Newsletter 04

New members – Eric Miller, Tony Webber, and Graham Dyer have been enrolled during May – welcome to them. Eric’s working at the British Museum as art conservator, Tony’s retired after a lifetime in marine insurance and living in Bexhill-on-Sea, and Graham’s retired and has his ruby wedding this year.

Charlie Pattinson joined the FRU website and has been in touch with Eric, but like Charlie Gould and Brian Johncock doesn’t seem to want to talk to me – why should they? Chacun a son gout, as someone reminded me Nitty would have said. Keith Done advised me of Brian Richards’ address in Luxembourg, and I’ve written to him.

Current membership – there are now 24 active members with four more potential contacted, out of the total 1951 entry of about 100.

Website – those of us with access will have seen the ‘then and now’ photo gallery has grown with Dave Thomas, John Foster, and John Neads added. Arley still wants the whole membership portrayed, so please send them in. Again, if the technophobic members without computer access send photo’s direct to me at 1, Pembroke Place, Leyland, Lancs PR25 2EH, I can scan and relay to the webmaster. Just a recent one will do – we’ll possibly be able to pick you out on the 1953 school panorama especially now that Arley’s busy putting a grid on the enlarged photo. Nice job, Arley. I will of course return any original photo’s sent in.

Mini-reunion – the lunch will be at the Woodlands Hotel, Wrotham Road, Gravesend on Saturday 29th June from 12 noon. Paul Mitchell has organised a table for us in a corner of the ‘Out & Out’ restaurant. There are now a dozen or more promising to attend, including two or three wives, and we anticipate a final tally of up to 20 if the ‘local’ lads turn up. It would be helpful if attendees bring cash to pay for their lunches to save the hotel management having to deal with umpteen credit cards.

See you there boys (and girls), can’t wait.

Bill Bradshaw 18th May 2002