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RAF Bridgnorth 2009 Reunion |
Peter Williams has kindly written this account of the 2009 reunion
held over the weekend of 8th & 9th August 2009.
In her address the Revd Angela Rogers, who in her youth had witnessed the
farewell parade in the 1960's, compared Service life to that of belonging to
a vast family that showed close ties one to another. An example being the
empathy shared with those who serve in Iraq and Afghanistan. To the tune of
Eric Coate's Dam Busters march we sang "God is our strength and
refuge. "Since this was a morning of Holy Communion there followed the Act
of Eucharist during which Alan Causon rendered a solo "Arm Arm Ye Brave!"
from (Judas Maccabaeus) by Handel. The Service concluded with a prayer of
blessing and the National Anthem. Following the Service we walked the short
distance to Castle Hall where the Mayor had arranged light refreshments for
us before we dispersed.
The previous evening in the Community Hall, the Mayor, Councillor Malcolm
Griffiths, gave his keynote address, whereby in light hearted manner he
spoke about the bonds that once existed between the Camp and Town of half a
century ago. He raised a laugh or two as he "embroidered" around the edges
claiming that at times the bonds of friendship appeared very strong between
recruits and the young female residents of Bridgnorth.
Meanwhile life at camp continued it's rigorous pace and competition was
keen amongst those wishing to win a trophy known as the Drill Cup We were
pleased to have the cup displayed amongst other items of general memorabilia
including uniform of the day. It had been a long search to find the cup as
Peter Williams explained but it eventually ended at RAF Halton. His appeal
to the Deputy Chief of Staff there was answered promptly and sympathetically
so no time was lost in getting it to the National Service Parade and our
re-union. We have to thank Cpl Briggs for his co-operation in making
arrangements for it's release with the stores of the Officer's Mess at RAF
Cosford.
As a reminder of the ups and downs of the search, a caption competition was
held inviting comments for an illustration of a lady bearing aloft a chalice
in protective fashion. The Mayor judged the entries and chose one that fell
into line with his own rumbustous remarks earlier.
Acting on behalf of Gwynne Chadwick, Peter announced the re-opening of the
web site that can be accessed on www.rafbridgnorth.org.uk
The meeting gave an opportunity to learn of the attempts to create a new
memorial stone for RAF Bridgnorth. Negotiations had taken place with the
Officers of the Countryside Unit at Shire Hall who are responsible for the
site but talks had slowed due to the difficulty in finding a source of
funding.
Finally, our thanks go to Mike and Susan and the cohort of ATC members who
combined to make both the social evening and the Church parade a success
Next year's event will take place over the weekend of 3/4 July, The
Bridgnorth re-union will be organised by Su Briggs in Mike's absence.
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On a glorious sunny morning to the rousing strains of the RAF March Past
and the Great Escape, played by the band of 63 (Bridgnorth) Squadron ATC
under direction of Bandmaster Cpl Mike Briggs, 70 or so veterans marched
sprightly down the High Street to St Mary's Church for a Service of
Thanksgiving for the 70 th anniversary of the camp's formation.
The Parade was led by Flt.Lt.(VTR) Sue Briggs and the salute was
taken jointly by the Mayor of Bridgnorth, Cllr Malcolm Griffiths and Wg.Cdr.J.W. Stanfield of RAF Cosford.
Peter Williams August 2009