ARBORFIELD - Friday 25th to Sunday
27th July 2008 inclusive.
The following report contributed by Trevor STUBBERFIELD (52A)
Photographs are by the contributor, unless otherwise attributed.
Saturday. The
AGM & The 45th AOBA Reunion Dinner.
|
Before the more formal program began there was a
chance to spend a little time visiting the R.E.M.E. Museum
housed in the splendid replica of the old Depot Guard Room, the approach to
which passes the Clock Tower which was brought in from the Woolwich
Dockyard when it closed. It has undergone a fine restoration.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo by Max Warwick 49B
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo by Max Warwick 49B
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo by Max Warwick 49B
|
|
There was a chance to get a Technical Top Up on
today’s military equipment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo by Max Warwick 49B
|
|
Bill Cleasby 61C, Hon
Secretary of the AOBA, gets the meeting underway.
|
|
|
|
The AGM took place in the Sgts
Mess and attracted a good number. The usual formalities were dealt with
speedily and then an idea was floated against the time we would have to up
sticks, leave Arborfield and gather elsewhere. To
remind us of the conditions we enjoyed during our years of training at Arborfield, the proposed new venue would be a holiday
camp. How appropriate. It’s an interesting proposal and will be kicked
about during the next year or so. Sounds like the end of the £1 a pint days
though.
Another proposal was to admit ex-apprentices from the
other apprentice schools to the AOBA. Prior to the AGM a poll had been run
on the AOBA web site to gain an idea of the popularity of this move. Those
who cast a vote came down firmly against this idea, so why was it raised at
the meeting, with some insistence one might say? Put simply, how would the
AOBA Committee Members feel if Chepstow,
Harrogate and Carlisle started poaching
members from the Arborfield OBA? A step too far
methinks.
And so to the 45th AOBA Reunion Dinner, held, not in
the Sergeants Mess as usual, but in the SEAE Regimental Restaurant. With
all seated it was very hot, airless and with air-conditioning which didn’t
function.
|
|
|
|
|
|
One section of the seating in the SEAE Regimental
Restaurant.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gathering before the meal, George Thrower, Trevor Stubberfield, Frank Bass, Eddie Hind and John Williams,
the 52A contingent for this year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whist waiting there was time to admire a spot of Art-borfield Deco on the walls.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo by Alan Morton 51B
|
|
Alan Algy Morton
and George Fleck, both 51B
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo by Alan Morton 51B
|
|
AOBA Membership Secretary Fred Mills with Keith
Tilly, both 51B
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Williams and George Thrower, both 52A.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frank Buster Townsend
of 52B.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trevor Stubberfield and
Eddie Hind, both 52A
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo by Max Warwick 49B
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo by Max Warwick 49B
|
|
The Stephen Nye Quintet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Photo by Max Warwick 49B
|
|
Memories and tales recounted of the 58ers time at Arborfield.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Above is the program for the dinner. One additional
toast was proposed and drunk. The Corps. This was to honor our servicemen
and women who were upholding the finest traditions of Arborfield
in the defence of peace.
Thanks were proposed, and heartily endorsed by the
diners, to the catering and waiting staff who had once again done a
magnificent job, as indeed they do each year.
Our thanks go to Bill Cleasby
61C, Honorary Secretary of the AOBA, and all members of the committee for
all the hard work that goes into organizing these reunions. Without them,
there would be no such meetings and we are deeply indebted to them.
And so the evening drew to a close with two, rather
subdued, renderings of the school song. Unfortunately there is no recording
to turn to but, if you remember the words, whichever version, then sing
along with the genteel rendition of Sir Arthur Sullivan’s music which he
kindly wrote just for us!!!!
|
|
THE REDS
|
Published: 15th August 2008
 
Sunday, Farewell.
|
