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May 2004 Blackpool |
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A week end at the sea side 211 annual reunion – Blackpool ‘04
After many months of planning, May 7th finally arrived and with it 33 members of 211OCC turned up at the doorstep of the Royal York Hotel on Blackpool’s prom. Everyone dropped there bags and made it to the bar after recovering from the cost of parking their cars. With those words of wisdom its nice to see you, you haven’t changed a bit, the rounds on you. Where is John Dunne, (normally first there to greet us) I can now tell you his car broke down and was sorry to miss the reunion and wishes him to be remembered to you all.
Drink, stories, drink, picture albums, drink, new faces! So much was going on it was making everyone very thirsty, fortunately the bar was well stocked and the bell worked! An evening meal was included in the bargain break weekend package. Service was to the normal high standards, nearly as high as the hemlines on some of the waitresses’ skirts. (Waiters where just showing there ankles)
After dinner the comrades dispersed to check out different locations, the more energetic making it as far as the Karaoke bar (Nellie Deans) This is no relation to Dixie I am told. Others went to the cabaret which was downstairs. Eventually everyone came back to the hotel a few more stories a few more drinks and then off to bed to get ready for the cockle picking session arranged as the following morning activity at least that’s what we where led to believe.
The following day dawned bright and sunny! Well nearly the sun had risen although it was hard to tell through the clouds and the drizzle. After a full English breakfast for most people, Gary Stewart decided breakfast was too early and waited for Lunch. Everyone made their way south to the back of Blackpool Tower for the sporting activity, (10 Pin Bowling sort of) After selecting the finest shoes (Canoes for Ron) Blackpool had to offer, we were teamed up in pairs and battle commenced. Two games each, highest combined score to be the winner.
The skills ranged from fair to very good, although there was some evidence of practising by the member from Wigan! Ken Pepper who had seemed to have taken lesson form Barnes Wallis and tried the bouncing Bomb approach, this seemed to pay off in the second game when he managed to score 4 strikes! There seemed to be a competition to see who could score the most by bouncing the ball out of the gutter. After several attempts Tom Fromson mastered the technique finally felling 7 pints ( I mean pins) with a ball that at first looked a total loser!
After the hard mornings exercise some went back to the hotel to relax by the bar while others took to some sight seeing. While others found the inside of the eyelids needed checking.
In true tradition we all met in the bar for drinks before going in for our evening meal. Then retired to the Sun lounge for our meeting, (not the most appropriate of titles following the days weather) John Haley opened the meeting by toasting the Queen and Old Comrades who for one reason or another could not be with us. He then welcomed our new members and hoped they had a good time and will come again. We all expressed our thanks to Brian Finland and Ken Pepper for organising and making the weekend go smoothly. John said he would do the secretary Job again if he was allowed, which was passed. The prizes where then awarded to the runners up who where Gary Caswell and Hughie (circle the arms) Donnon with 424 points. The winners with 456 points where (drum roll) Ron Hall and Danny McDonald. As Ron has won the Trophy before he let Danny take it home with him. To bring it back next year. An additional presentation was made the “PPP” (PxxxPoorPerformance) this award going to Reg Day.
Albert Johnson brought everyone up to date with the Clubs Web site and repeated the request for photos to help extend the coverage across all the previous events. He has now put a photo gallery up on the web site. Anyone who is not up there will be once he gets a photo or at next years reunion. The meeting was closed by John Haley who wished us all well and looks forward to seeing us next year.
We all dispersed and then went to the local bars with some staying in the Hotel to see the cabaret, which was surpassed by Albert instructing St.Trinians in the art of Jive who I might add got a standing ovation.
They all made there way back to the hotel bar where we all finished the stories only lapsing for a moment when a guest at the hotel came in wearing a little black number. The stories flowed again, one by one we made our way to bed. As the sgt major wasn’t there we had to tuck ourselves into bed.
The following morning dawned bright and sunny and after a hearty breakfast, we said our goodbyes and returned home knowing that we only meet once a year but it is like we have never forgotten what friendship is all about. And look forward to the next annual event. Which will be the 13th .
See you all in 2005 (Stuart Murdoch)
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