RECENT EVENTS

October 2010 - Bob and Keith

 

Keith and Lin Tippey were on their way to Bodelwyddn Castle in North Wales for a 'Boogie & Jive weekend' in celebration of Keith's 69th birthday.

As they were passing very close to the Heyhoe's at lunchtime, Bob's local hostelry made a very opportune half-way stop-off.

 

This was a very brief lunch time get-together with Bob and Ann but cleverly arranged so that Keith could stock up on some of Bob's famous local brews, Bollington 'Chili' Nights and Bollington Stout. Naturally it was deemed essential that several of the other brews were sampled whilst on the premises.

 

Unfortunately, after a very enjoyable couple of pints, and four very generous lunch platters, everyone had to dash off in different directions for more pressing matters.

 

The '13-5' Club - Sept 2010
'Ginge' Sprinks's Birthday Bash

It was Sooties Galore when Ginge celebrated his 69th during the Halton Triennial. Prior to the parade the lads of Block 13 Room 5 gathered outside their old quarters for a photo shoot. Ginge decided to continue the gathering and organised pre-dinner drinkies in his hotel room to celebrate his remarkable achievement of making it this thus far.

Naturally the party was conducted in the manner that brats know best - that is to say two or three (or was it four or five) bottles of exceptional wine from Phil's extensive and exquisite cellar.

As word got round, this very small hotel room was rapidly filled to overflowing with all his 'old' Room 5 Block 13 mates and an interloper from across the landing - the 'Croc' is, of course, well known for his sniffing out a booze up. The overflow continued into the bathroom where there was limited sitting space.

The gathering comprised Ginge and Jackie Sprinks, Bob and Ann Heyhoe, Keith and Lin Tippey, 'Taff' and Lynda Lewis, Frank Denton-Powell and Lucette, 'Scouse' and Sue Moore, Bill Carman and Ted Mitchell.

A pretty good looking bunch of camp followers even put on a cabaret in an unsuccessful attempt to get their glasses recharged.

 

The '13-5' club will continue in the new year when it is hoped that all 14 room mates, complete with a few camp followers, will be able to attend a special reunion.

 

A GATHERING OF SOUTHERN BRATS

 

On Friday 9th July David Price arranged a get-together at Shalford (south of Guildford) at the “Seahorse” PH. The assembled guests all enjoyed themselves as you can see from the picture here. The attendees were: Bernie & Yvonne Leverette; Dick & Ann Maughan; Neil & Julia Thompson; Dave & Margaret Price; Tony Watson on his own and Charles & Elaine Collier. The Seahorse meal provided was to the highest standard of quality and taste but not as expensive as meals of that kind sometimes are! So, it is always good to know where the best places are and the town of Shalford is well endowed with this excellent restaurant.

Spring 2010

Newark Air Museum V-Bomber Reunion

 

On the Friday afternoon, in superb weather, those who had long distances to travel to reach the Reunion (and some who had shorter distances but who appreciated good company!) gathered at the Premier Inn on the outskirts of Grantham for introductions and an excellent meal, with lots of chat and exchanging of photographs. After breakfast on the Saturday the car convoy headed off along the A1 for a 20 minute drive to the Newark Air Museum, where we were joined by most of the remainder of the group, under the nose of Vulcan XM594.


This museum has over 60 aircraft on display (most of them in the hangars), including some extremely rare and interesting specimens, as well as nose & cockpit sections of aircraft, and lots of supporting technical material and equipment. The staff and volunteers are extremely friendly and welcoming, and the facilities are good, with two cafes (although almost everyone sat outside for their drinks and eats, enjoying the sunshine), and a well-stocked memorabilia and book shop. The two versions of the Flogger (Mig 23 and Mig 27) provided interesting examples of Soviet styles in aircraft design in comparison to the British types. Throughout the day there was a Reunion of V-Bomber personnel in one of the hangars, with recruiting staff for groups now forming to commemorate not only the three types of aircraft but also their various squadrons and bases. We additionally had the chance to talk with the authors of many of the classic books on the V-Force.


We re-gathered at 1300, by which time everyone who had booked had arrived (with the exception of two Plumbers and one Rigger!), so we were able to introduce everyone and pose for the traditional group photograph.

 

Left-to-Right (* back row): Paddy & Janina Carver*, John Rowland, Jane Weller*,
Pam Rowland, Barbara Nowell, Dickie Bird, Malcolm Smith*, Baz Nowell, Old Man Parker,
Arab Dunthorne*, Pete & Rose McClarnon, Janet & Frank Rayner, Ruby Logan,
Geoff Logan*, John Haimes. Photographer: Sam Weller.

 

A later arriving surprise for all but the organisers was a new Member, Tony “Taff” Hancock, who had only been located through details provided by Vic Wise on the Thursday evening, with Tony making up an Octet of Plumbers (swelled to a Nonet that evening by another new Member, Min Munson). There was a short, low level flying display by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota, with everyone commenting on the genteel tone of the engines in comparison with the usual thunder kites. As the afternoon ended, the Day Trippers headed off home, whilst the increased hotel group headed off to Grantham.


In the evening there was another excellent meal, and another chance for a group photo which, this time, included Reg Bartlett, and Min & Jenny Munson (first to third on the left). After the meal there were yet more files of photos and stacks of reminiscences and updating on activities, before Members staggered across to the hotel and bed (in the morning, no-one would admit to being the source of the cry of “Get those lights out, Block 15”!).

 

 

After a late breakfast, some had to head off home early, but the remainder drove in convoy to Belton House to tour the grounds and the magnificent house itself, before we all split up to wend our ways home in the afternoon.

 

This seems to have been a great weekend for all of the Members involved, and with us having five recently-joined Members it was great to hear of some of the grand achievements which those Members had made and to listen to the exciting adventures which they had experienced, with all of this clearly being inspired by the standards of excellence which the Trenchard Scheme encouraged so well. Many of those present, and others, are now looking forward to the Annual Reunion, at Halton in September.

 

Page last updated 1st September 2010