The Second
HMS Manchester Association
The Buzz - (Part 10) continued....
March 2011 - After all the activity in February, you would think we were due a quieter month - except Re-union 10 is twelve weeks away and now it's time to crack out the "Calling Notice" and find out who is up for a few beers! We've also one or two ideas which we want to implement to mark our tenth re-union - together with the retirement of Her Majesty's Finest. With all the excitement over and done with, the ship moves back to FLJ4 for a six week period of frantic de storing, whilst name and numbers are painted out, she now awaits along with the Gloucester, her final voyage to the breakers yard.
To be continued……
RE-UNION 24
We started the preparations for Re-union 24 on the 3rd March 2025. We despatched 288 Calling Notices where we also requested confirmation of contact details, with the added option of forwarding Next of Kin details as well - just in case. In response we received 123 requests for tickets, 153 MRU's, while there were 12 who did not respond.
It was clear from the responses that 2MA members were scattered right across the globe, (which is quite appropriate as the globe is the central part of the ships crest!)
Meanwhile, George Hubbard, our Exotic Holidays Consultant, was off to Singapore, Thailand and Abu Dhobey, but not in that order!
Additionally we have our own "Foreign Legion" and these are our members who live permanently abroad -
There were two very good "chances of a lifetime" reasons for non-attendance - Ted Weager - christening of a grandchild in St Paul's Cathedral - perks of having a daughter awarded the BEM, and Paul Sheppard - a call round to Buck House to meet the King and chat with others who served onboard Jupiter in 1974.
There were a number involved with family gatherings etc., and four of our number were enjoying a cruise, which included Barry Cuthbert on Prince of Wales!! Sadly, an increasing number are suffering from the ravages of life, and not well enough to contemplate travelling. To those we extend our sincere best wishes.
And so to the Re-union weekend 12th, 13th June.
As has become the norm, there was a Friday afternoon and evening get together at the Ship Anson, and we are pleased with the rapport we have established with Terry the Landlord, on account 2MA donated a defibrillator, which is fixed to the bulkhead outside. He was also quick to realise that the cruiser Manchester scrapbook he was offered would be of great interest to 2MA.
This is now in our custody and we've taken the opportunity to replace the greaseproof interleaves with acid free tissue to help preserve a most interesting book.
One of the advantages of the Ship Anson is it is a genuine sailors pub and you never know who you might meet. It also gives those who live locally but are unable to make the actual re-union a chance to get involved.
Keyz Keyworth, Dave Arthur, Ken Hinchliffe and Percy Purcell
Shady characters - Tanky Shingler, Dave Parker, Ginge Crook, Dave Merrick, Dave Arthur and Happy Day
George Annable, Karen and Jiff Lemmon
Ronnie Ronson and Happy Day
Raffs Rafferty, Keyz, Lorcan Hinchliffe, Ronnie and Ken
