Br. John takes a trip down memory lane

Br. John Deeney’s recent visit to the blessing of the Brothers’ cemetery at Dogmersfield Park brought back memories of his time at the House of Formation.

STEP INTO LUXURY                                                                                  

Br John Deeney

We walked across the soggy ground and out from under the dripping trees – into warm corridors with polished tiles and to rooms with thick carpets, chandeliers and tables laden with coffee pots and plates  of fluffy scones accompanied by dishes of whipped cream, lemon curd and strawberry jam. Lovely, but why were three Brothers patronising a 4 star hotel?

We had attended the annual blessing of the Brothers’ cemetery at Dogmersfield Park along with some people from the local parish. What is now a large, smart hotel used to be the House of Formation for the Brothers from 1955 until 1973.

Br Bernard Conroy had helped to lay out the cemetery in 1962 and I had studied there from 1962 to 1965. Br Michael Curran is a later generation and it was his first visit to Dogmersfield. The older part of the house is a remaining wing of an 18th century mansion/small palace topping a rise and enjoying extensive countryside views.

The winter of 1962-63 was particularly harsh with thick snow on the ground from Boxing Day until March and the country scoured by freezing north winds. The primitive heating system and the draught-prone sash windows meant that we had to move out of north-facing rooms as our fingers were too cold for us to write.

The icy lakes and canal and the huge sculpted snowdrifts were some compensation when we had free time but we also spent hours clearing a path around the extensive property.

There were approaching 50 Brothers living in the house. In milder months we grew fruit and vegetables, tended bees and flower beds, mowed lawns and played football and tennis. All very memorable. “Were you happy here?” asked one of the parishioners. There were ups and downs, challenges and questioning, and very early rising, but overall yes; the years were formative, rich with learning and threaded with enjoyable experiences, not forgetting the most important aspect, our crucial spiritual growth.

After the departure of the Brothers a wing of the house burnt down and the building became a business centre and finally a Four Seasons Hotel. The management welcomed us and provided the drinks and scones after the service.

We could admire the way in which the building had been extended, at great expense, in keeping with the style of the original. There are now also a health spa, swimming pool, sauna, restaurants, room service and all sorts of luxuries undreamed of by student Brothers. Would we exchange our youthful memories for the current comforts? We were certainly happy to have visited but would not have wanted to exchange our past even for saunas, scones and lemon curd.