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Reunion 2010
Picture of Ray Watts
Ray Watts
Hi All paticularly those who managed to attend the reunion at Beckington. My personal thanks goes out to those who arranged the evening for the effort that they made to make it the success that it was. Despite the years blurring the memory it was excellent evening for making new friends and talking over old times. One thing was apparent though and that was despite the harsh disciplined atmosphere we were all taught in it actually had prepared us for the years that lay ahead and whilst at the time it did not appear to be the "best time of your life" looking back it probably was.
 
On my part I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and will be looking forward to the next one whenever that may be
Mar. 28, 2010  (Edited Apr. 5, 2010)
 
Picture of John Stickland
John Stickland
Hi all.
Think you've summed it up very nicely, Ray.
Super evening and all our thanks must go to Steve W and his good lady for organising such an enjoyable evening.
Sue and I both enjoyed it very much.
Great to meet some of the old masters again, especially Harry Mower, and as you say renew old aquaintances and make new friends. Super evening.
Regards to all.
Sticky.
Mar. 29, 2010 
 
Picture of david hough
david hough
Can I add my thanks to the organisers for all their efforts to ensure a successful evening. It was a real pleasure to get together with you guys and to relive old times. Sorry I had to leave a touch early. The palsy means my eyes tend to go out of focus when I get tired and I was driving back to the south coast. Apart from that, the memsahib was sitting at home worrying about me driving. I'll bring her along next time and she can drive. Hope there is a next time. 
Mar. 29, 2010 
 
Picture of Stuart Stickler
Stuart Stickler
Hi Guys, can only endorse the sentiments that John, Ray and David have expressed, it was great to meet up with friends, old and new, must do it again some time, perhaps now that a few of us have met face to face we'll get a bit more input on the site, hows about it guys?
Mar. 29, 2010 
 
Picture of Rich Lanham
Rich Lanham
Hi Lads, I can only echo what has already been said. It was great to meet up after all this time and it was a bonus that the ladies also got on. I felt sorry for the band because they killed it stone dead when they started and the older ones left. I love a band but wanted to catch up and have a chat with you guys which we managed in the " Quiet Room." I think another meet would be great now the ice has been broken, so to speak.
 
Cheers all,
 
Rich
Mar. 30, 2010 
 
Picture of Anthony Eccles
Anthony Eccles
Hi guys, it seems that a good time was had by all, I arrived late and had no excuse as other than Steve had the least distance to travel from home.
I can only repeat what you have all said and am amazed at the effort put in not only by Steve and family in organising the reunion but by some of you travelling a fair way to the do and then stopping in B&B, shame about the band because they were just getting going when almost everybody had gone, I went out for a smoke and a chat and then another smoke and when I came back in the hall was deserted, how they all got out I don,t know as I was outside the main doors.
On one of our trips outside for a smoke (Ray, Ian & myself) we were joined by Jack Cosnett, out for a puff on his pipe, he recalled a few things about the old Days at the Tech, some happy and some not so and some just downright funny (he just could not understand how Ray Jones got away with it for all his years at the Tech) but I think even that was part of our education, rambling on now so must close,------------- looking forward to the Steam Show later in the year
Mar. 30, 2010 
 
Picture of Rich Lanham
Rich Lanham
Hi Anth, I wouldn't worry about rambling on mate, I thought that was what we all did on here !! It's all entertaining after all and sometimes it'll spur on some of the quieter members on here.
 
Talking of quieter members. How about some profile pictures so we know what we're dealing with here !!There are still quite a few blank stares on the members list, it almost reminds me of school.
 
I agree about the effort Steve and Gabbi put in. I didn't realise he was doing the catering, shopping and bunting etc. I asked several times what he needed doing and didn't really get any answer. Then on the day I sent a message to ask and he said he'd be there in 5 minutes at noon, so by the time I shot over from Bristol it was gone 2pm and his dear wife was up to her neck in food. Still, thanks to the good folk that helped, without them nothing would have been done and it was nice to be sitting in the Travelodge at 1 30 in the morning eating leftover cheesecake and champagne ! I know how to live boys !! Mind you it was only coffee for me at the Little Chef in the morning and some more pleasant company with the Tayler and Stickler families.
 
Now who's rambling ?
 
Rich.
Mar. 31, 2010 
 
Picture of Stuart Stickler
Stuart Stickler
Ramble On, wasn't that a track by Led Zeppelin, I reckon what we need Rich is a metaphorical big stick with which to poke people with.  Something Ray said interested me, he said that he visits the site frequently but doesn't  think that he can add much. I said that it doesn't really matter and that any old rubbish will do. Sometimes we have a serious discussion, but usually they degenerate into nonsense or veer off in a completely different direction, often ending up with trains, tractors or parrots, although valves have made a recent foray into discussions. Oh! I forgot the "pin - ups".
The upshot is that anything goes, hopefully if others do the same as Ray perhaps they'll feel more inclined to start a discussion of their own, or suggest an event that others may also wish to attend, e.g. Sticky's Steam Society's rally in August, Tony, Bill and myself went last year and had a great day out, we're looking to do the same this year. There could well be other things out there which would be of interest. So if any of you silent partners are reading this tell us all what you're up to and into.
 
Rich I'd like to say I hope you were sick having champagne and cheesecake on top of that cider, but it would only be jealousy  talking.
 
Mar. 31, 2010 
 
Picture of Anthony Eccles
Anthony Eccles
What champagne was that then???
Mar. 31, 2010 
 
Picture of Stuart Stickler
Stuart Stickler
The several crates that was under the table !!!
Apr. 1, 2010 
 
Picture of Rich Lanham
Rich Lanham
What can I say Tony, except that as you were late you probably didn't notice the champers on the table as you enertred the hall. Me and my Mrs stayed on after and did a load of washing up, wrapping up etc and Steve gave us a bottle of shampoo that was left over. Stu, I have the constitution of an ox generally, so there wasn't a hint of any technicoloured yawns or shout for " Hughie." I must admit there wasn't my usual quota of cider comsumed  because after 4 the glare from my wife tends to make it a little flat, as she remembers the Falling Over episode at the Nova last year !!
 
If you are reading this Ray then this is all we do waffle, so if you feel inclined, waffle on. We've mentioned topics but we've not covered the amount of dinner you could get on your school blazer, but probably have about the City of Bath girls on their trek up Brougham Hayes to get to their school. Running the gauntlet they were for sure. Of course you can be boring as well ( I often am ) so I'll tell you all that I bought a new shirt and tie for my Great Grandaughters christening today !! Sod the expense, I shopped at George by Asda and pocketed the difference. I hope the wife dosn't want the receipt, I could make a few bob from the house keeping out of that !!
 
Take Care Boys !!!

Rich
Apr. 1, 2010 
 
Picture of John Stickland
John Stickland
Hi Rich.
Like your style!
Sticky.
Apr. 3, 2010 
 
Picture of Someone
Someone
It was a good night.  As it turned out, Harry Mower was the only person I knew there, and wasn't he amazing?  Hope I'm as good as him when I'm his age, in about 40 years' time ....  Thanks to John Hill and David Hough for some interesting conversation.  See y'all again one day, hopefully.
Apr. 5, 2010 
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