The letter by Fr Thomas Moore (August 30) stimulated dormant thoughts and reminiscences of Floriana.

Floriana citizens have collected memorabilia of the locality. They include two recent books about the parish church. Both raise its merits to heavenly heights. One is Il-Knisja ta’ San Publju fil-Furjana: storja u arti. Unfortunately, the correspondent forgot the one written by Fr Alexander Bonnici, Il-Floriana fil-mixja nisranija tagħha.

This book records the life of the Church from its foundation to its destruction and eventual reconstruction. Above all else, the generosity of the Floriana people predominated even though poverty had assailed most families for many years. Unfortunately, Floriana had lost many families who had moved to pastures new for better accommodation. Nevertheless, their ardent love never died. Their parochialism is still proverbial.

One institution that had made old timers return frequently from ‘abroad’ was the organisation known as the Fsobians (Floriana School Old Boys Association), which operated from a two-roomed premises. Remaining members, like Stephen Tonna, still reach out to those no longer resident in Floriana. The newsletter Il-Furjana has kept members well informed. The newsletter was born when the club was set up.

The premises were always well frequented. It was the rendezvous for young and old alike. However, it is a mystery how the premises have slipped out of the hands of ardent members. One local council after another failed to make any effort to reinstate it.

If the local council were to do so it would provide a service that would be much appreciated. It would bring back the spirit of its founder, Emmanuel Tonna. Perhaps, his impeccable organisation and foresight will pervade over the club once more.