very late change in the ship's programme, this visit had to be cancelled, which was obviously a big disappointment to the very strong team we were going to send onboard to represent the Association.
Also joining in was Lenny Bilton who bimbled down from Cumbria, after visiting his Mum, having flown over from the States the week before. He immediately confirmed quite conclusively that it is far far easier - and quicker - to fly across the pond than it is to get from Carlisle to Cosham! Evidently the air corridors don't have an equivalent to the M6, no roadworks, and you don't have to go through Birmingham either, which is a bargain in itself! Making up the numbers, looking mean and lean was our exotic holidays' consultant, and former S and S winker, George Hubbard, who it is rumoured was enroute from Phuket to Palm Springs at the time!
And last but definitely not least, making his re-union debut after being a member for nigh on seven years, former tenant of the large en-suite cabin with sea views, owner of the uniform with 3 rings on each arm and the luckiest man ever to have such a cracking ship's company - Sir Rick Cosby…who we understand had simply run out of plausible excuses not to attend, which we can discreetly disclose have included in the past - call rounds from Lord and Lady Whatknot, Budgies Birthday, and an unusually heavy fall of snow in Somerset!! (In June!) to name but a few. Nice to see you, shipmate, and hope you can make it back next year!! It was also interesting to observe Rick chatting to the only other "Commanding Officer" in attendance, the master of the yacht "Seashell" and former leader of the "Cherry B Four", the big man himself - Sting Wray!
In no time at all, well two hours actually, it was time to feed the ravenous hordes, but following the recent disappointments we had received at the hands of HMS Nelsons resident contract caterer, and our reluctance again to pay a high price for a mediocre product (a decision subsequently borne out again at Sunday lunch) we decided on a course of self-help, and organised the evening victuals ourselves. Following various fast food trial suppers, we eventually went for Jack's favourite take-away - KFC - and full marks to KFC in Commercial Road, Portsmouth. They were brilliant, and the 2nd HMS Manchester Association happily scoffed their way through Forty Two piping hot KFC Bargain Buckets!! (Evidently this is a record for a single purchase, but one sadly not recognised by the Guinness Book of Records.) Of course we couldn't broadcast what we intended to do, and apologies to the few who were somewhat taken aback by this clandestine approach, (It's an old catering trick keeping the customer confused - ask Don Hazeldon!). But hopefully will appreciate the position we were in. Incidentally our catering bill for the evening was less than half of what we spent the previous year. The good news is that Abi Hirji had joined 2MA.
Buzz No 9 -…. hit the streets 1st October 2010. Meanwhile a certain sleek Pompey based Type 42 had returned from another jolly which had taken in familiar haunts, Portugal, Cape Verde, The Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Chile, Peru, Panama, Columbia, Bermuda and the Azores. A mini Global, without a trip to the Far East. The dockyard grapevine - a primary source of information - gave us a heads up on an event onboard the Mighty Manch that would make headline news for all the wrong reasons - a female steward had been caught red-handed attempting to smuggle drugs to the value of circa £2 million into the UK. This story came as a bit of a shock to many on account that the biggest seagoing criminals they had come across was the infamous Cherry B Four and the only really dubious characters were those what had experienced Global 86. The steward involved got a 7 year shore draft, negative leave!
The organisers received an invite from John Bullock our liaison officer to visit the ship. His description of the current state of the ship did not disappoint and it was soon apparent there was more of the ship on the jetty than floating alongside the wall.
It was about this time that we were contacted by 92 year old Jimmy Robinson, who served on the cruiser. He wanted to join 2MA. We politely steered him towards the cruiser boys association, but he would not have it! He wanted to join 2MA. Who were we to refuse? Jimmy subsequently travelled down from Cheshire with wife, Irene and family for two re-unions and was seen more than once on the dance floor (Jimmy passed away in 2013 and Alyson and I represented 2MA at his funeral. 2MA arranged for a Royal Marine Bugler to play the Last Post. Having Jimmy in the association was a very rewarding experience and he had some cracking dits!
