Hi
Dickie,
Obviously something important prevented you attending this year's
Reunion and we (many of us, missed you) I hope everything
is well with you and your family.
Now where do I start, well, I guess much the same as last time I s'pose,
this year we (Pam and I) brought my son Stephen and, his fiancée
Claire with us because they know what I was, but have never seen what
I used to do, so, what better than a live performance by some fine
musicians belonging to the best military band in the world to show
them.
We arrived in Portsmouth at about 1430 on Saturday afternoon and booked
into our rooms at that venerable sanctuary of drinking and solace
for Sailors and Marines for many many years, the Home Club. (it's
called something else now but we all know it as the Home Club)
Having completed our usual shopping trip to Gunwharf we repaired to
the Home Club for preliminary drinks prior to the commencement of
the reunion.
We were a little surprised because we didn't meet up with the usual
crew who we always looked forward to meeting but no show, (I feel
another hostelry might have grabbed their attention!) however
we did meet up with John Cockwill and a friend whose name escapes
me for now (apologies)
At 1930 we arrived at HMS Nelson and were welcomed at the mess with
an extremely good tot of Rum and Bucks Fizz for the ladies (the
Rum was extremely attractive so I sampled at least 3!!) Once
inside the mess we met up with lots and lots of friends and acquaintances
from all those years ago, now, let me attempt to remember a few names
and I sincerely apologise to all those that I had the privilege of
meeting up with, but have forgotten your names already but, your faces
are still in the grey matter somewhere so you are not forgotten.
Let's get going then, Dave Stockham and his lovely wife Linda, Mike
Thompson (Tommo 2), Olly, Pat Hill, Tom Scade who I haven't seen once
1983, Laurie Lovelace, Roger Hollingworth, Barrie Pettitt, Mick Hickman
and Jim Rider (another whom I haven't seen since 1980) Mike
Hutton and my old friend Hookey Walker to name but a few, for those
whose names I forget at this moment in time, I blame "old timer's!!!"
Now where was I?
Oh yes, we next got the instructions to go to the Gym to witness the
Beat Retreat by the Junior band (I think that was who they were
because there were only 3 instructors in it). The performance
was superb, the marching and drill were second to none, the display
was slightly different this year inasmuch they marched on in slow
time breaking into quick march once they were central in the gym,
interesting but well performed, the music was brilliant, unfortunately
we were not given a programme of music and although the band broke
into a march we've all played a hundred times I'm damned if I can
remember the name of it now. However once the usual quick/slow routine
was completed the band then formed up facing the audience in a wide
formation rather than long i.e. front to back.
An arrangement of Lord of the Dance was played beautifully and, coupled
with a brilliant display of drumming and stick drill by the Corps
of Drums made it terrifically complete, thank you very much all the
members of the band and drums and I'm not forgetting the immaculate
Drum Major who, like all his former colleagues was a credit to the
Corps. Following the display Col Nick Grace spoke informing us that
this was his last weekend in the band service before retiring after
35 years and, conducting the orchestra at the Cathedral tomorrow for
the Memorial Service would be his very last "gig" (my
words not his), 8 MFM's, Edinburgh Tattoos etc etc I guess we
all have similar memories but not as a PDM!
Col Grace also introduced us to the next PDM a Col Ridley I believe.
It was back to the mess for much lamp swinging and quaffing of ale.
An excellent curry was also prepared for us and much better than last
year so a big thank you to the chef. After breakfast on Sunday morning
we made our way to Portsmouth Cathedral to be part of the Memorial
Day Service, the music selected for this occasion was a really nice
choice the orchestra were seated and ready to go, the first piece
was March Militaire by Franz Schubert and a joy to listen to. Second
up was Schubert's Unfinished Symphony 2nd movement and last but not
least we heard Mendelssohn's Scottish symphony 3rd movement. I have
to say the orchestra played all three pieces absolutely beautifully,
I heard some lovely Oboe and Clarinet playing, it was obvious the
Brass were having a whale of a time and the strings were the proverbial
cherry on top. I congratulate the orchestra on their exceptional playing
on Col Grace's last engagement you made his and our day.
The Choir were again tremendous but I did take exception when they
were singing The Anthem (words: Te Deum Laudamus) when twice
we experienced a dreadful noise coming from 22 horns situated up high
in the nave above the orchestra (hope I've got that right)
they are called Trompete de Maris sea trumpets and they were made
by Nicholson & co. They are connected to the organ but to me they
sounded like that loud fog horn heard off the Deal coast when we were
band boys. Can't quite understand what they added to the sound of
a beautiful Choir, and it certainly didn't do much for anyone I spoke
to afterwards.
Well enough of this, I've gone on long enough other than to say to
the Band and Orchestra, you did your former boss and us, proud and,
to Col Grace, Good luck in whatever new venture you take up.
Best wishes Dickie
Jem
