8th  Annual Reunion of 60 Sqn R.E.
Post Op-Durham

To all those that attended our 8th Reunion in Durham , Carol and I thank you for your support, without your enthusiasm we would not be having such great reunions every year.

Carol and I, as usual, attended the Hotel Late on the Thursday night so we would have time to set up for you all to arrive on the Friday. This would have been our biggest turn out to date with 140 attending, however due to the current economic climate and ill health 24 had to pull out, for those I hope that their circumstances pickup and that things will be better for next year.

Friday started early with the first people arriving at 10.00am, I was still sorting out name badges, and setting up the stall.  Again this year if the rooms were available you were allowed to check in immediately. A few did have to wait but that is to be expected and everyone had their rooms by 2.00pm. I must say I got fed up with people coming back down to me saying, “Roy the room is great how did you find this place” sarcasm aside it was great to have good feedback.

This was the first time that we had a Squadron Flag Flying at the Hotel, even though it is full size, not everyone noticed it, those that did were suitably impressed

Unlike last year when we had to wait for the bar to open, the staff were all on the ball and they were ready and waiting for us, we needed little encouragement to Belly up to the bar, a phrase that I had not heard before but explains things very well. The drinks were not as expensive as last year which is always good news.

The location of the bar was next to the Carvery which is where we would be having our evening meal. This was open all day and with a little wheeling and dealing I was able to arrange for us to start having our dinner from 4.0pm which was a big plus as it had been a long journey for some.

Some of you may remember last year that a certain couple went to the Reunion a week early, well this year when I went to reception on Friday Night with the question,  “have all my people booked in” Mr Anderson has not checked in was the reply. I get on the phone, “Andy its Roy are you coming to the Reunion” “yes it’s next week in it” “no sorry mate it’s this week,” Those that know Andy can guess his reply  “Oh B*****ks.” Lets hope that he gets a Diary for Christmas and that we see him next year, I know lots of folk especially Smudge Smith from Aussie land was looking forward to seeing him again after 35 years.
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I do not know what time the bar closed but for once I had an early night  - 23.30 I do not know what time the last person left but everyone was bright and breezy at breakfast. Again this was good food, the only criticism I would make is that there was insufficient staff to do the job, I raised this with reception and was promised it would be sorted so for those that had to wait to get served the Hotel sent their apologies. 

True to form there is always a story to be had at breakfast of the previous nights events and this was no different, it goes like this.
“Roy have you heard what happened last night”, “No” I say “tell me”  “well evidently C**** R*** somehow got into the wrong room and went to bed”  you know how the story goes, you know Goldy Locks and the three bears. Well the guests of that room entered in the early hours and you guessed it. “Who’s that sleeping in MYYYYY BED”
Yep it was Goldy Locks, I mean C**** R***, fast asleep on top of the bed luckily still in his underwear (not a pretty sight) with his glasses neatly on the bedside table.  One of the bears was a nurse and had seen it all before so spared their blushes, they recognized Goldy Locks,  oh what the hell Chris Ryan as one of 60 Sqn and with a little encouragement and help from Reception got Chris back to his own room and the 2 bears then managed to get a decent nights sleep, Chris did not charge for the bed warming servicew.

Later that Morning, way after Breakfast I asked Chis what had happened, “you know Roy” he said,” I thought I  dreamt  it, I have no idea how I got there, can you tell me who’s room it was so I can apologize” which of course I did and Goldy Locks and the two bears lived happily ever after – (in their own rooms) To spare any further embarrassment I will not name the bears but I believe that they got their just desserts and reward by winning the first prize in the Raffle, a 22” Flat Screen TV on Sat night. Okay most of you know anyway, the Bears were Charlie and June Norton who I must say took the story in their stride.

People as usual did their own thing for a few hours but the weather was not kind to us, this did not stop most from shopping or attending the local attractions, Beamish and Durham Cathedral were the top attractions.   

Tony Langton organised a game of Golf and Ian Blair put up the prize, this was won by a very pleased Budgie Sparrow.

Saturday evening came around all too fast and at 5.30pm most appeared for the pre dinner drinks and the photo call. I must say I have never seen so many men turned out in their Sunday Best, The Ladies looked fabulous as always and photos were taken. I am looking forward to seeing the results. This is the second time we have employed a professional Photographer and I hope it will not be the last.

At 6.45pm we went into the Ballroom and I have got to say the lighting and ambience was the best that I have seen in any location that we have had so far. The meal was presented, and to be able to dish up 120 meals in the time was a credit to the Chefs. I thought that the food was good and this was reinforced as I have not had any complaints.
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After Dinner the raffle was drawn, not by me on this occasion but by Bob Johnson and Ian Blair, Charlie Long took photos of the lucky winners. At this stage I must say thanks to them all for giving me a break, they did a fantastic job and they can do it again next year as they did it so well. I would like to thank everyone for digging deep and buying Raffle tickets on both nights, we managed to cover the cost of the Sqn Flag and we still have money in the account to carry us forward into next year.

After the raffle, Dave James, our resident singer and my old school mate, started off the entertainment and by the time he started his second song the dance floor was full and it remained like that till closing at 1.00am. We must be getting older as I believe the last person was in bed by 3.30am

Sunday morning came all too quickly and it was unbelievable that most made breakfast without a word of (oh I do feel bad) or (where are the paracetomol), the good old British Breakfast worked wonders. After that the usual tears of joy and
sadness were exchanged with, Happy to Meet, Sorry to Part but looking forward to meeting again next year were exchanged.

I really hope that the people that came for the first time:-
Larry (Smudge) Smith and his wife Marjorie, and Dave Owen from Australia,
Pete and Margret Knight and Bob and Jean Beattie together with invited friends enjoyed themselves and they will join us next year at Operation – To Be Confirmed.

Carol has asked if anyone has photos of the weekend to let her have a disc with them on and we will merge them with ours and produce a master disc with all the best photos on.

I hope that you all had a good journey home.  I know that Charlie and Wendy Long are in Barbados and Smudge and Marjorie from Aus are with them. Ian and Sue Blair are back in Spain. Mac and Jane MacIlveen are in Islamabad. Dave Owen spent a few days with Carol and I and I did the tourist thing with him, he is now spending time with Family and friends prior to returning to Australia I look forward to seeing you all again next year if not before and I thank one and all for supporting our Reunions and the association, we have something very special that a lot of civilians could only dream about, lets not lose it.

All the Very Best

Roy and Carol