BLACKWOOD HODGE REUNION, JUNE 2017

On June 24th this year, we held the 5th Bi-Annual BH Reunion, again at The Worlds End publice house in Ecton, Northants, England.

77 numbers paid for their tickets, and 76 turned up, not a bad result.

Actually, a 77th did turn up out of the blue, Alan Smith, Northampton Welding Shop Charge Hand, but only stayed for a few minutes as he was on crutches for some reason, (maybe dropped a gas bottle on his foot, we didnt find out) but he is threatening to turn out for the next one, so lets hope he does.

The venue was better than last time in 2015, although they still ran out of real ale which was detrimental to the enjoyment of John Bailey & Tony Nelmes in particular, but the food was better, and this time there was enough of it, although the surplus of chicken wings at the end suggests we order something different next time !!

Little else to report apart from the fact that the general opinion was that it was a very good day, introduction from Martin Ede, and the main speech by Dennis Tidmarsh covered the formalities, and special thanks to David & Sandie Lambourne and Kathy Stewart for looking after the registration of guests and the distribution of the momentos.

It just remains to fill in the gaps below with all the fotos that were taken on the day, some by Keith Brealey, but mostly by Sandie Lambourne, and the list of people there.

The next Reunion is due in 2019……but who knows, we might slip in an extra one in 2018, as we are all getting so old & frail now, it might be necessary if we are to get those numbers again.

Northern Ireland, Darlington, Cumnock, Greenwich, Addlestone, Brockton, were represented on the day, apart from all the locals and many other places too numerous to mention, so many, many thanks to all those who took the trouble to travel such distances to be there, and also to those unnamed heroes, The Eastcote Eight, who set it all up.

Example of the name tags supplied to all guests….any aged apprentices will notice that the background is taken from the indentures they received after their 5 year task.

So to the photos…..names where we remember them, apologies for anybody not named, please write in and we will update if we have missed you. Some general scenes first………..

…..Sandie Lambourne on her tour of the room snapping all and sundry…..

Philip Hodges, John Tyrrell, Tony Freshwater, Alan Matchett….

….David Coleman….
….Kevin Ingram & John James…..
..Mick Stevens & Geoff Barber (not on list for some reason)…
….Benny White & Eddie Hopes…..
……..Tony Nelmes, Eric Belcher with newcomer Doug Hinds framed between…..

…..Phillip & Jeanette Hodges…………

…..Pauline Lord & Kathy Stewart….
….Kev, Jamo & Nev Harding…..
…..Geoff, David Goodman & Denise Campbell….
…….Phil Hodges & Martin Ede………

….Kathy Stewart & Dave Lambourne on Reception…
….96 years young Jack Hudson with his old boss John Tyrrell…
..Dennis Tidmarsh, Jimmy Cahill, Seamus McCabe, & George French..
…..Tony Freshwater & Malcolm Syme…..
….Christine Matchett, Denise Ede, Elaine Belcher….
….Phil, Dennis & Keith Brealey….
….Pauline, Ann Brealey, Jayne Bailey, & Julie Edwards…
…..Malcolm, Ned Edwards & Nigel Bailey….
….Eddie, Nev & Tony…..
..where was Mick when the light went out, Mick Fenton..
……Andrew Foster & Martyn Brawn…..
….Martin and guest Mark Anthony, soon to write a book about BH we hope…..
….John Bailey, Doug Hinds & Bob Dickie…….
….Alan & Eric….
….Harvey Brown, Tug Wilson & Bill Roberts….
…..Sara Brown, Brenda Roberts & Brian Redman…..
….Graham Lampshire, Jess Jones & Fred Pole…..