Newsletter, Dec 2011

2012 REUNION

Shipmates and Ladies

I am sorry to advise that the 2012 reunion has been changed, due to spiralling costs which did not include tours and meals etc. I spoke to Robert and we decided to get a price for Blackpool and Southampton. However, after a number of weeks the hotel in Southampton confirmed that no dates were available in May or June. They did put me in touch with their sister hotel but the cost was double of what was originally quoted.

Therefore, the 2012 Hermione reunion will be in Blackpool!

The hotel I spoke to offered me the hotel in June for £99.00 B&B which includes dinner on the Saturday night. The reunion will be held on the 14th/17th June.

This date is particularly poignant as this is the date of the loss of the Hermione in 1942 and I would like to attract as many of the vets or widows as possible to come and join us. The address for the 2012 reunion is as follows:

The Colwyn Hotel
569 New South
Promenade,
Blackpool,
Lancashire.
FY4 1NG
Telephone
01253 341024
http://thecolwynhotel.co.uk/

There are 21 rooms with a mix of Doubles, Twins and 4 singles. When the hotel is full, there are a number of apartments next door which can be used.I have been asked if we can hold the 2013 reunion in Peterborough. Again future that is up to you shipmates so please let me know.


Update — Robert our Chairman

Firstly, as you may or may not know Robert, our chairman was seriously ill last month and has undergone surgery in Southampton. He has come through this but still has to attend hospital in Portsmouth for the foreseeable future. Robert is now back at home recovering with Joanna his wife by his side.

When I was informed I contacted as many members as I could and asked that they put the word out, this was quite successful. We also had requests to put it on Facebook for those not in the association. In doing this, I received a number of emails showing their support for Robert and wishing him a speedy recovery.

On behalf of the association I would like to wish Robert a very speedy recovery and as Robert would say “see you at Blackpool in June” Good luck and best wishes to you and Joanna.


Reunion

Birmingham 2011

The reunion in Birmingham went well although we were down on numbers! Nevertheless, we had a good time and we were all well looked after.

On the Saturday we went by coach to an Exhibition by the Smethwick Heritage Trust who as you know from my last newsletter raised over one million pounds to pay for the building of the wartime Hermione. Unfortunately, their chairman suffered a heart attack so he was unable to attend our dinner on the Saturday evening.

Click on any picture to zoom in.


From there we went to Cadburys World and I think a good time was had by all especially with the free chocolate on offer! We spent the afternoon with the smell of cocoa and could not get rid of it as several of the prizes were cocoa based!

Our Vice-Chairman gave us all a good, but short speech. Thanks George, your getting better and shorter! George also collected the cock-up cup for falling asleep.

We also went to the Birmingham RNA who gave us a warm welcome, entertained us and also provided some scran (food) It was about 1994 when we first visited their club and the first time that we had one of the wives join us and I am glad to say that Val still comes with us every year despite losing Peter a few years ago and is very active within the association which is greatly appreciated! Thanks Val for your support.

I would like to thank all of you that have sent the engineer and myself Seasons Greetings and I would like to return the same greetings to you and yours for the coming year ahead! When we meet again we will all be just a tad older and some a little wiser, please note, our treasurer would like you to consider him this Christmas by paying ones subs. All subs are what keep us afloat!

Thanks shipmates. I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year…
Yours aye,
Steve Brotherton


I would like to mention Lucy Courtney who has not been with the association long and but has some serious health issues, although a squaddie by profession, she tied up alongside Paddy and is now part of this band of pirates and cut throats. Lucy has kindly volunteered to do this newsletter, taking the reunion photos and puts herself about on our behalf. Get well soon Lucy and I hope to see you in Blackpool. You could even tie your boat up alongside south pier and then you won’t have far to walk.


If you would like to download this newsletter, please click here

To view more photographs from the Reunion, head to page 2.


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