RSA Liverpool

The RSA annual reunion weekend was held at the Blandford Camp on the 1st and 2nd July 2006. The weekend started with a leisurely drive Southward on the Friday 30th June. Loaded on the Picasso Battle Wagon were Steve Brisk at the wheel, navigation was achieved with the aid of Frank Conlan and Jim Carruthers with “TOM TOM” as back-up. Aussie Graves was on Pub Look-Out duty. This duty it has to be mentioned; he performed admirably throughout the whole weekend and not just on the outbound journey. Despite having, state-of-the-art navigational equipment along with such expert and very talented “navigators” we did manage a unplanned detour, or two, or three, or four, or was it five times?

The pit-stop for the outbound journey was at the Michael Wood services on the M5. Here we sampled the delights of the Picasso Battle Wagon snack bar with Earl Gray tea, and freshly ground coffee supplied by Steve Brisk. Frank Conlan provided the much needed and appreciated nutritional nourishment in the form of corned beef and ham butties along with a chocolate wafer bar for pudding.

We arrived in plenty of time to book into the camp and collect our paperwork and keys from the Soldiers and staff who manned the Reception in the Princess Mary Hall. The Picasso Battle Wagon snack bar was then re-located to our accommodation for the remainder of the weekend. We had been allocated beds in the “Goose Green” block room “13” (unlucky for some).

Later that evening we found ourselves in the Sgts Mess (now there’s a surprise) sampling the delights of the fine ales and good brew on offer. Some even indulged in a tipple of rum with lime. This delicate little blend is a favourite of one of the Chelsea Pensioners affectionately known by all as Wally.

Saturday found us all taking pleasure in an itinerary packed day. The Princess Royal Day parade was a fine spectacle to be enjoyed by the spectators and visitors. Good weather had held out and there was a heat wave warning “grade 3” issued by the met office for the whole weekend. Bobby Taylor and Colin Svenson had been spotted wandering around the Museum car park looking on enviously at the collection of vintage vehicles. Later that evening once again we discovered the delights of the fine ales and good brew on offer along with a curry supper for those who still had some room following the three meals a day from the “Cook House”. Tony Mullin our Standard Barer was indulging in some deep and meaningful conversation for most of the early evening with Aussie Graves. The chimes at twelve o’clock; found us all upstanding and raising our glasses for a toast to “absent friends”. A small number of revellers carried on the movement and toasts a plenty were in evidence until a large number (six or seven) port bottles lay emptied at the bar. Much to the amusement of our comrades from Scotland Ireland and Wales. The fact that England was knocked out of the world cup adds flavour to the idea we were only drowning our sorrows.

Sunday morning was laden with a few sore heads and delicate little tummies hovering around the camp until a suitable cure was to be found. The Museum tea bar had been agreed by some to be the concluding meeting place for a final cuppa and to say a fond farewell to friends both old and new. With promises all round to keep in touch.

Our journey home was marred by flash floods and sections of the M62 being closed. A quick detour; planned this time was put into action to avoid the congestion along the M6. Aussie Graves had sustained his Pub Look-Out duty and directed us to stop at the “Chase Gate” pub. This was discovered in Cannock between the M6 and A5. Here we ate a hearty meal of Whole Steak and Ale Pie with chips and Peas. And for those not driving a pint or two of the local Brew.

All in all a truly excellent weekend with old friendships being renewed and new links forged.
Our thanks for the weekend go to the Soldiers and Staff at Blandford who made our stay a really enjoyable occasion.

Yet another good time was had by all.