuy ban cake – in Hokkien). Firstly, the cars were removed from the garage, a piece of metal roof was place on the concrete floor and hot charcoal was laid on the metal. A metal grill was put on top of the charcoal to allow the frying pan to rest above the burning charcoal. The pan was a special design frying contraption made up of 2 metal piece joined together like a set of pliers. Each had a 6 inch diameter round pan with etched patterns and was joined to a metal handle about 2 feet long. The two pieces were joined together next to the rounded pan which could be opened and closed by pulling the handles apart or together respectively.

After initial heating of the pan, it was opened and a scoop of flour mixture was placed on the pan. The pan was then closed by putting the 2 handles together and the excess flour mixture (with fresh coconut milk) ran back to the mixture container. The flour mixture was cooked in less than one minute with the frying pan turned once over. The pan was then withdrawn from the charcoal fire, opened and the cooked flat rounded cake (soft and ‘malleable when hot) was placed on a flat surface where someone would then wrapped it into a fan shape by folding it twice. If you were not careful, you could burn your figures. The cake hardens when cooled and it was tasty (coconut flavour) and crispy.

As an aside about working for money, one of the senior grandchildren told me that he was earning good cash buying wholesale cigarettes and selling it to the Uncles and Aunties who smoked (profit -$1 per cartoon of cigarette – 10 packs). He also said that as a courier in the number rackets (before they became legitimate), one can get 10% commission for every dollar gambled.

Gambling was “verboten” (forbidden) for the grandchildren but this ban was lifted during the 14 days of the Chinese New Year. Everyone in the family played the cards (except the Patriarch) and two games were usually the favourite, the 3 cards or 21 points. Winners were happy but losers were miserable, but that’s life. Some of them were careful gamblers and set a budget for losing no more than $5.00 for the gambling season.

Aside from gambling, the male grandchildren were allowed to drink some brandy. In the early 1960s, one young and foolish teenage grandson challenged his uncle (a regular drinker) to a duel on the brandy. He was knocked out after consuming half a bottle of brandy and he was out for the rest of the day. He was so sick that day that he vowed never to get drunk ever again.

Some of the traditional New Year rules about ang pow were followed. Only children and unmarried adults get it from their seniors whilst married people got to pay to all their nieces and nephew and unmarried junior siblings., There were also auspicious rules about the sum of money, in the ang pows, and preferably with similar double digit, ie. 2x20c, $1.10, $2, $8 or $10. The gross intake per grandchild averaged $20 (big money!). What was left in the pockets after Chinese New Year went straight into the children’s bank account and most of them had an account with Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank in Belfield Street, Ipoh. You were not allowed to have those dollars burning a hole in your pocket.

The children of relatives also came to pay respects to the Patriarch and they also received ang pows. The other popular pastime was lighting fire crackers. Cheap ones were little firecrackers and sparklers but the big ones were expensive. They were all made in China even till today.

A Wedding to Remember

By |2012-10-01T17:36:50+08:00October 1st, 2012|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

This was donated to us by one of our supporters – Chan Kok Keong. From what we know from the Chinese sign above the door this wedding photo was taken outside the Employee’s Association building. Does the building seem familiar to you? The letters KCCSA Ipoh under the Chinese characters may also help. Do you see any familiar faces in the photo? We await your comments 🙂

September 2012

Food!!

By |2012-09-29T10:53:02+08:00September 28th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People, tourism|Tags: , , |

We’ve noticed that the past few blogs have prompted our fans to talk about the good food in Ipoh.

Artistic angle aside, if you look at the above picture closely you can see some ‘work’ in progress – yes, folks….the man is making Popiah!

There isn’t much background in the picture, but perhaps someone recognises this stall? As for the Popiah lovers, has your favourite dish changed over the years?

We All Scream for ICE CREAM!

By |2012-09-17T09:45:03+08:00September 17th, 2012|Categories: childhood, history, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

As a kid, I remember the ice cream van driving around my neighbourhood on certain evenings. You know the ice cream man is coming just be keeping an ear out for the distinct music which plays on a loop. Oddly enough, I was actually afraid of the music….and if I were out in the garden, I’d freeze and just watch the van drive pass! (maybe it’s because the music reminded my of the creepy carnival music from the movie IT)

But there were occasions (when an adult was outside with me, thus giving me an ounce of ‘courage’) when I would run to the gate and wave to the driver. I never paid attention to how much the green-coloured ice cream cost, but I loved the taste 😉 Yes, folks – lime flavoured green ‘shell’ with a vanilla centre!

This picture here, from Keith Nelson, shows a smiling man in a topi, with a Magnolia Cold Storage box on a bicycle. How many of you remember this? We’d love to hear from you.

An Exhibition on The Life & Legacy of Eu Tong Sen

By |2012-09-13T10:08:48+08:00September 13th, 2012|Categories: Exhibitions, history, ipoh, People, tourism|Tags: , |

THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF EU TONG SEN – A PERAKIAN PIONEER

 

A public exhibition in conjunction with Visit Perak Year History & Heritage at the lobby of Syuen hotel from 30 August till end of October

Eu Tong Sen was born in Penang 23. July 1877, the year of the Ox. In 1898, at the age of 21, he took over his father’s estates and business in Perak. At 30 he was one of the richest men in South -East Asia. For more the 3 decades Eu a leading business man shaped the development and wellbeing of Perak, mainly in Ipoh, Gopeng and Kampar.

He transformed the business his father left him, originating from a single dispensary in Gopeng, in to a chain of traditional medicine shops.

 At the peak, Eu’s businesses owned a total of 11 mines and employed 12’000 miners.

 In 1908 he commenced planting rubber trees, until his rubber estates covered more the 283 hectares of land.

Eu Yan Sang shops in Gopeng and Kampar extended to providing remittance service, allowing Chinese miners and plantation workers to send their earnings home.

In May 1912, Eu was appointed a permanent Unofficial Member of the Federal Council of the Federated Malay States. Later, he would become the first non -European commoner to be admitted to the Royal Ipoh Club.

Eu and Chung Thye Phin, the Kapitan China of Perak, were “blood” brothers. They went through Chinese ceremony to become oath brothers. Eu and Chung had common interests – motorcars, racehorses and country houses both of them decided to enter their horses regularly in the Ipoh races. They jointly built the weekend retreat, “Forest Lodge” at Gopeng road with a large stable. Eu took keen interest in horse-racing, motoring and rifle-shooting. He imported the first motor car to Perak.

A description of Eu’s residences in Perak, written by H. Norden in 1923, goes as follows:

“Eu Tong Sen is notable with his twenty-five millions of gold dollars. He has two palaces in Ipoh; one more in Kampar and a castle with garden and lake in Singapore. Art treasures selected in Europe by himself fill the various residences of the great Chinese tin magnate, nick name King of Tin, the marble was brought from Italy.”

By 1914 just before the war, he moved his business head-quarters to Singapore and later to Hong Kong. Eu Tong Sen died of a heart attack in May 1941 at the age of 63.

Eu man who practiced European lifestyle. Was he too Western? Not Chinese enough.

The exhibition was possible with the support of Syuen Hotel, Eu Foundation and Kinta Heritage group.

Episode 3: Chong Soon Fan’s Grandchildren – by IpohBornKid

By |2012-09-06T10:43:25+08:00September 6th, 2012|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

IpohBornKid shares his 3rd installment with us. Happy reading 🙂

The picture showing the first 12 grandchildren of Chong Soon Fan was probably taken in 1957, during the Chinee New Year. The location is the bungalow, the family residence of Chong Soon Fan.  The background building with the tin roof is the Nanyang Picture Theatre where the daughter of Chong Soon Fan was married.

Among the grandchildren, the eldest grand daughter and grandson came from the Pun family.  Ranking in seniority among grandchildren were as follows:  SFPun, YFPun, SLPun, (FWong,SLian Pun, YV Chong, PL Khoo – all same age), YW Chong, KC Khoo, YF Chong, KO Khoo, YT Chong.

Among the first 12 grandchildren of Chong Soon Fan who now resides overseas are  Dr SF Pun (US), Dr SL & YF Pun (Australia), SLn, F Wong, YT Chong & YW Chong (UK) , KO Khoo (Canada).  At the moment, Dr SF   and Dr SL are proud grandparents., More 5th generation babies will be popping out soon.  After the first 12 grandchildren, many others were born after the picture was taken and at last count, there were additional 3 residing in UK, 1 in Canada and 4 in Australia.

Among the 12 grandchildren there can be found graduates in Medicine, Science, Law, Engineering, IT,Teachers, Nurses and Businessmen.

I would like to invite those of you who are featured in this photograph to give your side of the history.  Later chapters in this series will talk about a day in the life of the Family in in early 1960s, the other grandchildren and  the golden wedding anniversary of Chong Soon Fan.

The number of grandchildren residing overseas reflects the sad picture of Malaysian brain drain to the Western countries since 1950s but it also reflects the global spread of the Chinese diaspora in Western countries.

Where Are They Now?

By |2012-09-05T13:51:46+08:00September 5th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

Nicholas Jennings sent us these pictures some time ago. They were said to be taken around the early 1960s.

 

Nicholas (with Bintang, the family pet), together with his mother Joyce, his sisters Alison and Christina, and Ramah the nanny.

The  Amah and her 3 children

Nicholas, who once lived at 141 Jalan Abdul Jalil had this to say:

Amah was our house cleaner, while her husband was our cook. My family was extremely close to our servants–they really were like family, especially Ramah (I remember fondly the times that Ramah took our family to her family’s kampong for homecooked Malayan meals). But we sadly lost touch with them when we returned to Canada. It would be wonderful if, through the portal of IpohWorld, we might be able to reconnect with them all these many years later.

Anyone who could tell us MORE about these women, Nicholas (and we at IpohWorld too!) would love to hear from you 🙂

August 2012

Merdeka Greetings

By |2012-08-30T16:36:33+08:00August 30th, 2012|Categories: greetings, history, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

Here’s to all of our fans out there – regardless of the trials and tribulations we’ve faced as a nation, we’ve pulled through and have come out stronger! Happy Merdeka 🙂

The above picture is from Alan Wanless. This was taken at the Ipoh Padang back in 1957 (about the same time Tunku made his declaration at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur).

School Bands at the Perak Stadium

By |2012-08-17T12:43:42+08:00August 17th, 2012|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

This picture is from Ralph Khaw, who was the drum major in the SMI Cadet Band. This was taken in 1970 at the Perak Stadium – the Ipoh Combined School Bands. Among the schools which participated were SMI, MGS, and Perak Girls’ School. According to Ralph, either Raja Perempuan School or Poi Lam took part as well.

Do you guys remember this event? It wasn’t that long ago….I’m sure some of the band members remember 🙂

The Teachers of SMJK Poi Lam, 1970

By |2012-08-09T09:45:10+08:00August 9th, 2012|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

We’re featuring another photograph about SMJK Poi Lam. From what our donor (Veronica Woo) told us, the Poi Lam Alumni will be having a gathering this Saturday. With that in mind, how many of you former Poi Lam teachers/students recognise this (see below)?

This is a photo of teachers of SMJK Poi Lam, Ipoh during the school general assembly on 12 November, 1970.  SMJK Poi Lam, a Chinese-based secondary school,  was founded by the Perak Hock Kean Association in 1955.  In the early years, the school started off with only three classrooms and an enrolment of 120 students.  Then, in 1962 SMJK Poi Lam was granted status as a government-aided school.  The first principal of the school was Mr Ng Cheng Aik who retired in 1976 after 21 years of service in the teaching profession.

SMJK Poi Lam Visit the Nanyang Office in 1967

By |2012-08-07T15:08:37+08:00August 7th, 2012|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

This photo was taken on 17 December, 1967 during SMJK Poi Lam’s school visit to Nanyang Siang Pau office. The two lady teachers were dressed in their traditional Chinese cheongsam. The girls were wearing their white sleeveless blouse and black skirt uniform while the boys were all attired in their white short-sleeved shirts and shorts. This was the uniform common for all Chinese secondary schools then. The new school uniform policy was implemented in 1969. From that year onwards until today, female students from all types of secondary schools in Malaysia are required to wear the white blouse and turquoise pinafore uniform while the boys their white short-sleeved shirts and olive green long pants.

We thank Veronica Woo for the picture and the short story.

To all our Poi Lam Alumni out there…..do you remember this school trip? Do share some of your memories with us 🙂

July 2012

The Children of Chong Soon Fan – by IpohBornKid

By |2012-07-30T09:35:22+08:00July 30th, 2012|Categories: childhood, history, Memories, People|Tags: , |

Chapter 2:  The Children of Chong Soon Fan – by IpohBornKid

In a previous Ipoh World blog which I now called Chapter 1, (http://www.ipohworld.org/?p=3342), I wrote a short biography of the late Chong Soon Fan, JP, who was the Penghulu of Menglembu.  As a Menglembu village headman, he was well respected and despite his wealth, he stayed in Menglembu with his fellow villages instead of living in plush suburbs of Ipoh. 

In the picture above taken around 1939, was a family photograph of the patriarch with his children (Photo -courtesy of Mr Chong Yong Fook, a grandson of Chong Soon Fan).

Among his sons, the eldest was HC.  HC, an old boy of Ipoh St Michael’s Institution followed his father into business.  He served as a Councillor in the Ipoh Town Council in the late 1950s during the PPP era. Whilst a Councillor for MCA, his cousin in Belfield Street was a Councillor for PPP, He was honoured by the Sultan of Perak twice.

KC, the second son, was Chinese educated.  His father took some of the family members to Daipu, the Hakka ancestral village in Guangdong Province in the late 1940s.  For some reason, Kong Chew stayed behind when the family returned to Malaya.  During the KMT retreat to Taiwan, KC was conscripted into the KMT army and was on his way to Quemoy Island and Taiwan. He served in Quemoy Island for several years and he used to tell the story of how the artillery barrage started in the morning and before sunset, the loudspeaker from the mainland would broadcast some women pleading for his son to return to the mainland.  Of course, some villages made a living out of collecting the metal casings of the artillery shells.  KC later returned to Malaya in the late 1950s and married a Singaporean.  The couple and their children later moved to Singapore.

WC, the youngest son, attended Ipoh MAS (ACS Afternoon) school in the early 1950s.  Of course, the Japanese occupation disrupted many youth from going to school and getting an education, hence there were a lot of matured student enrolments in the old days.  WC also worked in his father’s business.

Chong’s daughters, MY2, MO3, MS4, MY5, MH6, and MN8 married into the Pun, Wong, Khoo, Lee, Bush, and Chew families respectively. The youngest daughter MC9 was not in the photograph since it was taken before she was born.  She later married to the Poon Family.

Chong’s first son-in-law, a Pun, was an Ipoh ACS old boy (class of 1932) and his occupation was an electrician working in the tin mines.  Wong was a school teacher in Yuk Choy High School Ipoh.  Khoo was in the Police force and retired as a Superintendent.    Lee was a former Ipoh Council worker and later became a successful businessman.  Bush was an UK engineer and he worked in Malaya for a few years before returning to UK.  Chew was a university graduate from Taiwan when he met MN8, a fellow graduate.  He was a school teacher in Yuk Choy High School and later became Acting Principal in Sam Jai High School, Ipoh.  Poon was an Industrial Executive working in the Tasek industry area for many years in Ipoh.

This article has two purposes.  Firstly, it is intended to put into history the children of Chong Soon Fan and secondly, to allow the third generation to identify their father or mother in the picture and share their history with the people of Ipoh and beyond.  The latter will remove any bias by the author. Chapter 3 will feature a short story on the first 12 grandchildren of Chong Soon Fan.  The global Chinese diaspora is well known and who would have guessed that the grand children of Chong Soon Fan are now part of this global phenomena.  Other Chapters will follow.

‘Lights, Camera, Action’!

By |2012-07-27T11:56:12+08:00July 27th, 2012|Categories: celebrities, childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, movies, People, tourism|Tags: , , , , |

This is Mano, with part of the cast from the movie ‘Anna and the King’. (Mano played ‘Moonshi’ in the movie)

This picture was taken on location, back in 1999, and we were wondering: WHERE are the ‘Royal Children’ now? Recognise any of them? Or maybe you recognise yourself here?

We’d love to hear from you!

When Lat met Mano…

By |2012-07-25T11:21:18+08:00July 25th, 2012|Categories: celebrities, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , |

…or, what happens when 2 of Ipoh’s famous sons get together?

From what Mano told us, this was taken at the Astro Recording Studio back in 1998. Lat is seen here explaining the English version of the award-winning animated series of ‘Kampong Boy’.

I know many of you have read ‘Kampong Boy’; has anyone seen the animated series?
Well, if you have…you might know which character Mano did the voice over for 🙂
Were there any other famous names doing voices for the various characters?

The Cole Family – by IpohBornKid

By |2012-07-24T13:02:56+08:00July 24th, 2012|Categories: childhood, history, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

IpohBornKid would like to share something about the Cole Family, who lived in Ipoh in the early 1950s. Happy Reading! 🙂

Left to Right: L/Corporal Cole; the members of the Cole Family (the dark-haired boy is probably Brian)

L/Corporal Cole was a British Servicemen stationed in Ipoh and his family was given living quarters in Pasir Puteh, Ipoh in the early 1950s.  Brian, a member of the Cole family, was friendly with his neighbours in that area.  In particularly, he befriended the Hooi family, who runs the Hooi Chew Motors in Pasir Puteh.  He mingled with them and often ate at their house.  After 1957, most British military personnel returned to UK after independence and Brian returned to UK with his family.

A few years ago, Brian made a trip to Malaysia and to his credit and perseverance; he finally found the Hooi Chew Motors in Falim (Jalan Lahat) and renewed the old links with them.  Brian left a contact number behind when returned to UK.  One of the Hooi family daughters recently went to UK and looked up Brian, who is living in the vicinity of Bath Spa, England (east). 

Brian remembered his stay in Ipoh very vividly and he has kindly provided some family photographs of the Cole family living in Pasir Puteh.  To be able to meet up after half a century of absence and separated by a long distance, is indeed a miracle.  It is hoped that other Ipoh people resident in that area during the 1950s would remember the Cole family in Pasir Puteh.

Then & Now

By |2012-07-23T12:31:49+08:00July 23rd, 2012|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , |

These pictures were taken from the St Michael’s Church Centenary Magazine. Shown below are members of the church choir – from the 1930s and 1990s.

The Choir, way back in 1935.

A 1990 picture of the new Choir.

Anyone familiar in either of the groups? Perhaps some of you may know them; maybe there were/are some famous Ipoh-folks in the pictures?

‘Old Cottage’

By |2012-07-13T12:15:52+08:00July 13th, 2012|Categories: history, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , |

We thank Merrill Leong for these pictures 🙂

Anyone remember this food stall? To what we know, it was somewhere in Ipoh Garden South – but the question is WHERE!

To the food-lovers: I know you’re dying to tell us about your culinary-adventures…..so feel free to ‘make our mouths water’ 😉

Who Are They?

By |2012-07-06T16:02:50+08:00July 1st, 2012|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, People|Tags: , |

Do they look familiar to you? (Or, perhaps you may be one of the children in the picture?)

This picture was said to be taken in Kampar. In the background is Weng Heng Aerated Water Factory. Is the factory still there, maybe under a different name? Or, has the premises been bought over by another company?

What do you Kampar folks think? We’d like to hear from you 🙂

June 2012

May 2012

More Scenes from the Ipoh Swimming Club

By |2012-05-31T12:27:32+08:00May 31st, 2012|Categories: childhood, history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: |

Here’s another set of photographs from the Macduffs, taken in the 1950s (before they left Malaya).

This one shows the boys’ handicap race; Ian is said to be the boy standing 3rd from the left, while Ian and Sheila’s father – Ken Macduff – is the official in the far right (the one with the unique hairstyle).

The picture on the left shows the children standing in line, waiting to use the diving board. The picture on the right is probably the Macduff family.

The Ipoh Swimming Club, 1950s

By |2012-05-29T16:59:19+08:00May 29th, 2012|Categories: About Us, childhood, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

These were sent to us by the Macduffs (Ian and Sheila), who also shared some memories of what the Ipoh Swimming Club was like back in the 50s.

Sheila tells us that the sketch of the four boys on the programme cover was done by Pat Power. We are not too sure of the identity of all the boys, but from left to right: Unknown; Ian Macduff; Unknown; Anthony Shuttleworth. Perhaps someone will recognise the other two lads?

From the comments we’ve been getting on the previous posts about the swimming club, we’re glad that some of you have met up with some long lost childhood friends!  That’s one of the most satisfying aspects of running ipohWorld. Hopefully these and some more from Sheila, yet to be posted, will link more of you. 🙂

Are you “into” Martial Arts?

By |2012-05-26T08:39:19+08:00May 26th, 2012|Categories: About Us, Books, history, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , |

Well there was one man at least in Ipoh who was very much into it, particularly ‘Kung Fu Karato’. He was known as Leong Fu and he lived at 119 Anderson Road, Ipoh. Not only was he into the art, he was the world champion, having fought in all parts of the Kung Fu world and beaten all comers. When he retired he did so as the unconquered champion of the Kung Fu world.

Subsequently in 1947 he produced a massive book describing the many moves that an exponent needs to learn. Here is the cover and a part of the title page of that book for your viewing.

This, truly a giant book, lent to us by Charlie,  measures 10 x 12 inches and is 2.25 inches thick, with hundreds of drawings of the different stances and moves needed tp be practiced. Despite its size, it sold all over the world as is shown in the last few pages by a wide range of letters and photographs of people who benefitted from the publication. Leong Fu clearly put Ipoh on the world map!

Now the question is how can we obtain a photograph of the King of Kung Fu Karato? Does anyone know his family or have a photo we could scan? We really need to feature Leong Fu on our history database as there is no doubt that he made history.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Nice Ride!

By |2012-05-25T14:54:44+08:00May 25th, 2012|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

From what was written at the back of this photograph, we know that:

  • this was taken during the Lions Club dinner on 3rd August 1975
  • one of the gentlemen in this photograph is Mr Balakrishnan – who worked at the Ipoh High Court

Any Lions Club members out there? We’d like to know MORE about this event.

PS: does anyone remember WHO the Menteri Besar of Perak was that year?

The Stationery Store

By |2012-05-23T16:16:14+08:00May 23rd, 2012|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, People|Tags: |

When we stumbled upon this picture, I couldn’t help but wonder: WHERE have I seen this place before?

Could this be somewhere in New Town? Old Town? Or perhaps even Ipoh Garden?

The interior of the store (especially the display case in front) look so familiar…anyone care to make a guess?

A Day at the Park?

By |2012-05-18T13:22:08+08:00May 18th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

This was sent to us some time ago by Sybil de Roquigny-Iragne. I must say, those shop houses in the background seem familiar! Recognise them?

On a different note, taking a break and relaxing (like the youths in the picture) at parks/open spaces in Ipoh was once a luxury…..sadly, some of our parks/gardens are now disappearing….. 🙁

Do you recognise this school badge?

By |2012-05-12T11:45:28+08:00May 12th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

Here we have a picture of Nigel Jennings on the verandah of Rose Cottage in the Cameron Highlands. He is wearing a green blazer and cap both sporting a school badge. We would love to know which school this was.

Inserted in the picture bottom left you can see the badge is an “S” and then a “T” or a cross amd possibly an “M”. No prixes except that you have helped Nigel remember and enhanced our site with more information.

Incidentally, Nigel was born in December 1924 so this photo is pronbly from the early 30’s.

We look forward to your comments.

Some Good News!

By |2012-05-06T10:41:38+08:00May 6th, 2012|Categories: history, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

I received the following picture and message by enail. I know many of you tried to help Nicholas find his grandfather’s grave. Well done everybody particularlu Law Siak Hong who did a great service for Nicholas and his family.

Dear Ian:

Some good news. Thanks to Siak Hong Law, my grandfather’s tombstone was not only located but restored. Hong, who I met through IpohWorld, very kindly arranged to have the stone’s inscription re-painted, so that it is now perfectly legible. Time and weather had almost completely washed away the lettering. After meeting great resistance from the cemetery’s owners, Hong, through much persistence, was finally able to convince them that this was a job worth doing.

Not sure if you’d like to post the attached photo taken by Hong, but if you do you can tell readers that the grave and its refurbished stone can be found at the Christian Cemetery on Jalan Tun Abdul Razak (formerly Connolly Road). The cemetery is west of the railway line; east of the line is the Anglo-Chinese School.

And to think that all of this was made possible thanks to IpohWorld! Thank you.

Best, Nicholas

Nicholas Jennings

‘Makan’ Time!

By |2012-05-04T13:40:36+08:00May 4th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

This picture (from Thomas Lee) needs no explanation. Steamboat restaurants have mushroomed around the place (there is one barely 1 km from my house!) and at a glance, these restaurants are often packed. What I’m curious about though is HOW/WHEN this dining experience began in Ipoh.

April 2012

Training Lotion?

By |2012-04-27T13:59:46+08:00April 27th, 2012|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , |

Have any of you seen this product before? I wonder if such products are used by Martial Arts students/instructors today – perhaps they use a different brand? This one was produced and distributed by F & L Medical Hall and the bottle bears the warning.

“For external use only.
Keep away from
FIRE or FLAME.”

This is a close-up of the man featured on the box of the training lotion. What interests us as the pictures were in the Foo family album. Could this have been our donor’s father from Pasir Puteh?

We thank Shuen Huey for these pictures 🙂

Indoor Games

By |2012-04-25T09:49:22+08:00April 25th, 2012|Categories: childhood, games, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

Remember these tiles and the hours of fun you could have with them? It is believed that this game originated in China, during the 12th Century. In the early 18th Century, it was introduced in Italy and eventually the rest of Europe became engrossed in the game. Dominoes are played today all over the world – there are also annual tournaments held in certain countries too!

This game needs NO introduction! I was told that playing this is almost similar to Gin (but I stand corrected, since I’ve never played Mahjong before). What kind of indoor games did YOU play?

We thank Thomas Lee for these lovely pictures 🙂

Scorpio on the Dragon’s Demise – The True Stories of the Special Branch During the Second “Emergency”

By |2012-04-24T09:02:08+08:00April 24th, 2012|Categories: Books, Heritage Books, history, People|Tags: , , , , |

This, the fifth book in the Scorpio Series covers the period of the second Malaysian “Emergency” from 1970 to 1990 and Special Branch operations that not many people are aware of. By 1970,  the Communist Party of Malaya had re-grouped in southern Thailand and trained about 2,400 reserve troops. They were ready to make a return to Malaysia.

But the Government was ready for them, having received information about their plans and the Special Branch put into place eight schemes to counter the communist terrorists, one of which was Operasi Bamboo to curb their influence among the orang asli.

The author of this, and the earlier series of four books is the former Special Branch deputy director of operations Datuk Dr Leong Chee Woh, who retired from the police force in 1984 after 44 years of service. Thus the stories come direct from the horse’s mouth as he was directly involved in the planning and execution of the various Special Branch projects that culminated in the collapse of the CPM in 1989.

This book may be ordered from the author Datuk Dr. Leong Chee Woh, contact 0193124759 or ahwohtoi@yahoo.com at RM50 per copy plus postage and packing (RM5.00 to Malaysia). Payment vide his Maybank account, the details being provided when you place the order. For overseas purchasers please enquire about the postage to the above email.

You may also buy his other books: Scorpio the Communist Eraser, Scorpio Against the One-Eyed Dragon, Scorpio on the Dragon’s Trail and Scorpio in the Dragon’s Playground at the same time when postage charges will be much reduced.

These books are recommended as the true history of Malaya/Malaysia’s fight against the Communists over more than 40 years. They should be read by young and old. Leong Chee Woh is a great author and he knows the truth for HE IS SCORPIO.

Two Memorable Reunions

By |2012-04-16T14:22:27+08:00April 16th, 2012|Categories: festivals/celebrations, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , , |

These pictures were sent to us by Lam Lai Meng, an Alumni of MGS.

This first picture needs no explanation.

The second picture was taken at the Regal Lodge, Ipoh. This large group met on 16th of February 2010, during the Chinese New Year period.

Lam had this to say about this picture:

“CNY 2010 photo – no. 4 and 5 are husband and wife teachers Mr and Mrs Ho Ho Chuen.  Mr Teh Chin Seong is no 6 and his wife is no. 7.  This could possibly be one of the last photos of Mr Teh before he passed away a few months after Feb 2010.”

Are you somewhere in any/both of these pictures? Do point yourself out….and DO tell us about this reunion!

The MGS Mural

By |2012-04-11T08:31:27+08:00April 11th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , |

Lam Lai Meng sent us this 1967 picture of some MGS girls painting a 3-panel mosaic like mural, on the wall above the Principal’s office. The mural is said to depict women in various occupations. The Teacher standing on the far left is none other than Mrs Vivian Chong.

To the MGS Alumni reading this: Recognise yourself in the picture? For those who have not seen the aforementioned mural, here’s a preview (picture below).

The Opening of Hock Wah Tin Mining Co

By |2012-10-15T09:24:10+08:00April 4th, 2012|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , |

These pictures were taken at the Opening Ceremony of Hock Wah Tin Mining Co. in Sungkai, Perak. The opening was on 23rd February 1967; seen here cutting the ribbon is none other than HRH Sultan Idris Al-Mutawakkil Alallahi Shah, the then Sultan of Perak.

Our donor, Emily Lowe (www.emily2u.com/), gave us some names. In this second picture, from left to right are: Ho Mee Wan (the girl in the white dress), Ho Choon Wah; Dato Shaari bin Haji Wahab (Comptroller of the Royal Household, Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar); HRH Sultan Idris, and his consort Che Puan Negara Perak (carrying a checkered handbag). Standing behind the royal couple is Dato Ron Boxall (a Planter who worked in Sungkai).

Update: Emily sent us another picture taken at the opening of the mining company. back in 1967. This picture shows Dato Ron Boxall bidding goodbye to the Royal Couple – Sultan Idris and his consort Che Puan Negara Perak.

More of the famous car driven by Sultan Idris. Special thanks to Emily for the latest update 🙂

Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (STAR)

By |2012-04-02T16:16:45+08:00April 2nd, 2012|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

This is the front cover of the STAR school commemorative book – published by the Old Boys Association of Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Ipoh. This book came out in 2007, to mark the school’s 50th Anniversary.

This picture shows the very first batch of teachers – way back in 1957!

STAR alumni out there, we’d like to hear from you! 🙂

We would like to express our thanks to the STAR Old Boys Association for gifting this book to the ipohWorld library.

March 2012

Who Would Have Guessed…

By |2012-03-31T10:28:21+08:00March 30th, 2012|Categories: About Us, childhood, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , |

…that this was Pasir Puteh back in the 1960s? Yes, take a GOOD LOOK at the pictures below 🙂

Shops with zinc roofs.

Mercedes Benz Bus, Ipoh Omnibus Co.

 

These pictures were provided by Mano, while SK gave us a little write-up:

Mano stayed at No 7, New Pasir Puteh & LMS 136 further down the road at 94, New Pasir Puteh. I stayed in 429A, New Pasir Puteh behind the row of shops hidden by the trees. Dont know if this was the ice kachang stall. LMS136 moved out from here in 1958, Mano in 1963 and me in 1966.

The Sundry shop, Tong Huat which was opposite Mano house diagonally had a coffee shop where the coffee shop owner had a shining bald head like marble top. We used to have coffee there & my father would pour the coffee onto the sauce plate for us to drink as it would get cooler & faster this way. Lat drew this in his cartoon. I liked the noodle  &  the bean curd  pieces which was wrapped in mengkuang & fish paste ( foo peh ) Just in front of  Tong Huat Sundry Shop , there was a man selling a round pan kueh made of flour, margarine & grounded nuts ( Tai Kow Meen ).

Opposite the road would be a bicycle shop where we watched the Black & White TV of Man landing on the moon. This is the part I am not too sure. It stated the 1st landing on the moon was July, 1969 but I recalled it was much earlier. Unless it was something significant, maybe 1965 or 1966 as I shifted to Jalan Pasir Puteh, near Jalan Pasir Puteh School in 1967. I remember standing outside the bicycle shop with my brothers & neighbours watching the event as only a few household had TV & this one was for public viewing unlike now where public viewing is catered for football fans in mamak shops.

Coming to the date of watching landing on the moon on TV in front of the bicycle shop, since it was July 1969, which I had left New Pasir Puteh, it could be the first American man that came out from the capsule walking in space then. 

NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration  the Gemini 4 mission on June 3, 1965, Ed White became the first American to conduct a spacewalk. This was more likely. I was still in 429A, New Pasir Puteh.

On the left side of Tong huat, after a break road from Tong Huat, was this factory making Coconut Candy. Remember the ice ball which cost us only 5 cents. The ice-seller would roll it & put the sugar coating & at times, she would put some read beans inside the middle. If we sucked the coating too fast, we have to throw the ice ball away as the sugar coating had not reached the middle. Yeah, I think the Indian Shop owner was a shame to cheat young boys. Next to the shop was the barber where we cut our hairs. I think there was one Indian grocery shop along the same row.

The end shop Picture No 1, there was a corner bungalow with a big compound occupied by a Malay Family. One of the daughter’s name was ” Puteh”. There was also a small road leading inside Lat’s Kampong & in that row of houses, which was where the Ham brothers lived. (The Fabulous Falcons)

All these were gone when I visited these places a few months ago. A complete change & if Mano picture had not captured it, that moment would be gone with the wind.

Another Multi-Lingual Sign

By |2012-03-14T08:54:13+08:00March 14th, 2012|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

We’d like to draw your attention (away from this lovely couple 🙂 ) to the large signboard in the background. Yes, it says ‘Tanjong Rambutan’ in 4 languages! Similar signboards are very hard to come by these days. I do wonder: is this particular signboard still there?

Incidentally, this picture was taken at the former TR railway station. Rumour has it this station will soon ‘disappear’ as Perak continues to develop……..sad but true 🙁

Our Very Own ‘Elvis Presley’!

By |2012-03-12T15:35:48+08:00March 12th, 2012|Categories: childhood, concerts, history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

We know him as Rocky Teoh – a Taiping-born lad who loved singing and entered many talent contests. Shown here is the front cover of his album, which features two of Rocky’s famous songs: ‘There’s Always Me’ and ‘Crying In The Chapel’. Rocky and the Fabulous Falcons have performed in Cathay Organisation Theatres throughout the country; they even toured Thailand back in 1965 too!

Has anyone seen Rocky and the Falcons perform LIVE? I’m sure these boys had their fair share of screaming fan-girls (and boys too?) 😉

And to the members of the Falcons – we’d LOVE to hear from you!

Remember Her?

By |2012-03-07T14:31:28+08:00March 7th, 2012|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

To the alumni of NTPS Pasir Puteh: does this (picture below) ring a bell?

The lady seated in the front row is none other than the ‘elusive’ Mdm Chow. How many of you remember her? As SK (our donor) told us, Mdm Chow keeps a ‘low profile’. Nevertheless, I’m sure her students will always remember her dedication and patience in ‘shaping’ the future leaders. 🙂

For Those Who Were Curious…

By |2012-03-06T16:36:46+08:00March 6th, 2012|Categories: festivals/celebrations, history, People|

Sometime ago, we featured a Unique Wedding photograph on our blog. Well, IpohBornKid has sent us a copy of the certificate from that wedding (see picture below).

IpohBornKid was also kind enough to give us rough translation too:

The long awaited sequel to the Wedding Photo is here.
In this marriage certain, the following translation is available.

R1 Mr Pun Su of Qing Yuan, Guangshou Province
R2 Aged 31 and date of birth details
R3 Miss Chong Ming Yet, Dapo, Guangzhou Province
R4 Aged 24 and date of birth details
R6 Organised by Mr Yang and Mr Qiu (pinyin)
R7 Date of Marriage ROC 32nd Year May 30th
R9 (top) Place of Marriage Zhong Hua Cinema (Menglembu)(pinyin)

L1 ROC 32nd Year May30
L2 Host of Marriage Mr Chong Soon Fan (father of the bride)
Mr Pun Choy (brother of the bridegroom)
L4 Witnesses
L5 Marriage Couple signatures

The answer name of the marriage couple, date of marriage and place of marriage were recorded.

We thank IpohBornKid 🙂

February 2012

Back in the 1980s…..

By |2012-02-29T13:42:45+08:00February 29th, 2012|Categories: festivals/celebrations, history, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, People|

…..folks in Ipoh witnessed the 9-Goddess Celebrations. The procession passed through one of Ipoh’s busiest roads, back in 1982/83.

As you can see in this picture, they are passing by the Perak Chinese Foundry Association (building on the left). Anyone have any idea about the other building in the background – the one under construction?

Here’s another picture of the procession.

In this picture you can see the crowd standing at the sidewalk. And for those of you who (still) don’t recognise this street – check out the building on the left: yes, it is none other than the Times of Malaya building!

We’d like to thank Shuen Huey Foo (of Ipoh) for these pictures 🙂

The Pasir Pinji Kindergarten

By |2012-02-24T12:10:35+08:00February 24th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , |

This cute picture is from Shuen Huey Foo, of Ipoh. Recognise this place?

The signboard in the background says “Taman Didekan Kanak2 Wesley, Pasir Pinji, Ipoh”.

I’m guessing this was probably in the early 1980s (could be wrong, though). Is this kindergarten still around? Was it another branch of the Wesley Kindergarten along Lahat Road?

You tell us 🙂 Perhaps, someone in this picture remembers his/her face and could tell us more?

Something for the Andersonians!

By |2012-02-21T09:35:30+08:00February 20th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

The top picture is said to be Form 5 Science, back in 1967. The bottom one is the Anderson School Library Prefectorial Board, also from 1967. Do you see yourself in any/both of these pictures? We’d like to hear from you – perhaps tell us a tale or two about your years at Anderson School, Ipoh 🙂

We’d like to thank Lai Wai Mun for these two pictures.

The ‘Singout’, Organised by MGS

By |2012-02-15T14:48:51+08:00February 15th, 2012|Categories: childhood, concerts, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , |

We received these interesting pictures from Ralph Khaw (from Perth, Australia). He also emailed us a short explanation for the above pictures:

“I can’t remember the date of the singout organised in MGS , involving students from MGS,ACS,SMI. I played a small part as a member of Choir. The teacher singing is Eddie Chin,teacher of MGS. One of female lead singer is Lim Siok Kim.( who later became my
sister-in-law and now residing in St Albans,UK). Miss Devi was the teacher and conductor/director of the musical “Sing-out”. A few months later it was performed in KL, due to its popularity but can’t remember the hall /venue. I can’t remember the name of the other female lead singer. The songs were from Oklahoma, and a few musical plays.

According to Ralph, he was also in this choir (back row, top from right). Anyone remember this singout? It couldn’t have been that long ago. Perhaps, some of the singers are reading this now? DO tell us MORE about this singout 🙂


Calling all Boy Scouts!

By |2012-02-08T16:20:53+08:00February 8th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Our donor Chooi Lau Fai had this to say, regarding these pictures:

“Both photos were taken in either 1952 or 1953. The scout master was Mr Sohor. The first photo was taken on the Iskandar Bridge on our way to the Istana Kuala Kangsar. The second photo was taken in the grounds of the Istana. Back then, some of us did not even have the money to buy scout uniforms.”

All you Scouts out there, what were YOUR memories like? We’d like to hear from you 🙂

 

Note: The students in both photos were said to be from the ACCS (Anglo Chinese Continuous School), later known as the Methodist Afternoon School.

January 2012

The Grace Lutheran Church Menglembu (GLCM) By Ipohbornkid

By |2012-01-27T08:54:55+08:00January 27th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Memories, People|Tags: , |

What is so special about the GLCM that it deserves a write up?  Well, among the Christian churches in Ipoh, the Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, and other denominations all have Anglo-Celtic influence but the Lutheran has German influence.  Secondly, GLCM carried out its missionary work in the tin mining villages south of Ipoh.  Thirdly, they provided an essential medical service to the people.  There was only one GP in Menglembu doing private practice and he could see up to 80 patients a day.  Hence, in 1957, the congregation, medical and missionary work of GLCM (herein the “Church”) began in earnest.

I came to be aware of the Church when I was in Std 6 in ACS Ipoh and I was familiar with the Christian teachings given by the Methodist Church in the school.  The year 1957 has a special significance that Malaya was granted independence from British rule.  It was a birth of a new nation and era.

The Church bought the premises where Lahat Road bends to the left and directly opposite a saw mill.  The building was a former school house for Man Hua primary school which moved to the new “Regrouping Area (North)” opposite the house of Chong Soon Fan.

My elder sister became part of the Church youth group in the late 1950s and I can remember some of the youths at that time.  Notable membership of the youth group came from the Leong family, namely Seng Yap, Seng Kee, Seng Mee, Wan Yoong and included the eldest Leong daughter who was a school teacher at Man Hua Primary School in Menglembu.  Their mother, Mrs Leong, a giant pillar in the Church elder group, and was  also the driving force behind the activities of the Church.  Other names like Eva & her younger brothers, Esat & his brothers, Ng Tong Seng, Soong San, the Wongs (Ah See, Ah Look & her pretty sister, Wu Yan Poh, Ah Siew etc.  Eva, a very pretty girl, was the organ player.  Most of the youth group were in their senior high years.  Seng Yap and Seng Kee graduated as Dentists whilst Seng Mee and my sister graduate with medical degrees.  All these people were went through Form VI in ACS Ipoh.

There were, among the Church leaders, very interesting personalities.  Pastor Koch, was the first Pastor of the Church that I remembered well.  Sunday morning service was conducted in English and the evening service was conducted in a Chinese dialect “Hakka”.  It was a curiosity then to observe a European reading the Chinese language bible and preaching in Hakka dialect.  Pastor Koch lived in the bungalow constructed at back of the Church and opposite the Wong’s residence (whose son is now an elder of the Church).  Of course, Koch is a German name.  It was no coincidence that Hakka was the chosen dialect because most villages in Menglembu and south were predominantly Hakka villages. 

Another unforgettable person was Dr Helmut Difenthal, a German trained physician.  He was accompanied by his wife and young children.  They spoke German in their residence but he was able to communicate in English and Hakka.  We once went to a Kledang Hill hike with the Church group and, with his tall stature and military training he literally marched up the hill leaving us behind.  Dr Difenthal later confessed that he was a conscript in the German Army near the end of the WWII, and if it had continued, he would have joined the “Panzer” division (tank brigade).

Dr Difenthal was a very dedicated medico who was ever engrossed with his work with hook worm infestation.  Most of his free time was spent on the microscope looking at specimen collected in his village run for hook work infestation.  Sometimes, he got in trouble with his wife for immersing himself in his work.  I believe some of the youths were influence by him to do medicine and medical related work.  He was a good role model for unselfish dedication in improving the health and hygiene of the local population.  It is sad that he had to depart from Menglembu when his research work conflicted with the findings of the Health Department, in terms of the locality and degree of infestation of hook worm in the local population.  He was sadly missed by all who had been in contact with this “saint”.

In my days with the Church, I was regarded as the naughty one (kuai chai) and was hell bent in the game of disruption.  For example, I would fall asleep during Thursday night bible class and that had created some embarrassment for my elder sibling.  I remember that the bible study class was conducted by an elder called Mr Chong, a no nonsense and strict personality, and obviously incompatible with me at that time.  Maybe I was too young to be in the youth group because I believe they were too serious, studious and matured for me.  However, I did have my usefulness in volunteering to go on missionary work in the southern mining towns from Lahat, Pusing, Jelapang, etc.   I would accompany the driver on the small truck where the piano was loaded at the back.  On arrival at the site, the Church people would start handing out milk powder to the villages followed by a sermon.  I had no idea then why they were handling out milk powder and now, I believe it had two purposes, one to improve the nutrition of the babies in the villages and second to attract an audience to hear the gospel. There was also the travelling medical team to provide much needed medical services to the villagers.  The outdoor evangelistic activities suited me more than serious bible study.

In my younger days, I was almost incontrollable.  In desperation, my family decided to farm me out to live with the Leong family hoping they will influence my determination to perform better in school.  I stayed with Seng Mee for 3 months prior to doing the Senior Cambridge and I managed to pass the exam.  I did not have the opportunity to thank her in person but in my heart I am very much indebted to the Leong matriarch for her kindness and care. There was also a brighter side to my association with the Church that I was allowed to assist in the teaching of Sunday school for the young children.

The most unforgettable incident was a Church outing to Kampar swimming pool. Everybody enjoyed themselves except me. Barefooted, I managed to step on a bee and got stung.  It was excruciating pain. The nurse, a kind European lady gave me a shot of anti-histamine in the Church clinic 

The Church did played an important role in the development of the community in Menglembu.  Besides a spiritual role, it has kept a steady influence on its youth group, encouraged academic excellence and kept some of the “gangster” influence out of the group during a period of gangster activities in Menglembu.  I write this piece of history so future generations of youth and congregation would not forget the pioneers and particularly, the significant contributions made by Mrs Leong, a kind and gentle lady with a strong commitment to the Church.

Note: The photograph of the Church Women’s Group belonged to the author’s mother who was a member of the group. It dates from the mid 1960s.

The ‘Tutorial Institute’

By |2012-02-06T11:43:28+08:00January 25th, 2012|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, People|Tags: , |

We’ve come across many photographs of Ipoh. With a little ‘detective work’ and some help from our fans, we usually can guess the places/streets. But this one (picture above) has left us stumped :O

Do you know WHERE in Ipoh this place is? Is this place still there now? Amd what about the date?

We thank Shuen Huey Foo of Ipoh for this picture.

And here are Ruth’s photographs received today. See her comment below.

The Staff of 1967

By |2018-12-12T14:20:34+08:00January 18th, 2012|Categories: history, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

We have here a 1967 staff photo from Anderson School, Ipoh. Were YOU in this group? Do you recognise the teachers? We’d be glad to have some names (and perhaps a few fond memories too!) 🙂

We thank Chan Weng & Lim Kok Sin for this photo.

to get a better view, click the photo 😉

This photo was first published in http://p21chong.wordpress.com/?s=anderson+school+teacher+1967

 

What’s ‘Cooking’ in Menglembu?

By |2012-01-17T16:23:45+08:00January 16th, 2012|Categories: history, Memories, People|

 
Menglembu Night Stalls – a snapshot of the past in 1957

By IpohBornKid

I have been thinking about this snapshot of night stalls in Menglembu in 1957.  I wanted to record this snapshot before I get demented.  I have been through this In my mind and on many occasions, even in my sleep. I now  believe I have got most of it and I wish readers who know Menglembu better than I do, should correct  me.  This snapshot is based on a map inlaid with description of landmarks, night stalls and old street names.

The main night life in Menglembu had its focus in the intersection Pike Street and Treachers Street.  Pike Street (now Jalan Kledang) was the centre of commerce where there were medicine shops (3), coffee shops run by Hainanese (3), drapery & imported goods shops (2), liquor shop (1) and food provisions shops (2).  The other end of Pike Street ran into the fresh food market (meat, vegetables, food provisions and food stalls.  The Loke and Yap were distinguished families with residence in Pike Street.

The intersection of this commerce spot had street lamps and the four corners of the intersection were occupied by a water repair shop (they also do Chinese medicine) the Chinese Amateur Opera (famous Hong Kong opera stars came from there viz. Leong Sing Poh & Sun Ma Tse); the Wing Kut Fong coffee shop (also sold curry rice & noodles) and the Yap family residence., Another famous Hakka Noodle stall that was doing business in a Pike Street coffee shop (Hainanese) called Choy OnnYuen.  This stall was started by “Fei Chai’s” father and mother selling Hakka noodles, towfu and other delicious meat balls.  The family business expanded to Treachers Street, south of stall 1 (see reference map).  You can get a bowl of rice noodle for 10c and 20c for the egg noodle and each delicious meat ball of towfu cost 5c or 10c.  Their chillies sauce was second to none.

Returning to the centre of night life, stall 5 sold iced soya bean milk and leong fun (cost 5c or 10c), followed by a fried noodle stall  (6) and at stall 7, is the most famous Menglembu wan ton mein stall ran by a woman.  She had a nick name regarding her dental arrangements that I should not want to mention as a mark of respect for her hard work and dedication to her food preparation.  Her stall had chicken meat in her won tun.  Many cars had to park next to the rubber factory to taste her wares,

There were no much food activities opposition stalls 5-7 but there were usually people doing what we now call “pasir malam” business.  But the highlights were the Chinese clog sellers.   They would fit the wooden clog on site and nail the plastic arch to finish the product and you can take it home.  Clogs were important in household when there was water on the floor.  Of course, any ACS boys will tell you that they had practised the art of “fei kek” (flying clogs) to fend off attackers.  The Dutch was the only Europeans that I know who us1es them but their products were much more sophisticated, colourful and contoured.

Stall number 1 sold pork porridge and his specialty was the intestines.  You can sample it for 5c or 10 c, and as a little boy, that’s all I could afford.  The old gentleman, not only sells porridge but also educated me on the Chinese traditional beliefs in birth and death.  I asked him why the dead people were given an extra 3 years in their death age and was told me that the heaven, earth and people constitute one year each and therefore 3 years were added.   Adjacent to his site were sometimes travelling salespeople who sold medicine or snake oil.  Some shows were frightening when they started showing how they could chew glass.  Yak!   Some of us felt sick after watching him performed.  The most famous medicine then was “hoi gow yau ” (seals oil).  The drums and the gong attracted a lot of customers.  Of course, Mak Fei Hoong , the Cantonese speaking Indian fellow also came with his medicine van.  He was very good with his mouth organ.

Stall number 2 is also a won ton mein  stall.  Stall 7 was too busy for us to get a seat, hence it was better for us go to stall 2.  Stall 4, located in Pike Street,  sells hor fun (hor hee) and was very famous for his fish balls.  Stall 3 was an ice kachang stall and mainly trade in the day time.

On the same street but opposition stalls 1 to 3, Stall 8 was an ice kachang stall with a lot of tables in the back street of the Chinese Maternity hospital.  His ice kachang was a bit expensive but you got good ingredients in it and he uses carnation milk.  It usually cost 15c per plate (now bowls).,He also used flowery language!

Stall 9 sold “yau yee onk chow (cuttlefish/ganging vege), and rojak which were very tasty and cheap (10c a plate).  Stall 10 is a cigarette stall owned by a very old fellow.  He sold red tobacco and individual cigarettes for those who could not afford to buy a packet (40c a packet for Rough Rider or 45c for Navy Cut)   You can buy the tobacco and role it yourself.   Stall 11, was another fried kway teow stall but they did specialise in hot pot.  Stall 12 was  a daytime ice kachang stall.

Just imagine in those days when you have 20c in your pocket you could get a decent supper.  As kids we were not so lucky and we can only save  20c in a week .  The quickest way to make 20c was haircut day when you were giving 50c and you went to a barber who charged you 30 c.  I had a skin scalp infection and ear infection after visiting one of the cheaper barbers  in the market place who were using  un-hygienic instruments.  I never went back there again.

The final stall, not represented in the map and only trading in the daytime, was the “tai cow mein” stall at the other end of Pike Street, adjacent to the market.  The stall was located under the veranda of the provision stores.  It cost 5c for 1 piece and 10c for 3 pieces.  It is Menglembu’s most famous cake  made from flour and caramel sugar.

To this day, I often wondered why I would leave a town like Menglembu and lived overseas and had “nothing” to eat.

We thank IpohBornKid for sharing this with us. If any of you have had the pleasure of tasting the delicious food from the above mentioned stalls……DO leave us your comments! It’s a given: people (me included) from this part of the Peninsula LOVE talking about FOOD 😉

St John’s Brigade, Perak Centre

By |2012-01-13T13:35:31+08:00January 13th, 2012|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: |

Remember this antique vehicle? This ambulance was apprently donated by Towkay Choo of Kampar, for the St John’s Ambulance (Perak Centre). Does anyone know this generous Towkay?

The next picture (below) shows what was probably the first building – before the present hall near YMCA today. From what we know about the St John’s Brigade in Perak, we think that both these pictures were taken in the 1940s.

We thank Bill Adamson from Australia for these pictures.

A Day at the Waterfalls!

By |2012-01-09T15:33:52+08:00January 9th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Memories, nature, People|Tags: , , , |

IpohBornKid shared this little story with us through email. Here’s his take on a memorable outing. Happy reading 🙂

 

Convent Girls by demand – at Kledang Hill

 

Many teenagers walked up the Kledang Hill in the 1950s (see previous blog).  It was a good natural outing where a big group of Menglembu neighbours and their Ipoh friends would joined in for a group picnic, exercise, dancing and friendship.  Food and sandwiches were locally prepared at home (not bought) and they would be taken uphill by strong young men (or those who wish to impress the girls how strong they were).    Most of them would be in their junior high school (Form i to III) with some in Form Iv and V.  My friend Captain (or Major in the Malaysian Army) Teoh Hoot Aun, an ex-Ipoh ACS boy and queen scout, would be one of the leaders. He  has probably retired by how.  Yes, he did married a Convent girl.   I was only junior but had an eye on all my elder sisters’ classmates. 

Here is a group photo of convent girls, some from Falim and Ipoh who ascended the Kledang Hill for a picnic dance.  This group of people were very keen to learn modern dances (cha cha & the rest) and they used to go to Ipoh YMCA or YWCA on Saturday nights. I can name a few, viz. Poh Yin, Soni, Yoke Fong and hope your readers might be able to identify themselves or others.  The location was the first waterfall in Kledang Hill (note the water rushing out of the bridge tunnel.  Happy Memories.

 

AP@IpohBornKid

‘Little Women’…..

By |2012-01-06T11:34:21+08:00January 6th, 2012|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, Natural Heritage, People|Tags: , , |

Ah yes! MORE pictures showing Ipoh’s pretty lasses 🙂

For those of you who are wondering, this picture was taken at the Tambun Hot Springs – sometime in the early 1970s.

A special thanks to Sophie for this picture. Sophie, if you’re reading this: are you in this group? Could you tell us the names of these lovely lasses?

GOAL!!!

By |2012-01-02T09:47:38+08:00January 2nd, 2012|Categories: history, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

Here’s something for the football fans out there!

Did any of you watch this game? Who were these two teams? Where was the match held? We suspect that (given the trees in the background) perhaps this was at the D R Seenivasagam Park…..but we could be wrong.

If one of the players from either team is reading this, DO tell us MORE 🙂

December 2011

Calling All Boy-Scouts!

By |2011-12-26T10:36:04+08:00December 26th, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Any idea WHO is the gentleman giving a speech (picture above)? What about the other man next to him?

I’m sure we have some scouts who are reading this now…..were there frequent gatherings like these in Ipoh? If so, do tell us more. What about the building in the background? Was it a common meeting place for the scouts? I know the Girl Guides sometimes meet at the Wisma Pandu Puteri, opposite the Jalan Abdul Jalil field 🙂

A Unique Wedding Photograph!

By |2011-12-21T12:14:58+08:00December 21st, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

Fancy having your wedding picture taken in front of a cinema hall! That’s what these people seem to have done 🙂

Notice the sign above the entrance which says ‘Malayan Talkies’. To what we know, the former Sun Cinema was the first in Ipoh to screen ‘talkies’ (movies with sound) – which was way back in 1929. On the far right, there is a poster advertising the movie ‘South of Pago Pago’, which was released in the US in July 1940….and that would mean that the movie only made it to our shores towards the end of that year or in the early half of 1941.

Now that we’ve roughly established the year this picture was taken. what we’d like to know is: WHICH cinema this is and WHERE it is?

A special thanks to Charlie Choong for this picture 😉

Bring Back Any Memories?

By |2011-12-19T13:18:46+08:00December 19th, 2011|Categories: childhood, concerts, history, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

Ladies and Gentlemen, we present to you the 1969 cast of ‘My Fair Lady’ – a Michaelian Production of course 😉

Did any of you catch this play? Give us a little review….

Better yet: Were you one of the actors? Or, were you one of those involved in the production (doing the Set / Make-up / Costumes…etc.)? Is the Director of this play here in Ipoh? Maybe you could share some memories with us?

Get to know MORE about Fort Kemar!

By |2011-12-07T11:27:41+08:00December 7th, 2011|Categories: history, Memories, People|

Here’s a little History lesson for you!

picture courtesy of Mohd Asri bin Rosdi

THE BUILDING OF A MALAYAN JUNGLE FORT FORT KEMAR 1953
By Dennis Wombell
____________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION
Browsing one day recently on my computer, I happened to look up Fort Kemar and found a site which describes it as it now looks. I was incensed to see that the site includes a photograph of a monument (taken by Mohd Asri bin Rosdi) in the form of a wall, commemorating the building of the Fort. It is inscribed:

KUBU KEMAR
DI-ISTIHAR PEMBUKAAN
OLEH SAS REG
PADA TH 1952
PADA MEREKA YANG
TELAH BERBAKTI

Translated thus

FORT KEMAR
DECLARED OPEN
BY THE SAS REG
IN 1952
TO THOSE WHO SERVED

The Fort was neither built nor opened by the SAS, nor did it exist in 1952 and the following is an account of the building of the fort in 1953 by the Malays of the Malayan Police 18 Federal Jungle Company.


For the second part of this story, click here.

Episode 4 – Teaching In and Around Ipoh

By |2011-12-05T13:17:26+08:00December 5th, 2011|Categories: childhood, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

Enjoy the long awaited Episode 4 recalling UV’s many ‘adventures’ during his career as a teacher!

EPISODE 4 – TEACHING IN AND AROUND IPOH

Teaching is not essentially academic in nature.  It involves an overall development of the child.  A teacher is not only expected to teach subjects offered by the school but also to train the child to adapt to society.  This can be achieved in many ways, from being a personal example to being involved in training them in games and guiding them in activities related to clubs and societies formed within the school.

In MGS Ipoh, the excellence in ensuring students giving their “Utmost to the Highest” is ensured by not only maintaining a high standard of academic achievements but also to excel in games and other social activities.  In this episode, I would particularly like to highlight sports and games.

It is most common for men teachers in all girls’ schools to be assigned to training the students in games.  The late Mr. Teh Chin Seong was assigned not only as the Sports Secretary (a job without extra pay but lots of extra work) but also to other activities like being a coach in the various games the school was involved in.

I was not exception.  The very first year I started work in MGS Ipoh, I was assigned as the softball coach.  Softball was not a game that many schools in Ipoh were involved in.  There were actually only three schools initially taking part in competitions in 1968.  They were St. Michaels, Anderson and MGS Ipoh.  Those were the schools participating in the girls’ competition.  Later, more schools joined in.  St. Michaels and Anderson had girls teams because they were Sixth Forms schools with girls.

That year, MGS Ipoh was to chair the Competition Committee of Softball for the Central District of the Perak Schools Sports Council.  This was before the new system of Malaysian Schools Sports Council was established.  Then Perak was divided into 3 Zones, Northern, Central and Southern.  It was the responsibility of the school to organize competitions for the Central Zone.  Unlike now, Principals of chairing schools were not the chairpersons.  The teachers of the games were!  Thus it was that I, as a greenhorn chaired the competition committee of Softball for Central Perak that year.

It was a simple task as there were only three girls team and two boys teams involved.  What a game to be involved in to learn the ropes.  That year, Saint Michaels came out champions.  I wonder how many of those players of the three teams are still around Ipoh today.  I would love to hear their comments.  MGS Ipoh’s team was thrashed that year.  That made me very determined to improve the team’s performance the following year and intensive training took place.

In the years that followed, softball team of MGS Ipoh became strong and it was not uncommon for us to beat teams with scores like 10 – 0, 20 – 0 and even once 70 -0.  This happened because many new school teams started entering the competition, among them being Raja Perumpuan Ipoh, Menglembu Secondary School, Perak Girls School and a few lesser known schools like Sri Intan and Sri Puteri.  SMI and Anderson continued but their girls’ teams could no longer dominate the game.  In the early seventies, MGS Ipoh’s softball team was the strongest in the state.  However, strong opposition started coming from Nan Hwa Sitiawan and eventually Ave Maria Convent, Ipoh.  The latter would eventually be a school that dominated softball in the 80s, 90s and even today.

The Perak State Softball Association was formed and it encouraged the game among school children.  However, many schools could not adopt this game because of the high cost of equipment.  I became the secretary of the Association for some years and since the Pengarah of Education Perak was automatically the Vice-President, it wasn’t easy to serve in the Association when you are a teacher.  However, being a Maverick, I considered him as an ordinary person with the official post and not my boss!  A few times I did cross swords with him on Association matters and many within the Education Department thought I would be hung out to dray for crossing him.  However, he was a true gentleman and leader and never let outside activities cloud his professional judgement!

Eventually I qualified as a State Softball Umpire and also a National Softball Umpire and did my duties in various games  conducted all over the country.  My involvement in Softball saw me being appointed as the Kinta District Softball Technical Chairperson, the State Coach for the Softball School boys and girls team and being involved in the organisation of various softball competitions in the State.

When I was in Sam Tet, I assisted the school coach in training the boys too.  This school team was the strongest in the State of Perak for a long time.  However, when I was promoted as a Principal I was sent out of Kinta District to Kuala Kangsar District and I stopped my softall activities.  I hung up my mittens, gloves, bat and mask for good.  However, the years of demonstrations of softball skills to players caused me to suffer from wearing out of both my hip joints and knee joints.  Recently, I had a bilateral hip-joint replacement and need to go for knee joints replacement soon.

The role teachers play in promoting sports is vital to the nation.  It is a pity that so few teachers take this role seriously and learn to be good at doing this task.  Through the years, with neglect by school teachers who are not fully qualified in the games they are assigned to and the lack of interest in this task has resulted in the deterioration of the standard of sports in Malaysia.  Teachers, lay the foundation for sportspeople of the nation and if the foundation is weak, everything after that would be flimsy!

November 2011

A Grateful Participant of the ipohWorld Blog

By |2011-11-27T13:29:11+08:00November 27th, 2011|Categories: About Us, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

We received the following by email.

Click photo to enlarge.

A Grateful Participant of the ipohWorld Blog

Cmdr Ian Anderson has brought out the best of every Ipoh person who had participated in the Ipoh World Blog.  Despite the diversity in schools, ACS, St Michaels, Anderson etc. Ipoh World participants seems to have a spiritual empathy for Ipoh and are proud of their heritage, irrespective of the social economic background of their parents;  whether they were, from the tin industry (from tin mining towkays to the humble dulang washers),, food industry (from big restaurant  owners, coffee shop owners to humble fried noodle hawker) , white collar workers (from high ranking public servants to humble clerk) and blue collar workers (from developers to the humble brick layer), One great denominator stands out, ie. They“`all love Ipoh.

In my brief participation with Ipoh World, I came across Ipoh people who currently living in Ipoh, other parts of Malaysia and even overseas.  Again, their comments were also diverse, from the very serious comments to the humorous ones.  Although some comments may be considered outrageous, they were never offensive. 

I have seen many blogs in the net and some of them are extremely political, some are offensive, some are used for propaganda, some are vulgar (in language) and others show extreme views.  However, Ipoh world ranks among the respectable, educated, moderate (views) and friendly blogs in the world.  Here is another feather in the cap for the watchful eye Commander.

Through Ipoh World, I was able to join in many conversations about Ipoh and at the same time, connected me to some old friends in Ipoh and classmates from my alma mater, ACS Ipoh after a 47 years absence.  By reading the blog, I can say that I am not the lone benefactor.

When I was in Ipoh in early November this year, I had the privilege of meeting Cmdr Anderson and his Hakka wife, the ACS Ipoh OBA committee, and speaking to the senior forms of ACS Ipoh.  All these activities were made possible through an initial connection to Ipoh World.  May I take this opportunity to publicly thank Cmdr Anderson, SY Lee, LMS136, uv@valiant knight, IpohGal, Cheah Tong Kim (Ipoh’s Malaysian Olympic Swimmer& my classmate), ACS Ipoh Principal Mdm Soot and many others who had made my trip to Ipoh really meaningful, nostalgic and worthwhile.

The enthusiasm generated by my last Ipoh visit and the encouragement  from the leadership of ACS Ipoh Alumni,   has resulted in a drive to form the ACS Ipoh Alumni (Australian Chapter)..  For those who are Australian residents, please send expression of interest to acsipohalumniatoz@gmail.com.

A Writer at ‘Work’….

By |2011-11-25T11:26:56+08:00November 25th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, nature, People|

A big ‘HELLO’ to all Writers out there! I’m sure some of you have done strange/awkward things when trying to overcome writers’-block. I recall one of my online buddys telliing me that he attempted growing his beard and didn’t shower for a week – just to write about a homeless man! Well, what ever works for you, I suppose!

Some of us don’t usually go to such an extreme 😉 Here we have a 1960s picture of Cedric Jennings (son of Times of Malaya Editor J A S Jennings) working hard on his piece. Perhaps the garden and the tropical climate of Malaya inspired him at some point?

Another 1960s Picture….

By |2011-11-23T14:36:25+08:00November 23rd, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: |

A special thanks to Nicholas Jennings (from Toronto) for this gem. Here we have Nicholas’ father Cedric (holding a briefcase, with some documents tucked under his other arm) talking to a businessman. Anyone knows who this businessman is? While you’re busy with that, can you also guess the building in the background?

Come on ‘detectives’… 🙂

A Couple More to Tax Your Memories.

By |2011-11-21T22:04:45+08:00November 21st, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

First an SMI Sports Team, but who, which team and when?

And next another SMI Class but that is all we know.

What we really need here on ipohWorld is a greater number of SMI boys to help us. We have lots of SMI stuff which comes under the category of “Unknown”.

Please help if you can.

From The Star, Thursday 17 November 2011

By |2011-11-20T17:58:49+08:00November 20th, 2011|Categories: ipoh, People|Tags: , , , , |

Although we would not normally republish an article from a newspaper for reasons of copyright, in this case we have been asked to do so by local residents who are sick to death of this problem. Having seen the awful state of the park we are glad to help.

What is starnge that not so many months ago when the Sultan took his regular morning walk the park was much cleaner and had very few hawkers. It seems that since he no longer visits the park it has deteriorated dramatically. That’s food for thought, isn’t it!

We hope that Star Publications, being a public spirited organisation, will not object to this blog.

The text read:

Residents complain of hawkers marring park

By FOONG THIM LENG
metroperak@thestar.com.my

THE presence of hawkers has ruined the beauty of the Sultan Abdul Aziz Recreational Park, popularly known as Polo Ground, in Ipoh.

Visitors to the park and nearby residents are complaining that hawkers’ vans, tables and chairs occupy precious parking space designated for park users while rubbish is strewn all over the area and across the road at the homes of residents.

Jogger Albert Lau said the once peaceful residential suburb had been turned into a “market” with people selling produce from their car boots in the morning on weekends.

“There is massive traffic congestion there, especially on Persiaran Brash, when motorists stop by to patronise the stalls.

“They park just about anywhere and everywhere.

“I pity the residents. Very often, they can’t enter or leave their homes because motorists have parked in front of their gates,” said Lau.

A resident, who only wished to be known as Tan, said Persiaran Brash was like a “glutton street” with stalls offering food ranging from laksa to rojak throughout the day, adding that some of the stalls even operated at night.

“Evidently, there is a public demand for laksa sold by the hawkers at Polo Ground.

“But peddling from vans by the roadside is not only an eyesore for the community, it also means uncertainty for the hawkers as their business is affected by the sun and the rain,” he said.

The hawkers, Tan said, should be relocated to a designated hawker centre with better facilities.

“The community cares about the fate of the hawkers.

“They, like us, only want to earn a living but they have to learn that it cannot be done at the expense of other people,” he added.

Tan said several complaints had been forwarded to the Ipoh City Council and state government. Yet, the problem remains.

“If the council is wary of being unpopular with the hawker community, it must be prepared to risk losing the respect and support of the rest of the community.

“What good is all the greenery, trees, beautiful landscape and natural environment when the long stretch of hawkers on the entire street right next to the park, takes away all the beauty,” said Tan.

Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim acknowledged that the council had received complaints about the hawkers.

He said the council’s proposal to relocate the hawkers to a nearby site had been met with resistance although it would continue to pursue the matter for an amicable solution.

“I hope the matter will not be politicised. The people must understand that decisions made by the council are for their own benefit,” he said.

Birthday Party at Kam Loong Restaurant 1962

By |2011-11-11T08:04:23+08:00November 11th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , |

These two photographs were taken on the 60th birthday of Chow Yoon Soo at Kam Loong Restaurant, Ipoh in 1962. Chow Yoon Soo is featured on our database at http://www.ipohworld.org/search8/result.asp?strid=4334. The photographs are part of a set of eight we have recently received from her granddaughter, Sybil, togetherl with the details below:
Both photos were taken on the patio of the restaurant. They had put up the piece of cloth and a screen to hide their equipment.
Kam Loong was famous for its Sharksfin Soup and Suckling Pig and Su-ming mentioned this in her “Ipoh, My Home Town” story (page 268). However, the irony of the place was that the older ladies were seated upstairs (imagine the older legs struggling up step by step) while the drinkers (in their prime of life) sat downstairs. Kam Loong certainly had foresight, taking the risk of having the older ladies getting into difficulties on the stairs, against the likelihood of the drunks falling downstairs after dinner.

Now the question is, do you recognise any of these partygoers from 1962. After all, it is only 50 years ago!

Alternatively, do you have any tales of dining at Kam Loong?

 

 

As Different as Chalk and Cheese

By |2011-11-10T11:53:17+08:00November 10th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People, What is it?|Tags: , , , |

Here we have two contrasting Ipoh photographs from Sophie. The first she calls “Dressing for the 1940’s to 1950’s. It is no wonder that Ipoh got the name for having all the pretty girls. Just look at these!

Sophie describes the photo as

“Dressing for 1940’s to 1950’s.

Four young ladies, two of them  are sisters. The second from left is my mother.”

And next comes an intriguing old bottle in which Sophie’s father used to keep nails and screws..

But this is where you are reader comes in for try as I might I cannot identify what it once held. Can you?

Sophie tells us;

“The height of the bottle is 4 inches plus.On the side of the cover it’s written ( Do not accept if this band is broken) so I guessed it’s something we can eat.It is Cola Cream not Cold Cream! Hope you can identify the bottle now.”

Anderson School, Ipoh – Class of ’75

By |2011-11-04T12:08:28+08:00November 4th, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , |

Here we have Form 5 Arts 1, of Anderson School Ipoh. The year was 1975, and their Form Teacher was Puan S Koshy (seated, centre). The donor of this picture is Othman Sabirin (seated, second from left).

Here’s a list of names….just to help you out (click to enlarge).

Calling all Andersonians! Do you recognise your classmates? Where are YOU in this picture? Do share with us your fond memories……and perhaps tell us more about your Teacher too 🙂

Teaching In and Around Ipoh – Episode 3

By |2011-11-02T09:09:23+08:00November 2nd, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, nature, People|Tags: , , , , , , , |

We have here the 3rd installment of UV’s account….about his teaching experiences in and around Ipoh. Happy reading 🙂

 

the waterfall at Buntung

Teaching In and Around Ipoh

Episode 3

Teaching is not merely the passing on of knowledge to students.  It involves and interaction that is rather complicated.  A student learns through various ways.  [This article, being mainly for lay people, will not dwell into pedagogical terms but would be using layman’s terms.]  Unfortunately, many teachers during my time still depended on the textbook or the ‘chalk and talk’ method.  That is, the teacher would write on the board a lot of notes and try to explain and idea by merely talking. 

Most of the students will be busy scribbling notes onto pages and pages of their exercise books, word for word and trying desperately to listen to their teacher.  Sometimes, the teacher would scribble and talk (facing the blackboard) at the same time.  This is when some naughty students will do cheeky things behind the teacher’s back.

Such teaching methods should be obsolete by now but unfortunately old habits die hard and many teachers today are doing the same.  Another batch of teachers don’t even bother to write notes, they merely open the textbook [insisting that every child must have one too, if not the child would be punished] and read from it, and from time to time, instruct the students to underline important sentences or phrases.  To ensure passes in their subjects, these are the parts they will set questions on during the examinations.

These are teachers that do not prepare their lessons or had done so once [underlining their own textbook so that he or she remembers where to tell his or her students to do so].  For years, until the textbook is changed, they would use this same old textbook [facts may have changed a lot] to ‘teach’!

However, there are others who would prepare their lessons meticulously and bring along to class maps, charts and models to make their lesson interesting.  They would involve their students in activities necessitating them to move to the front of the class or into groups for group work and discussion.  The lesson is different every time the teacher steps into class.  The students are never sure what to expect.  Motivation for learning is high.

Many teachers too resort to interesting anecdotes or simple but unforgettable stories related to the theme of the lesson.  Students may forget the facts but will never forget the stories told and eventually recall the facts the story is based on.  Some teachers use a joke to set the mood for teaching, but sometimes this would backfire on the teachers.  The students are set wrongly and look forward to a period of fun and follies!

In MGS Ipoh in the 60s and 70s we have all sorts of teachers as described above.  Boring teachers or interesting ones are remembered.  The in-betweens are forgotten.  When I started teaching, I modeled myself on some of the best teachers I had in ACS Ipoh.  My Geography teacher, Mr. Yee Sze Onn impressed me so much that I gave up a place in Business Management when offered to me to take up Geography as my major from the Second Year of my Degree course instead. [I was called directly a ‘fool’ by the head of the Economics Department then.] When I started teaching in MGS Ipoh, I was one of three graduates, the most junior of the lot.  I decided to emulate Mr. Yee and asked for a Geography Room to be set up and it was granted.  I had a sand tray set up so that I could make landscape models to explain to my students what features I was teaching.  To my horror, stray cats made it their toilet!

I had a map tracing table specially built so that I can trace maps and diagrams.  MGS was one of the few schools with an epidiascope that could project pictures or diagrams from text book on to a screen [but the bulb was so powerful, if we leave it on for too long it would singe the page the map or diagram is on] and this was used for projecting maps, diagram and pictures in class or in the Geography Room and used for making charts.  There were storage places for rolled up maps and drawers for topographic maps.  Globes were available for teachers to take to class.  A fantastic collection of pictures and charts, made by me with the help of my senior girls were available as teaching aids.

I give credit to the other teachers of Geography that came before me for a good collection of Geographical materials.  It made it easier to put them into a room and made available for all teachers of Geography to use.  Unfortunately, teachers being human would borrow items from the room and not return them to the proper places.  Very often they became the ‘property’ of those teachers who kept them in the Staff Room beside their favourite place of perch for ‘easy excess’ whenever they go to class.  This I consider as selfish as it deprives other teachers of the use of those items.

I also took it upon myself to take my pupils to field trips.  Geography is not a subject you learn in the classroom alone.  You need to make the students see what is really outside on the surface of the earth.  When we teach the rivers and their various stages, we could show them a real river at its various stages.  On one such field trip to a waterfall in Buntung [Guntung], we climbed up the steep slope of the waterfall and on descending; a student slipped and slide down to the base of the fall.  Luckily for me, she only sustained a small cut to her chin which she wore till today.  We rushed her to hospital and sent her home after that.  It cut short our field trip.  I never took my later students to the same waterfall again!

Visits to places of interest were another thing that made studying of Geography interesting.  I organized [like Mr.Quah Guan Teik an ACS Geography teacher of Lower Secondary classes] field trips to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Lumut and Penang just to name a few places.  These trips were to visit port facilities, factories, airports and other major landmarks in Malaysia.   I even organized a trip by air to Penang and back just to ensure the students could see the landscape from the air.  We raised funds to subsidize the fare for selected pupils who were the ones involved in fund raising.

Many of these were organized in the name of the Senior Geographical Society of the school of which I was the advisor.  I remembered in those days, the USA Presidential Election was on and I would allow my students to hold elections for positions in the society based on the American Presidential Election system.  This enabled them to learn about the American Election System, part of what is termed Political Geography and compare it with our own system.

I continued teaching Geography even when I became the Senior Assistant of the school.  My love for this subject never faded until now.  I wonder how many of my students went on to teach this same subject and did what I did when I was teaching it.  I would love to hear from some of them who did.

October 2011

Northern Writers 5th November 2011

By |2011-10-30T10:31:11+08:00October 30th, 2011|Categories: Books, Heritage Books, Ipoh Town, People|Tags: , , , |

The next session of Northern Writers takes place at No5 Gopeng Road at 1030, Saturday 5th November. New books, new readers and a little food. Do come along. It’s very interesting.

And this month we have the special treat of the Poi Lam Choral Speakers, now internationally known.

Contact yusufmartin51@googlemail.com for more information.

SP – The Much Misunderstood Politician

By |2011-10-26T00:09:33+08:00October 26th, 2011|Categories: ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , |

Yes, this is long overdue…..but thank you all for waiting so patiently. Here is Andrew Lin’s article on the other ‘famous brother’ – S P Seenivasagam! Due to the length of the article, only part of it has been put up on the blog. The rest, together with the credits, can be read at our database….

SP: The Much Misunderstood Politician

“Isn’t it a pity that S P Seenivasagam should go down in history as such a greatly misunderstood politician after having given his all for Ipoh? Andrew Lin recalls the life and times of the other half of the legendary Seenivasagam brothers.

Sri Padhmaraja Seenivasagam, fondly known as SP, was the other half of the famous Seenivasagam brothers of Ipoh, the other being D R Seenivasagam (DR). Both men were brilliant lawyers and founder members of the Perak Progressive Party in 1953. The party changed its name to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) two years later. SP was generally perceived as the quieter of the two; a man of few words, at least during the time when his younger firebrand sibling was the president of the PPP and concurrently the Member of Parliament for Ipoh. SP himself was the MP for the adjacent constituency of Menglembu in the heart of the Kinta Valley.

Despite the frequent comparisons made between them by the local media, the Seenivasagam brothers’ genuine concern for the welfare of the people, especially the poor and the needy, was never in doubt. It was precisely this trait in SP that prompted him to make what most people at that time considered his biggest blunder in his long and illustrious record of public service – the fatal decision to join the Barisan Nasional (BN) in 1974 so that the PPP could continue serving the people of Ipoh through the administration of the municipal council of Ipoh (the Ipoh Municipality).

Outstanding Lawyer

In the heyday of the PPP between 1957 and 1969, SP was the vice-president of the party. Although credited by many as the “brains” behind the success of the party, SP remained in the background during that golden era, playing the role of a strategic planner while DR time and again dominated the headlines as a fierce and harsh critic of the then Alliance government. SP only came to the fore upon the untimely death of DR in early 1969, barely two months before the nation’s third general election. The racial riots of May 13, which took place immediately after the election, changed the entire course of the nation’s history.

As a result, very little information was available to the public on the personal side of SP. Like DR, SP was fond of liquor and was also a heavy smoker, averaging no less than four packs a day. His inner circle of close friends, which included the leaders of the PPP and his counter-parts in the legal profession, readily testified to his warm and easy going ways which often culminated in a thunderous burst of laughter. It was common knowledge that despite his hectic daily schedule, SP did his best to be available to the people at his office at the Municipal Chambers, which literally became his second home.

SP was first and foremost an outstanding British-educated lawyer, perhaps one of the best the nation has ever produced. Civil law was his forte. Together with DR, an equally eloquent and much feared criminal lawyer, their professional services were very much sought after. Both brothers featured prominently in numerous high-profile cases in the country. Their remarkable talent and extraordinary contributions as legal practitioners are well documented in the annals of the Malaysian Bar Council. Till today, the Seenivasagam brothers are still fondly remembered and respected by the legal community. Once, a rumour went round that SP had been offered a judgeship on more than one occasion but he turned it down.

Among the most memorable court appearances featuring SP was the Rahman Talib corruption case in 1964 where DR was sued for libel and slander by the then Education Minister. SP was engaged as the defence counsel for the co-respondent, one Abu Bakar, the businessman who tipped off DR on corruption allegations against the minister. (DR himself was defended by a young up-and-coming barrister by the name of Chan Nyarn Hoi, better known today as Dato N H Chan, an eminent and respected retired judge of the Court of Appeal.) The minister lost the case (and his job too) and the subsequent appeal the following year. Another case that attracted national interest was the Fan Yew Teng sedition appeal in 1971. Fan, then a Democratic Action Party (DAP) MP for Kampar, faced possible disqualification from Parliament as he had earlier been convicted in the Sessions Court under the Sedition Act for publishing an offensive article in the party’s newsletter. In the hearing at the Federal Court, SP successfully argued the appeal for Fan on the grounds of technicality. The court concurred with SP and ordered a fresh trial. The rest, as they say, is history.

A rare occasion when SP’s private life caught public attention was in October 1965 when he married the former Miss N Danapakia Devi from a well-known family of lawyers from Seremban. (Datin Seenivasagam died of a heart attack in 2006 at the age of 72). SP was then in his late forties. Prior to this, the Seenivasagam brothers were among the most eligible bachelors in the country. SP was conferred a Datoship by the late Sultan Idris Shah of Perak in 1964, an honour seldom bestowed on an opposition personality even to this day. The Dato Seri title was awarded in 1972.

Senior citizens and those in their fifties may recall that for a very brief period in 1973, Belfield Street and Hugh Low Street, two busiest streets in Ipoh were originally renamed Jalan S P Seenivasagam and Jalan D R Seenivasagam respectively in one of the earlier road-renaming exercises. At that time, the naming or renaming of roads within the municipality was the prerogative of the Ipoh Municipality and it had been the council’s policy to grant such a privilege to serving municipal councillors as well, irrespective of party affiliation. Thus we have Jalan Megat Khas, Jalan Chew Peng Loon, Jalan Yin Choo Han, Jalan Chan Swee Ho, Jalan S A Lingam, Jalan R C M Rayan (all situated in the Ipoh Garden housing estate), Jalan Leong Boon Swee and a few more in other parts of Ipoh. The first two mentioned councillors were from the opposition Alliance while the rest were from the PPP. But in this instance involving the names of the Seenivasagam brothers, the renaming was met with stiff opposition from certain quarters. To avoid further escalation of the controversy and being a true gentleman, SP voluntarily withdrew his consent to use his name for the road which subsequently became known till today as Jalan Sultan Yussuf. But SP told a press conference that the municipal council would appeal to the state gpvernment to retain the name of his late brother in place of Hugh Low Street. The appeal was however turned down. Hugh Low Street was subsequently renamed Jalan Sultan Iskandar. It was ironical that whilst his municipal colleagues had roads named after them long before this outcry, the president himself was unreasonably denied this honour.

Opposition Luminary

SP was elected to Parliament as the representative for Menglembu in the first general elections in post-independent Malaya held in 1959. He also won the state seat of Kuala Pari in the Perak State Legislative Assembly the same year. Both these two seats were successfully retained by SP in the subsequent general elections in 1964 and 1969.

As a parliamentarian, SP was ranked among the luminaries of the Opposition Bench in the infant days of the nation’s Parliament. Indeed both SP and DR left their indelible foot-prints in our parliamentary history. SP’s attendance record in Parliament, however, was rather dismal, averaging about five per cent. His opponents capitalised on this glaring weakness during pre-election rallies and other public gatherings – but with minimal effect as Menglembu was a stronghold of the PPP during that time due to the Seenivasagam brothers’ immense popularity.

To be fair to SP, he was never found wanting when important bills affecting the nation were discussed in Parliament. He participated actively in the debates relating to the Internal Security Act Bill in 1960, the Constitutional Amendment Bill, which saw the separation of Singapore from Malaysia in 1965, the controversial Constitutional Bill relating to the Sarawak Council Negri crisis in 1966 and the contentious National Language Bill in 1967. All his speeches in unequivocal support of the stand taken by DR were crisp and concise and reflective of the hopes and aspirations of the people.

Many observers believe that SP chose to remain in the shadow of DR in the discharge of their parliamentary duties out of sheer respect for the latter’s position as the party leader. Not one to relish undue media attention, SP never attempted to steal the limelight when DR was still around. In spite of his own enormous personal attributes as a shrewd and distinguished lawyer, SP took great pains to ensure that the celebrity status enjoyed by his flamboyant brother in Parliament was never in jeopardy at any time.

Most importantly, SP would also go down in history as one of the handful of opposition parliamentarians who courageously stood up and opposed the highly sensitive Constitutional Amendment Bill, which removed the parliamentary immunity of MPs in 1971.

Read the rest of the article here.

Sunday’s Special – Just Look at those Shoes!

By |2011-10-23T19:17:20+08:00October 23rd, 2011|Categories: ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

We have seen a number of Ipoh’s young ladies recently and here we step back a generation or two. It is before the war came to Malaya, Hitler is causing problems in Europe while the world is struggling to recover from the 1929 depression. This was the era of the Superman comic (first published in 1938), the Benny Goodman Band and the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was a popular attraction.

But here in Ipoh it was all about pretty girls, Cheongsams and shoes as the picture shows.

We thank ipohbornkid for this wonderful step back into Ipoh’s past.

“Where have all these pretty girls gone?”

By |2011-10-19T14:31:02+08:00October 19th, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

According to the donor of this photograph – Sybil de Roquigny – this was taken in 1945, sometime after the war.

Seated on the left of the Indian girl (wearing a plain samfoo) is Sybil’s aunt Linda Leong Kam Leng (daughter of Leong Eng Khean and granddaughter of Towkay Leong Fee). Seated on the far left (wearing a hair clip) is Linda’s best friend Lily. Incidentally, Lily and her husband owned a textbook and school supplies store in Old Town; across the road from the Ipoh Sar Hor Fan/Satay coffee shop (Thean Chun).

Recognise anyone in the picture? Perhaps your mum/aunt/relative is one of the pretty girls?

Dulang Washers

By |2011-10-14T16:17:07+08:00October 14th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, Natural Heritage, People|

This was taken in 1945 by the late Geoffrey Clark (of the 4th Regiment Signals Troop). Here we have 3 dulang washers, complete with their wide hats and long sleeved shirts, working hard along the river.

On the reverse of the photo he identified the place as Ipoh and guessing that this was taken from a military vehicle, it is interesting that the land was so wild.

Where are those wide coolie hats now? Maybe they are in the same place to which the Japanese “invasion” bicycles went. I wish we could find examples of both!

Teaching In and Around Ipoh – Episode 2

By |2011-11-02T09:01:09+08:00October 10th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

This was sent to us by UV, as part of his Teaching in Ipoh series. In the above picture, seated in the centre, is Mr Teh Chin Seong (mentioned in the story below). This picture was taken in 1968 and published in The Argosy 1968 (the school magazine). The lovely lasses in the picture are members of the St John’s Ambulance Brigade from MGS Ipoh.

Episode 2

Teaching is a vocation where those taking it up must be prepared to sacrifice.  However, it can also be a vocation where those who are not really dedicated can exploit.  I would like to deal with the negative aspects of some teachers as many today can only see this dark side of the noble profession.  I want to deal with it now and put it to rest and in the rest of my story, I would want readers to put aside the image of a bad teacher and concentrate on teachers who have dedicated their lives to teaching pupils.

The teaching profession was at the time I joined it, a vocation you work for half a day only.  Most schools would end at the latest by 1.50 p.m.  Some lower secondary classes ended even as early as 12.30 p.m. and of course Primary classes ended around that time most days.  This enabled the teacher to have the rest of the day free.  Many would take this opportunity to give extra tuition for a fee.  Others would mend their homes or used it for social events (usually a game of mahjong at home or in a club.  To the detriment of the students and the profession, such activities usually result in neglect of the much needed correction of assignments given or better preparations that should have been made before a teacher teaches the next day.

Teaching provides a teacher with long vacation.  In those days there were three terms per year and normally at the end of the first and second terms, a two week vacation is given and at the end of the final term, a four to five weeks vacation is in the offering.  Of course, self-centered teachers would spend such vacations for their own purposes whereas those who love their students may organize special educational outings or provide remedial classes for the weaker ones.

When I joined MGS Ipoh in 1968 I was most impressed by the caliber of students there.  Classes were streamed according to academic excellence but they were also divided into Science, Arts and Domestic Science streams from Form Four onwards.  There were very little differences in academic performances between the best of the Science classes and that of the Arts.

When I was in school in ACS Ipoh, one can see a mark difference between the Science Stream and the Arts Stream with a few individuals in the Arts Stream showing equal academic abilities to those in the Science Stream and these were usually those who chose to take up Arts subjects even though they qualify for the Science Stream.

I was given the best Arts class in Form Five.  I thought Geography there.  I was really taken up by the diligence of the girls not only in doing their assignments, following the lessons as you teach but also the amount of extra time they are willing to put in after school to create and produce charts and models with me to enable the teaching and learning of the subject to be easier.  To these girls, a big handful of them, the learning process was not restricted to the classroom alone but in extra activities related to each subject they can garner outside the classroom.  They were keen on outings, to visit Geographical features on actual ground.  We climb up waterfalls in nearby Buntung.  We walked along the Kinta River banks, we visited caves and limestone hills and we went to nearby factories to see how things were made and took trips outside the town to study production of rubber and palm oil as well as tin ore.  Such then was Geography taught and learned that year and years to follow in MGS.  It is not the teacher alone that can give rise to this form of teaching and learning.  It takes interested students to want to follow the teacher around to see for themselves what is actually happening in real life.

I have the good fortune of meeting these students after 40 odd years recently in Kuala Lumpur and these were the same group that took special interest in my subject as well as those of other teachers.  They did very well in their SPM and went on to do well in life.  Many were top civil servants and some captains in the commercial sectors.  Yes, they were girls turned top ladies.  When we talked of school days, what do they remember most, the extra-curricular activities we had.  I felt very happy and satisfied that what I did was not in vain.

MGS Ipoh in 1968 had a small collection of male teachers.  They were usually involved in the teaching of Science and Mathematics.  I was the only Arts male graduate.  The other men teachers were the Bahasa Malaysia teachers.  Men teachers are very popular with girls’ students.  They tend to take advantage of the men teachers but some of us were rather stern and many students learned the hard way when they do not put in enough effort.

Men teachers of course could not lay hands on a girl pupil in anger nor in affection but there are various methods well established in MGS Ipoh for them to take to punish recalcitrant girls.  There’s a lady discipline teacher to deal with such girls.  MGS Ipoh is also famous for detention classes where girls are detained after school or had to come back on Saturdays to perform some duties.  In this manner, girls are kept in line.

The men teachers are also useful in providing transport for girls when they fall ill or when they need to go somewhere for an activity.  Of course some lady teachers do likewise.  The men are expected to handle the heavier duties of physically shifting furniture (with the help of men manual workers) and are responsible for many games.  The Sports Secretary when I was there was a man teacher and he did a wonderful job all those years.

Mr. Teh Chin Seong was a male icon that no MGS student can forget.  He was there before I joined MGS Ipoh and he remained there until he retired many years after I left MGS Ipoh.  Not only was he a very efficient Sports Secretary who ran the Annual Athletics Meet every year without a hitch, but he was also good in coaching volleyball, basketball, and many other games MGS was involved in.  In addition he was also the Band Teacher.

Is that all?  No, Mr. Teh was also an officer in the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade and was in-charge of the MGS Ipoh Company.  Many girls became nurses after joining this movement.  Some of them went to England to take up nursing and continued working there.  I had the good fortune of meeting one Operation Theatre Sister from my batch of 1968 Form Five during the last reunion of this class.

Mr. Teh Chin Seong passed away last year (2010) leaving much fond memories in the hearts of many who had served with him and who were his students.  He was an excellent Mathematics teacher too despite all the extra-curricular activities he had to handle and any girl having gone through the LCE or SPM Mathematics papers would have him to thank.

To round up the appreciation of a well rounded teacher, I would like to add that Mr. Teh was a wonderful ballroom dancer and on many occasions he demonstrated his skill to the school in our Prize Giving Day Concert and Teachers Day Celebrations.  He really added colour to MGS Ipoh.

Sports Day at RPS

By |2011-10-07T11:32:33+08:00October 7th, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

We have here a picture from Helen Philip (who’s in the far right, with her partner Teh Jung Siang). Also in the picture are: Rosalind Goh (4th from right), and Teng Yoke Leng (10th from right).

This event is said to be the ‘most exciting’ event during the RPS annual Sports Day. (Some of you might remember one of our previous posts titled “Let’s March“).

Does RPS still have this event lined up as part of their Sports Day programme? Calling all RPS girls (past and present) and teachers too! 😉

Another Gem from the ACS-Album!

By |2011-10-06T08:34:09+08:00October 5th, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , |

We thank Howard Tang Hoy Wah (from Falim, Perak) for this picture. Howard now lives in the US, and was formerly a student of ACS Ipoh. He was also well connected to the Wesley Methodist Church – his brother, Tang Kin Wah, once served as a Methodist Pastor before he too left for the States.

This picture was taken in the 1950s. Are you in it? Do you know anyone in it?

More Pretty Girls from Ipoh!

By |2011-10-03T10:23:52+08:00October 3rd, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

We received this from Sophie via email. This was taken during Chinese New Year in 1969 – showing the Class of Form 3C of RPS.

Sophie has, unfortunately, lost touch with her friends (those in the picture) since she left school. Are you one of those in the picture? Do let us know…..and Sophie if you’re reading this, do point yourself out to us 🙂

 

PS: Can anyone guess WHERE this picture was taken?

September 2011

3 Friends at the Grand Theatre

By |2011-09-30T10:40:45+08:00September 30th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , , |

The quality of the picture may not be that good….but I’m pretty sure that the building in the far right is the back portion of the Grand Theatre (which once stood at Brewster Road and Cowan Street).

Of course many of us remember that the Grand Theatre was also part of Jubilee Park; with that in mind….I’m taking a wild guess as to the date of this picture – perhaps 1930/1931? Keeping in mind that the Shaw Brothers began Jubilee Park around 1932, hence I feel that this picture was before the Jubilee Park was built.

Anyone with other theories? Perhaps someone out there could tell us MORE!

“Love, Valour and Secrets”

By |2011-09-28T08:40:22+08:00September 27th, 2011|Categories: Memories, People|Tags: , , , , , |

Written by Paul Callan, this book can be purchased at MPH at RM 39.90. Set in 1890 Malaya, this book recalls some interesting encounters between the Dulang Washers and Miners, as well as the British folk, in the Kinta Valley. The summary (on the back cover) is as follows:

Malaya, 1890 … in the tin-mining camps of Perak’s Kinta Valley, only the strongest and bravest survive … and the strongest and bravest of them all is Aisha, the beautiful solitary Malay dulang washer who labours to support two families.

Fook Sin, the mine’s treacherous, thieving proprietor, sees Aisha as his ultimate prize: the most desirable object he can add to his secret hoard of treasures.

Hun Yee, an ambitious young Hakka Chinese miner, shakes off the opium addiction that has insulated him against the harshness of his daily struggle and strives to win Aisha’s approval by starting a mine of his own.

But for Donald Redfern, overseer and the only European in the camp, Aisha comes to represent something even more important. The human contact she offers in the language lessons she gives him, and the small gestures of compassion she shows to the isolated, homesick man, fuel his dangerous obsession.

MPH asked us to review this book and this is how I find it.

“As a keen amateur researcher of Kinta Valley’s history, I am drawn to this book by its title as in the history of the valley and its commercial mining period, there were always dulang washers wherever there was tin.

The story as outlined by the above synopsis is a without doubt a story of love against a backdrop of harsh living, gambling, prostitution, opium smoking and more. Indeed all the evils that truly faced the immigrant Chinese when they came South to Nanyang to make their fortune and then return home. But central to it all is Aisha a Malay girl from a fatherless ‘padi’ family who somehow manages to stay above the chaos around her. Indeed, more than stay above, despite her diminutive size she somehow has the ability to control the rough and rowdy miners when the need arises.

Isolated among this seething mob of Chinese is the solitary white man with a wife and children far away in another land. For him this is a test of moral strength and the will to do what is right. But that’s enough about the story – what sort of book is this in reality?

Well first of all I must say that Paul Callan has definitely captured the feeling of the times. His descriptions are photographic and the reader has no difficulty in picturing the scene – and that is the sort of writing that I like. If I have any criticism it is that I feel that he has put too much into this first book and that it could have been a little shorter and focused more on the main plot. This might have turned it into that sort of book you cannot put down until you reach the end. Maybe for those addicted to love stories it might be still be that sort of book, but I don’t suffer from that addiction.

Going back to where I started, the history of the Kinta Valley, for an expatriate who has not spent a great deal of his life in Malaysia, Paul has done well with his description of the period. However, as a purist when it comes to recording history I feel that he may have overdone some aspects to add interest and excitement to his story. That of course is perfectly acceptable for a novelist, but not a historian. Having said that, there is no doubt in my mind that any publication that introduces history in an “easy to read” fashion is important, as too much of our history is being lost.

Now, would I buy the book? I think I probably would, ostensibly as a gift for my wife, but also for myself to savour some of Paul’s descriptions of life in the 1890’s. After all, this is an interesting, well written, nicely produced book that is value for money, particularly if you like love stories with a twist. What more can you ask?”

If you read this book I shall be interested to hear your comments. Review by IKA.

Now Here’s a Poser!

By |2011-09-23T19:21:42+08:00September 23rd, 2011|Categories: Exhibitions, Identify Photographs, Ipoh Town, People|Tags: , , , |

This photo was provided by the Cheong family for use in “Ipoh, My Home Town” but it was not used as there were much more appropriate images to use for their story.

The banner reads something like “Professor Shu Tong Zen, Exhibition of his Chinese Paintings including an exhibition of his Malaysian Students’ Work”.

Now the questions are: where was this Guild, when was the photograph taken, who are the people and where does the Guild have its premises today?

No prizes, just the glory of being able to show that you know the Ipoh of days gone by.

A Portrait of Mr Moss

By |2011-09-21T14:52:48+08:00September 21st, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

We’ve had the great fortune of receiving some lovely photographs from the collection of the late Percival Moss (which can be found on our database, under the title ‘Moss Collection’). Mr Moss was a tailor who was stationed in Taiping from about 1890 to 1910. He was a tailor who sewed uniforms for the Malay States Guides and other military organisations in those days.

From his large collection, we have here a portrait of Mr Moss, done by the ever famous A. Kaulfuss.

front view

back view

Do anyone of you have such portraits…perhaps handed down from your grandparents or great-grandparents? We may have gone into digital photography, but there’s nothing like these old gems! 🙂

Remember This Toy?

By |2011-09-16T08:48:17+08:00September 16th, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

We received this photograph from Sophie. It was probably taken in 1969 and those in the photograph (left to right) are Sophie’s brother, cousin and neighbour. She also told us that:

“The boys are standing facing my house in Jalan Pasir Puteh…..the building behind them used to belong to the late Dato Cheah Fah”.

And what about the toy? Some of you may recall Esso giving away these ‘tigers’ to customers, probably upon purchasing a certain amount of petrol. Did YOU have such a toy? Perhaps some of you had a little ‘collection’ of such toys 🙂

Dressed for Success?

By |2011-09-12T11:36:21+08:00September 12th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

I wonder when THIS fashion trend began! The picture was taken from the bountiful collection of the late Percival Moss (some of which can be found on our database, under the title ‘Moss Collection’).

Imagine our surprise when we stumbled upon this picture – two locals dressed in Western clothing 😉

To our male readers out there….did YOU ever adopt this fashion trend? What about the ladies……I do know some women tried the ‘Jacky Kennedy’ look once upon a time 🙂

It’s 1980 and Time for IceCream! But Where is It?

By |2011-09-02T08:56:46+08:00September 2nd, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

What a treat for a youngster to have an icecream on a hot Ipoh day. Just look at the small boy’s face.

But here is another clue to the location.

And just look at the face of the mother with folded arms on the left. What is she saying to her daughter? Care to guess.

For your further enjoyment, although http://www.ipohworld.org/search8/result.asp?strid=303 is not a good photo, it shows the 1963 version of an Ipoh ice cream man,

We thank ipohbornkid for these great memories of time gone by.

August 2011

A Bevy of Ipoh’s Pretty Girls

By |2011-08-31T08:29:09+08:00August 31st, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, People|Tags: , , , |

Yes, these are girls from Ipoh and Raja Perempuan School. It is 1973 and this is the Community Service Club.

It was kindly sent in to us by Helen Philip who we think is standing fourth from the left and next to the tall girl with pigtails directly behind the teacher. Thank you Helen for the photo.

Now ladies, it is your turn to work. Who are the others and where are they standing/sitting. We look forward to hearing from you.

By the way, note the mural on the wall behind them, one carrying the national flag. Could that be 1Malaysia 1973 style?

Teaching In and Around Ipoh – Episode 1

By |2011-08-22T13:20:23+08:00August 22nd, 2011|Categories: ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: |

Here’s a short tale, from a Teacher’s point-of-view! Special thanks to UV for sharing his story with us 🙂

MGS Staff, 1968

Teaching in and Around Ipoh – Episode 1 

Prologue

There are many major schools in Ipoh.  The famous ones being the Anglo-Chinese School, Ipoh, The Saint Michael’s Institution, Ipoh, Anderson School, Ipoh, Methodist Girls’ School, Ipoh, the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus and Raja Perumpuan, Ipoh.  In addition, there were numerous National Type Secondary Schools such as Sam Tet, Ipoh, Yuk Choy, Ipoh and Poi Lam, Ipoh.  The oldest school that taught using English as a medium of instruction is the Anglo-Chinese School, Ipoh and its sister school, Anglo-Chinese Girls’ School (later both changed names to become Methodist Boys’ and Methodist Girls’ Schools respectively).

In 1895, the ACS Ipoh was established.  In those early years, schools ran classes from primary to secondary levels under one administration and in one compound.  It was only later that schools divided themselves into primary and secondary schools.  Most Mission Schools and even government schools kept to the same compound whereas Malay primary schools were usually separate as in the early years of education in Malaya, there were hardly any Malay Medium Secondary school in Ipoh!  Chinese educationists started many Chinese primary schools in Chinese enclaves and the town of Ipoh but through major dialectic associations, established the three secondary schools which initially used Mandarin as the medium of instruction but changed to using Malay after conforming to the wishes of the government after Independence.

 

Being a Teacher

To be a teacher, one has to be accepted by the school’s administration as in those early years, the schools had the right of hiring and firing (with the exception of government schools).  Even after Independence, Mission schools could still hire teachers under the Unified Teaching Service which differ from the Government Teaching Service.  I do not intend in these series of articles to go into the historical development of the teaching services but rather concentrate on a personal perspective of being a teacher from the day I joined it till the day I retired.

After graduating from the University of Malaya with a  B.A.Hons. degree in Geography, I asked Miss Ruth Ho for a job in Methodist Girls School, Ipoh.  I knew her through church connection and she accepted me because there was a vacancy for a Geography Teacher.  I joined the school in early January as my Final Year Examinations just completed after the New Year.

 

MGS Ipoh

MGS Ipoh was a well noted school with over 1000 students from Form 1 to Form 5.  I knew many of the teachers there, too.  When I reported for duty, I was given three Form 5 classes to teach and another 2 classes of Form 4s.  Please note I had no professional teaching qualifications and I was a rather young graduate, barely twenty-two years old.  Some of my Form Five students were just five years my junior in age!  I taught them Geography and English.

 

Miss Ruth Ho

The Principal, Miss Ruth Ho was a frail looking lady but with a very friendly and attractive smile.  With this smile, she could get most of us to do anything she wished.  She is soft spoken, and in all the years I served with her, I have never heard her raise her voice.  She was very patient in giving out instructions and you can never go wrong if you follow her instructions.

The Principal of the school stayed in the compound of the school in a double storey bungalow named Kenyon Cottage.  It was a lovely, stately building with ivy covering the front porch pillars and arch.  From time to time, some of us would be invited over for morning coffee/tea or afternoon tea if we stayed back for some extra-mural activities.  The living room where we sat for tea overlooked the school field and we could get a panoramic view of the Main Building of the school (see photo).  It had polished wooden floor.  This building was designed and furnished like a typical American home as many American ladies were head of the school.  Miss Kenyon, the first principal after which this house took its name, right up to Miss Moriera (local) before Miss Ruth Ho, every Principal carved out a portion of the rich history of MGS Ipoh.

Miss Ruth Ho is the daughter of the illustrious Dr. Ho Seng Onn, a famous Chinese educationist in the Methodist Education Mission of Malaya and Singapore and sister of Mr. Robert Ho, a renowned author of Geography books for Malaysian schools.  It is no accident that such a person from such an important family should be there to guide MGS Ipoh.

Most of the time, her staff would meet her in the office located above the porch of the Main Building.  It would occupy half the area above the porch, while the general office would take up the other half.  The Principal’s office, like her is simple.  She would seat herself behind an outsized desk that has a glass top.  It would be covered with files, papers, etc.  Her chair is not like those well-padded, shriveled executive chairs but a small wooden one with an armrest that curved behind her in a semi-circle to form the backrest and the other part of the armrest.  It has a thinly padded cushion.  I am sure it was not very comfortable.

Miss Ho is simple in her manner of dressing too.  One would often, if not always find her in a dress that has not waistline.  It would spot a high collar and would reach to just below her knees, fitting her frail form loosely.  Usually, it would be of pestle colours with some floral motifs.   Call it a ‘Cheongsam’ of some sort if you like, but the slits would not be there.

One cannot expect to find any serious or distinct signs of make up on her face too.  Maybe there is a hint of powder to keep her face fresh and a gentle and faint perfume as she walks pass can be detected.  Her round steel-rimmed spectacles, which she removes from time to time to look up at you when you stand before her, suggests a middle age lady with long-sighted reading problems but a pair of eyes that is still 20-20 when looking at her staff and pupils.

It was my misfortune that I did not work for long with her but yet it was long enough for me to use her as a model in later years of my teaching career when I too became a principal.  She entrusted me not only with teaching her best Arts Students in Geography but also gave me the most challenging class to teach English in the Form Five year.  In addition, she made me take charge of Softball, when in that year MGS Ipoh was to chair this game in the Central Perak Sports Council (precedence of the Majlis Sukan Sekolah Perak, Zone Kinta).  During those days, it was not the Principal that was the Chairperson, it was the teacher-in-charge that chaired the game and sat with the Chairpersonof Central Perak Sports Council, then another imposing character, Mrs. Nadarajah of Raja Perumpuan School, Ipoh.

In addition to these responsibilities, that year I joined MGS Ipoh, they were planning a Fun Fair to raise funds.  Mission schools were always doing this or that to raise funds to finance new building projects or to run the school, like providing furniture and maintaining the buildings and utilities.  I was given the task of being the Chairperson in-charge of games for the Fun Fair!  What do I know of organizing games in a carnival?  Nothing except having participated in handling a game stall or two when I was in school and attending a few Fun Fairs in Ipoh.  However, with her guidance, we made a success of the whole activity.

These are the memories I have of Miss Ruth Ho.  She left MGS Ipoh for reasons only know to her and her close associates and served in Singapore for some time then eventually she landed up in Hawaii, got married to a Japanese American and settled there.  She is now alone, living in a senior citizen home under the name of Mrs. Ruth Lindley.  She would only be too pleased if any of her old girls or ex-teachers/staff would contact her.  If you are interested in contacting Miss Ruth Ho, please ask Ian to pass your email address to me and I would forward it to her.

Scenes from a School Concert

By |2011-08-19T15:20:47+08:00August 19th, 2011|Categories: childhood, concerts, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

These pictures were sent to us by IpohBornKid.

IpohBornKid also wrote the following:

The attached photos were taken in the late 1950s, during the local primary school’s song and dance performances.

It is a tradition in Chinese schools to perform traditional song and dance as opposed to the Western arts performed in English schools.These performances were well attended by the school children, teachers and parents.  Many teachers spent hours of their free time teaching the young to sing and dance.  Unlike today where you can buy colorful costumes from China, most of the costumes were locally made by parents and volunteers.   The dancers should be in their 50s and 60s now.  I believe that the “old girls” who left the primary school were asked to perform on these occasions.  It is more like a town performance ratherthan a school performance. As a kid, I did attend all these performances as my family members were involved in the stage production and performance.

To what we know, these pictures were taken at Man Wah Primary School, in Menglembu.

Wah! We Have Gone to Print

By |2011-08-17T17:45:47+08:00August 17th, 2011|Categories: Books, childhood, Heritage Books, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , |

Yes, at last Ipoh, My Home Town has gone to the printers.

As you may know, I have been working on a new book for the past 20 months or so, editing and compiling original stories of people growing up in Ipoh over the last 90 years. It is entitled “Ipoh, My Home Town: Reminiscences of Growing Up in Ipoh, in Pictures and Words”.  In hard cover ‘coffee table book’ format,  with colour on every page, there are 64 different stories from a broad spectrum of society encompassing all the main Peninsula Malaysian races, plus Caucasians and even an Iban. Together they represent Ipoh past and present.

There are stories from a “Flying Tiger” who grew up in Market Street in the 1920s, Professor Wang Gungwu, a Greentown boy before the war, Lat (who has also written the Foreword) and a number of others from stage, screen and radio plus of course successful businessmen and women, housewives and mothers, but interestingly, no politicians. Our oldest contributor is 92 and the youngest 12. The book therefore is really a history of life in Ipoh through the eyes of young people. With 276 pages and a wealth of original photographs and illustrations it has been a fascinating exercise for an expatriate, ably supported by his Malaysian wife.

The book will be launched by Tun Lim Keng Yaik on the morning of Saturday 17th September at the Royal Ipoh Club so if you can be in Ipoh that day that will be the place to be. Details of the programme and invitations will be sent out as soon as possible, but if you don’t get one and would like to attend, please just let me know.

Regarding the price, as this is a self funded project we have been able to keep the price down to a bare minimum with no profit taking. Hence the book will be on sale in the bookshops at RM100 and direct from us at RM90 excluding postage and packing. There will be plenty for sale at the launch, but if you cannot make it then you can always pre-order via info@ipohworld.org , providing your postal address. We can then advise you of the total cost as soon as the book is in our hands. 

I look forward to seeing you at the launch.

‘Rosedale’, at Kledang Hill

By |2011-08-12T11:12:23+08:00August 12th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

We thank Nicholas Jennings for these lovely pictures.

Here we have ‘Rosedale’, a cosy Malay-style house on Kledang Hill. This house was once owned by J A S Jennings (better known as Jack Jennings) – the former Editor of the Times of Malaya.

Do notice the two gun holsters on Jennings’ belt! Standing next to Jennings is his wife Freda.

The second picture shows another view of the cosy abode – notice the style of the roof!

Is this house still there?

Let’s March!

By |2011-08-10T13:40:58+08:00August 10th, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|

(This was sent to us by IpohBornKid)

This picture was taken way back in 1961. That’s about the only thing we’re sure of. Maybe someone out there could help us with the following questions:

Was this taken at the Ipoh Padang?
Who are these pretty girls?
What was the occasion for the costumes?

Come on! I’m sure someone out there remembers this (probably somewhere in the picture too?) 🙂

…what to do on a HOT day!

By |2011-08-09T15:53:05+08:00August 8th, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Yes, these boys seem to have found a solution for the hot weather 🙂

This picture was sent to us by Edwin Siebel. Apprently, this was taken at Teluk Anson (Teluk Intan). Anyone know WHERE in Teluk Anson this is? Was it taken at a swimming club?

Note: This picture was taken on 31st May 1956 😉

A Cry For Help from SMI Form IV 1956

By |2011-08-07T10:34:00+08:00August 6th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

MI

You may have noticed two comments and a Chatterbox entry from a new reader Yip Chee Whye (Chee Whye Yip) who is looking to find his old school friends of 1956 and in particular he is seeking Mr. Ooi Kim Huat and Mr. Eddie Che. He presently lives in UK but says he will be back in Ipoh soon. 

He sent us this photo today and if I understand it correctly he is the one circled in the back row and Eddie Chee is circled centre in the row in front. So readers all can we help? We have done well so far with reuniting the Old Salts from ACS and the HIJ Convent girls. Can we do the same for SMI?

As you can see we now have a clearer picture of that sent in by Yip. This was kindly donated by AFR1970.  He says, “It is from my late father’s collection of photos. He doesn’t seem to be in the photo. I have Form IVA and Form IVD but he is not in those photos either. Sadly, Form IVB is missing. That could have been his class but I could be wrong.”

Thank you so much. I hope it helps us find the other classmates.

The Memorable School Trip – by IpohBornKid

By |2011-08-03T12:47:35+08:00August 3rd, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

Here’s another little sharing by IpohBornKid, about a school trip to Penang with his friends!

This picture was taken in the 1950s where Mr Quah Kuan Teik took a bus load of ACS boys to Penang.  It was a most memorable trip and of course, we gave the old boy heaps but he remained firm and show exceptional tolerance to all of us.  For example, when you go to sleep at night, someone will squeeze some toothpaste in your mouth.  On the journey to Penang and back, there were no toilets in the bus (an old ACS school Bus) and the boys would literally go to the back of the bus and “washed” the windscreen of an unfortunate car following behind the bus.  If any of you recognised yourself in the photograph please own up.

Mr Quah also told us the story of how some of the boys were lost during the night on a trip to Emerald Island, an island west of Pangkok.  Those adventurous ACS boys decided to venture across the island through the thick growth and into the other side.  There was a big panic, alarm bells were raised and search party was organised.  The boys were finally found safe and sound.  Any normal teacher would have said ” I had enough of the buggers, no more trips for you fellas”.  No, Mr Quah totally forgotten what had happened and continue the next excursion as if nothing had happened..

On an excursion to Cameron Highlands, Mr Quan took us to visit a vegetable farm.  One is supposed to ask the farmer to cut the cabbage if you want to buy it (only 20c each).  No, ACS boys were different.  Several boys gave a swift kick at the cabbage and it rolled down the hill until it hits an embankment.  I cannot remember whether they eventually bought the cabbage.

Nicky Chin, Mano, Me and Z.. : off to Penang we go on an ACS Excursion,  if you see yourself in the photo, please hands up.

IpohBornKid

A Tuesday Treat

By |2011-08-02T09:41:40+08:00August 2nd, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, People|Tags: , |

We seem to be getting quite a few old photographs to identify recently and therefore decided to give you all a treat today with an extra Tuesday blog.

This well-worn photograph was taken somewhere here in the 1940’s. Just look at the fashion of the day! The question is – where is it? The owner thinks he knows but he really does not seem too certain.

Perhaps you can put his mind at rest.

July 2011

It’s Ipoh and they are Aeromodellers

By |2011-07-16T18:50:58+08:00July 10th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , |

And that is just about all we know about this picture which we are led to believe was taken in the 1960s. So come on guys and girls, stop looking at all those Bersih videos and photos and help us out with this one please. Judging by all the cups, shields and other trophys they must have been pretty well known.

No sooner had I asked for a photo of the above group’s reunion photograph, Merrill Leong provided this one.

Merrill added the following:

“Attached is a single photo of the reunion mentioned by CK Leong. The lunch meeting was held at a room in Mun Cheong Restaurant which was being prepared for a wedding dinner; the two names on the wall have no bearing on the group of guys gathered. Let’s see whether your readers can match up who’s who from the two photos. Of course not all present in the black and white picture are in the newer one, and there is one person in the coloured photo who is not in the other.”

Jalan Bendahara, circa 1972….

By |2011-07-11T12:47:52+08:00July 6th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, Natural Heritage, People|Tags: , |

You know the Sri Maju bus station? Well, this was what the main building looked like before the bus company took over (see picture below).

To what we know, this mansion was once the family home of Dato’ Yeoh Kian Teik (Michelle Yeoh’s father).

We thank Ian Latham for sending us this picture 🙂

The Penghulu of Menglembu – by IpohBornKid

By |2011-07-04T09:14:38+08:00July 4th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

We thank IpohBornKid for this story of Chong Soon Fan, who was the Penghulu of Menglembu during the Japanese Occupation in Malaya.

 

Mr Chong Soon Fan, JP, The Penghulu of Menglembu

 

The “Kapitan Chinas” in the Kinta Valley or Tin Mining Towkays, in Ipoh, have been well described by Dr Ho Tak Ming, the author of “Ipoh, when Tin was King”.  For example, Foo Nyit See, Foo Choo Chong, Foo Choong Yit, Yau Tet Shin, Chung Keng Kwee etc. were well known philanthropist in the late nineteen century. 

Some Ipoh streets were named after them.

 

The next generation of successful tin miners and philanthropists in Ipoh include Lee Loy Sang, Lau Pak Kuan, Fung Seong, Foo Yet Kai, Chong Soon Fan etc.  This article only focuses on the late Chong Soon Fan, JP, for the simple reason that Mr Chong was personally known to the author.  The author also recognized other Towkays in Ipoh who have contributed significantly and substantially to the community.

 

There are many stories about education in Ipoh and most of them which appeared in the English language media involving English language schools rather than Chinese Language Schools.  In this article, I wish to present a visionary person who is also a philanthropists, educationist and social worker in his times.  He was the late Mr Chong Soon Fan, JP, and in his heydays, was Chairman of the Board on several Chinese language schools in the Ipoh municipality viz Man Wah Primary, Yuk Choy High School, Perak Girls Primary and High School, Sam Chai High School etc. Before Menglembu became part of the Municipality of Ipoh in the 1960s, he was also the “penghulu” or village headman of Menglembu.  He was also a Director in the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Hong Kong Association.

 

Prior to Merdeka, the township of Ipoh was run by an Englishman Mr Lee, who was the colonial administrator of Ipoh.  After independence, the Seenivasagam brothers DR and SP later controlled the Ipoh Municipality.  It is interesting to note that DR (a well-known Ipoh lawyer) was also famous for owing an American convertible with a golden ignition key.

 

According to published record, Mr Chong Soon Fan, born in China in the 1890s, migrated to Nanyang (Malaya) from Xihe (West River) region in Guangdong Province, China.  The current location would be north east of MeiXian City, 8 hours drive from Shenzhen via the highway.  He was a “Tai Poo” Hakka and was determined to seek his fortune in “Nanyang”.  At the age of 17, Mr Chong came to Perak state with minimal clothes and cash.  He had a humble beginning and he started to work in Soon Foh Wu Lang, a Menglembu tin ore extraction establishment which collected tin ore from the dulang washers as well as extracting tin ore from the sandy resides which settled in the tail end of the palongs.   (Note: in an open cut mine, the alluvial sand containing the ore is washed down by strong jet of water and the slurry is pumped to the top of the long wooden“slip-dip” structure.  As it flows down, the tin stayed at the top of the palong and the smaller tin granules flow to the bottom.  This bottom residue is rewashed for more tin).  Dulang washes can earn up to $3 a day selling their tin to the collector.

 

At the Soon Foh, he was intelligent, literate and a hard worker.    As the story goes, the late Mr Foo Choon Yit, OBE, the owner of the establishment, was so impressed by this young man’s talent  that he allowed his eldest daughter to marry him.  From then onwards, the young Mr Chong learned about the tin mining business in Ipoh and prospered.  He later became the Manager of the establishment.

 

The two storey bungalow family home of the late Mr Foo Choon Yit, a Fujian Hakka, is in Kuala Kangsar Road and is now a museum for tin mining. There is an air raid shelter built in the compound.  One of Mr Foo’s nephew is the late Mr Foo Yet Kai, another famous tin miner in Ipoh.

 

As a Hakka, Mr Chong was very traditional in his thinking about education and has a high degree of empathy for his fellow clansman. He was the President of the Perak Hakka Association in Jalan Datoh (Sam Chai school is located in the land owned by the Hakka Association) and a Director of a prominent Chamber of Commerce in Ipoh. His contemporaries were famous tin miners in Ipoh.  Mr Chong’s passion for education was the driving force behind the fund raising and building of Chinese schools in Ipoh.  Together with his peers, they managed to raise funds totaling $2M to build schools in Ipoh.  He was recorded to have donated at least $200,000 himself. 

 

Several important schools that come to mind were and they were the Yuk Choy High School, Perak Girls Primary and High Schools, Man Wah Primary (Menglembu).  Mr Chong and his contemporaries have left a great legacy behind for the future descendants of the people of Ipoh.  Many parents who have migrated from China were determined to send their children to schools in Ipoh.  Some parents insist that their children learn their mother language first before English.  Hence, the Chinese schools satisfied the cultural needs of the Chinese immigrant. They endured the hardship and sacrifice in order that their children will be better off than them.  Together with the other generous philanthropists who built the schools, a great opportunity was created by these visionaries.  Today, many Ipoh people have benefited from a good education.  Hence, we should remember our pioneers who brought us the great gift of education.

 

In erecting the Chinese schools in Ipoh, the generosity of the Hakka clan played an important role since Hakka tradition is strong in education.  Hakka people originate in Henan Province in China over 2,000 years ago.  In a particular Hakka clan, their history dates back to the Zhou dynasty, having 92 generations in Henan, 17 generations in Guangzhou (as Hakka =guest people) and 7 generation overseas.  Most Hakka occupations in Henan Province (China) were either military or government officials.  They excel in literature and military tactics.  They were Sung Dynasty’s refugees (Mongol invasion) and most groups migrated south to Guangzhou.

 

It is interesting to note that recently, a second Chinese Primary School (Man Wah No 2) was built at the foot of Kledang Hill in Menglembu.  I was informed that one of the grandsons of Mr Chong was involved.  It is good to see a continuation of commitment in education by a third generation Chong.

 

As Headman of Menglembu during the Japanese occupation, Mr Chong walked a tight rope in saving a lot of people from the Japanese.  He had to deal with the Japanese authorities and at the same time, not to offend the communist hiding the jungle.  In those days immediately after the Japanese left, there were a lot of revenge taken against “Han jian” or Han traitors.  Mr Chong stood tall and his trustworthiness, courage and fairness earned him respect from all sides. 

 

There was another aspect of Mr Chong’s work in Menglembu which is not well documented.  In the 1950s, his family home in Menglembu (the bungalow opposite the Man Wah Primary School) was open to his constituents on Saturday mornings.  Many villagers would bring their family problems to him.  He was a peace maker & conciliator; and many benefited from his wisdom to get the family back together.  In the gangster era, he was instrumental in bailing out many young mis-guided youth and kept them out of jail.  The Police would release these youths under the guardianship of Mr Chong. 

 

If one sat on the front door of Mr Chong’s house, you will see the 3 famous mountain peaks which were framed under the archway of the Man Wah Primary School.  Those mountains peaks represent good fungsui.  Mr Chong had good reason to build his bungalow opposite the school.  Reliable sources said that Mr Chong told her eldest grand daughter that he wanted to keep an eye on the school and watch it grow.   He wanted his grand children to go to that school.

 

Most of the villagers have no proficiency in English and filling a form is a difficult task.  Mr Chong provided Menglembu villagers with form filling assistance for citizenship & IC card applications as well as other government correspondence. .  These clerical services were an enormous task and required a good typist with a good command of English.  His eldest son filled this position well with dedication and efficiency.  According to reliable sources, his teenage grandson, an accomplished ACS trained typist also assisted his uncle in preparing the forms and typing letters.

 

Mr Chong was treated with utmost respect in Menglembu.  When he walked the streets in Menglembu, the villagers often greeted him with respect.   Mr Chong received wedding invitation from the villagers at least once every fortnight.  Sometimes, he would send his eldest grandson to represent him in these events when he was unable to attend.

 

In writing this article, I want to create awareness among later generations of Ipoh people about a pioneer, a visionary person who has given so much to the community.  He should be remembered for his role in saving people during the Japanese occupation, building schools in Ipoh municipality for future generations, and providing much needed community services to his constituents.

 

For his exemplary community work above and beyond the call of duty, the Sultan of Perak made him a Justice of the Peace and a member of the Privy Council. 

 

Mr Chong passed away in 1969 and today, more than 40 years passed, I wish commemorate his passing and acknowledge his exemplary dedication and commitment to public education.  He was indeed a pioneer and a humble servant of the people.  Lest we forget.

AP@IpohBornKid

June 2011

A Tribute to Mr NC Thomas – by IpohBornKid

By |2011-06-28T09:45:38+08:00June 28th, 2011|Categories: childhood, ipoh, Memories, People|

We present to you a little tribute to Mr NC Thomas – a man who was both Friend and Mentor to many a youth in Ipoh in the 1950s. We thank IpohBornKid for this write-up!

 

 A Tribute to Mr NC Thomas – Pioneer in Youth work

 

Mr NC Thomas came to Malaysia in the early 1950s and took a teaching position in St Michaels, Ipoh. He was an English teacher and was among the great English teachers of Indian descent.  Good grammar books were written by Indians and used throughout Malaya then.  Mr Thomas was a Malari, a devout Catholic, quite and unassuming man.  Yet his contributions to the Youth activities in Menglembu are legendary.  The author owed this man a great debt, not only in adolescent personality development but also for the foundation laid by him for a successful academic achievement later in life.

 

When Mr Thomas arrived in Menglembu, he started a youth club in Lahat Road opposite the Indian settlement and adjacent to the Lutheran Church in Menglembu.  It was a wooden house raised by pillars, and one can play underneath the house without being noticed.   When the youth club was established, the elder boys were part of the youth committee whilst the author was not.  The author and some youth often disrupt the youth committee meeting by being a nuisance under the house.  The situation was corrected when these errand kids were roped in by Mr Thomas to do something useful.

 

The youth club has boys and girls in it.  Most teenagers then attended the Ipoh English School, viz. ACS, St Michaels, Anderson, Convent, MGS and some attended Chinese schools like Yuk Choy and Perak Girls.   There were boxing, weight lifting inside the clubhouse, but soccer was played across the field adjacent to the Indian housing.

 

Mr Thomas never smoked nor did anybody see him drink (if so, never in public).  He set a good example of clean living for teenagers under his charge.  Parents were delighted to have Mr Thomas look after their kid’s interests.  In this, Mr Thomas has gained the utmost respect from the parents in Menglembu.

 

As a teacher, he is soft spoken, not easily angered, good tempered but firm.  In his bachelor days, he always has cooked meals by an Indian family and delivered to his residence in the Youth Club.  Later, Mr Thomas moved to another location in Ipoh, and the Youth Club went with him.  The place was near the banks of the Kinta River and close to the Mosque in Jalan Datoh.

 

One of Mr Thomas’ most popular activities was excursions.  In 1957 or 58, he organized an Excursion to Kuala Lumpur.  For small town people, it was a big deal.  To top it up, Mr Thomas has political clout.  He arranged the visit to see the first Prime Minster of Malaya (Tengku Abdul Rahman) and the Education Minister Ong Yoke Lin.  During the visit to the PM’s residence in KL, we had an opportunity to greet the PM in person and for a bonus; we were also introduced to Miss University (Miss Japan) who was visiting the PM at the same time.  We then met up with the Education Minister, Ong Yoke Lin and have afternoon tea with him.  The visit was a basic introduction to politics and politicians.  For a kid, the author did not recognize the importance of such a meeting but the benefit was realized in later life.

 

 

Mr Thomas also took us to see his relatives who operated the St Thomas Dispensary in KL. In a group photograph shown here, one can see the youth of Menglembu rubbing shoulders with professional medical personnel in KL. Another observation is the multicultural group of people in the photo, all traveling together in harmony.

 

There is one story I must relate.  Mr Thomas took me to see his friends who was a former student of his and lived in a fishing village called Morib.  All five of us (photo enclosed) went for a trip to Seremban on a Morris Minor.  On the way back, we traveled on the coastal road lined with palm oil trees.  Somehow, the author convinced his travelling companions that he could drive and they let him.  In an attempt to overtake a lorry, the inexperienced driver hit the uneven surface of the right edge of the road.  The car started to swerved and the brake was applied fully (like emergency braking).  The little car then made a 180 degrees turn on the road.  It was miracle because they were no oncoming traffic in either direction and missed slamming into the palm trees on either side.  It was scary and the author’s driving opportunities were curtailed.  After returning to Morib, they all went to buy a lottery ticket.   None of them ever related this incident to my mother.  Phew!

 

As I left Malaysia for overseas study, I lost contact with Mr Thomas.   I was informed that Mr Thomas later got married.  If the descendants of Mr NC Thomas are in Malaysia, please accept our thankful acknowledgement of his significant contribution to Menglembu youth of the 1950s generation.

   

AP@IpohBornKid

[Note: Due to the lack of space, the other pictures which accompany this story will be uploaded onto the database in due course.]

“Style of the Month” ?

By |2011-06-27T11:19:45+08:00June 27th, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, Memories, People|

Familiar? Well, those of you who followed the fashion trends of the different eras would know this look 😉

Fashion aside, do you recognise the place? Where is this fountain, where the lovely ladies are standing next to? Judging from the school buses in the background, this was probably a school field trip….

“…Sons (and Daughters) of St Michael…Valiant and True…”

By |2011-06-20T11:44:57+08:00June 20th, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

Yes, we have another class photo! This time, we’re clueless about the year; all we know is these smiling faces seem to be Prefects from St Michael’s Institution. Are you in this photo? Or, do you know anyone in this photo?

Looking forward to your comments 🙂

Schooling in Ipoh – Episode 8

By |2011-06-17T10:05:47+08:00June 17th, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , |

For those who have been waiting patiently, here is UV’s Episode 8 of ‘Schooling in Ipoh’! 🙂

 

Episode 8: Schooling in Ipoh

Life in Lower Six quickly went by.  Soon we became the seniors and new Lower Six students were coming in.  Many of those, especially those from MGS Ipoh were my friends from MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship).  ‘Ragging’ was the usual activity for these new Form Six students.  It was really mild as each one had to appear before the whole Upper Six and was asked various questions.  It was more like an introduction of themselves to their seniors.

With that done with, academic work became our priority.  We have the HSC (Higher School Certificate} Examination to worry about.  This is one hell of a tough nut to crack!  We sat for four main subjects: English (English Literature), Geography, History and Economics as well as General Paper.  There were 3 papers in English and Geography and History and Economics had two papers each.  The minimum requirement for entry into local university (Only one then in Malaya – University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur) was two A Levels Principals and two A Levels Subsidiary passes (equivalent to an Ordinary O Level pass).  If one does not pass with at least a Six in all the papers in a subject, one would be given a subsidiary pass.

Most of us would be concentrating on getting at least two Principal passes or three at best but the brighter ones would strive for 4 and even try to score distinctions in as many subjects as possible.  Arts students are not noted for academic excellence and to get one or two distinctions would be very outstanding in those days.  I decided to go for three and decided to leave English out, merely hoping to score a Subsidiary pass in that subject.  Why?  Our English teacher was Mrs. Teerath Ram Senior.  She was boring to tears and I could never appreciate her teaching.  I think the only thing I learned from her was the title of the poem about Omar Kayam!  Until I started teaching poetry to some students as a private tutor, I really did not know what the content was!

In order for us to pass those three papers even at Subsidiary Level, we had to beg Mr. Chin San Sooi to give us extra lessons on poems.  Passing the paper based on Shakespeare’s plays was not difficult as we could learn on our own with the help of guidebooks (something very popular in the 60s among students).  However, the Romantic novels were left aside by those, like me, who didn’t want to get a principal pass.  Thanks to Mr. Chin San Sooi, many of us were even able to get a principal pass, the writer included!

I banged on getting a distinction in Geography, as it was my favourite subject and taught by my favourite teacher.  History was great when we had the late Ms Tye Soh Sim (Mrs. Eddy Chin) teaching us in Lower Six, but unfortunately she left for a scholarship to do her higher degree in Canada at the end of our first year.  Ms Chong Nyuk Mui took over the subject.  I was her ‘artist’ drawing those Historical Maps on the Board for the rest of the pupils to copy.  I vaguely remembered they were European maps (rather difficult to draw) as we were doing European History from the 15th Century till Modern Days!

Economics was taught by a Ms. Wan and later a Ms. Tan.  I remember Ms.Wan as someone who would come to class wearing cheongsam.  She has a ‘unique’ way of pronouncing certain words and names.  I can always remember how she would call Chevarani (Mrs. Siva now).  Most of us would try to suppress our laughter each time she called her to answer a question.  Many a times, the class almost brought her to tears!  She left teaching after a short period with us.  Ms Tan took over and was a direct contrast.  She spotted the then fashionable slanted white framed glasses.  She wore mainly Western dresses and was slim and petit.   Many of the boys must have ‘fallen’ for her (writer not included).  Her teaching was excellent as most of us did well in this subject (except for some girls)!

General Paper was taught by Rev. Butler White, a pastor of Wesley Church but also taught as a teacher in ACS Ipoh.  His lessons were never dull.  I did not shine in this during my Form Six days.  I was only a moderate writer then and still is now.

In Upper Six, the Prefects were being scrutinized to be selected as Head Prefect and Deputy Head Prefect.  Manogaran  would has slotted easily into the Head Prefect slot and the post of Deputy would go to a Science Stream Upper Six Student (if any qualify) or an Arts student when they fail to get one from the Science Stream or the Girl Deputy Head comes from the Science Stream.  However, Manogaran was a playful character and very often seen by the teachers to ‘misbehave’.  His greatest sin was to go around poking girls on their side of their waist to make them scream and was caught doing so, one day, by a teacher!  He was therefore not made the Head Prefect but the Deputy Head Prefect.  The Head Prefect posts went to Yap Teong Aun (became an Engineer later) and the Girl Deputy Head Prefect went to Ung Swee Kim (daughter of the famous Mathematics teacher from Anderson School, Ipoh, Mr. Ung Kwek Chow).

At the end of the year, we sat for our examination in MGS Ipoh.  Yes, the Arts HSC Centre for us was in MGS Ipoh and not in our own school as we had no hall big enough to accommodate both the Form Five Examinations and the Form Six Examinations.  I already had my scooter (Lambretta) license in Lower Six and I transported my good friend, Loh Chin Hin from Rose Garden, to MGS every day we had a paper.

The examinations were soon over and it was a period of waiting for the results which came some time in March the following year.  Some of us went to work, others took up various courses.  I did neither but lots of church works – helping in the office, etc.  When the results came, most of us qualified to enter university but some couldn’t because of financial restrains and so had to go into teaching colleges. 

I was fortunate to get into University of Malaya, although at first I wanted to opt for law in University of Singapore, but because PSA sent me a set of application forms for University of Malaya and stated that I was on the reserve list for a Teaching Bursary, I submitted my application for an Arts Course in University Malaya instead.  They never granted me the bursary!  My parents struggled to pay for my fees and boarding.

On a sad note, Mrs. Teerath Ram died before the results came out.  It was rumoured that she took her own life by burning herself at the back of her house.  When my results came out, I dreamt of her walking from her house (in the school compound) towards the porch of the Main Building of ACS Ipoh and asked us for our results.  I was there, in the dream, with a few of my classmates.  I woke up with a start!  It was so real.  She was dressed in her usual flowing saree!

Life in school as a student ended in December 1964.  I would return to ACS Ipoh not as a teacher but as a Principal 46 years later!  I never taught in ACS Ipoh although I was a teacher, Senior Assistant, Afternoon Supervisor and Principal in other schools in and around Ipoh before returning to ACS Ipoh.

ACS – 1930s! And by Special Request – the 1920s Students

By |2011-06-17T10:34:02+08:00June 13th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

We thank Ignatius Chew for these pictures – taken at the Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) Ipoh, in the 1930s.

Perhaps Ignatius or any of the other ‘Old Salts’ (as they call themselves) could tell us MORE? 🙂

 

 Looking forward to your comments!

We did better than just comments for AP(at)IpohBornKid sent us the following picture and words.

Re:ACS 1930s

 

Dear ACS Old Salts

 

Having read ACS 1930s and looked at the photos, I suddenly remembered that I am in possession of an 1932 ACS School Certificate Class photo of my late father.  He was in the first standing row fifth from the right.  Would someone bother to comment on the similarities and differences between the photograph already published and the one I just sent.  Can someone name the teachers or the students?

 

My mother showed Mr Kesselring the photograph and I was immediately accepted to ACS Primary School at the age of 6, one year earlier. The old school tie system always works and what a great British tradition.  Maybe UV@Valiant Knight might be able to explain to us what Form would the School Certificate Class be equivalent to? 

 

PS:I was born in Ipoh General Hospital , hence the name IpohBornKid.

 

Soon Yik Goldsmith Shop (and a sample of an old receipt!)

By |2011-06-17T19:25:54+08:00June 10th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , |

We have here a picture of the interior of Soon Yik Goldsmith shop. This picture was apprently taken when this famous duo (the lady with a knee length dress and the gentleman in a suit) visited the shop. Do you know these celebrities? I’m sure there’s a little story that goes with this picture – if you know more, we’d like to hear from you! 🙂

Here’s a sample of an old Soon Yik receipt…sent to us by ‘Ipoh Born Kid’

Dear Ipoh Old Timers: 

Re: Soon Yik Tukan Emas in Hugh Low St

My mother bought a jade bracelet from Soon Yik in 1973, nearly 38 years ago. 

My family members used to frequent this store.

Their receipt s clearly described what you bought, how much and who is the person that sold it to you.  I agree with SY Lee that this is a truly honest shop. 

AP@IpohBornKid

 

 

May 2011

The Rose Villa

By |2016-04-19T15:42:09+08:00May 27th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, Natural Heritage, People|Tags: , , |

We had a request for a picture of the famous Rose Villa. Here is one taken around 1982 (to see what it looked like inside, click here).

This mansion was once owned by Towkay Leong Tian – a miner and philanthropist. Sadly, the mansion (which was along Gopeng Road) is not there anymore. After it was demolished, the area became the site for 6 new houses.

April 2011

NTPS Jalan Pasir Puteh – VI A, 1966

By |2011-04-13T09:35:08+08:00April 13th, 2011|Categories: childhood, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , |

We have here a 1966 class photo from the National Type Primary School of Jalan Pasir Puteh (NTPS JPP). Our donor, Rosebud, told us that Chan Wan Seong (featured in a previous blog – ‘Badminton Hero from Ipoh’) can be seen standing in the back row, 6th from the left.

Can you spot anyone else in this photo? Perhaps one of you might have been in this photo too….. 😉

March 2011

Badminton Hero from Ipoh

By |2012-06-03T12:43:11+08:00March 23rd, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

This is a picture of Chan Wan Seong, a former student of Anderson School, Ipoh. This former Perak Junior Champion (badminton) was featured alongside the Veteren Men’s Doubles Pair of Ong Sin Oong & Woon Tong Yeong – in the Metro Sports section of the Star newspaper (dated 14 August 2010).

We thank S K Ong who highlighted this to us via email. According to S K, Chan has achieved World No.3 status in the Men’s Senior Category. He has also trained with another badminton legend – Datuk Tan Yee Khan. We were also told that Chan will be taking part in a number of upcoming events, such as: the All England Men’s Senior in Milton, Keynes, London (April 2011); the BWF Men’s Senoir in Richmond, near Vancouver, Canada (August 2011); and the World Chinese Badminton Championship, Shunde near Guangzhou, China (November 2011).

These two extra pitctures courtesy of SK.

J A S Jennings’ Gravestone

By |2011-03-22T11:35:31+08:00March 22nd, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, Memories, People|Tags: , |

There’s been requests of pictures of J A S Jennings’ gravestone. Thanks to Nicholas Jennings, here are an old and new picture of the grave. Hope this helps in terms of trying to find the grave. If anyone can provide us with more details, please do! All we know is that these pictures were taken at the Connolly Road Cemetery.

‘Reaching out Through Art’

By |2011-03-04T11:00:12+08:00March 4th, 2011|Categories: ipoh, People, Perak Society of Performing Arts|Tags: , , |

The Perak Society for Performing Arts would like to highlight a unique fund raiser – with the help of Ipoh Architect and Author Theresa Lim. Theresa always had a keen interest in art and eventually went on to become Perak’s first woman architect. Together with the Perak Autistic Society, she will be sharing her paintings and writings as part of a fund raising project.

This fund raiser encompasses:
an Art Exhibition (and Dinner) at Citrus Restaurant, on Friday 11 March at 7.30 pm.
and, a Storytelling & Painting demo by Theresa Lim, on Saturday 12 March at the YMCA. This demo starts at 3 pm.

Those interested can forward your enquiries to: PSPA (05-5487814) / pspa2011fest@gmail.com

Episode 4 – Schooling in Ipoh

By |2011-03-04T10:44:46+08:00March 2nd, 2011|Categories: childhood, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

Here’s part 4 of our series, written by UV.

A photo of the Author, in a Boys’ Brigade uniform during a Methodist Intermediate Fellowship programme.  The American boy in the picture is the son of Bishop Lundey (Lundey was the pastor of Ipoh Wesley Church then). 

Episode 4 – Schooling in Ipoh

I crossed over into secondary school education at the same time Malaya achieved independence.  In January 1958 I entered Form 1.  I was among the elite of ACS Form 1 students, many of whom today are famous professionals or business captains.  Having taken things easy for the last few years in the 2nd class each year, to catch up and change my style of studying was rather difficult. 

In the secondary school I became interested in singing as the teacher in-charge was a charming lady, Ms Wong Suet Lan who was also my Form Teacher.  I joined her junior choir that would sing for some church services.  It was this year too that I took part in a Christmas play and played the role of Joseph.  Of course there would be a Mary and of course my friends would link us together for years to come, but we never became more than just choir mates. 

In the primary school days, my parents would send me to Sunday School conducted by Wesley Methodist Church Ipoh.  Here I obtained my religious education in Christianity.   I was also involved in the Methodist Intermediate Fellowship and the Boys’ Brigade (2nd Ipoh Wesley Company).  I have already selected my path I wanted to follow from those early years.  The Church would become a very integrated part of my youth. 

I took my studies as something that was essential but I would not devote all my time to it.  I decided that my extra-mural activities must also play a very important role in my life.  My parents, thanks to them, left me alone and never pressured me like some modern parents do to their children to just study and do nothing else.  In this way I had a very full and rich life in my lower secondary school days.  It was because of this that I never imposed on my own children the need to just concentrate on studying. 

I never attended a single day of tuition throughout my school life.  My tutors were my fellow classmates who were better in certain subjects than I was and I too became their tutors in subjects I   was better in than they.  You would be surprised that the telephone was a great way to communicate with your classmates to ask for help in doing homework in the late 50s and early 60s. 

Yes, singing was fun.  Parading under the hot sun every Saturday Afternoon when it was not raining with the Boys’ Brigade was great training for discipline.  I had to spend the whole morning on Saturdays to polish my shoe until I could see my face on its surface, polish the metal buckle of my belt, all the metal badges and make sure my shirt and pants were starched stiff and ironed smooth.  After Boys’ Brigade meetings, the whole group of us would then adjourn to the Kidd Road bus station for a cool drink or the famed ABC (Ais Batu Campur or then known as Ice-kacang).  Our mode of transport was our bicycles.  [Some of my BB friends have already contacted me through this website.] 

During the holidays we would go hiking or camping.  The Kinta River was the favourite spot for hiking or camping.  We also attended an all-Malaya gathering of Boys’ Brigade Companies know as the National Boys’ Brigade Parade (same as Jamboree for Scouts).  It would take place in various towns in Malaya.  I attended those held in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and the local one in Ipoh. 

Methodist Intermediate Fellowship was a church organization for youths below 16 years old.  Here we were involved in social activities centred on Christianity.  We had an elected organizing committee like any society with counsellors giving guidance.  Here too we had the opportunity to socialize with girls.  Something other boys my age never had, except for those girls in their neighbourhood.  Many of these girls were from Methodist Girls’ School, Ipoh but there were others from other girls schools too.  Here too developed some puppy love among the boys and girls.

Life was rather interesting in those early days in lower secondary.  I would continue with more interesting  in-depth stories in the coming episodes.

February 2011

The Barber of Belfield Street

By |2017-08-25T15:41:50+08:00February 18th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , |

Today’s feature is none other then the Star Barbershop, at Belfield Street.

 

Star Air-Conditioned Hair Dressing Salon,

97 Belfield Street (now Jalan Sultan Yussuf) IPOH 30000

 

The Star Hair Dressing Salon came into being in 1927, it was started by Megarai Karuppiah with just 2 barbers – Katchiappan and Manickam – and the premises were shared with a Japanese tailor before it was fully owned by the barbers.

It is a very old and well- preserved hair salon, with two 4th generation barbers still working. One of them started working at the salon in the 1953. The exterior of the shop is quite old and the building is old though there were few changes made to the structure of the shop over time. The shop has a unique style of tilted mirrors which run across the right side of the wall when entrance is made

through the front door, according to Thirunavu Karasu a/l Krishnan, the 4th generation barber, the mirrors were tilted for a better view for the customers. Right opposite that wall, there are 2 gorgeous ceramic basins without any damage of cracks over all these years.

There are electric hair trimmer and hair dryers ( Italian made) in the shop though rusty and old but still in working condition. There are few remaining chairs in the shop which look absolutely fine and strong, these chairs were imported from Japan, with the grey embossed letters “TOKYO – TAKEHANA CO – KURAMAE” on the metal frame of the foot rest, where Kuramae meaning “as strong as a sumo wrestler”.

Leaning against the back wall of the shop is a wooden cabinet with slots cut on the drawer fronts. These slots were used by each of the barbers to put in the daily takings from the customers.

Initially there was no electricity supply in the shop, so the cooling used to be provided with a Punkah Wallah to fan the customers before the ceiling fans were installed. Then in 1954, a ducted air-conditioning system was installed which was then replaced by 3 window air-conditioning units after 10 years.

The shop once employed 14 barbers and they used to live above the shop where they were provided with food as well. Their records were adequately kept and at the end of the month, each barber would be entitled to a salary depending on number of haircuts achieved, minus food and laundry allowance.

There is a framed group photograph (above) of all the barbers and the valued customers, hung from the top edge of the mirror and dated 1965. In the centre is Dr. Moreira who would normally ask for a barber to visit him in his office.

The salon has been given a notice from the property owner which means that there has to be end to its service after 84 memorable golden years.

This is a summary of the full story and a great selection of photos submitted by Peter Shaoming Wang. The full story and photographs may be found here.

 

On the left, we have Mr Thiru’s grandchildren. A traditional family they are seen saying their prayers. On the right, is Thiru (today) with his wife and granddaughter, Saathana.

Driving Through the Town

By |2011-02-16T16:34:51+08:00February 16th, 2011|Categories: About Us, Identify Photographs, ipoh, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

Some of our fans out there love old photos. Hence we decided to feature this one on our blog today.

Here’s one of J A S Jennings (Editor of Times of Malaya) and his wife Freda – being chauffeur driven round the town. In the background is the first Times of Malaya Building.

Schooling Days – Episode 3

By |2011-02-11T09:49:31+08:00February 11th, 2011|Categories: childhood, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

Today we’re featuring the 3rd installment of UV’s Schooling Days.

Picture of the ACS Primary Building (from the 1800s), taken from the Kinta Valley book.

 Episode 3

I didn’t do too well in my first year in ACS Ipoh. I was placed in the ‘B’ class the following year. It knocked the pride out of me and possibly the high expectations my parents had of me. It also set me off, young as I was then, to accept disappointments and being taken down a peg or two. I settled in easily in the new ‘B’ stream. Practically all schools stream their students according to their academic performance during that time. There would be class positions and ‘Standard’ positions based on the total marks of all the subjects. So if you are first in class in the ‘A’ stream you may be first in Standard but should there be someone from the other streams obtaining a higher total than you, you may end up being second in Standard. Nobody wants to be the last in class (even in the best class) or worse still, last in the Standard!

It was this system of evaluating a pupil that started this silly race to be academically ‘excellent’ in our Malaysian education system. Parents talked about their children having obtained this or that position in school. “O, my son was first in class”, a proud parent would proclaim proudly while another would sheepishly say, “My son only came out 10th.” So what if he is first or tenth or for that matter last? Is his future determined by the so-called ‘position in class and Standard?

Mixing with boys who ‘were not so clever’ so to speak widened my outlook in life more. It proves to me that I am also someone who is not at the top all the time. My desire to lead a life of a boy in the Fifties just started then. The pressure was off and I could do with the minimum of studies and get by. I started playing games amongst my neighbourhood friends; go on cycle rides every evening and practically the whole day on weekends. Life was great!

I had my first sex education in Standard 4B in ACS Ipoh. There were some ‘naughty’ boys who would tell you tales of ‘sexual exploits’ (more like peeping) that they had experienced and one even showed what masturbation was in class! (I hope I am not censored.). Yes, during the Fifties we were not so fortunate as to get all the pornography via the Internet. It was all related through word of mouth from ‘experiences’ someone had. All the innocent ones (me included) would listened attentively to ‘juicy’ tales from the more ‘experienced’ fellas.

I had a lady class teacher then, Mrs Lee Hoo Keat, the daughter of Mr Aw Boon Jin, our Junior Supervisor. ACS was divided into Primary, Junior and Secondary then. Mrs Lee was a tall lady and would often come to class dressed in ‘samfoo’ (a Chinese form of attire made up of a pair of pants [straight cut] and a short blouse of the same floral cotton material. While she teaches, she would be seated behind her teacher’s desk and she would cross her legs and swing the leg that was placed above the other. Eventually, her shoes, which she put on loosely, would fly off her foot and fly out of her desk region and someone has to send it back to her. The boy seated at the front of the row that was nearest to her desk has this task.

Our English teacher was Mr Aw Boon Jin and we would dread his periods. Every mistake we make would be ‘rewarded’ with a swipe of his thin cane that he carried around across our palm. I learned my English Grammar and spelling very well those days. Even worse would be detention after school for serious and repeated mistakes. I was detained once and my brothers left me behind and I had to walk home. It was a lesson well learned.

History was taught by Mr. Wong Chong Choon (we nicknamed him ‘Choon Toi’ because he was rather mean to us). He would from the first day of his History lesson about the Bronze Age asked us “What is bronze?!” For weeks that would go on and none of us ‘stupid’ fellas could answer him. This would go on for practically a whole term and he would never give us the answer. I think I did not find out exactly what bronze was until very much later. I remembered this teacher in particular also because he made a classmate of ours stand on a chair with his pants off as a punishment! I can’t imagine what would happen to a teacher who does this today!

In Standard 5, I once had a hockey stick landing on my head by a teacher for talking while he was teaching. I too will never forget him. He was Mr. Ng Pak Hing, a brother of the famous Dr. Ng Yoke Hing, Chairman of the Board of Governors of ACS Ipoh. I never told my parents about this incident until I left school. Luckily I must have had a thick skull then. Punishments were dished out in all sorts of forms those days and we do not go crying back to our parents for obvious reasons. Our parents will blame us for being naughty and that was why the teachers punished us. We also took our punishment like a man and would consider it sissy to tell our parents.

In Standard Five, I had a very interesting teacher. He was Mr. Robert Leong. He runs a small shop in Anderson road (half a shop) selling comics and other gadgets. Because of his outside trade, he would tell us fantastic tales from comic characters like Superman and Captain Marvel. These characters come to live the way he told the stories with gestures, facial expressions and ‘sound effects’ (made from his vocal organs only). This would then make us interested in the comics he sold. No, I am not saying he sold them in class too! We would then go out and hunt for them and long for each new one. He was very creative too as he would invent new stories and characters with superpower. Once he told us how his ‘hero’ could fly because he ate lots of onions and let off gas to propel him into the sky!

Yes, we had some interesting teachers then. Soon it was the year for the Secondary School Entrance Examinations. If you fail this examination, you cannot get into Secondary School. You would become a Primary School dropout! The year was already 1957. It would be Merdeka soon. The Examination would be post Merdeka. By the time I was admitted to ACS Ipoh the Primary School Grading System had already been changed. It was from Standard 1 to Standard 6. (Primary 1 and 2 were dropped and the old system of Standard 1 to 9 abandoned. Secondary school started from Form 1 to 5 as it is today with Lower and Upper Six for those who wanted to go further to Universities.)

I took my studies more seriously by then. I spent more time reading and learning but still played a lot with my neighbourhood friends. I continued with my model making hobby and played with self-made toy soldiers and table-soccer. I too was very creative and imaginative in the way I created my own play things and battle scenarios. I use my bed, mattress, blanket and pillows to create battle terrains of various types for my mock battles that would last hours. I love to read war comics. Since my brother-in-law was an ardent fan of those war comics depicting battles of World War II, I had the opportunity to read lots of them. These gave me a very good background of military tactics and strategies and reading books about pilots (Biggles) and war heroes was my craze.

The end result of my taking my studies seriously was I passed very well and for a ‘B’ class boy to end up with the 12th position in Standard was a surprised to my teachers. I remembered Mr. Ng Ah Fook announcing the result to my class and when he called out my name and position and I was not really overjoyed, he showed a shocked face. I had never been excessively overjoyed by any major successes in the academic field no matter how good the results may be. To me, it was merely another hurdle to cross and the next one to face.

ACS, Ipoh

By |2011-02-09T09:36:18+08:00February 9th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, Natural Heritage, People|Tags: , , |

It is said that the main building of the Angle Chinese School (ACS) was ‘erected and opened in 1914’. It was also said to have a ‘landmark, Edwardian-style building’ which stood ‘parallel to Lahat Road’. Interestingly, this building was designed by C H LaBrooy! (for more on ACS, click here)

This picture here was sent to us by Ignatius Chew. Do you recognise anyone?

The Kinta Lodge (1922-1928)

By |2017-07-24T11:42:37+08:00February 7th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, Natural Heritage, People|Tags: , , , |

We have here a picture (sent to us by Phoebe) of the Kinta Lodge. Notice the members in their Freemason Regalia – particularly the interesting designs on the Aprons!

From what we’ve gathered, the first Masonic Hall was along Maxwell Road. The building was later taken over by Anderson School. Then, the Masons moved to their new building (in 1931) along Tiger Lane (this building is still used today).

However, the building shown in this picture seems rather different from the former and latter Lodge. Was this the interim building used while the new Masonic Hall was being built? YOU tell us 🙂

By the way, we are currently putting up a large collection of freemasonry items on our main database all related to one Ipoh planter, Dato’ Ronald Boxall. Just go to http://www.ipohworld.org and search for “All” and “Boxall”. Although all the 150 items are not up yet there is plenty to see there and you may be able to help us improve the descriptions.

The Perak Chinese Recreation Club PCRC

By |2014-10-14T18:25:32+08:00February 3rd, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , , , |

Here we have two pictures from S Y Lee – teams of the Perak Chinese Recreation Club, Chung Thye Phin Road. You will notice the old wooden building in the photo of the footballers. The present building is quite ugly but functional and built at the minimum price.

The Inter CRC Ladies Hockey Champions (1951)

SY says:For the ladies hockey team, I can only remember Ms. Lim Suan Gaik who is standing at the extreme right. She is still around for I saw her a few days back. I remember the Ooi sisters, there were three of them but I can’t remember who are the ones in the photos.”

Ipoh League Champions (1958-1959)

And for the photo of the footballers he says, “I know some of the nicknames but not the actual names except for Mr. Yee Seng Choy, who represented Malaya or Malaysia. He was recruited to Hong Kong as a player. He is second from the front row. Second from the extreme right is Mr. Wong Kam Seng, another national player. My father, Mr. Lee Kang San, is standing at the extreme left.”

Does anyone know more names of these star players, or more about the Recreation Club? If you’re one of them in these pictures, we’d like to hear from you too 😉

 

January 2011

From the Perak Flying Club Album!

By |2011-01-28T10:47:33+08:00January 28th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

Here we have another picture from Robin Tan’s collection. He is seen here (in red) with some friends at the Ipoh Airport. In the background is the Jetfox 97, and on the extreme left is part of the airport’s control tower. As stated in the caption, Tony (white shirt, with shades) used to airdrop payrolls in the 60s (ref. to our previous blog post).

From the smiles on their faces, it must have been a great reunion 🙂

A Tribute to the Late Dato’ K. K. Lim

By |2011-01-27T07:50:56+08:00January 27th, 2011|Categories: ipoh, People|Tags: , , , |

It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of Dato’ K. K. Lim on Thursday last as he has been a great friend and supporter to me over the previous 7-years or more. A tough businessman with a stern exterior, he had a heart of gold when it came to those, often forgotten, elements of a quality life, education, music, dance, drama, art and heritage. It was therefore that without any fanfare or unnecessary publicity, he unfailingly supported them all financially for many years. He was the silent philanthropist who cared about these things and did everything he could to bring culture and quality education to Ipoh, a town often described as a cultural desert. His departure from this world will leave a gap in many people’s lives, including my own.

Personally I have to thank him for supporting the ipohWorld project, based in Tenby Schools, Ipoh. Without his encouragement and sound advice much of the historical information that we have collected over the years would have been lost to the world. As it is we have collected, researched and recorded a large database of local images and facts that are available to students worldwide via the Internet. The database continues to grow daily. Much of this information which covers the ever-disappearing heritage and social history of our area is ignored by the present education system. We therefore fill the gap in our young people’s knowledge of the past and their roots, with information not readily available elsewhere. To continually fund organisations that always run at a loss, simply because he maintained the belief that heritage, social history and the arts were important ingredients in education and, at the same time, would make Ipoh a better place to live, demonstrates his determination to succeed where others had failed. He will be sorely missed. May he rest in peace.

Ian Anderson

The photograph, courtesy of the Lim family shows Dato KK with his wife Datin Stella and one of his grandsons, Tan Zen Ferng.

Schooling in Ipoh – Episode 2

By |2011-08-26T08:26:12+08:00January 24th, 2011|Categories: childhood, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

Here’s the 2nd Episode from UV-Valiant Knight.

 

 Episode 2

 

The Central Mental Hospital, TR. This picture was taken in 1952; the Writer’s mother is seated next to the Matron (an English Lady). 

 

Aerial view of the ACS School, Ipoh

 

Transferring to another location is usually traumatic for some people.  I had to leave Tanjung Rambutan when my mother retired (optional) and we moved to Ipoh.  I had to attend ACS Ipoh, the main school.  This place was large!  One block of this school was already many times the size of my TR Branch school!  Luckily for me, I have three older brothers already in this school.  However, I was the only one left in the primary school as the others were already in the secondary school.
 My eldest brother drove to school and we all packed into the Austin A40 my parents allowed him to drive!  It was our family car, but since my mother was retired and my father away from home (he works with the Home Guards in Batu Gajah at that time), my eldest brother being able to have a driving license, used the car.  We all piled inside every school going day and went to school together.
 Joining a class in Standard Three in the New Year (1954) was not easy for me.  Although I had 3 brothers in school, they were already in the higher classes.  I reported to Mrs. Grace Thong, the Primary Section Supervisor and the first thing she did was to give me a ‘medical’ examination.  One has to unbutton one’s shorts and she would check one’s stomach for worms (to see if one has a bloated stomach) and at the same time make sure you are a boy attending a boy school (Lots of Laugh)!  Then she sent me to my class and the teacher was Mr. Samuel Welch, a young handsome man whose first interest was flying.
 I always remember him telling stories of flying aircrafts using his hands to simulate a flying aeroplane and the most dramatic stories he would narrate were how planes do dogfights and land on aircraft carriers.  He started my interest in aeroplanes and my burning desire to be a pilot when I finish school.  This did not materialize as I had to wear spectacles when I reached Form Five.  However, my interest in aeroplanes, especially war aeroplanes never waned.  I started collect model war aeroplanes (Airfix and other brands) from young and had a very large collection of them.  They were displayed in my room and when I ran out of space on tables, shelves and bureau tops, I strung them up on fishing guts from the ceiling.

 Mr. Samuel Welch later joined the newly formed Royal Malaysian Air Force and became a very high ranking officer before retiring.  He married a woman police officer, Blossom Wong, who became famous when she was the bodyguard of Queen Elizabeth II when she visited Malaysia.

 I remembered the time when Mr. Welch was teaching us English and we were reading from the reader a story about Red Riding Hood and he wanted to dramatize the story.  He got some of us to act out the various parts.  Unfortunately, I was given the role of Red Riding Hood and had a handkerchief for a headscarf and rosy cheeks plastered on by using a red chalk!  From that day, my classmates always teased me and being new and quiet, I was nicknamed a sissy!  I only managed to rid myself of this ‘title’ in Standard Four when I took on the class bully in a fist fight!

 This class bully was much taller and of a bigger size than most of us and he would pick a fight with anyone at any time.  I decided to put a stop to this and decided that the only way to get him out of my back was to fight back.  Fist fight was common in boys schools then.  Disputes would be settled with a fist fight that eventually would end up as a wrestling match.  Usually the weaker boys would be beaten up, have their shirt and pants dirtied or torn, sometimes they would end up with  a black eye or two black eyes, a bloodied nose and swollen cauliflower ears.  I was lucky to end up with a dirtied shirt and had to answer to my parents as to why it was so. 

 Fights in school were not tolerated and if we were to be caught, we could be caned by the Supervisor or the Discipline Teacher.  Mr. Aw Boon Jin was the Junior Primary Supervisor (as he was called then) and he has a thin cane that would land smack on your open palm.  It was a real sting and one would carry the cane mark for at least a day.  One has to hide this from one’s parents or else one would get another caning at home!

 I was saved by the bell that ended our recess (a short break for pupils to ease themselves and have a bite to eat).  Pupils in primary schools usually bring along some packed food from home with a bottle of drink.  Most students then would use a tomato sauce bottle that would contain a pint (we were using the British Measuring System then) of drink.  I love coffee and this was the drink of the family.  Real black coffee from ground fresh coffee beans would go into the brewing of the drink.  I suppose that’s how Ipoh White Coffee became so famous today.  Most Ipoh folks were great drinkers of coffee.  We never had Tupperware then and we make do with containers made of metal that once contained sweets or biscuits.  They were of all shapes and sizes and displayed colourful pictures of people or scenery.

 Big bullies would demand a share of one’s food or drink.  Many pupils would rush to the canteen (also known as the ‘tuckshop’ in ACS Ipoh) to buy some food and a drink.  One could easily get a bowl or plate of noodles/rice for ten cents and a drink for five cents.  In ACS Ipoh then, we had to line up to exchange our coins for tokens (made of metal) and use these tokens to buy food from the various hawkers.  The ‘contractor’ (one who runs the cateen) was the late Mrs. Ng Ah Fook, the wife of a teacher in the school.  Mr. Ng Ah Fook later became the Headmaster of the ACS Primary School.

 There were various stalls in the canteen.  Since recess was short and there were hundreds of us from each session (Lower Primary would have their recess first, followed by Junior Primary and then Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary), the bowls and plates of food would all be dished out and neatly arranged on the counter of each stall and all we had to do was take one and pay with our metal token and go to the side for the soup to be added if it is a soup noodle bowl we took.  There were hardly any changes in menu!  Day in and day out we ate the same stuff.  Next we would queue up for a drink and this was when we had to be very careful not to spill our drinks.  If it should spill on someone, a fight may result there and then and we would not get to eat or drink that day.  Worse still, we would be hauled up for caning.

 To avoid all the hazels, most meek and mild pupils will bring their own food.  After all, home cooked food is always the best and you can sit anywhere to eat.  There was no rules to say one has to go to the canteen to eat.  One could bring any kind of food, too.  There was no such thing as ‘halal’ or ‘haram’ food.

 Most pupils will also use the interval time to ease themselves.  ACS was and still is, notorious for poor toilet facilities.  At my time, there was only a toilet way behind next to the Horley Hall (hostel for outstation pupils) and it was so far away that one had to run there and back if one wanted to eat as well during the break.  Then, it was so small that not all can use it at once and a long queue would result.  Inside was an open system where all the boys would line up on two sides of the building and pee into a drain that runs the length of the building.  Sporadically, water would sprinkle from a lead pipe that runs about 4 feet from the floor and if you are unlucky, water might splash onto your shoes or pants while you are peeing!  The stench was overwhelming.  If you have to do the ‘big one’ you have to wait even longer for your turn and you wouldn’t want to eat after you have finished.  The flush system would not work so regularly for each user!  So the excreta of the previous user would remain while you add yours and so forth.

Yes, life in the Primary School has lots of interesting events.  These are common, I suppose in all schools during the early Fifties.  We only had a few teachers and they taught us various subjects.  Specialization was not common.  Our class teacher would normally teach us the important subjects like English, Mathematics, Geography and History.  For Art we would have a different teacher as this subject needed talent on the teacher’s part.  During my time, there was this old teacher, Mr. Wong Hean Lin who would remain in his Art Room and we would all move to his room to learn drawing and painting.

 Most of the time he would give us a topic for imaginative composition and we spend about two periods producing something on a large piece of art paper.  We had to bring our own pencils, water colour, brushes and water containers (usually a small glass bottle [Brands Essence of Chicken bottles were the first choice then].  After each lesson we had to wash our brushes, palettes and containers and this would be the time for some bullies or cheeky characters to flick their brushes still wet with colours on someone’s shirt or pants.  Here again a fight would start!

 Serious fights might at times occur.  If such a fight was scheduled, it would usually be arranged for the fighters to meet after school behind the famous gymnasium of ACS Ipoh.  This way out corner of the school was selected because it was secluded and out of the way from the school’s office and Principal’s house.  All those with news of the fight would gather and it would be a real show then.  Very often, it would only be stopped when one of the fighters plea for mercy!  It could be rather bloody at times, being fought with bare fists!

 

 

 

 

Cheers to the Cubs!

By |2011-01-17T09:12:52+08:00January 17th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

The Cubs from NTPS, 1960

We thank SK Ong for the above picture. Perhaps some of you out there are in this picture; looking smart in your Cubs uniform and cap 😉 I remember being part of the Red Crescent Society – it took me a while to learn the RIGHT WAY to tie an arm sling! But learning some basic First Aid was quite fun.

Speaking of school clubs, which club/society did YOU join?

Schooling in Ipoh – Episode 1

By |2011-01-14T12:34:35+08:00January 14th, 2011|Categories: childhood, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

We have here a contribution by one of our readers – UV -ValiantKnightHe would like to share with us his childhood memories, especially from his schooling days at the Primary branch of ACS (in Ulu Kinta).  Below is his story, together with a couple of pictures. Happy reading!

S.K. Methodist, Tanjong Rambutan

T.R. Methodist Church

 

Schooling in Ipoh

Episode 1

 Would you believe it if I told you that I started schooling in ACS Ipoh’s branch primary school in Tanjung Rambutan (Ulu Kinta)?  Yes, there is such a place as ACS Ipoh’s branch primacy school then in the early 50s.  This school is now a full fledge primary school.  However, back then, it was only a branch school housed in a church building (TR’s Methodist Church (Chinese) but used by all congregations – Chinese, Tamil and English).

 I went to that school because my mother was a nurse (the first Mental Trained Nurse certified by the Registrar of Nursing, England) in Central Mental Hospital, Tanjung Rambutan (now renamed Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta).  Yes, my siblings and their school going friends were object of teasing and ridicule when they were dropped at their respective schools in Ipoh by the CMH bus!  However, many from this unsavoury place associated with mental disease became famous Malaysians.

 I never had the experience of travelling to Ipoh by this bus.  I was registered in the ACS Ipoh Branch Primary School and my father who was a temporary teacher there took me to school on his bicycle every morning until he left to join the Home Guards during the height of the Emergency.  From that time on, I had to walk about 2 Km from my mother’s nursing quarters to school and I usually take a short cut along the railway track that ran from just behind my house to the front of the school.

 It was safe then to let a 6+ walk alone along a railway track then.  If this happened today, I would not be here to write about it.  I would be joined by a young friend who was the brother of a famous radio announcer later in life.

 There were not too many pupils in the school and there were only 3 classes, Primary One, Primary Two and Standard One (that was how classes were graded then,  it later became Standard One to Standard Six and now it is Year One to Year Six.

 What I remembered about this school most was its horrible toilet!  It was a small outhouse away from the main building and a huge jar (I could barely pee into it being rather short then) where all the boys had to urinate into (to be used by vegetable farmers).  The stench was horrible and flies were in the hundreds.  I refused to go (if possible) and so cultivated the ability to hold on with my bladder full until I reached home each day.  One day, I could not and wet myself and that was a day to remember!  I think my classmates also cannot forget that day to my peril.  However, it taught me a lesson in life.

 When I became a teacher and should a pupil ask me for permission to go to the levorotary I would never deny him or her!  It also taught me that one cannot be in full control all the time and that nature has its way to let us know that it is in control.  A few years later, a friend in class did something worse; he could not hold back ‘the big one’.  I was sitting next to him and one could imagine the stench!  I helped clean up the chair and floor because I was next to him and also I remembered what happened to me a few years before that day.  Of course everyone nicknamed him “Lai See Poh” (a lady that dirtied her pants with excreta)  from that day onwards, but he was OK in life despite that name!

 I am sure many of you did experience this when in school, either as the one performing these acts or had friends in class doing them.  Care to share?

The Teachers of ACS

By |2011-01-05T09:45:43+08:00January 5th, 2011|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

This is the staff of the Anglo-Chinese School (ACS), Ipoh.

Could anyone tell us the year (a rough guess would do too)? And, perhaps if you can remember these teachers – we’d love to hear from you 🙂

I’m sure some of you ACS-alumni out there are already searching your ‘database’!

We thank Joshua Anantham for sending us this photograph.

December 2010

“Come Fly with Me!”

By |2010-12-31T08:38:53+08:00December 31st, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People, Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , |

This was sent to us by Robin Tan. According to Robin, Mr Radcliffe (in white shorts) used to take him sailing when they were not gliding.

Yes! Gliding – as the Kinta Valley was a suitable place, since it was blessed with many hills. Even the climate gave the much needed thermal boost for gliding. Plus, the Ipoh Airport wasn’t so busy then. This was back in the late 50s and early 60s.

Sadly gliding activities in Ipoh slowly died off as the years went by. For those (like me) who have never had the experience, Robin describes it as “…peaceful, serene and quiet way of flying without vibration and noise…” and that “…the only sound you hear is the whistleling of the wind over the wings..”.

Ahh, what bliss! 🙂

‘Thinking-Day’, 1968

By |2010-12-22T07:37:05+08:00December 22nd, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

This was taken at the Ipoh Girl Guides’ Hut (Wisma Pandu Putri), at Greentown – near the Jalan Abdul Jalil football field. The girl guides appear to be dressed in national costumes from around the world, while dancing round the May Pole.

Are you in this picture? Do point yourself out – and maybe tell us more about the costume you were wearing too!

The Brewster Road Fire Brigade

By |2010-12-20T09:45:13+08:00December 20th, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Ipoh Town, Memories, Natural Heritage, People|Tags: , , , |

Remember the old fire brigade at Brewster Road? Here we have two pictures of the fire brigade’s compound – showing the girls from the Main Convent.

These girls were part of the Firefighter Cadets Club, which was established in the school in the 1980s.

The fire brigade has moved to another premise (opposite the Perak Stadium), but the old building still remains. Anyone know what’s become of the old building?

Thank you to Puan Zora, a former student and teacher from the Main Convent, who lent us these pictures!

Tribute to the ‘Voice’ of Ipoh

By |2010-12-17T08:44:19+08:00December 17th, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

We have here the front page of the Times of Malaya, dated 7 December 1936. Yes, the Times of Malaya was Ipoh’s FIRST NEWSPAPER – which began publication in 1904. Two years after its first publication, the paper welcomed a new Editor; none other than J A S Jennings (picture below).

For the next 30 years or so, Ipoh (and Perak too!) regarded Jennings as their ‘voice’ – Jennings was particularly concerned about the social happenings in his adopted home state of Perak. Sadly, after his passing the paper declined. It was eventually bought up by the Straits Times Press Pte Ltd.

We thank Nicholas Jennings (grandson of J A S Jennings) for sharing these pictures with us.

MORE Pretty Girls from Ipoh!

By |2010-12-13T11:32:49+08:00December 13th, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Museums, People|Tags: , , |

Here we have Miss Telekom (centre), with the 1st and 2nd Runners-up. This was back in the 1950s. Do you remember them?

The winner and queen of the contest is Ms Asmah and her runner up on the right is Lee Lai Quan (or Kwan). Can anyone give us the name of the other runner up please?

Are they still around? Perhaps……one of the contestants is reading this right now? 😉

SMI – Std 6 D, from 1969

By |2010-12-08T09:33:35+08:00December 8th, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

After ‘reuniting’ those from ACS, Anderson and NTPS Pasir Puteh……we’re now calling out to the “Sons of St Michael’s Institution ” !

Here we have Std. 6 D, all the way from 1969. Come on, Michaelians….don’t be shy. We KNOW some of you out there might have been in this class. Do point yourselves out…and maybe tell us about your fellow classmates too 🙂

Std. 5C, 1968 – from the Anglo-Chinese School, Ipoh

By |2010-12-01T08:49:07+08:00December 1st, 2010|Categories: Identify Photographs, ipoh, Ipoh Town, Memories, People|Tags: , , |

The Anglo-Chinese School (ACS) was the first English school (and first Christian mission school too!) in the Kinta Valley. This school was established by the Methodist Episcopal Mission in 1895. It was said that just five days after his arrival, Rev W E Horley opened ACS in a small attap-roof Malay house rented from Datoh Panglima Kinta Muhammad Yusuff.

Here we have Std. 5C, from 1968. Our donor Mr Sundralingam is somewhere in the picture. What about you? I’m sure we have some former ACS boys out there (especially from this class!). What about the teachers shown here – are they still around?

November 2010

It’s PARTY-TIME!

By |2010-11-24T09:00:42+08:00November 24th, 2010|Categories: ipoh, Ipoh Town, People|Tags: , , , , |

Calling ALL Convent-Alumni!!!

As stated in the flyer, there will be a Christmas Party on 11th December 2010, organised by the Convent Old Girls Association (COGA). This party will be at the Convent Primary Hall, from 4 pm till 7 pm. Besides good food and some fun games, this is a chance to revisit your dear alma mater; maybe even a time to catch up on the latest! We were also told that Convent’s very own band – Tradimode – will be performing too.

Those interested may contact Florina Ng, the Convent Music Teacher. Start marking your diaries, girls!!

Perak Lost Living Heritage Exhibition

By |2010-11-26T21:19:44+08:00November 21st, 2010|Categories: ipoh, Memories, People|Tags: , , , |

Now this is one event you really must take your children to. Many of the people you will see practising their skills are the last of the line as nobody is prepared to continue their trade. Consequently it may be the only time that your children will get to see this in real life. It’s a “Must Go” event, so even if you have seen it all before don’t rob the younger generation of their once in a lifetime opportunity.

Don’t forget

27th November until 5th December daily, 11.00am to 6.00pm, at

The Garden Villa, No 5 Gopeng Road

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