Items of Interest

First of all we would like to thank the very many of you who sent letters, emails and phone calls of support following our last upsetting letter. It is very gratifying to know we have the backing of the majority and we are pleased to say there were no letters of dissent, so hopefully we can continue the Shiners Club without any more animosity. It just goes to show that true 10^th Hussars are not afraid to stand up and be counted. From feedback we have received we have come to the conclusion that the person causing all this is “away with the fairies” and is to be ignored.

One of the phone calls we received was from Bill Slatter,who,as we all know, is a stalwart of the Shiners Club and a 10^th Hussar through and through. As you know Bill has not been very well and had been away on holiday, then when he arrived home he opened all his mail and found, as he called it, this disturbing letter. For many years Bill and John McKay were very great friends and had known each other a good 50 + years, correct me if I am wrong,Bill,so anyone who knocks the Shiners Club or anything appertaining to it, Bill takes it personally because he and John and one or two others whose names escape me at the moment, founded the Shiners Club. He wanted to know who the person was who published these emails and said I was right to send them out in a letter to show people what I am up against. He said he would “have words” with this person. Bill then went on to tell me how the Shiners Club was formed.

Many years ago John McKay and Bill Slatter got together and decided they would like to hold a reunion of old comrades annually. John in Manchester and Bill in Pontefract wanted to alternate the venue, one year in Lancashire and the next year in Yorkshire. Unfortunately Bill was taken ill with a heart condition so could not organise the Yorkshire side. That is how Stockport became the annual venue.

As usual we will start with the sad news. George Peel, age 72,died on 2^nd June 2004.His brother informed us of his illness, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and very soon afterwards his brother informed us he had died. I have had many a good crack with George, he was a very quiet, unassuming man, one of nature’s gentlemen. He was a regular at Stockport, in fact he had already sent for his tickets for this year, and he will be sadly missed.

Bill Wilson is still having a lot of pain in his legs, he is out of plaster but wears support stockings, and goes swimming to improve the muscles.But,as he says, even swimming is a painful exercise. One should not go arguing with a fire escape while having one leg still inside the car!!

Don Kane is still hopeful of having some treatment for his deteriorating eye-sight. I am sure, as we know Don, he is positive and there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Best of luck. Don.

Have heard nothing on the grapevine regarding the 10^th Hussars widows. We hope you are all continuing with the ballroom and sequence dancing and we hope you are all well.

We have been asked to put this message in the letter from Doreen and Syd Murley following his little episode at Swindon, apparently he is OK with no further problems.

“Doreen and I would like to thank everyone at the Swindon lunch for their kindness and concern over my little episode. The offers of accommodation for Doreen were really appreciated and we received phone calls from all over the country.Thankyou all very much, it is good to know that the spirit of such a fine regiment lives on.

Have had an email from Syd saying all his tests were OK so Swindon was a one-off.

Have also had an email from Peter Hill who has asked us to put the following message in the letter.

“ I am going to dedicate a page for XRH Peoples Email addresses, if you would like to be included please email me at pete-hill@ntlworld.com “

This would help us financially as we could down-load the letters rather than using postage, that is, of course ,if people are agreeable.

Every time we send a newsletter it costs about £150,i,e postage, printing ink envelopes etc.Clive Ham regularly provides us with paper for which we are very grateful. We are not exactly awash with funds Subs are down to a trickle and we do appreciate the extra pounds which people ask to be put in the kitty.Unfortunately,since June blew up the old computer we have this new all-singing and dancing one and we cannot get cheap ink which is compatible. Each cartridge costs £21 and we usually use 4 per newsletter. Until some firm gets on the bandwagon and comes up with a compatible ink we have to pay. It will happen eventually but until then we have to pay full price. Failing that we could apply for a lottery grant for the newsletter! We know the answer already “Foxtrot-Oscar”.

The Swindon Sunday lunch was again a great success and well attended.57 sat down for a meal and a yarn. That is very good. It is nice to meet old friends even for only a few hours. Full credit to Tony Bentley for arranging it as usual.

Now to the Stockport reunion. Last year, due to problems caused previously at the Acton Court, I was somewhat forced into a corner to find an alternative venue rather quickly. Hence the hike in prices last year.Consequently,I was rather embarrassed with the venue and prices in general. A short time ago I went cap in hand to the Acton Court and they have said we can have a room there again this year and thereafter. It is a smaller room and can seat 100,and it also has a bar. The room we usually had they now have a restriction of a minimum of 150 (weddings etc).The room we have booked is on the right before you go up the steps to the Champions Bar where we normally meet before we go in to dinner, so the Friday evening gathering will also be at the Acton Court where we have a few sandwiches and put the world to rights. Now we are back at the old venue please think about coming as at the moment we have only sold 30 tickets. What we are looking for as well as the regulars, are people who are members of the Shiners Club but have never been to Stockport, please come, you will be very welcome. All ranks,REME,signallers,ACC etc,There is no rank here, we are all good friends and one big Shiners family. Bearing in mind when John was alive the numbers were 75-100.Please do not let John’s hard work be in vain and let us draw a line under the last couple of years. Also please note the change in menu.

We have lost our £50 deposit at the Davenport and the Acton Court have asked for £50 deposit for this year and £50 for next year, so our expenditure is going up. We hope the price of the meal will be less next year at the Acton Court, I think you will agree it is worth it to get back to our original venue. The Acton Court have also said they have accommodation available.

So please send for your tickets. As I said so far we have only 30.On a mercenary note, please ladies, don't take unwanted gifts to the car-boot sale, bring them to Stockport for the raffle.

As Bernie McGee said to me years ago, as long as there are 2 people sitting at a table the Shiners will never die.

It only remains for me to say, if you haven’t had your summer holidays or 2 weeks baby-sitting, have a good summer and look after your gardens and hopefully we will see you at Stockport in October.

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Davenport Park Hotel 175,Buxton Road, Tel; 0161 483 9421

The Acton Court 187, Buxton Road, Tel; 0161 483 6172

And now for the menu for this year.

Tickets for the Dinner/Dance will be sent on receipt of your cheque and the ticket request with your address (see below) Please send as early as possible.

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The Swindon Sunday lunch is on May 16^th and is being held at the same venue as last year,namely,The Crown Inn.

The price for the meal is £9 per head for 2 courses and as last year, you have the choice of which 2 courses you prefer. Starter and main meal or main meal and sweet, or if you can manage it, you are able to have all 3 courses. On the bottom of the letter is a tear off slip for you to fill in with your choice and return to Tony not later than the first week in May as he needs to let the Crown Inn know the numbers and menu choices. Do not send any money as you pay on the day.

The Crown Inn will be open from12 o’clock for drinks and to sit down for lunch at 12.30 and is open all day. The Crown has extended its accommodation,and,for anyone who needs it, Tony has negotiated reduced rates. The prices are £40 single and £50 double, both with bed and breakfast. There is also, just round corner, the Fir Tree Lodge on Highworth Road,01793 822372 or Port Quin at Blunsden,01793 721261,if the Crown is full.

Black Forest Gateau with Cream

To copy highlight, right mouse click copy and paste either into Microsoft word or Notepad then print.

E-mail ronxrh3873@aol.com

Davenport Park Hotel 175,Buxton Road, Tel; 0161 483 9421

The Acton Court 187, Buxton Road, Tel; 0161 483 6172

		Shiner News August 2004