ARBORFIELD OLD BOYS ASSOCIATION 47th REUNION.

ARBORFIELD - Friday 30th July to Sunday 1st August 2010 inclusive.

The following report contributed by Trevor STUBBERFIELD (52A)

Photographic contributions as attributed..

Sunday

Remembering the valuable, but few and far between ‘Free Sundays’, this was the chance to enjoy the company of friends and mull over the events of the weekend. Once again we had the opportunity to parade on home ground, the square in Rowcroft Lines and that gives much added value to the occasion. With the change in the political situation we must proceed on a suck it and see basis but financial reviews and cutbacks strengthen the possibility that we will return for more traditional parades in the next few years at least. Indeed the dates for the next reunion have already been announced. Set aside the last weekend in July next year, be there or be square. Rowcroft square of course. 2015 is the current sound of the Arborfield death knell but nothing is carved in stone these days.

This decade of parades is in the hands of the 60s intakes. They got us off to a very good start with a great turnout, though visually it appeared that the supporting numbers from other intakes were down, but notably there was an increase in walking sticks, wheelchairs and electric chariots amongst the regular attendees of the senior intakes. No doubt the AOBA will publish all the relevant stats in their report. It is a fact that the 70s should now be actively hunting down their missing intake members, they can be difficult to winkle out of hiding and time passes so quickly.

Recruitment numbers to the association for the past twelve months were healthy, but unfortunately we also lost those who had been recalled to H.Q.

All in all a successful reunion made possible by the hard work and dedication of our elected AOBA Committee who deserve our praise and thanks, and who will, no doubt, already be talking in terms of 2011. No little thanks also goes to the garrison staff who make it happen for us and give up precious spare time on our behalf.

Let’s do it all again next year.

If you tried the snippets of pipe band music and they brought back a few reminders of the parades at Arborfield, why not visit our Arborfield Bands section where you can listen to both Pipe and Military bands?.

Published: 1st September 2010

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