The Second HMS Manchester Association

Terry BEDDOES	Arranging Penguin Racing Night at local RNA!
Phil BENNETT	Golfing B13 - now captain of Golf Club
Pete BURNETT	Daughter's Birthday Party
"Mini" COOPER	At Sea
Al DENHAM	Daughter getting married
Martin FINE	Daughter getting married
Cameron HACKETT	Daughters x 3 Birthday extravaganza
"Spike" HUGHES	At Sea
Ian KIFF	Sailing for the Navy
Ian PERRYMAN	Re-settlement - busy practicing waking up in the morning!
Steve POWELL	Fatherhood and an invasion of out-laws
Stan SAYERS	Daughter's 18th Birthday Party
Kev SHEPHERD	Son's Stag Night
Tony SHINGLER	Recovering from a hip operation
Paul TOMLINSON	Son Passing Out at Hendon Police College
Ray VERE	HMS Glamorgan AGM - he's in the Chair
Chris WAY	Getting married
Ted WEAGER	Collecting daughter from Uni

Whilst family holidays accounted for Tom Smyth, Steve Taggart, Kevin Viggers, Ian Walsh and Ian Whitehead.

On a much more sad and serious note, we were ultimately denied the company of staunch 2nd HMS Manchester Association supporters Chris and Sue Baker. We had been alerted that Sue had been taken ill and their attendance was in doubt, and this is what transpired. As we were compiling the Buzz we learned that Sue was again in hospital. We know that all 2nd HMS Manchester Association shipmates will wish Sue well. We forwarded ours, and your good wishes as you would expect via Interflora and hope Sue and Chris can make it next year.

News also filtered through to the Association that some of our shipmates have been meggerly impressed by the cycling exploits of the Scottish Knight Sir Chris Hoy, so much so that they too have taken up chain driven manual propulsion all in the name of charity, which again impacted on the Re-union.

Firstly, we were alerted that fireman Dan Daly of the clanky sect was riding from London to Brighton in aid of the British Heart Foundation on… wait for it…Sunday 21st June, 2009, which many of you will realise was the day after Re-union 8. However, Dastardly Dan then used this as an EXCUSE for not turning up at the Re-union and was of course his latest ploy to avoid getting the wets in! The 2nd HMS Manchester Association did sponsor Dan… to the tune of £50 only to subsequently learn that Matty Barnes and Pincher Martin were also riding. Any chance of the 1, 2, 3 of 2nd HMS Manchester Association members?…assuming that Dan has actually arrived by now!

Meanwhile, we were also aware that the suave and sophisticated Roger Jones (Yvonne asked us to include those words) was also cycling for charity, more sensibly in September. This saw our hero cycle all the way from London to Paris, which we are sure you will agree is a far better run ashore than Brighton or indeed John O'Groats, the final destination of last years pulveriser of the pedals, Kim Darker. The Association also slapped £50 on Roger's Ride as well. We were fortunate that our staff photographer was able to capture all our heroes prior to their respective events on a training run.

Sadly, very sadly, we were also alerted that one of our heavier members was also taking up a pair of wheels in the name of charity, a certain Sting Wray (wouldn't want to be that saddle I hear you all chorus). However, we have since learned that this story was no more than a spoof…but a pretty convincing one as one of our other shipmates - a great guy who must also remain anonymous for legal reasons, was completely taken in by it and offered to sponsor!! Nice one, Sting!!

As is normal we always look at the weaker excuses for missing out on a good P.U., and with habitual winner Rick Cosby's attendance this year the competition was wide open - however our panel of judges finally decided on the following:-

In joint 3rd place:-

Alan McKendrick and Andy Thompson - House renovations. Sorry boys, there are 364 other days for that!

In 2nd place:-

Connie Francis - Horseracing bash at Ascot thereby robbing the Association of a few good dits and the services of Sue, the best raffle ticket folder in Nato! Evidently travelling to Ascot is also very tiring 'cos informed sources communicated with Rumour Control details of a retired Buffer who crashed out in the bunhouse of a particularly sleek Pompey based Type 42 during a very recent AMP meeting! We cannot of course identify the Buffer or the ship again for legal reasons…but you will find more than one photty of both on our webby!

And the winner is…. Bob Hubble - his excuse reads as follows -

"Please accept my grovelling apologies for not replying to your email but life has been really hectic of late. I could use all sorts of excuses such as the dog ate my email and that the electricity bill has not been paid but my kids have taken them first.

Sadly due to another engagement in Durban I will not be around to pxss up with the troops but I am sure you will have a great time. I will raise a beer to the Mighty Manch and think of you all.

I was afraid to say this earlier for fear of ridicule but I do believe I have made the right decision as I will be in South Africa seeing the first two Lions tests. This is one hell of a grippo and I expect that the 10 day run ashore with the an old oppo will test my liver close to destruction ! Fortunately my apprenticeship as a WAFU followed by my further education onboard the Mighty Manch will stand me in good stead. I will also do a recce of the most suitable locations for Brass Rubbing and the best places for Afternoon Tea should any members of the 2nd HMS Manchester Association visit South Africa for next year's World Cup."

Best Wishes, Bob

PS - I think my 11 year old is developing a hereditary soft spot for the ship as he chose an Airfix kit of the ship to make, but evidently he cannot get the hangar door to stay open! (Authentic model then! Ed)

PPS - There is no truth in the rumour that the reg no of my car is W4FOO!"