sadly not recognised by Arthur's Book of Records.) Of course we couldn't broadcast what we intended to do, and apologies to the few who were somewhat taken aback by this somewhat clandestine approach, (It's an old catering trick keeping the customer confused - ask Don Hazeldon!) but hopefully will appreciate the position we were in. Incidentally our catering bill for the evening was less than half that was originally quoted and for that we got really hot scran, plenty of it, served by two charming young ladies and a hairy arsed fireman! What more could you ask for?!. Our thanks are also due to the anonymous lady who did the fetching, and Helen, Lisa and Pete for demonstrating the art of smiling while you are being press ganged!
It did seem somewhat ironic that at the same time we were signing up to KFC, two sailors from an unnamed sleek Pompey based Type 42 were caught giving a float test to a large statue of fast food rival Ronald McDonald in a port hundreds of miles from the UK. There is no way that we condone poor behaviour when ashore, whilst at the same time admitting that we may have inadvertently been guilty of the odd indiscretion ourselves, (technically guilty as the Lady from Scotland would say!) but was this story really worth a quarter page spread, 400 words, a ship photty and one of the said statue in the Pompey Evening News? It was obviously a quiet week in the totally crime free and only island City in the UK!
That task economically completed, no expense whatsoever was spared on our funds boosting raffle, and again our resident seller of tickets, Martin excelled, although without the back up of Sue Francis - accompanying the Royal Buffer on a state visit somewhere in Surrey, to fold the tickets! Consequently we actually had to suspend ticket sales so as to get the tickets in the drum and crack on with the draw!…and many thanks to all the girls who turned to and got the tickets folded in time! Our thanks are also due to Jannell the lead singer of "Infinity Rising" for calling out the numbers in a far better way than the two herberts we normally employ!!
Among the lucky winners were:- Keith Woolven, Kim Darker, Taff Coombs, Gilly Gilchrist, Janine Dixon, Scouse Hayward, Knocker with the big Phalanx, Alan Ivison, Andy Hazelden, Alison Snape, Guy Wilson, Ann Mourby, and Doss Living. As seems to happen each year - how we don't know - some people are incredibly lucky and win the most appropriate prizes; and these included -
Peter Berrow Parrot, stuffed, shoulder for the use of - Ideal for the Gosport Ferry!
Sting Wray A superb DVD set on how to get fit and loose weight in 15 minutes a
day, then you can go on your cycle ride! A real stand easy production!
Don Hazeldon A new shirt and iron, just in case he leaves same behind next year!
Roger Jones A pair of padded cycle shorts, a puncture repair kit and a map of Paris - How lucky was that?!
Percy Purcell A 50th Birthday cake - er… because Percy shared his half century with all
of us!!
We did have one other "special" prize but the carefully selected winner/victim got his own back by shooting through on the night…no names though, we'll get the b@stard next year!
It was at this point we handed over to "Infinity Rising", much later than planned, a group of serving and ex serving Royal Marines Bandys who with the charming Janelle on vocals soon had the more energetic of our number lurching around the dance floor with some actually in time with the music!! However, the area close to the dance floor soon became a no go area for the non dancers among us. Led by Carol Jack and aided and abetted by the "Beauty Chorus" more than one poor unsuspecting ex-matelot had his journey to the bar interrupted by the aforementioned threatening mild discomfort to those who refused to dance!
Because we were running behind our agreed schedule we had decided to hold fire on what was supposed to be the last item of the raffle, an auction of an autographed Hull City football shirt, kindly donated by Fez Parker. (There were no prizes for guessing which football club he works for!). and so it was after midders when we got round to raising money. The bidding was very brisk - valuable drinking time was evaporating - but led by Lenny Bilton and Ken Hinchliffe the bidding soon passed £150 with Lenny finally securing the shirt for £200! (and what a nice prezzy his American wife Heather is gonna get for Crimbo!! You don't see too many Hull City shirts in down town Savannah, Georgia, that's for certain").
To further assuage the baying hordes who had lost out on such a prize gizzit, we invited all those with ickies, klebbies, shekels and spondoolies in their pockets to contribute, and a further £150 was duly raised. The total of £350 was subsequently donated to "Help for Heroes" and 'cos we used Gift Aid, the donation was worth another £98.72 to this most worthy charity. BZ all who contributed, including Hull City FC, who took time off from nearly getting relegated to sign the shirt in the first place!
and so the evening quietly drew to a close to the clinking of glasses and even more dits!…and as our Bicycle Bosuns were setting out on their early morning charity rides and training sessions, some of us having cleaned up etc., were actually going home!
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Slop Room
We have the following exclusive high quality items for Sale.
HMS Manchester Ties 8.50
HMS Manchester Pin Badges 2.50
(£10.00 the pair, postage and packing Free)
We also have a selection of crested sweatshirts and polo shirts - E-mail Ian for a list of current stock items
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Automobile Improvement Accessory
(definitely not available at Halfords!)
"2nd HMS Manchester Association" Car Stickers
Guaranteed to add a -
Bundle to your Bentley, a Frill for your Ferrari, Value to your Volvo, Pounds to your Peugeot, a fortune to your Ford and Trillions to your Trabant!
Help promote the Association - Just £1 each including postage and packing. Absolute Bargain!
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Re-union Chuck ups and Feedback
Many thanks to all of you who organised the re-union, it was my first and I really enjoyed it - Steve Found
Just a quick line to express my sincere thanks for a great night - Barry Lucas
Thanks for another great re-union, new faces yet again and we had a great night - Kev & Jacqui Living
Just a quick note to say many thanks once again for all your efforts. As ever it proved to be another success and again I bumped into some good oppo's for the first time since leaving the mob - Dave Arthur
Very many thanks for a great night, really enjoyed it, Yours aye - Gilly Gilchrist
Could I please offer my thanks for a most enjoyable event and congratulate you both, along with your unpaid assistants, on the success of the evening - Pete Kellett
Thanks for a great re-union, it seems to get better each time. You and Steve obviously put in a lot of work to make it all happen, so a big chuck up to you both, thanks again - Paul (Shep) Sheppard
Cheers guys, had a great time, looking forward to the next one - John Darby
The in-laws, Wifey and I all had an excellent time at Re-union 8, well done for another cracking night. Keep up the very good work - Alan Ivison
