May 2006 Blackpool

It was Sunday 7 May and it was the time to touch base again with the Midlands alliance of Steve Jackson & Steve Terry and myself. After a quick chat the arrangements were made for our mission to Blackpool.

 

I put down the phone wondering if we were going mad, for the life of us we couldn’t remember who had driven the year before. We decided Jacko would drive, I would be picked up on route. The reason we couldn’t remember wouldn’t be anything to do with the amount of beer consumed at Scarborough last year, could it!

 

Shortly after 1400hrs on the 12 May, Jacko & Steve Terry arrived to pick me up and after a cup of tea we set off up the road. From my early days travelling to and from the TA I remember travelling back to the Midlands from Bordon after the TA weekends often being overtaken by some nut in a Dolomite or Range Rover heading back to the midlands, well his driving has not calmed down, we shot off to Blackpool at the speed of sound only slowing when absolutely necessary.

 

Half way there we debated who should have brought the joining instructions, for details of the new venue. It shouldn’t be a problem to find the hotel we recalled it was only next-door, but we did pass it a couple of times only because it looked too posh. We were impressed with Ken Peppers find… the hotel was excellent all weekend, very clean, good food, pleasant hosts etc.

 

The midland alliance arrived at round about 1630hrs and were quite taken aback to see the majority had already arrived and were enjoying the early bonding session. The unusual suspects had got the card school going, Dixie, Peter Dibble, Ron Hall and Eric Devereux almost too busy to break away and say hello.

 

Before getting our bags from the car we had a quick drop of refreshment, we sat with Gary Stewart, there in his best work suit and comfy boots. Gary told us that Des James was unfortunately tied up at work and couldn’t make the weekend. We also heard Len Kniverton, Ken O’Gara, Bob Willis, John Cole, Ken Vale, Wally D’Aguair, John Dunne, Ian Lees, Hughie Donnon, Vic Pitman and Dee Phillips would also be missing this year.

 

The evening meal was good and plenty of it, which was judged in the usual way, (Bill Gilbert didn’t ask for more). After the meal we retired to the bar. We had a chat about those missing comrades and some others that we would dearly like to find. The names of Paul Nightingale, Kevin Palmer, Pearson, Dunn, Porrat, Mr “Rubber lips” Milne, Robbie Park, Kenny “qwickw**k” Cruickshank and a few who we have seen but lost touch with including my old mate; Bryan Hawks, Dave “Portsmouth” Woods and others. Any help to get them either in the club or back would be appreciated; lets find the Nightingale, Palmer, Pearson & Dunn group all I believe were from the Peterborough area.

 

The night started with an early game of pool with Brian Finland, we were soon joined by a number of hustlers. After a couple of games of pool we moved downstairs to the snooker club. After watching John Hughes and Jacko play a game of how to keep balls on the table we eventually played another made up game. Brain Finland and Dixie arguing who invented the game. The only surprising thing is no money was bet on the result. Brian was the last to take his go on this individual game, so we left him to it and returned to the bar.

 

I’m not sure if it was because we were getting too loud or that they saw how much money could be taken over the bar but a great big flat of sandwiches was passed around, very much appreciated and it helped to soak up some beer.

 

A few of our party went and had a pint at the local British Legion where there was a talent night on, others went to Nelly Deans for a sing along but all arriving back at the hotel in good time for a late bevy. As the night progressed the numbers in the bar got fewer as one by one we turned in to get rested up for the annual sports morning.

 

Saturday morning came to quickly, but after prizing our selves out of bed we went for breakfast. Whilst eating breakfast we all looked at each other in amazement as the head waiter and night porter decided to have a shouting match and fight  in the doorway between kitchen and dining room, over a very special jug of orange juice. It’s just a shame the entertainment didn’t finish as promised by the head waiter “I’ll knock your head off” he shouted, however shortly after they were bestest pals again chatting in reception. What was it? may be just putting up with us till the early hours.

 

After breakfast we all gathered for the forced march to the Blackpool Bowling Centre. Geoff White kept me company catching up with home and family life. Then the two of us doubled back to look for those who had not paid attention to the route plan and forgotten their map reading skills, fortunately they were only just behind the bus station.

 

At the Bowling Green Brian gave us our instructions on the format of the game followed by the professional Tom Start who explained how to make best use of the team approach. We tried it but it was just a little too much for our teams, we were lucky to keep the bowls from dropping off the mat. As our game progressed we did get a little better, my team with Tony Squirrell and Brian Hogan beat a team captained by Ken Pepper with Timmy and Steve Terry. After our convincing win were surprised for Brian “Fixit” Finland to tell us that whilst we did have a win it wasn’t quite good enough to go through to the next round. We didn’t dispute this as it did mean we wouldn’t have to worry about the trophy.

 

The games were overseen by Bill Ellis, who didn’t miss a bowl, Brian Hogan videoed the event just in case he did. After a refreshing cup of tea we went back to practising our bowling skills.