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PXR 2012 The Reading and Arborfield Tour 4th—6th May |
A major part of our mess meeting in Litchfield 2011 was taken up with discussion as to what we should do to mark our 20th Anniversary in 2012. We did discuss the concept of the Battlefield Tour ( which was subsequently discounted very quickly on the basis of cost ).John Haley also came up with the challenging suggestion that maybe we could get permission to hold a formal regimental dinner in the Corps WO’s and Sgts Mess at Arborfield.The organisational team of Albert Johnson and yours truly set to work.Albert made the original approaches to the Garrison RSM and through him, submitted our case to the Mess Committee. Permission approved, he then liaised with the Mess Manager to put the catering plans in place. For my part, I wrote to the Colonel responsible for the REME Museum and given the significance of our anniversary and our Corps association, he agreed to open the museum especially for us on the Saturday of our visit ( Normally Closed )
Albert was able to secure favourable hotel terms through the Defence Booking Agency and I was able to confirm coach transfer arrangements between our base in Reading and the Arborfield Mess, on the back of two very generous donations from Club members.
Provisional arrangements made – we were delighted to conclude that the weekend was indeed, very much on !!!!!!!
When the invitations were sent out, twenty five members confirmed their intention to attend.
My final arrangements letter concluded with the note -------- “ Have A Safe Journey – See You On The Beach !!! “ Gary Stewart responded with “ It’s Got a Beach ?? – Great, I’ll Bring My Mankini !!” Although I quickly explained that I was joking, it took me 24 hours to get over the mental prospect, having just got used to the sight of Gary in his “Disco Shorts” at Blackpool 2010.
Gary and Pete Dibble elected themselves to arrive as Advance Party on the Thursday, with everyone else arriving in good time for our Friday evening meal – most then stayed drinking and chatting in the hotel bar, with the younger members raiding the bars of the town.
Following a hearty breakfast on Saturday and given the fact that the major focus of the weekend was to be the Mess Dinner, I had asked our Reading based comrade Andrew Porat to organise a short walking tour of the town on the Saturday morning and he truly came up trumps.
Our walkabout took in Reading Goal and the story of Prisoner C.3.3 ( Oscar Wild ) / the ruins of Reading Abbey, which was established by Henry 1 in 1121 and The Maiwand Lion in Forbery Gardens, commemorating the lives of the 329 men of the 66th Berkshire Regiment who died during the Afghan Campaign between 1878 & 1880.
Our tour ended in Reading Museum, where we were able to view the magnificent copy of the Bayeux Tappestry, which was created by Elizabeth Wardle and the ladies of the Leek Embroidery Society around 1890. The ladies seemingly took exception to a naked man on the original tapestry, who could be seen crouching down with his “tackle” swinging in the breeze. The answer ?? ------- they gave him a pair of rather Gay looking shorts. Very evident throughout the walk, was the extent of research that Andrew had clearly undertaken ---- very informative and professionally delivered.
After our customary Fish / Chips & Peas lunch in the Monks Retreat, a coach took us over to the Hazebrouck Mess at Arborfield, where we dropped our kit, prior to heading over the road to the REME Museum for a real trip down memory lane. For those who had been in the service for many years, one display even showed the contrast between the modern uniform / kit supply & room comforts , against the old Battle Dress, Great Coat and Bed Blocks regime.
The vehicles, equipment and weaponry on display was very impressive and provoked much debate of good and not so good times in the past --- all in all, a great couple of hours.
The day coincided with the FA Cup Final, so come 1715, a hasty retreat was made to the TV lounges in the mess to watch Liverpool do battle with Chelsea ---- sadly for me, the Blue noses prevailed on the day, much to the delight of a well known Geordie, who became an ardent Chelsea supporter for occasion. |