Page 26 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 64

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

3/78 Scarisbrick Grand Reunion By Nick Storer

People’s personal lives, medical appointments, work
or club commitments all to be taken into account
when considering the date. And it began with the
date being proposed, and the expected replies due
to personal commitments, sorry can’t attend cus…
new date, sorry can’t attend cus… new date-guess
what, same answer. We finally got there, suitable
date for all, 19th October 2024, location agreed
on – as said Brum, venue for food clarified – an
Indian restaurant in Sutton Coldfield, success, all
done. The menu was easy as the venue has it online,
so people can prepare if they read it. Next the easy
part. Sir can we have a grant please? Maj Lewis
thank you.
Then probably the most difficult part of how
to contact the old boys. Obviously, Facebook was
the first port of call. People finding and contacting
people through contacts and their friends list were
hit, calls made etc. Pretty sure you get the idea.
Some people could not be found, some don’t want
to be found, once out the army they have drawn a
line under that chapter in the book of life. Some
transferred to different corps or emigrated to lands
A Little slow of the mark but it finally happened, The ten of us enjoying
44 years since our Passing Out Parade, we finally the Indian cuisine in our near and far. In the end out of the 32 who joined
matching polo shirts we got 12 names to attend the evening, to be honest
got together as a group, yes, ‘we actually did it’.
for the first one that was a good number. As with
It all started one day with a conversation between
any event people drop out and we lost two the day
Glenn Wallace and myself, about reunions and
before, maybe next time they can make it.
how 3/78 Scarisbrick had never had one, with that
As the messenger group grew, so did the online
‘BOOM’ the wheels were in motion to get as many
banter as if it was only last week and may it continue
of the boys as possible together. Surely that cant
to do so. Some had arrived the night before and
be hard to do? Some had crossed paths along the
spent the day together, some on the day - (me) due
way but for the majority we had not seen each
to clay shoot reffing day, Steve on grandparents’
other since we bid farewell to St Omer on the
duties, Nick Ford-no idea but he got there on time,
19th June 1980.
Ray cus as always making himself look handsome,
For Glenn (bless him) this was a baptism of fire
as he is getting older takes longer than it used to,
as it’s his first, and lucky for him a small one and yes
You get the gist.
seeing as its Glenn and his first he had a little, well
a lot, of assistance. The usual issues still apply and as Role of attendance – pictures from our youth in training (Pete Murray is not shown).
always, it was going to be a challenge to organize, A handsome bunch we were:
for those that have organised such events will know
that it sends a cold shiver down the spine, just the
thought of knowing whats gonna happen to get it
organized. The usual organisational issues began as
with any event or reunion, who is taking on what
duties and responsibilities, me, the venue, Glenn had Chris Waldren Ray Donovan Nick Storer
the biggest issue how do we find people!!! Where
we were having the meet up and when, the food and
menus, let the nightmare begin. The where part that
had to be central to ‘everyone attending. Usual issues
with a location is people want them in their area etc.
Glenn Wallace Steve Wignal Ian Plumb
– Brum, can’t be much more central than that, on
average 120 miles each to travel. Upside to Brum is
loads of hotels for those wanting to stay overnight.
The food selection was easy, an Indian meal in a
restaurant and I stress not a takeaway!
Now the big issue the date, anyone who has run
Kevin Brewer Nick Ford Derrick Futcher
one of these things knows that part is a nightmare.
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