RE-UNION 13th OCTOBER
2007
SERGEANT'S MESS, RAF HENLOW.
The Reunion started at the RAF Signals Museum, the Curator Alf
Fisher and a number of volunteers who run the museum gave up their Saturday afternoon
to open up the building and welcome us in.
About 45 people paid a visit to view the exhibits on display and to exchange information
about the various items of equipment. There was a lot of lamp swinging going on all
afternoon as people's memories were kicked into play by the sight of the static
displays.Sadly the museum does not have very much by way of aerials etc. It would be
nice to see a couple of aerials and masts etc erected on the grass outside the museum.
Alf and his merry men have done a superb job with the limited funds at their disposal.
When one stood outside the museum and looked around it was amazing to see how much
of the Henlow which we had all known had disappeared under the attentions of the
bulldozers and the scrap merchants. The railway lines have gone, all the wooden huts
we knew so well have disappeared, the large hangars are no longer there and many of
the other temporarily permanent buildings have finally vanished. But I have to admit it
does look a lot nicer now, even the grass seems greener.
The evening got started with the free bar opening at 18-30hrs and everyone poured in.
The mess was beautifully laid out, with tables set ready for the buffet and we had full
use of the function room as well as the bar and the dining room.
The buffet was,
in my opinion, the best buffet we have ever had at any of the reunions held so far.
Everyone I spoke to was full of praise for the food. The mess catering staff really
did us proud.
Unfortunately the music man was unable to attend due to another engagement but he had
left the equipment out for us to use. Eddie Bellamy set it up with some background music
for us and I don't think anyone missed the exercise period. They were all too busy
talking and lamp swinging to do any dancing.
The bar staff were very fast, efficient and pleasant. At one of the earlier reunions
which shall be nameless,the bar staff all looked as though they were doing community
service, rather than serving customers.
The Free bar worked well and with Sergeant's mess prices the free beer fund lasted all
evening and the small amount left over when the bar closed at 01-00hrs was donated to
mess charities.
I have written to Noel Jones the mess manager passing on our thanks
for the superbly organised fuction he and all his staff laid on for us.
A highly successful and nostalgic reunion, Roll on 2009.
Reunion September 2005
The latest reunion took
place at The Atrium in Lincoln University on the 3rd September 2005. Full details of the
"Doooo" will be sent out to all members in the next Update.Some details will be omitted
to prevent embarrassment to certain members.
A dummy run of the reunion took place in
the Marriott Hotel on the Friday evening when a large group of riggers was discovered
lurking in the bar. It was 01-00hrs before the barman was allowed to close up.
The event proper commenced at 18-30 hrs when the Free Bar opened, funded by several very
generous donations and the money left over after all the bills had been paid. In all
£600 was handed over at the start of the evening and as the prices were very reasonable,
lasted longer than expected. Having draught keg Bitter and Lager this time proved a big
hit.
The food was excellent and the serving arrangements were brilliantly organised by the
gentleman in charge. He proved to be Ex-RAF but sadly not a rigger.
Unfortunately the PA system which we had requested did not arrive making it necessary to
shout out the messages etc. Not everyone was able to hear what was said.
Chick Denson and his wife Daphne brought along lots of photographs and information about
their Patuwatha Project. A number of our members have now signed up to sponsor a Patuwatha
child.
At Pete Morris's suggestion (who also gave a major prize) a raffle was organised, aided
and assisted by many of the wives, which raised over £390 for the project.
The Orderly Officer, F/O McGivena, and the Orderly Sgt. visited all the tables but no
complaints were received. The Orderly Cpl, Cheerful Charlie Morrison, was put under close
arrest as he was too drunk to carry out his duties, having consumed a whole case of Tiger
which he had won in the raffle.
Breakfast in the Marriott Hotel and the University Dining Room next morning, I'm told,
was rather a sombre affair. Although numbers were down this time, all reports received so
far indicate that it was another very good reunion and thoroughtly enjoyed by all who
attended. Roll on 2007.
Back to Top
PAST
RE-UNIONS
4th
Re-union September 2003
Held at the
University of Lincoln.
The day
started out with our excursion to the Aerial Erector School and to
Stenigot Tower. Everyone started to assemble outside the Marriott Hotel at
12:30hrs and by 13:00 the last detachment led by two colonials who had
been prized out of the Horse and Groom pub after being forced inside to sample
the real ale!
When we
arrived at R.A.F. Digby, we were escorted to the Aerial Erector School for
a fascinating visit exploring all the classrooms, offices and even the
stores. Members of the School staff were in every room to explain all the
various equipment now in use.
After other
tours around the Station, we were headed off to Stenigot. On arrival, we
were given a quick talk on Safety and Working at Heights in the R.A.F.
Today before those who wished to were issued with safety helmets and
allowed to climb up to the 50/60ft Platform. I think most of us including
several wives or 'significant others' made it up there with a certain
amount of huffing and puffing.
|
Stenigot
360ft Tower
|
|
Veteran
Riggers
|
There were
a lot of very happy riggers up there.
It was a
great afternoon out, and we were all treated 'right royally'. everyone was
reluctant to leave, so there was a frantic dash back to Lincoln to get
ready for the evening bash.
Grateful
thanks go to Paul Robbins, Mark Hartley, Martyn Clayton, John Summerson,
Mark Austin and Woo Davies and everyone at the School for making our day.
For the
dinner, there were 145, although a few last minute people hadn't got any
places, but they just waited at the bar - would you believe! they were
then joined by the Aerial Erector School Staff whom we had invited along
for a later part of the evening. At one point, the bar almost ran
out of beer! Until further supplies arrived, but we did manage to drink
them out of tonic water.
Everyone
had a great time, and the 2005 DOOO will be very difficult to top this
one!
