SOUTHAMPTON LOCAL MEET 1994 - Small Reunion Trial

In 1994 a trial local meeting was held in Southampton, where 6 members - Cliff Blake, Les Duhigg, Bob Fowler, Peter Gregory, Roly Hewett and Rod Lowrence met in The Red Lion.   Five stayed to dine, and drinks were non alcoholic or coffee.

Unfortunately the rain came , so a visit to The Hall of Aviation was forgotten, and chat lasted to 3.30 pm, when the last three left for a tour of the car parks in a taxi.

Allinson, Brennan and Jones were otherwise engaged and tendered apologies, otherwise there would have been 9 of us.

NEWBURY REUNION 1997 - Largest Reunion

Held at the Jarvis Elcot Park Hotel, Newbury, on the 4th/5th April 1997.

Ager (2), Blake (1), Brennan (2), Doherty (2), Dufeu (2), Duhigg (2), Fowler (Bob) (2), Gregory (2), Harries (2), Hewett (2), Holloway (2), Jones (2), Maddox (2), McKie (2), Ron Pierce (1), Pughe (2), Readman (1), Rowe (2), Wardrop (2).

Our 19 gents and 16 ladies enthused over the choice of hotel.  As hotels go, this one was quiet, with no passing traffic, noisy kitchen fans, or disco sounds reaching the rooms.   I had printed a programme in advance giving times & places for meals, and all our names, but it never reached a finalised state due to last minute changes.   On the Friday, a wedding reception led us to being asked to delay our sherry reception and dinner by half an hour.   This didn't seem to matter, as we gathered in the lounge instead of the conservatory, and soon everyone was chatting away.   By 8pm we were chomping at the bit, but the restaurant manager kept to his revised schedule, and we were in, seated in eights at four round tables.

On Saturday most people went their own way to visit a nearby town or similar.   I had proposed an optional afternoon group excursion to Mapledurham House & Watermill.   Several people got there, but it was rather a navigational exercise to find the place.   Mapledurham is an isolated pocket of countryside between the A4074 and the Thames, just NW of Reading, which is often used for film and TV settings, with temporary buildings being erected as necessary.   It has been used for "The Eagle has Landed", "Inspector Morse", and "Sharpe."   The only interference is from passing aircraft and trains.   The outing would have been pleasant if it hadn't been for the cold wind.   This worsened towards evening so it really wasn't possible to get everyone outside for a formal photograph.

 Before the celebration dinner, everyone was milling around in anticipation rather too early, while we still trying to sort out the seating plan, and display it for all to see.  At Roly's suggestion I ensured that people did not sit in the same group as on the previous evening, but I then left them to choose their own positions around each table.  With two additional couples, we formed four flights of nine around the tables.  A small voice complained "I wasn't in that flight!"

The menu was Melon with Sorbet & Fruit Coulis, Salmon in Dil & White Wine Sauce, Chicken with Mushroom & Truffle Sauce, Brandy Snap Basket filled with Syllabub, plus the wine.   I found it all perfect in amount & quality, and did not see a plate with a scrap left on it.

Dave Harries proposed "The Queen", Bill Maddox "Absent Friends" and Derrick Du Feu "The Ladies".   Finally, with some humour and a little sadness, Bill Holloway gave a short reflection on members' lives and achievements.

Coffee was served in the lounge, and again it wasn't necessary to organise entertainment as everyone was now well acquainted.   Later at the end of the evening, the men did tend to drift into the bar, while the ladies preferred to stay in the lounge.   I think virtually all our guests had a relaxing sociable time, and I was pleased with the way things had gone.

Flt Sgt Hoper sent a Reunion Greeting [February 1997]

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