Battersea Central School

HAWKLEY REUNI0N 2004

Saturday 10th July

Well another re-union has come and gone, we had a great day organised by Harry Withers, about 45 attended, a couple from Australia the rest from the UK scattered far and wide. We were pleased that Charles Sammonds although his health is poor attended being transported and supported by his family, Charles started the reunion process way back and only passed the organisation over to Harry when his health deteriorate, thanks are due to both.

We had some new faces via the web site, Lawrence Tee and wife, ex Rowlands Castle and Vic Myers from Battersea Central School he left in 1939 so was not an evacuee but knew Ted Douthwaite though the Scout troop in Battersea, the 28 th Battersea, although Ted due to ill health could not attend but sent his warmest greetings, as did Tom Cowell who now lives in Canada. Peter Wright has been in contact via the site, but again ill health stops him from long travel, I guess that we are all getting long in the tooth!

But the feeling was that we should aim to renew again in 2005, the second Saturday in July, so you folk far and near please put this date in your diaries and start saving for air fares if you live in far flung places.

Later I hope that Harry will produce his normal report and we shall have the official group photograph to replace that below.

Dick Raine (left) the Headmasters son has given me a collection of old material including some black and white photographs, hopefully some of this will appear on the site, but the quality leaves much to be desired, but this is a reminder if you have material useful this can be added and of course returned, also if you were an Hawkley evacuee and have not contributed your memories, you have no excuse, so start writing, my address is on the home page of this site.

We are indebted again to that band of Hawkley lady villagers, who gave us a splendid tea and a vast selection of goodies and gave us another chance to exchange yet more memories in the delightful surroundings of the village hall, a new addition since we were evacuees all those 65 years ago, where have all those years gone?

Below is a photo sequence of some of those present enjoying themselves, the quality and size has been reduced otherwise it take fore ever to down load unless you are on broadband, if you wish for any shot in a larger file size please ask, note the second time round are faster as the files will be saved on your computer.

Great to see you all, Cliff your Webmaster.

To STOP the sequence use your browser BACK button

Photo sequence

Time does seem to pass so very quickly these days we are now within a few weeks of another of our pleasant and entertaining reunions. The usual pattern will be followed, that is to say, meet in the Hawkley Inn (left) from twelve onwards where sustenance and liquid refreshment will be available, but not free!

 Later in the afternoon we move along to the Village Hall where our Village lady members will provide tea. Then, sadly, departure after promising to do it all again next year!

This year will be the 65th since we first arrived in Hawkley on the 1 st of September 1939 and we are still arriving! .

It is hoped we may collect a few new/old members from the local area because I have discovered there is a broadcasting station in Havant known as Angel Radio. Its programmes are aimed at senior listeners (I think we qualify) and include school reunion notices, A request has been posted so our present members from that area could be hearing this year's details in their homes.

Please return the post cards suitably completed, don't forget your names as one member did last year when informing they would not be attending. I collate the numbers to help our ladies with their catering arrangements.

If you have not received this letter, then send e-mail to the webmaster with the details requested.

YOU are all welcome to join this reunion if you are interested in this event.

Looking forward to seeing you all again, best wishes.

Harry Withers

20th May 2004

If you have old photos please bring, also if you have not produced your memories for this site, please bring either on a disk or typed copy.

Later we will proceed for tea in the Village hall, if you come by car it is best to park in the Village Hall car park, entrance opposite the church down by the telephone box. There are no subscription for the Reunion but a voluntary collection will be taken to cover the hall hire and "thank you" bouquets for the ladies who supply and serve the tea ex gratia.

ALL are welcome who have any interest in Battersea Central School located in Hawkley during the evacuation period of the second world war.

RETURN

If you are not sure of the location of the Hawkley Inn  ...........CLICK here

Note you will leave this site, so use your browser BACK to return