The Second HMS Manchester Association

As for the main event, we sold 120 tickets, and we were particularly pleased to welcome new joiners Terry & Kathy Beddoes, John & Sharon Bullock, "Mini" Cooper, "Cinders" Greenslade and his pash, Rebecca Winrow, Shane Kyme, Tracy Meyer, Terry & Alison Northern, Stoney Rhodes, Mel & Elaine Saul, Mike Smith Two….and Rex & Fergie Cox.

As many of our members will be aware, Rex Cox had the privilege, - his words, not ours - of being the last Commanding Officer of the Mighty Manch. What 2MA members might not be aware of is that he has also been a staunch supporter of 2MA from day one. We were always very warmly welcomed onboard, and he was also very interested in what we do. He interrupted a busy schedule to come ashore with us when we were negotiating extra places for the decommissioning events, and in more than one of his many recent official speeches, he praised not only his own ships company, but also made reference to those who had served onboard before. He is also rather keen that certain Manchester artefacts, currently in storage in the dockyard, are handed to 2MA for safe keeping. Therefore, we were genuinely delighted when his application to join our happy band duly arrived complete with dosh for the Re-union. We are obviously very grateful for his contribution to the wellbeing of 2MA. Cheers, Shipmate! and Thank You.

As in previous years, the first commission was well represented by, George Annable, Ginge Crook, Mick D'Arcy, Andy Rafferty, Taff Coombs, Slim Richards, Sam Wellens, Ted Weager and the suitably rested J.J. Fialho!...

As were those really lucky bxstards - the Global 86ers consisting of Ken Hinchliffe, Whisky Haigh, Bungy Mark Williams, Phil Southcott and Micky Stowe. The Post Global Vets (fine fellows!) were really out in force - Dave Arthur, Butch Butcher, Dan Daly, Dave Hayward, Dave Heasman, Harry the Bastard, Don Hiller, Roger Jones, Barry Lucas, Dave Merrick, Ned Naylor, Ian Perryman, Jez Raymond, Mike Smith the First, Garry Vigor, Knocker with the big Phalanx, Keith Woolven, Sting Wray and the correctly attired Actionwoo, Ian Poulter.

Among the couples who attended were - Andy & Michele Hazelden, Martyn & Maureen Banner, Michael & Rebecca Bull, Aggie & Debra Christie, Don & Ann Hazeldon, Steve & Carol Jack, Photographer of the year, Doss & Jacqui Living, Paul & Alison Snape, Connie & Sue Francis, Steve & Natalie Found, Skid & Alma Wroe, Slinger Woods & Stella Newman, Pete Berrow & Sue Winfield, Dave Cozens & Kathy Pollard and Ian & Emma Sheridan.

It was good to see Nick Athawes and Andy Green return to the fray, and we appreciate the efforts of Paul Sheppard who was busy recording the events for posterity. Bob Mullen dragged himself away from the bar - temporarily - to sell a considerable number of SAMA82 commemorative pin badges, and 2MA duly banged £50 onto the total. Also lurking near the bar were, Roy Anderson, Kim Darker, Happy Day, Dave Heasman, Daz Major, John Tucker, Diamond geezer Archie Geddes and fresh from the golf course former part time 909 maintainer, Bob White and that only accounts for just half the attendees with many guests and mess members making up the numbers.

At this point we feel we must give a special mensh to Andy and Wendy Dunning - oppo's of Steve and Carol Jack - who have no Pusser type connection - who have been to nearly all our Re-unions as Jacko's guests, and Jimmy Robinson - stoker 1st Class on the cruiser Manchester, and heading towards an age similar to the Mighty Manch's pennant number, who travelled down from Cheshire with wife Irene and daughter and

son-in-law Kathy and Pete Wellman. We much appreciate your support!

As the serious socialising and dit spinning got underway, we received a surprise visitor in the shape of Gary Dudley - who was guarding all on Nelson Main Gate - he popped in during his meal break to show us his new yellow you can definitely see me jacket, which certainly fitted better than his ovvies ever did!

Another surprise was the emergence of a copy of the Manchester Evening News dated Christmas 1988, and those onboard at the time will no doubt recall what an excellent ship's newspaper it was. This charity Christmas edition was a collection of funnies that had appeared in the previous year, which was accompanied by pictures of ladies wearing not a lot! The editor - an absolutely marvellous chap - had taken the time to include a Health and Safety Warning to make sure folk didn't let their copy fall into the hands of children and maiden aunts! Little did he know then that he would be explaining away his involvement to his own now grown up children twenty three years later! Oops!

To mark our 10th Re-union, and the passing of Warship Wonderful, we wanted to give a gift to all our re-union attendees and eventually we settled on Welsh slate coasters - mainly due to the fact that they are nearly Jack proof and they slip easily into the pocket.

(Top Tip: Remove coaster from pocket before sending suit to cleaners!)

As with our more recent re-unions, we practised a little self catering and this year we decided on a spot of curry for Action Messing courtesy of Abdul from "The Star of Asia" who did us proud, and charged us significantly less than other suppliers were prepared to charge. (Many thanks to those who turned to as an impromptu stores party and brought the victuals in from the car park and helped clear up afterwards).

Soon it was time for our funds boosting raffle, and we would very much like to tell you who won the quality prizes we had on display…except we can't find the chit with all the details on!! Suffice to say all the lucky winners know who they are!! That said, we did by perchance come across a baseball cap with the word "WAFU" boldly embroidered above the peak. Surprisingly, and we just do not know how this happened, it was somehow won by visiting former FAA representative Ian Poulter - how strange is that I hear you all murmur! To our absolute delight he then proceeded to try it on for size…in direct contravention of mess rules regarding the wearing of headgear in the mess. Fortunately, the Mess Vice President, John Caddle was on hand to dish out the standard fine of a bottle of mess port, which or hero then proceeded to share with those who may, just may, have stitched him up! Good effort, Ian!

It was at this point our resident group flashed up, and the more energetic of our number set off for some serious hoof shaking - whilst others took the opportunity to refill their glasses!

We still had one more task to complete at the interval, and that was the charity auction of a signed Pompey shirt, kindly donated by Percy and Louise Purcell. Aided considerably by John Caddle as auctioneer, The shirt went to the WO SR and SNCOs Mess for a donation of £120 to the Royal British Legion (they subsequently re-raffled at their Summer Ball and raised another £500 for Naval charities). This was followed shortly afterwards by the auction of a superb canvas picture donated by Doss and Jacqui Living of D95's final, final entry into Pompey. (Pause to wipe away another tear!) and after some brisk bidding this much sought after image went to Daz Major for £255 which was duly forwarded to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines charity…and to the sound of the bar tills ringing out, an impromptu disco and dit spinning a plenty, the re union drew to a close - at what time we haven't a clue!!

To round off a very busy month, Steve Williams, a dabber from the early nineties became the 22nd person to join 2MA since the last edition of the Buzz.

Looking ahead, 2012 promises to be a very busy year with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Falklands 30 Commemorations, as well as a big sports event in East London - have any of our members been selected to carry the torch? Has anyone actually got any tickets?! Whatever is on your longcast, don't forget to add Re-union 11 on the weekend of 8th - 10th June.

That's about it for this edition of the Buzz. We would just like to finish with one final thank you to everyone who has helped us on our way. We look forward to meeting as many members as possible at Re-union 11!

Sincere Best Wishes

Stevie & Ian

And finally a few funnies to keep you all amused -

There were these two vampire bats hanging upside down in a tree, "I'm starving", said one, "I'm off to find something to eat," so off he few.

It wasn't long before he was back alongside his oppo with his fangs all dripping with blood. "Hey, that was bloody quick", said his oppo, "Where did you go?"

"See that tree over there?" said the first bat, "Yes", said his chum. "Well I fxcking didn't".

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A young crab fell madly in love with a beautiful lady prawn, who lived nearby. For several months they courted, though there was a noted feud between the two families. Eventually they decided to get engaged but the crab knew the next stage would be a problem.

"I'll have to ask your fathers permission to marry you" he said woefully, "and he'll never agree, you know how much the prawns hate us crabs."

"You'll be alright", said the lady prawn, "Just have a couple of drinks for confidence and I know father will approve, besides, I'll have a word with him before you meet him."

The next day, the young prawn took her father to one side and said, "Daddy, Daddy, I have met a wonderful young crab, and I want to marry him, he's waiting outside to talk to you, please be nice to him."

"What!" exploded her father, "My daughter marry a crab? never, the ignominy of it, I'd never let you marry any creature that walks sideways!"

"But, Daddy", she protested, "Cyril's different, you'll like him when you meet him, come on in Cyril."

Cyril the crab walked in and to everyone's surprise entered the room perfectly straight without a hint of his distinctive crab-like movement.

"There," she said, "You see Cyril even walks differently to other crabs."

Cyril sidled up to his intended and whispered in her ear, "Shit in it, I'm crappers!"

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