The Second HMS Manchester Association

APRIL 2011

Meanwhile, back on the third big rock from the sun, it's full speed ahead for the Re-union, and also a visit to Irvine's Brewery on the Friday before just for good measure! Among the emails coming in ten to the dozen are two from Terry "Ernie" Northern and Ian Weatherstone, who can resist the temptation no longer and eagerly wish to join 2MA! Ian, from Grantham in Lincs, was a WEM(O) with mattress and bunk light adquals - 84-85, whilst Ernie, from Mansfield, Notts, was a PO Greenie, 85-88, years that encompass that never to be forgotten by anyone…world cruise! (Even his application contained a Global dit!)

MAY 11

The busiest month of the year? No, that was January, but May comes a close second, with nominal lists for Dockyard security, single and family cabins to confirm, contact the group re set up and timings, visit a popular Indian establishment and make arrangements should anyone feel peckish, sort raffle prizes, finalise the brewery run, produce the magnetic name tallies…as well as, for two of us, participating in the climax of the footy season, - indeed there was hardly time to go to work!

However, there was time to greet two new joiners, although we were slightly alarmed when one had the name…Mike Smith! (understandable, I hear you all murmur!) This Mike Smith was the first seadart maintainer when the main ornament didn't need one! - it was brand new and under warranty! Onboard from 82-84, he still suffers 27 years later from missing out on that world cruise, and absolutely hates Global dits! - Sounds like a nice guy! He was swiftly followed on to the plot by another first commissioner, Ian "Sharky" Ward who was a young baked beans bosun and Hobart cox'n, and another who was robbed of the experience of a life time in 1986! Still serving in the Mob, and baked beans too, Sharky is a Chief Cook in Nelson.

JUNE 2011

In the run up to the Re-union, we also took time to welcome two more new joiners to 2MA, Taff Llewellyn, a culinary controller

and mince magician who played the part of father famine 1998-2000, and Tracey Lintern - from Welsh Wales - who was one of only three senior rate wrens onboard 93/94, and the only female on the flight. Tracey found out about 2MA from Forces Re united, and the evils of alcohol in the PO's Mess!

And so we come round to our Re-union weekend of the 10th, 11th & 12th. It matters not which date we choose to have our re-union, there are those for reason of distance, illness, work, and let's be honest in this not so affluent climate, cost, who cannot attend, and we duly received apologies from the following:-

The Foreign Legion - Lenny Bilton (USA), Alan Buchanan (Spain), "Smokey" Cole (Denmark), Dave Furnival (Australia), Ken Lewis (Canada), Garry Lucas (Australia), Steve MacMillan (New Zealand), Mick Whitehouse (Abu Dhobey) and Ian Kiff (deployed on York).

We were aware that ill health prevented Pete Kellett, Jack Russell, Chris & Susan Baker and Tony Shingler from attending, and we obviously wish them all well. Jack, who was confined to Saudi Arabia, did arrange for his large scale model of D95 to be available to the Association for which we extend our thanks, but we would much prefer if he brought it along himself next year! (P.S. Jack, you can keep the superglue!)

Others who could not make it included Ivan Asciak, Boff Bancroft, Matty Barnes, John Bodsworth, Martin Brown, Pete Burnett, Ian Carruthers, David Childs, Bill Churchley, Joe Cocker, Pete Curtis, Chris "Happy" Day, Al Denham, Steve "Paddy" Derwin, Archie Dickie, Craig "Crash" Evans, Mick Farrow, Colin Fortune, Andrew Griffin, Jack Guntrip, Glyn Harris, Abi Hirji, Alan Ivison, Des "Taff" Jones, Errol Kepple, "Flash" Lamacq, Jan Leeming, Brian Logan, Garry Lucas, Graham "Pincher" Martin, Dan Maskill, Sam McKeown, Ian "Milly" Milward, Neil "Ozzy" Osborne, Vic Parker, Terry Partington, "Tom" Petty, Steve Powell, Trevor Quickfall, James "Robbie" Roberts, Pete Rosier, Kev Shepherd, Brian Shipman, Mike Spear, Paul Tomlinson and Ray Vere.

As usual, among the apologies there were more detailed reasons given, and we are always on the look-out for the best. Among which were:-

George Hubbard - our exotic holidays consultant - on a 6 week jolly to Australia, (how strange!) perennial absentee, Rick Cosby - his parrot was moving house and having it's beak sharpened, which was a pretty poor excuse really when one considers the absolute pearlers - all true, of course, that he must have heard when conducting his Table. (Pity he didn't file a few away for future reference!), whilst Andy Thompson, the Global 86 scablifter who has been a member of 2MA for 7 years, has yet to find a way off the Isle of Wight to attend a Re-union! Could he be doing a 10 stretch in Parkhurst?! … but the winner by a complete hose length was …. Buzz Bee!

Buzz had already slapped in to attend the whole weekend, when, in a move of dastardly proportions, his employers - Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service - wrote to advise him that he had been nominated for an award for his quote 'Outstanding Contribution to the Service'. As well as the award, there was also a five star pxss up in the local Marriott hotel with free accom for him and she "who must be obeyed" thrown in too! The downside was it was to take place on the same day as Re-union 10! To add insult to injury Buzz had already arranged to come down on the Friday beforehand for a run ashore with Ginge Crook, Andy Coombs and Phil Southcott. Being the good guy he is - it's official - Buzz attended the Awards Ceremony, but not before he had travelled to Pompey the night before to go ashore with his chums! Good man, and another accolade to add to his collection. Buzz also holds the distinction of being on board for D95's first sailing from Pompey, and the last, as he was onboard for the final Families Day as guest of his brother in law.

The couple with the greenest rub were undoubtedly Percy and Louise Purcell who were scheduled to visit the Falklands Islands at this time, but due to the South American volcanic ash cloud, all flights were suspended and poor Percy and Louise not only dipped on a flight down south, they also dipped out on the Re-union too.

While Buzz and his chums were sprucing themselves up for a run ashore, The Irving's Brewery touring team consisting of J.J. Fialho, "Bungy" Williams, "Whisky" Haigh, Sam Wellens, Martin Tidbury, Stevie and Ian were clambering aboard Alyson's 15 seater taxi for the run. Road conditions across the country robbed us of a few other players, with Harry the Bastard only joining in later. One noticeable absentee, AGAIN, was Connie Francis! (What can have befell him this year I hear you all wonder in amazement!) Evidently, our hero had just completed a five week foreign doing some load testing in Saudi for a local sheik, and he was very much looking forward to supping some real ale on account there wasn't any in Saudi. Indeed, it was reported to 2MA HQ that the only alcohol available was home brew, and be it Beer, Lager, Gin or Whisky - it all somehow tasted the same! Imagine Connie's severe disappointment on returning home to Gosport to find on the House Daily Orders he had been detailed for Grandchildren Sentry Duties! Better luck next year, Buffer!

Greeted on arrival by the brewery owner, Malcolm, our team were quickly introduced to a selection of new ales, and tasting commenced in earnest. Malcolm - well aware that he was surrounded by seasoned drinkers - decided to shorten the actual brewery tour to allow more time for tasting - a decision that met with unqualified approval. Consequently the actual brewing brief lasted a whole four minutes, whilst the actual visit lasted nearly five hours! Later, Malcolm announced he was creating a new ale and invited 2MA to suggest a suitable nautical name. In depth discussions immediately took place, and it was at this point Alyson suggested the name "Shipmate" - she types the word occasionally - which received unanimous approval, and more ale was consumed to celebrate the event. "Shipmate" is due to be launched in 2012. We hope to get an invite!!