Category Archives: REME Junior Leaders Unit 1960-1962

REME JLU Arborfield 1960-1962

REME Junior Leaders Reunion 2014

 REME Junior Leaders Reunion  

31st October & 1st November 2014

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Programme of the Event

  • The reunion venue The Westminster Hotel (Best Western) Chester. The booking reference detail = Best Western Hotel Chester. Booking reference LEW31104 Contact is Edel Heaney. Tel 01244 317341 Quote the reference for the very special rooms and dinner rates. More info contact Barry Johnson on 07739905261

Dinner Reception 6.30 to 7.30pm.

Formal Dinner in the Private Dining Room 7.30

After Dinner Speech’s by three attendee’s on the subject “Why I was drawn in to be a Soldier of the Sixties and my most amusing military experience”

  • Saturday morning event “The Attractions of the City of Chester” and Pub Lunch to be arranged for those staying over.

Return to Hotel in the Evening for those who wish to stay over again just as before. An informal Party Dinner with headaches to follow!.

Depart Sunday morning

Obviously some will only wish to take part in part of the Friday night dinner re-union which we all understand. But as the last time’s Saturday evening was laced with some  very funny stories, it promoted the idea of selecting volunteers for the after dinner speech sector on Friday at our next one.

Please let me have your feedback on the programme and if you would like toi take a Speech Spot after Dinner?

REME JLU Reunion, Birmingham, 2013

 

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REME J L U Reunion

20th September 2013

Birmingham Radisson Hotel

Programme of Events

Arrive pm 20th September 2013-06-26

Dinner Reception 1900 hrs Banquet Hall Reception

1945 hrs – Dinner

Menu :See Appendix “A”

2130 After Dinner Presentation and Speakers Corner.

“The most embarrassing moment in life”

3 Guest Speakers

Retire to the Bar.

Saturday 21st,

Breakfast

10.30 A trip to the Military Arboretum Stafford.

1300 Pub Lunch

Afternoon free tour around Birmingham Canal Wharf Area

Very worthwhile and interesting event.

1900 Dinner Canal Bistro Restaurant for those who stay over.

Information about the Hotel,  Area and BOOKING INFORMATION:

12 Holloway Circus Queensway –  B1 1BT –  Birmingham 

 

Rebecca SmithMeetings and Events SupervisorT: +44 (0) 121 654 6000,D: +44 (0) 121 654 6000F: +44 (0) 121 654 6004

meetings.events.birmingham@radissonblu.com

www.radissonblu.com

Radisson Blu HotelBirmingham

 

Accommodation rates:

Friday night accommodation in a standard double room for sole occupancy at £112 BB

Friday night accommodation in a standard double room for double occupancy at £121 BB

 

Friday & Saturday accommodation in a standard double room for sole occupancy at £102 BB per room per night

Friday & Saturday accommodation in a standard double room for double occupancy at £111 BB per room per night

 

Birmingham Canals

Birmingham Canals provide a great place for holidaymakers to explore the city in an unorthodox way. While in the past they have been primarily used for industry, the canals now welcome visitors with guided tours and boat hire.

To explore the city centre of Birmingham, visitors to the city will need a quality hotel in Birmingham city centre. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Birmingham offers guests their choice of 211 comfortable hotel rooms and suites, each decorated in one of the hotel’s three themes.

Reserve a modern hotel to visit Birmingham’s Canals.

History of Birmingham’s canals
The navigable portions of the Birmingham Canals stretch over 100 miles throughout the city and the Black Country. Originally built in the 18th century, these canals formed an essential conduit for raw materials to reach the industrial stronghold of Birmingham. In its heyday, the Birmingham canal network contained 160 miles of usable waterways.

These days, the city has transformed what once was almost exclusively for the use of industry into a viable tourist attraction. The network’s hub has traditionally been near Gas Street Basin and guests can still visit the area for boating tours or just to see the immaculately restored examples of craft that used to be common on the canals.

Travel the Birmingham Canals from a city-centre hotel
Located just minutes away fromGasStreetBasin, the main junction of theBirminghamCanals, the Radisson Blu Hotel,Birmingham will be perfect for excursions to the waterways. This hotel inBirmingham connects visitors to all great local attractions and events venues, including the nearby Make Reservation

 

PLEASE ADVISE EITHER ALLAN OR BARRY WHEN YOU BOOK THE HOTEL.

REME Junior Leaders Unit Reunion 2011 – Stow-on-the-Wold

I flew in to Birmingham and from thence by train to Kingham, via Oxford. All transport on time and clean and tidy. Well done the two rail operators.

Kingham - The trains do run on time

I was informed by the taxi company recommended by the hotel that there was a race meeting in Cheltenham and there was no way he had any cabs available! I finally took the one suggested by the station master and we wended away along the misty Cotswold country lanes for about 4 miles and I was charged £20 for the privilege of the commentary on the Cotswolds.

Wyck Hill House Hotel...and Spa

The Wyck Hill House appeared out of the mist and proved to be a very fine venue. I have reviewed it here rather than detract from the reunion.

Arriving in the bar I found Geoff Powell and his good lady (I have difficulty enough remembering the lads so excuse me for not naming the ladies) and we chatted over a drink until the arrival of Mike Payne, sporting a neat Oz accent. A couple more drinks passed as more participants, I hesitate to use the word delegates, arrived. Barry had provided name tags this year so it was easier to identify people we should have known.

Shortly after this I retired to bed for a couple of hours in order to be in good form for the evening festivities.

It had been decreed in the ORBAT that we would assemble in the bar at 19,00 for preprandial drinks, but most made it early in order to find a comfortable spot.

I left you in this position

Maurice Quinnell and co

I was pleasantly surprised to meet Maurice Quinnell, whom I managed to half recognise, and we exchanged some old stories. It was a good time for getting to chat to people who I didn’t really remember but whose stories were so similar to our experiences.

And so to dinner and more good conversation.  Our table was occupied by the “bachelor group”, Barry obviously having decided that we would not be safe let loose amongst the ladies until after the formalities.

Following dinner we were entertained by an updated slide show from the 60’s. All human life was there but, unlike the NOTW , all with their clothes on.

 

Now where was I ?????

 

Then followed the tales of woe and embarrassment from a number of those present.  Forgive me but I have forgotten the stories and all the names but James Rafferty who “performed” last and won the whisky! I’m sure he deserved it.

And so back to the bar to discuss topics of great worldly import and generally enjoy ourselves.

Those were the days

I maintained my reputation of being the last to leave once again, but only just!

I breakfasted with Roger Smith and his wife, another couple who had flown in from Australia for the gathering, who assured me that it had all been worth it.

After this I made my farewells as I was being collected to join another reunion, this time Intelligence Corps, in Cheltenham.

I will attempt to get the details, and any photos, of the Cotswold bus trip and any further adventures from Barry and add it to this post later.

I’m sure everybody will join me in thanking Barry and Alan for getting this put together again and we look forward to the next gathering in 2012.

 

REME JUNIOR LEADERS – REUNION 2011 Update

 Programme of Event

 

 

REME Junior Leaders Reunion– 11th & 12th November 2011

 

Confirmation the event is booked to take place Central England in the Cotswolds at the Wyck Hill House Hotel located in Stow on the Wold by the Fosse-way.

 

We have gained extremely good special rates for the event for Friday 11th November which are double rooms and single rooms inclusive of the Friday night dinner and banquet room and service.

 

As I have also set out in the programme events like last year for Friday and Saturday as most stayed for the Saturday night as well I have gained the special rate again for those who opt for the two day package.

 

I must stress due to the time of the year and the size of our party I was able to get the rates well below what they would normally charge and this I assure you is an extremely good location and Hotel for a weekend break before Christmas.

 

Programme:-

 

Arrive pm 11th November .

Meet at the Bar 6:30 7:00 pm Drinks Reception As before Red Blue and Yellow (or White) Handkerchiefs top pocket depending upon Rowcroft, Tope or Joslin.

 

Dinner 7:30 in the Lord Rissington Suite (Overlooks theWindrushValley).

 

After Dinner Speakers.

 

Move to Bar 11:30 for those who can’t sleep!

 

12th November

 

Breakfast 7:30 to 10:30

 

Convoy Tour of Cotswolds for those who wish to visit exceptionally attractive Cotswold Villages.

 

Departs 10:30 First Stop –  Stowon theWold Town Square.

Very attractive especially interesting shops.

 

2ND Stop Lower Slaughter.

Mill stream and picture book scenes

 

3rd  Stop Bourton on the Water.

Pub lunch.

 

Bourton is worth half a day just to walk around

 

Return to Hotel

Evening Dinner at special rate again for those who stay over.

 

Single Night Package 11th November

Double/ Twin occupancy room for 1 night ( Friday night ) Dinner Bed and Breakfast is £165.00 per couple inclusive

Single occupancy room for 1 night ( Friday night ) Dinner Bed and breakfast is £120.00 per person inclusive.

 

 

Double Night Package 11th and 12th November 

Double/ Twin Room for 2 nights Dinner bed and breakfast is total £320.00 per couple

Single occupancy for 2 nights Dinner Bed and Breakfast is total £240.00 per person

Please remember this also includes the dinner both nights and the restaurant is exceptionally good by reputation and listing.

 

Booking details are as follows:-

(Visit the website below)

 

 

The booking reference required for guests to book these will be # 60603 REME Reunion. They will need to take a 25% deposit from guests at the time of bookings, and then full pre-payment of the weekend 1 or 2 night package 2 weeks before.

 

Katie Sanders

Senior Event Co-ordinator
WyckHill House Hotel & Spa

Burford Road

Stow on the Wold

Gloucestershire

GL54 1HY

 

 

T: 01451 831936  |  E: mev.wyckhillhouse@bespokehotels.com

 |  W: www.wyckhillhousehotel.co.uk

 

Please let me know that you have booked the hotel

 

Please also let everyone else you know about the re-union as we need to exceed the numbers from the first reunion.

 

If it goes as well as last year it will be great, but it’s going to go even better of that I’m sure.

 

I look forward to us meeting up again for a very enjoyable occasion.

 

Very best regards,

 

Barry Johnson

 

The Venue for REME Junior Leaders 2011-08-12

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REME JLU REUNION 2011

 

Draft Programme of Event

REME Junior Leaders Reunion – 11th & 12th November 2011

Gentlemen,

 

Minutes from the re-union 12th November 2010

 

1)    The vast majority of those who attended said they wanted another before we all get too old.

2)    For record purposes the following picture covers the visit to the REME Museum on the Saturday:

 


3)  At Mike Jackson “Josmic” website pictures are available of the Bramshill Hunt Lunch

No pictures available covering the Sunday morning departure from the Hotel in Wokingham due to the brightness on the November Sunlight!!!!

4)    As so many have called for a repeat re-union we have done a bit of research as to what we could do and where we could hold it. I would appreciate your comments and hear from those who will be attending?

5)    Firstly the Northern Guys would like the venue this time to be a little more central. I have had proposal for Birmingham, Manchester Liverpool and Stratford Upon Avon. PLEASE ADVISE YOUR PERSONAL PREFERENCE. The most popular will win the day.

6)    Friday 11th November Hotel Dinner as before, We will arrange special rates as before.

Dinner Reception 7 to 7.30pm.

After Dinner Speech’s by three attendee’s on the subject “My most Embarrassing Experience whilst I served in the Army. Votes from the audience afterwards will reward the winner with a Bottle of Scotch Whiskey.

7)    Saturday morning event and Pub Lunch to be arranged for those staying over..

8)    Return to Hotel in the Evening for those who wish to stay over again as before. An informal Party Dinner.

9)    Depart Sunday morning

Obviously some will only wish to take part in part of the Friday night dinner re-union which we all understand. But as the last time’s Saturday evening was laced with some  very funny stories, it promoted the idea of selecting volunteers for the after dinner speech sector on Friday at our next one.

Please let me have your feedback

Incidentally I’m assured by two members that if they have to, they will swim all the way back from Australia this time as they do not intend to miss it again.

Barry Johnson

b.k.johnson@btconnect.com

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