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REUNION REPORT 2011

                                                                          







To start off with some statistics for the 2011 reunion that was held at Arborfield over the weekend of 29th to 31st July 2011. 246 members attended what potentially could be the last reunion weekend to be held at Arborfield, many accompanied by wives, partners and family members. I have resisted the impulse to put mistresses on the list not of course that we had any. Major General Ian Dale (74B) took the salute and the Rev’d Canon Bev John (66A) officiated at the Drum Head service. 150 members took part on the parade and 200 members sat down for the AOBA Dinner. The Pipe Band was led by Alex Burt (64C), the parade commander was Brian Hutchins (61B) and the RSM (11 Trg Bn) was WO1 (RSM) Steven Deakin.   


The format for the weekend was very much as in the past apart from one notable exception – the marching out of the school/college gates. This very moving ceremony followed the Drum Head service and ended with three cheers from all present. Like all things planned everyone did their own thing and all those who were told to go left out of the gates went right and vice versa but at the end of the day it all worked. The one disappointing aspect of the march out was the discovery that someone had pinched the brass plate that had been fixed to the right hand pillar depicting the history of the Apprentice. If anyone has a digital photograph of the said brass plate, I would be grateful if it could be e- mailed to me at the Museum for inclusion in the AOBA Archives.  


As was expected the AGM was very well attended with about 150 members in attendance. The great debate on where next to hold the reunion was a lively affair with excellent presentations being given by Fred Mills and David Schofield. Each option being put forward i.e. Corton Holiday Village, Great Yarmouth and the Barcelo Hinckley Island Hotel, Hinckley was given a full airing but in the end it was agreed that Hinckley Island Hotel would be the venue for next year’s gathering. I understand that we are looking at the weekend of the 1st to the 3rd June 2012. Other matters discussed during the AGM were the new Management Committee appointments i.e. Major Russ Kenyon (77C) replacing Lt Col Ian Cooper as Vice Chairman, David Schofield (65A) replacing Bill Cleasby (61C) as Honorary Secretary, Herbie Coles (66B) replacing David Schofield as Webmaster and Alec Powell (64C) replacing Keith Evans (45A) as Assistant Honorary Secretary. I am sure that I can speak for everyone in thanking Ian Cooper and Keith Evans for their contributions as Committee members.


The AOBA Dinner was a splendid affair with the 61ers in pride of place on the top table. My thanks to Alan Woolley for chasing up the 61Cs. It was very pleasing to see two Apprentice RSMs sitting down to dinner, our own Brian Hutchins (61B) and Bernie Eames (61C) – I am not sure what happened to 61(A). I had a few complaints about the sticky toffee pudding and the loss of dentures but in general everyone enjoyed the evening and the occasional swinging of the lamp. Members will be pleased to hear that I later presented Zena and Carol with bouquets of flowers in grateful thanks for all that they have done for the AOBA over many years of reunions..


 In conclusion I would like to thank on your behalf General Ian Dale for his attendance at the reunion, RSM Steven Deakin for putting the Mess at our disposal and for all the background administration in setting up the weekend. I would also like to thank WO2 (CSM) Kerry Porter for trying to keep us in step and his team of volunteers Sgt Bysh, Sgt Powell, Sgt Davies and Sgt Craft. Their efforts were very much appreciated. I would like to end by thanking everyone in the Association for their support and friendship during my time as your Honorary Secretary and for the splendid gift of decanter and glasses presented at the end of the dinner. There is no truth to the rumour that I was bit wobbly on my feet or had just imbibed a glass of 126% proof whisky. Gentlemen, it has been a privilege and honour to have been your Honorary Secretary and I look forward to renewing friendships at the next reunion.     


(Bill Cleasby 61C)