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Blackpool 2010

This year we attended the 12th gathering of the 2 Para Reunion Club at Blackpool. As usual the advance party from the south, Dave, Linda, and myself, arrived on Thursday morning loaded to the hilt with all the bits and bobs that are a necessity, raffle prizes, the reunion Falklands flag, standards, not to mention Dave and Linda's mattress topper,,,,,Dave then had another journey to go and collect the reunion club clothing in Chorley.

The Thursday is without doubt becoming a big part of the weekend allowing those who turn up that day a full Friday and Saturday to enjoy the pleasures of the town before returning home on the Sunday. This year over 90 people had booked for the extra day with many also staying over until the Monday before attempting the journey home.

In January Dave and myself had travelled to France via the chunnell to collect the reunion club wine. Just a few weeks later Dave and Linda had arranged to meet up with Roly in Blackpool for a final briefing with the hotels new manager to finalise matters, so after re-labeling half of the wine, (Roly volunteered to do the other half) took that along with them allowing room for actual passengers in the car on the reunion weekend. This is just some of the work that goes on behind the scenes to make the weekend a success.

Thursday saw the compulsory few beers in the foyer bar while rekindling old friendships. Our old mate the Canadian was already embedded having arrived back in the mother land from Ontario on the Tuesday, and as usual on stag at the bar to buy drinks for all who wanted them,,,,,,, and if you believe that !!! Friday saw the main body arriving, with over 300 attending this year the hotel soon began to fill. Yet another fine evening was had and it was good to see quite a few faces attending their first reunion.

Saturday morning after breakfast it was rapid advance to the Legion for the annual blue rinse awards. How good it was to see Gen Ted and his wife Christine joining in with the fun. For the second year the Battalion had organised a powerpoint presentaion for us. Covering the past year since their return from Afghanistan and the preparation for the next tour was RSO Capt Nick Mys. The other, an insight into the training of the modern recruits at the Depot was given by Lt Tom Clinton. Both were of great interest and went down well with the members. A very important part of the weekend, and for the second time we set aside a period for family members of those soldiers wounded or lost in Afghanistan to meet privately with the CO and RSM.

The ballroom holding the reunion dinner looked spectacular and with the very kind consent of the CO, no doubt engineered by our own Major Nick Copperwait, the battalion silver and colours were proudly on show. At the stroke of 7 the Ride of the Valkyries struck up and the top table guests entered. This year we were privilaged to have the company of two former Generals in Gen's Ted Eberhardie on his second visit, and Adrian Freer attending his first 2 Para reunion, along with the other top table guests, RSM Tony Hobbins, Roland Collier, Dave Singletary, Lt Col Andy Harrison CO, Major Nick Copperwait (President) Al Jones, and former CO Col. David Benest.

During his talk the CO paid tribute to the soldiers of the battalion lost or wounded, and in particular Pte Tatlock who was in attendance with members of his family. In all there were five families of soldiers lost in Afghanistan in attendance. The CO also took great care of his newly aquired 4 pint engraved tankard presented to him by the reunion club. I have to say he didn't put it down for the rest of the evening, quite an achievement in itself as it must have weighed a ton!!

Sunday morning, once again seen us holding the memorial service at the cenotaph outside the hotel conducted by the battalion pardre. Also a big thank you has to go to those members that brought along their branch standards and made the effort to carry them during the service. This is now a feature of the weekend and I would urge as many members as possible to support this.

The club and reunions continue to go from strength to strength and in my opinion this was the best to date and on behalf of the 2 Para Reunion Club we look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Utrinque Paratus

Al Jones.