Blackpool Reunion 16 – 19
October 2009
Review by Sheila Bracey
Chris and I arrived at the Norbreck Castle Hotel on Thursday evening, having
travelled from sunny Catterick, and were joined by Reme and Sue Harper (Donny
born and bred – well Reme at least), Brenda and Wayne Edwards, the intrepid
travellers from Canada who, despite the distance and wherever the reunion takes
place, always make the effort to be there and Jim Brooks who arrived from
Germany. We dined on the hotel grub, which was surprisingly good, then retired
to the bar for the usual old fashioned catch-up and the inevitable few drinks.
This was repeated on Friday evening ,when the majority of attending members had
arrived, after they were greeted at the welcome table which had been set up in
the hotel foyer. This year members were invited to complete a data information
questionnaire to enable the database to be updated.
Saturday dawned bright and sunny which as I, originally coming from Preston,
seem to remember being rather a rare event in Blackpool. My memories tend to be
of cold, very blustery days with the waves billowing over the sea wall when the
tide came in so the good weather was a blessing – does someone manage to book
this phenomenon for the reunion weekends I wonder?
It had been decided by the recce party not to arrange any trips this year as the
location lent itself to may options, the closeness of the Lake District being
but one example, regular buses and trams along the seafront to Fleetwood being
another. I do believe that some brave souls even ventured into the town to
sample the delights on offer.
Saturday evening saw us all dressed up in best bib and tucker and the function
room was very nicely presented with the tables dressed in the Corps colours and
the flag displayed proudly for us all to see. We had the pleasure of the company
of Major John Fradley and his wife, Helen, for the Gala Dinner. John, as some of
you might remember, was RSM at 16 Sigs, Rheindahlen, at the time when we lost
our founder member, Chris Bartlett, and who was instrumental in assisting with
may of the necessary arrangements associated with events at that sad time. Also
present from 16 Signal Regiment, Bruggen, were WOII (RQMS) Sean Wedge and his
wife Nicola. Dinner was served in a very efficient manner by the staff and
although the menu choice may have been a little unexciting, the food was
enjoyable and there were bottles of wine on the tables with compliments of the
Norbreck Castle.
The entertainment was provided by a guy called Rae Grant, diminutive in stature
he may have been but whose voice turned him into a colossus. He stood in at the
eleventh hour when, unfortunately, our erstwhile chap had to pull out. Beginning
with 50s songs, he continued to progress through the decades throughout the
evening. In fact he performed several final numbers as we were so
reluctant to let him leave. The poor guy had probably never come across anything
like the 60s 16ers before and it may take him some time to recover from the
experience!
Sunday morning brought with it the AGM where Bill White provided us with his
Chairman’s Report, followed by the remaining committee members reports. The
positions of Treasurer and Secretary were up for renewal with both being filled
by volunteers, Peter Crane becoming the new Treasurer and myself as the new
Secretary – a daunting task I know but somebody has to do it.
There were only two venues proposed for next year’s reunion, the first of which
was suggested by Tony White and presented by Chris Abbott. Tony was unable to
make the reunion this year but thinks Spain is a viable location for a reunion
if organised during the low season as prices for flights and accommodation are
very reasonable and could be comparable with UK venues, also the weather in
October is still very pleasant and there would always be the option for
extending from a long weekend to a week’s stay and making a nice Autumn holiday
out of it. It was decided that Spain was perhaps more suited to a mini-reunion
at a future date if anyone is interested.
Jo and Tony Teage proposed the Park Inn Hotel in West Bromwich for the weekend
of 15 – 18 October 2010 and, as there were no other options for the UK, either
north or south of the Watford Gap, this was voted in by the members attending
the meeting. Being in the midlands this venue is reasonably accessible to all.
Let’s all remember that the location isn’t really that important – we have to
meet somewhere if we are to hold our reunions and it’s the getting together with
old friends, having a good time and ENJOYING OURSELVES that bonds us together
and makes the association work so well.
After the AGM our guest, Sean Wedge, gave a presentation on the current and
future plans of the Regiment, covering a very hectic schedule which included
preparations for an operational tour to Afghanistan during next year. In the
distant future the Regiment will move back to join 22 Signal Regiment at what
was an RAF base in Stafford. Bill has written to thank the CO, Lt Col Andy
Fallows, on behalf of all our members for what was a very interesting,
educational and inspirational presentation. The presentation was followed by a
cold buffet lunch.
Mardi Gras evening was something else! What a fantastic night we all had, the
costumes had to be seen to be believed – well done Syd and Bridget – Syd I’ll
never forget that pregnant young blond in those shimmering blue leggings and
Marlene’s chunky chicken outfit was brilliant. There were masks and feathers
galore. Thanks go to Dave for his organisational skills and to those who took
the time to festively decorate the room. Once again, the entertainment was
second to none with excellent karaoke renditions from Reme, Maggie Shaw, Bill
Robinson, Syd et al, all who have better singing voices than mio – who can’t
hold a note. An excellent hot and cold buffet was served in the function room,
again with complimentary wine on each table. We were extremely fortunate to have
the room to ourselves for both the Saturday evening and Sunday events. In fact,
the hotel couldn’t have been any more accommodating.
What else can I say? All in all, despite the location, the weekend was
fantastic, fabulous, brilliant and any other superlatives you may wish to add,
and for those of you who couldn’t make it – sorry you missed a great reunion. To
those who haven’t attended for a while – remember what you’re missing and please
come back to us. I have it on good authority from certain persons who have
attended all the reunions that this was the best so far!
Last but not least, a huge THANK YOU to everybody who put in the time and effort
to make the weekend so successful.