Spring 2008
First things first. This year’s reunion was, again, a
great success. The regular core of Old Bartonians turned up, as expected,
though one or two had other commitments this year. Still, there were five new faces which was brilliant. Ron Gregson, now in his 80s, was at
the hall in 1947/48 and was the instructor in the telephone exchange. Dave Leah and his wife Elsie
were two more of our virgin reunionists who soon became familiar with everyone
and had a great time. Anyone and
everyone is invited to stay with them whenever they are in Norfolk. Sounds like
an offer that should not be refused! The other couple were Alan and Joan
Manion who were there in the late 50s. Joan was the star of the art class
with her painting of pebbles and it looks like she has discovered a real talent
and taste for painting. Alan and Joan must have had a great time as they have
already booked their place at next year’s reunion
Three Quizzes organized and adjudicated by Paul Austin
over two days, were not without dispute of course but we allowed Paul the final
word - most of the time.
An art class taught by Pete Garbutts wife Christine
took place on Saturday morning and I had to do a lot of cajoling to get some
people to go, others went voluntarily, yeah even eagerly but some buggered off
into town on all kinds of pretexts and were therefore marked AWOL. Those that
did take part were amazed at their creative talent having always believed
that they had none at all.
It must be said here that Christine really is a terrific teacher. In the
afternoon Pete had organised ( a bit of
a euphemism) a game of cricket on the sands. We had about 10 players and some
‘excused PE’ personnel came along to support us. Again there were a few who found
alternative ways to amuse themselves
- like going to Fleetwood Market or taking the opportunity to see the
’Riverdance’ boat which is beached on Cleveleys sands. Pete had brought
all the equipment in a very
professional looking cricket bag, including wicket keeping gloves, a
protective box and some silly hats for all of us - I took my own (hat).
If I am going to look silly it has to be on my terms. I think Pete had
specially commissioned the heaviest bat possible which most of us could barely
pick up never mind swing. Movements
took on the Rest and put them into bat first. They put on a pretty poor show.
The total score was around 14. When
Movements began their innings they were not shaping up too well either and
Pete, who professed to be something of a pro and was wearing whites, was out
first ball after being called LBW by the wicket keeper who was wearing her old, outdated bifocals and confirmed by
the Umpire Ken (Cotton), not wearing any glasses at all. But, ho -hum, if
anyone was going to be out for a duck it was always going to be Pete. It looked as if The Rest were about to win
easily until Gordon Pashley stepped up
to the crease. He is of an indeterminable age– but suffice to say a
few years older than the rest of us. (Gordon has been to every reunion, on his
own, travelling by train from somewhere remote and hundreds of miles away in
Norfolk). Anyway after a shaky start he suddenly got his eye in and was soon
tonking the ball all over the beach, poor Kath Sey, who had been nominated to be his runner, was begging him to miss
a few so she could have a rest. Thanks entirely to Gordon’s efforts, Movements
soon beat the rest of us and though Gordon didn't get a full innings he was
declared 'man of the match'. We almost had to carry Kath back to the Hotel. Next year we are holding a sand castle
competition –requiring less exertion - and Pete wants this to be a proper pukka
event so bring your buckets and spades and a hard hat! I don’t think cement
mixers will be necessary but you get the picture. Kath and Pam as always took
care of the Bring and Buy and Ron’s
Raffle which swelled the coffers somewhat.
As always sincere thanks to Paul, Kath, Pam, Pete and Christine for all your efforts to
keep the rest of us entertained. .To
everyone else who attended, thanks for turning up, thanks for
joining in and especially, thanks for booking for next
year
REUNION 2009
Friday 24th April—Sunday 26th April
Lindum Hotel 63/67 South Promenade, St Anne’s on Seas,
FY8 1LZ Tel: 01253 721534/722516
Two Nights Dinner Bed and Breakfast
plus Sunday Lunch
£110 Sea View
supplement £5 per night
A 20 deposit will be required at
the time of booking.
IMPORTANT
For those who attended this year’s
reunion and who registered their interest before they left
the hotel please send your deposit ASAP to confirm.
The Lindum tell me that they took 29 reservations on
that Sunday! That’s amazing and it
should perhaps encourage anyone who has not been to a reunion before to pick up
the phone and book their place for next year, especially as it will give them
the chance to return to the hallowed ground at Barton Hall—see below Hopefully there will be no competition
from Daniel O’Donnell fans next year!
.
Ode To Absent
Friends
We
sent you an invite then sat back and hoped, That you’d realize you were not being soft soaped.
That we really did want you to join our small
group, So into the lounge of the Lindum we did troop
And
we watched and we waited, but YOU didn’t arrive
There was much catching up and some new
people to greet, The lounge was quite
full but we saved you a seat.
Dinner as always was extraordinarily good,
The chefs at the Lindum are experts with food.
So we watched and we waited, but YOU didn’t arrive
Most of us told tales, all true of
course, Though some had expanded and
grown since their source.
Arrangements were made for the weekend’s
activities, But as always, there were
some with different proclivities
Still we watched and we waited, but YOU didn’t arrive
The art class went well, though a few had
absconded And later we trooped to the
beach and bonded…..
By playing cricket ……..at Pete’s
insistence Even the donkeys were
keeping their distance
Yet
we watched and we waited, but
YOU didn’t arrive
By now many were asking if YOU would
attend. What more could we do, than an
invite send?
We thought it a shame that you were
missing the fun, And even the skies
cried and blocked out the sun
And we watched and we waited, but YOU
didn’t arrive
By Saturday night we started to ponder and
ask, Is it possible –are we up to the
task
Of getting more people to join in the
fun? What does it take, what more can
be done?
Though we watched and we waited, YOU
didn’t arrive
On Sunday we gathered for our final
meal, A lunch to round off an
incredible deal.
The Lindum again had provided a
venue, That cannot be beaten –with
great service too
We had watched and had waited, but YOU
never arrived….Why?
scroll
down
An Offer We Cannot Refuse
We have received an invitation from DEFRA to have a look at their establishment which
now stands on the site of the old
Hall. The representative was very
surprised when I told her that there could be 25-30 ( or more) wanting to go
but she thinks they can cope. The Saturday morning of the next Reunion would be
a good time and we will travel in our own cars, but if we can send each car
full it would be more environmentally friendly. Please let me know if you want to go. If there is a lot of interest then we may have to split into two
parties. I will try to keep you
updated as things develop .
Contact me
Tass Cotton tel: 07890 196316
email: tasscotton@msn.com
also website www.barton-hall-atcc.org.