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RE-UNIONS

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.

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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!

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3rd Re-union November 2001

Held at the Royal Armouries Museum Leeds where 160 people had a lively evening.

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2nd Re-union November 1999

Held at the Air Museum where 149 attended.

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1st Re-union November 1997

Held at the Halifax Room Yorkshire Air Museum near York (Ex R.A.F. Elvington).

123 riggers plus wives, girlfriends, live-in lovers etc. had a fantastic evening.

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GOLF

RIGGERS OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 2008

The Riggers Open Golf Championship took take place on Thursday 19th June 2008 at the Boston West Golf Club, Boston, Lincolnshire.
The Rigger's Champion was decided over an 18 hole Stableford format with the winner being awarded the much coveted Rigger's Green Jacket.
Here is a a report and the results sent to me by John Summerson.

Competition Results

1st place.

Kevin Smith   44 points

Winner of the Green jacket

2nd place

Mark Keen

3rd Place.

Eddie Walsh

4th Place.

Dave Crooks

5th Place.

Darren Smith

After Bacon butties a 9 hole Texas scramble Fun competition was held during the morning. Grahame Cooke, Carl Hill, Rob Hitchen and Chris Salmon came home the eventual winners.
After lunch the serious side of the event was evident as the coveted Rigger's Jacket was decided by 18 holes of Stableford golf, temperatures were now around 20 degrees and the wind was picking up which would make the back nine more challenging (for some).
Smithy was the first player home with a score card worth checking, scoring a very credible 37 points and eventually finishing in 5th place. After that there were the usual Riggers rumours of others with exceptionally high scores. Eddie Walsh was reported to be having the round of his life along with Mark Keen who had come back from Cyprus to have a bash at golf. Both finished in 3rd and 2rd places respectively. Dave Crooks turned out for the first time in a number of years and was very close, finishing in 4th place and being the top Old Hairy, you wouldn't believe he is 60!
But the dark horse turned out to be Kevin Smith from Leeming, scoring a massive 44 points to prise the Jacket from last years winner Tony Pells. Kevin was last seen signing autographs in the Silver Maple Club in between swinging his new club.
As usual George Burrell was last Old Hairy out of the bar, he also got back to his digs courtsey of the Snow Drops!   Twice!    Nothing new there then!   Jean and Archie Stoddard also managed to make it back to Digby for a couple of wets and renewed acquaintances with a few old faces.
A grand total of 38 Riggers and Ex-Riggers attended, not a bad turn out and No Fights either.
Thanks to all those that turned up and made the day what it is supposed to be. A bloody good day out with some old and new friends.
Thanks must go to all at Boston West Golf Club for daring to have us back again and to John Summerson and the Staff at the Aerial Erector School who put it all together.
See you all next year, rumour has it that the Leeming lads are going to organise it!!!


RIGGERS OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 2007

The Riggers Open Golf Championship took place on Thursday 7th June 2007 at the Boston West Golf Club, Boston, Lincolnshire.

Here is a report and the results from our Special Correspondent Phil Major.

The format for the day included a nine hole Texas Scramble team event in the morning followed by a light lunch before the main competition, which was played as an 18 hole Full Stableford event.
After much debating and doctoring of handicaps, playing partners were selected and tee times were allocated, with the usual slow fourball of Eddie Walsh, Kev Smith, Mark "Glassback" Keeney and Scott Hughes bringing up the rear.
There were very few spectacular shots with the exception of Darren Smith who took all weather conditions into consideration before striking the sweetest shot from the sixth tee...straight into the water!!
Frustration was clear all over the course and Dave Cann did a good job of getting rid of most of his balls in between chuntering about slow play
As the day wore on, it became clear that Tony Pells was indeed of Mexican descent and he played extremely well to card a score of 38 points, which was going to be hard to beat. As the groups finished the 18th and made their way to the clubhouse for a slap up carvery (and a few quiet beers!) the scores were punched into the computer for verification. At one point, there was a new leader in Tez Pead, but after seeing the leaderboard, he quickly reminded the scoring team that they had in fact given him the wrong handicap and Tony could breathe a sigh of relief at being crowned the Riggers Open Champion 2007.
Thanks must go to Boston West Golf Club for their presentation of the course and the excellent food and hospitality. Also thanks to Carl Hill for providing the superb database and scoring system which made the leaderboard easy to sort out and resolve any handicap/score queries. And a special thanks to Charlie Shann who collated all the monies and ensured that payments were prompt and did a lot of running around with last minute nif-naf in the days leading up to the event.

The final Top Ten placings are as follows:

1st PLACE    Tony Pells   Handicap 4     Points 38.

2nd place   Al Grieves   Handicap 11    Points 37.

3rd place   Chris Salmon   Handicap 13    Points 37.

4th place   Steve Higgs *   Handicap 15    Points 37.

5th place   Phil Major   Handicap 28    Points 36.

6th place   Paul Topping   Handicap 28    Points36.

7th place   Darren Smith   Handicap 12    Points 36.

8th place   Mark Davidson   Handicap 21    Points 36.

9th place   Tim Neal-Hopes *   Handicap 18    Points 35.

10th place   Terry Pead   Handicap 12    Points 34.

"Ties decided back nine, front nine, middle six.
* indicates invited guests.


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