Club News

Our list of old comrades is growing by the day. We have had contact with quite a few people see list of new names and addresses below. The majority of them did not know the Shiners Club existed, they thought the regiment died with the amalgamation, which could not be further from the truth. If my memory serves me right they are coming to Stockport in October, but we still need more of REME,ACC,Signals and Uncle Tom Cobley and all!!! The more the merrier.As you can see by the Regimental Journal,if you read between the lines,other areas are struggling,and we certainly do not want the Shiners Club to suffer the same fate.Think positive-Stockport.!!

New members

John and Cathy Sidebottom, 9,Ewehurst Crescent,
Flint Hill,
Dipton
Stanley,Co.Durham.DH9 9JA
Tel;01207 570799.
Email;johna.sidebottom@virgin.net

Terry and Margaret Budden. 5,Fairholme Close
Elson
Gosport.PO12 4HZ
Tel;02392 612708

Gordon Baker,
1 The Park
Erlestoke
Devizes
Wilts
SN10 5TY
Tel;01380 830839

James Hutton,(Jock)
6,St Patricks Road,
Yeovil,
Somerset.
BA21 3EX
Tel;01935 425496

R.Huggings
51,High Howe Lane,
Bere Cross,
Bournemouth.
BH11 9QT.
Tel;01202 577635

J.A Henderson (Arthur)
44,Norfolk Avenue,
Rowanfield,
Cheltenham.
Glos.
GL51 8DE Tel;01242 704550

J.K. Tyler,
34,Cedar Drive,
Southwater,
West Sussex.
RH13 9UW.
Tel;01403 731940.

XRH Shop

In a couple of weeks time I will have a stock of polyester regimental ties at £12 each which includes postage. Being polyester you can wash "soup of the day" off them. The silk ties are very nice but not washable and they discolour with age.Also I am in the process of obtaining cuff links with the regimental motif but do not know the price yet, again possibly around £12. The sweaters and polo shirts,I think you will agree, are very nice.Let us have some more orders. The people who have contacted me and requested them are very impressed .They are the ultimate local bar, golf club attire. The shop will soon have a webpage which will enable you to view items for sale.

The Bad News

I will give the bad news first.Peter Nash died on 6th January 2002,he had numerous health problems-too many to list---but to live with them showed a tremendous amount of determination, resilience, and above all courage.His last reunion was a visit to Swindon for Sunday lunch where he met John McKay who he had not seen for about 50 years.They recognised each other immediately and his dear wife,Iris, said he talked about it for a long time afterwards.Although these gentlemen are no longer with us the spirit of old comradeship will never die.
Ted Williams lost his lovely wife on 14th January 2002.It goes without saying our thoughts are with him in his sad loss.
Ken Harrison was in hospital in January ---diagnosed with diabetes--- he is now injecting himself on a regular basis and feeling better.
Eric Farris has had a major operation and is halfway through his treatment.Had a note from Norman Long saying he had seen him and he looks well,and all the local lads will be having a get-together soon,primarily to give Eric a day out. We are all pulling for you,Eric.
Clive (Taffy) Ham a couple of weeks ago had the wind taken out of his sails, his wife, Jean, was diagnosed with breast cancer.She is to have pre-operative procedures on Thursday 14th March, and is for admission on Monday 18th March for operation.Clive says she is very positive and brave about everything, she is still at work and they are even going away this coming weekend.Well done,Jean and Clive, you are an inspiration to us all. Hopefully the operation will be over and successful by the time this letter reaches you.but they will not know the severity of it until after the operation.Our thoughts and prayers are with Jean and Taff at this anxious time.I do not like being the conveyor of bad news but I think that as they are all old friends, and we have known each other for 45-50 years, we like to know how things are with everyone and a phone call of support does not go amiss.I am sure you do not have to be a rocket scientist to know what I am saying .Taffs phone number is 01029 463980
 

Arboretum project

I had a call from John Hewitt regarding the Arboretum project.The unveiling of the Plinth will take place on 20th April at 1200hours by General Frieberger.It is requested you get there by 1100hours,again in regimental attire. There will be tea,coffee and refreshments available for purchase. The Arboretum is located on the A38 just south of Burton-on-Trent in the village of Alrewas and we do need a good turn out.John is spending a lot of money on phone calls telling everyone who contributed.The site is well worth a visit and somewhere to go for a day out.You will see what I mean when you get there.If anyone does not know how to get there give me a bell. We do not want to let General Frieberger down. Please let John or myself know if you will be attending or not for catering purposes. A prompt reply would be appreciated within 10-14 days.John's phone number is 01325 352881.

On Safari

Bernie and Pat arrived home safely from their safari.Bernie said it was something he should have done years ago and the memory will never leave him. Well done both of you.Bearing in mind Bernie is now a VERY SENIOR CITIZEN!!!!In fact he is senior supervisor of bus passes.>

Found

We found Jock Hutton through Tony Nunn.Jock has had 4 by-passes and is now retired.
While in conversation with Major Nunn he informed me that,with respect, one of our old squadron leaders (B Squadron) Major Ingram is very poorly.If you hear of this,Sir,I am sure all the former members of B Squadron send you their fondest regards and best wishes.

Top Dvr/Sig/Gnr?

John Sidebottom was Fred Nicholas' driver and John is most anxious to meet Fred at Stockport.I phoned Fred and told him so hopefully he will join us.Also Terry Budden is coming from Gosport to meet up with his old friend John Sidebottom so it should be a good weekend for them. I had an email from Gordon Baker's daughter,Linda.We exchanged views when her Dad said "Chips" Arand was the best tank driver in the regiment.I said it would make a good topic of conversation if they came to Stockport - no doubt the best gunners,loaders/radio operators would be sitting round the same table.As I said to Linda ,it is very boring to the uninitiated but makes for a good weekend when the wine is flowing.But that is what the weekend is all about,remembering the "good old days".If my memory serves me right ,while B Squadron was at Warminster,we could get 3 rounds in the air at once with the main gun,one up the spout,one between your legs and one in your arms.The loader actually fired the gun,when you put a round up, the breech was shut,you tripped the gun and shouted "loaded" and the gun fired automatically because the gunner had his finger on the trigger.But it all happened so quickly."Those were the days".I still cannot remember what range we had to put on,whether it was 2,3 or 4000 yards.Our gunnery gurus will tell us-Dennis Townsend or Winky.

Cavalry On Parade

As stated in the Regimental News there is the Combined Cavalry Parade taking place on 11th May. I do know there are 4 of us going by car from this neck of the woods. We are staying at The Union Jack Club and will be there Saturday night. Don't forget, medals, berets, regimental ties, square shoulders and straight backs,gentlemen!! I think a contingent from Norman Long's Southern section of the Shiners Club is also going,but it would be nice to see a lot of 10th Hussar ties on parade. We are the lead regiment on parade this year.

Dinners    Go To

On a personal,mercenary note I must remind you of the Stockport weekend.So far we are just into double figures, so I would ask you to positively get your finger out and send for your tickets. Again we are looking for more attached personnel,wives,families,etc. Everyone is welcome. We only had 70 sitting down last year and I was quite nervous because the numbers had dropped. Hopefully there will be more this year. Details can be found on the reunions page. Also the Tidworth weekend is worth looking at, but again it is the question of expense for those of us north of Watford Gap
 

It only remains for me to say we hope to see you all in October and June and I wish you all the best of health and happiness.