Previous
Page
The Association of Harrogate Apprentices
Page 4
A.O.H.A
REUNION and AGM held at UNIACKE BARRACKS, PENNY POT LANE, HARROGATE on the
5/6th
OCTOBER 2007.
After an 'early breakfast' at home on Saturday 6th October I caught a train from Dewsbury and, via Leeds, travelled the familiar route on to Harrogate railway station. (The day before I had travelled half way already, so to speak, from our present Summer/Autumn residence ... a static caravan on the East Coast! ... in order to arrive early enough to attend the Church Service looking & feeling at least 'half human'.)
I hadn't been to the Reunions of either 2005 or 2006 (and certainly these pages haven't recorded the happenings of any of these events since the Inaugural 1999 occasion) so, since it was impossible for Elaine & myself to attend the Friday night 'do' this year, it seemed the least I could do was to put in an appearance on this Saturday morning. Besides which, I do almost feel 'withdrawal symptoms' if I don't visit these Old Haunts and appreciate the atmosphere of these Places of Rich Personal Memories more than occasionally!
Well, the All Denominational Church Service was certainly well attended and conducted by the local Team of Padres (if Team is a reasonably correct collective term) which, as usual, was augmented by our own, ex A/T and now Salvation Army Chaplain, Major Lou Kinsey. Once more ('cos he does this every year!) we heard an informal but pertinent sermon from someone who has first hand experience of those of us who once served Apprenticeships here. The Service was traditional yet informal and certainly more pertinent (to me anyway) than the 'modern' performances that I've sadly attended in most civilian such establishments in recent years. Even the hymns had the right tunes which pleased me no end! As usual here though, I felt at home.
After the Service, where incidentally it was good to not only see so many banners of past and present Regimental Arms and Corps displayed all around the chapel walls ... but also the banner of our AOHA adorning the Lectern this morning, we adjourned to the College Museum (I may have its name wrong here!) which is located in the same building. First, coffee was on offer for those who desired. Then an Association Photograph was taken of all those present by a local & professional Photographer: bless the lady, she started off all professionally formal ---- but was soon reduced to near tears of laughter by the friendly banter of those she was trying to 'show in our best light'. Some six pictures of the assembled Mob were taken eventually ... and it will be very interesting to see the results!**(See Below) Even the College Padre and the accompanying RSignals WOII 'got in on the act' of exercising everyone's 'chuckle muscles' during the proceedings! No doubt the next issue of the AOHA Journal will advise you of how to order a copy for to adorn your Lounge or Den wall(s). **Please click here!
Next stop was the Robertson Hall, it's the Lecture Theatre to be precise and the venue for the Association's AGM. You (AOHA Members) will read all about this in the Minutes of course but these don't give the FULL detail, naturally. I have no intention of so doing here, either, you'll be pleased to read! One item that pleased me immensely though ... and hopefully will all members also ... is the creation of a new type of member that was agreed, i.e. a Life Member of our Association. (Two of us tried to bring up the idea at this Meeting --- but it transpired that other Members had been months ahead of us, thankfully, all in total secrecy!) ONE Life Member has now been created: DOUG DICKASON, the Founder of this our revived AOHA. (Doug has, after publishing the Minutes of this his last AGM, stepped down from the post of Honorary Secretary. The position is now held by Maurice Snook, who introduced himself to the delegates near the end of the proceedings.) Association Chairman, Col (Retd.) Cliff Walters, presented a framed Certificate to a surprised but obviously pleased Doug and a mysteriously wrapped packaged present to Doug's wife Sheila ... who has worked so ably with Doug in fulfilling his self appointed task of making our Association a 'going concern'. So, Congratulations to you Doug!! The Association Magazine (now renamed as The Journal) was discussed and the first, brilliant efforts of its new Editor, Dennis Teesdale, suitably applauded: regrettably Dennis cannot travel far these days so was unable to realise first hand just how well his initial work was received and appreciated by those present (and doubtless also by other readers who also were unable to attend this year). Various other subjects were certainly discussed and debated in the 90 minutes plus meeting ... including the revived Association Website, rebuilt and now hosted by Andy Monger. Unfortunately the new Webmaster wasn't present this morning and so the virtues and minor technical details of our having an online presence once again were, regrettably, swiftly 'glossed over'. The 'marketing' of our Association was certainly discussed but, again, the value of the World Wide Web as an additional 'tool' in our advertising the existence of a thriving AOHA seemed to be only lightly 'touched upon' ... or, again (see below!), ... "Was it ME?!"
Having been suitably entertained therefore, we made our individual ways down, on the 'new' road that runs parallel to Penny Pot Lane, to the WOs & Sgts Mess. There, of course, was a different sort of Entertainment -- liquid refreshment and a chance to meet up with new acquaintances and friends as well as old. Lunch was served here and I feel that I have to add my personal negative comments on it: we are asked, in our annual application form to attend these events, to state our individual dietary requirements. Personally, for reasons you'll soon realise, I have always asked for "English food, please". This year though, for the second time in my visits, I found that yet again was there NO English food on offer! Everything on the hot-plate was curried (or other foreign equivalents); not even a traditional Lancashire Hot Pot or Irish Stew in sight! I certainly cannot stomach curries etc. and presumably the Vegetarian diner stood little chance either .... there wasn't even a Salad Bar. Nobody else seemed to mind about this and, to quote Sir Terry Wogan once more, my thoughts are "Is it ME?!" I know our annual visit to the College is literally up to the 'goodness of heart' of the Commandant and the MOD 'powers that be' etc. and I certainly remember that 50 years ago our choices were often "Take it or leave it!!" --- but surely this is the 21st Century and Harrogate is in the centre of ENGLAND, isn't it?! Luckily, one of the kitchen staff rustled me up a BEAUTIFUL salad (it really was!) in minutes --- but the situation did cause embarrassment to both the caterers and myself. It would be terrific if this situation could be 'looked into' for future Reunions; depends who reads this, I guess!!
As has happened on many previous occasions, five ex 'Dukies' (at least) were also present today and we were able to bring each other 'up to date' on our own doings as well as our peers from both Harrogate and Dover. Talking of which, do YOU believe in Crazy Coincidences? How's about this then:
One of our number (i.e. an AOHA Member) is one Peter ('Dolly') Grey who joined AAS Harrogate in 1952, going into Intake 52B, coming straight from school. I joined AAS Harrogate in 1963, going into Intake 63B, coming straight from school. Prior to this Pete was a Scholar at the Duke of York's Royal Military School, Dover (i.e. an ex 'Dukie') as was I. We two had never met until the 1999 Inaugural AOHA Reunion. When he was at School, joining in 1947, he was in Marlborough House (1 of 7 such Companies/Houses for Senior Pupils) and had the House Number (equivalent to our adult Army Number) of M5. When I went into Marlborough House in 1957 I inherited his Number of M5. We came from all over the United Kingdom; Pete came from Shoeburyness, Essex. I came from Shoeburyness, Essex also! I lived at 68, West Road, Shoebury. Pete also lived in West Road, in his case at No.118, Shoebury. Then came the 'craziest coincidence' that topped it all: Pete was accompanied by his wife this year and we were introduced ......! Her name is Elaine. My wife is also (as they say in Yorkshire) 'called' Elaine. BEAT THAT LOT!!! Not quite relevant to the doings of A/Ts, I'll mention here, as a sort of anecdote, that the custom of older 'Dukies' when they returned in later years to the Duke of York's RMS was to give the paltry (well, it seems it now!) of 6 old pence to the boy who had inherited his 'number' back at the School! I never knew this because the custom obviously fell by the wayside during my time there. However, despite my continual requests, now that I realise my loss(!): do you know, I STILL cannot get that 6d out of Mr. Grey!!!
As always, by about 1400hrs the Mess was emptying of we visitors and the informal "Goodbye"s were variously said. There weren't so many familiar faces present as far as I was concerned this year but I still found it a worthwhile and nostalgic morning. Looking forward to next year's reunion then, I left the premises: amazing; I still automatically quickened my step guiltily as I passed the Guardroom!
This page last automatically updated: 31 July 2011 19:04 hrs.