JERSEY REUNION AUGUST 2003 - Battle of the Flowers

 Eight members and six wives were in Jersey for the Battle of Flowers.   Ager (2), Blake (1), Doherty (2), Dufeu (2), Hardon (2), Harries (2), Maddox (1) and Wardrop (2).

Monday 11th

I arrived around 8 pm at "Peacehaven", Derrick & Margaret's house, to be greeted at the gate - bedecked with two small union flags - by the eight already there.   Bill welcomed me with a short semaphore message, and I read "CB" - my initials - big cheer!   I then joined the group drinking and chatting on Derrick's lawn for the evening.

Tuesday 12th

Derek & Margaret kindly took Bill M and myself to the German underground hospital "Ho8" in tunnels dug by slave labourers during the occupation.   With the hot weather outside, it was a nice cool place to be.   With each ticket you get a copy of a German identity card for a prisoner, so that in the restaurant you can look up their "offence & fate".   It so happened that I got the card of Joe Miere who had set up the collection, and was sitting close by signing cards.   Before signing my card he corrected eye-colour, hair colour, and DOB.   He is now 77 with moustache and pipe.   Several of his relations were involved in unapproved activities, like smuggling food and tools.

We then went on to Hamptonne Country Life Centre for a salad lunch and look around.   The old farm has just a few animals, and vegetable garden.   We listened while a lady-from-the-past told us the history and features of the building.   Every time she mentioned "Guernsey" she then spat.   

In the evening 12 of us met up on Derrick's lawn for tea and cake, before going on to Gorey to dine at the Castle Green Hotel.   The castle on the coast was softly illuminated.   Then it was back to Peacehaven for drinks and chat.

Wednesday 13th

I went on the bus to St Helier, and visited the Maritime Museum and Jersey Museum, but omitted the Occupation Museum.   The Maritime also houses occupation tapestry panels.   The Maritime was very interactive.   A chap of about 20 or so was trying to assemble a model hull, with superstructure, sails, ballast weights, and then got it to float the length of a long narrow tank.   It kept turning over and his girl friend was jeering and laughing.   As I got there he had managed to get the right combination, but his lady friend had simply moved on.   As he put the parts back he glanced at me watching, so I said "Bravo!" and he excitedly responded with "Oh!   Thank you very much - thanks lots!"   Had a meal and drink in the Dog and Sausage.   Also brought a Jersey badge to stick on my suitcase - the badges make it easy to identify on a carousel, and help to prevent it being taken by mistake.    Margaret & Derrick cooked an excellent "Reunion" evening meal which was eaten in their garden, with the 8 lads at one table and the 6 lasses at their own adjacent table.   It was all informal without toast or speeches.   Afterwards we retired inside to spend the evening chatting and drinking.

Thursday 14th

Thursday saw the 14 of us lunching at the Bar Cafe in St Helier, where there was a free Web-surfing computer, and I was able to call up and show the RAFCAA Website - with it's 0M1 page.   Then we strolled to our Battle of Flowers seats, opposite the VIP stand with the Island Lieutenant Governor - Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire KBE CB - who opened the proceedings.   We waved to Derrick's descendants on their float, and Dave H also waved enthusiastically to the pretty young ladies - probably reminiscing about days half a century ago.   We dined at the Shakespeare Hotel, and again returned to Peacehaven to drink and chat.   Dave kindly proposed a formal toast to "Absent Friends" - I expect Nobby Clarke & Dave Edwards, along with Tony Kent, Rod Lowrence and Les Duhigg would have loved to be with us.

Friday 15th

Derrick, Bill and myself went to the Pallot Steam Museum, where they actually collect anything mechanical.   Then we nipped up to Rozel Bay for a crusty BLT roll and a tea.   Lovely views from there.   We went back to look for a wood centre shown on the map, but it had become a riding stable, so instead we went to a woodcraft workshop at Samares Manor.   Bill brought a bookmark listing a timber-related zodiac, and asked what a "Whitten Tree" was.   Derrick and I found it on the Web as "Viburnum Opulus" plus many other names - it is used medicinally as a muscle relaxant.   The Blacksmith Arms was crowded, and we sat as 8 + 4, before again returning home to drink and chat.

Saturday 16th

Derrick & Margaret took Bill & myself up the west coast to see the rugged scenery, along with old castles, and German gun emplacements, bunkers and a range finder.   We gathered as usual in the evening, and as it was Anne's birthday, we had conjured up a card and a box of chocs.   Then there was a surprise change-of plan.   We cancelled the dinner booking at an Inn, and simply crossed the road to the Du Feu beach hut.   Derrick went off for some fish & chips, while boules or petanque was played on the sand.   Dave seemed to be an expert player, with Wendy second and Margaret third.   It was getting dark so we went inside the hut - and this is where it became eerie.   Derrick lit a Tilley lamp which was low on paraffin so needed frequent pumping, and we played cards in the dark shadow under the low lamp.   I didn't grasp how  to play the first game, but  managed to get a glimmer of the rules for the second game.   Need I say that we finally retired to the house for drinks & chat?

Sunday 17th

By now, most members of the party had departed, so Bill and I were invited with Dicky & Wendy to visit Derrick's son Tim.   In times past Mr & Mrs Doherty had taken young Tim swimming and taught him the rudiments.   As "that young Jersey lad" shuffled past my bed at Cranwell, I little realised that in 55 years time I'd meet his son of twice his age then.   Just the 6 of us were left to dine out together on the last evening.

Monday 18th

Sadly all good things must come to an end, and Dicky & Wendy were the last to leave.

Copyright © 2006.   RAF Cranwell Apprentices Association.   All rights reserved

Contact Webmaster at: webmaster(AT)rafcaa.org.uk
The RAFCAA is Registered under Charities Act 1960 - No. 1007716

This page was last updated on 6th April, 2007