Click on the links above to access photos
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.
2 PARA REUNION CLUB - BLACKPOOL FEBRUARY 2010 NEWSLETTER
I would like to thank everyone who helped make the reunion a magnificent event. This year we had the pleasure of meeting the CO 2 Para Andy Harrison, RSM Tony Hobbins, our old hero Gen. Ted Eberhardie, Gen. Adrian Freer, Col. David Bennest and the new Padre David Feltham-White and of course our very own Maj. Nick Copperwaite. A special thank you to Col. Archie MacKenzie who attended with the Chelsea Pensioners, Ralph Dickenson and Jim McGovern. This year two of our Arnhem veterans joined us, Tom Carpenter and Dennis Brady it was a privilege to see them fit and well. Once again a warm 2 Para welcome to our new family members.
The reunion weekend seems to be expanding with 90 members arriving on Thursday and leaving on Monday. A real airborne weekend trying to explain that principal to our old CO's did not work, was never really understood, maybe it will be now.
As most of us grow old disgracefully it seems that some things never really change - the rush to the bar is at a more leisurely pace but prying people away from the bar is still practically impossible. With the 'weekend' beginning on a Thursday those late arrivals on Friday had quite a lot of catching up to do and most managed but for those still trying better luck next time.
This year the committee with the help from Head Office even managed to arrange the good weather which is no mean feat in February. Next year, to be on the safe side, we are holding the reunion in March, so get your bids in early (booking form on the reverse). I would like to dispel the wicked rumour that due to the numbers this year I booked people in to the cleaner's cupboard, anyway we let him out in time for dinner.
We will also be holding the mid year fund raiser in October and need as much support as you can remembering the boys are back in Afghanistan at the end of the year and we may be called upon once again to give our support.
The Legion once again became the focal point for everyone and I am sure they were pleased to see us all.
There were 292 seated for the regimental dinner this year and was made even more spectacular with the Battalion Colours and Mess Silver - a huge thank you to the CO who made this possible. How to better this will take some doing but perhaps a quiet word with the Regimental Col. to see if his mum can lend us some kit!!!
The meal washed down with the now famous 2 Para wine was a huge success and the CO's rousing speech was received with rapturous applause. A presentation took place of over �1600 to the ladies of 2 Para who took part in a parachute jump with the Red Devils to raise funds for the Afghan Fund. Along with the CO, armed with his new 4 pint mug we all then retired to the bar.
As the night progressed, once again I must thank Linda, Andrea, Margaret, Shirley, Christine, Veronica and Nicky who sold raffle tickets and hold an auction hosted by special auctioneer Dave (the gavel) Pusey. It is a thankless task but it needs doing to help support our club. This year Linda supported by her team stepped in at the last minute as we were let down by our normal ticket sellers, Andy and Ian Anderson who could not attend as their mum had taken their pocket money and grounded them (Andy I have been in touch with childline and Esther is writing to you).
Sunday came around too soon and the Church Parade, which I thought I would never help arrange, took place at 09.30 with some 12 standards from all over the UK paraded along with the Battalion's Colours and a short but poignant service was held. Three wreaths were laid from, CO 2 Para, 2 Para Reunion Club and the Families of the fallen.
As fond farewells and addresses were swapped, people began their long trips home. To Dave Graham, Canada is not so far away, see you soon.
It seems to be arriving earlier each year but the time has come for my report on this year's reunion.
Trying to keep the weekend interesting for such a wide group of people is quite a challenge, so a special thank you to RSO Capt. Nick Mys who gave a brilliant brief on the battalion's coming tour in Afghanistan, god speed. Lt. Tom Clinton then stepped in with an interesting talk on training the modern way (I bet it still hurts). All in all, a very informative afternoon.
DAVE
Below is the Chairmans report for Blackpool 2010