Pricey’s take on his first school formal

Pricey tells how he never had a school formal, until now. Read his charming tale here.

Cathedral School formal 2020. Pricey and Angela Hodson. Picture: Evan Morgan

I never had a formal … in fact I don’t even have formal clothes, I doubt whether I’ve even had a formal meeting, I’m simply not invited to them.

I’m extremely informal.

It’s the way of the tropical world I reckon, except for one very important ‘formal’, that one particular day the kids look forward to all their school lives, that day to celebrate the end of school, the end of a hopefully wonderful era, and then celebrating the leap into the great unknown …. or ‘looking after yourself’.

Good luck, I’ve failed at it for years, ask Mum.

Though I did stay home until I was 30! Joking, I got the hint when my school lunch kept getting wrapped in road maps.

It’s an experience leaving home, buying your own food, furniture, sheets, food, bean bag (1) which was also the lounge suite, food, TV, beer, stuff you wash clothes with, fridge, food, a broom thing, actually pay for power rent and food, bus, beer, and what else … oh and food.

Yes it’s such fun. I’d suggest staying home until you buy your first house.

This may of course not go down too well with a couple of close family members, but so what, they’ll get over it. Maybe.

Amazing arrivals at Cathedral School formal

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My dear Dad was quite indifferent. “Do what you want,” he’d say. “Let him learn,” he’d say to Mum. But every Sunday when I brought the washing home, yes I did and you probably did too. Strangely enough my back pack when I left was always so heavy, was weird, until I arrived home at my flat, and found 10 cans of food.

Dear Dad.

I knew exactly which flat was mine, didn’t need to know the number, just followed the ants, flies and the smell of dirty clothes.

So as I watched the kids at the Ville all dressed up, eyes wide with anticipation of the next adventure, and simply loving every moment of the special evening, I guess I was a little envious.

Seeing the proud Mums and Dads, the look of wonder as they realise the child has gone, but hoping a touch of ‘childhood’ remains forever.

Maybe it’s a new adventure for them too eh. But like many, I had no formal, left school early with family stuff, and had to search for a job, with difficulty.

But that’s the way it was for so many. But last Friday night, I finally had a formal, I was given something so very special that many blokes like me simply don’t get.

My dear mate Colin was called away and could not take his daughter to the Formal.

He was shattered, but he and Anne Marie asked me to take lovely Angela their daughter, to her Cathedral School formal. How sensational.

I cannot thank you enough, it was an honour to accompany her on this her very very special night.

I know all the formals were wonderful, but driving with our Chauffeur John in the small rocket car called a Cobra, line ups of teachers and Mums and Dads waiting, this night was incredible for Angela, but for someone who’d never had anything like that, it was so very moving, and I thank the Hodson family so very much.

I wonder if we who never had a Formal, have one, an adult formal, and the kids take us. And pick us up after!

Happy days.

Originally published as Pricey’s take on his first school formal