HAWKLEY REUNI0N 2005 Saturday 9th July

This year our re-union numbers were down through various reasons, unfortunately Harry Withers our intrepid organiser was taken ill at the last moment although he wanted to travel his wife Sylvia had the sense to say no, so we missed Harry. This also meant that the two beauties of Dorice and Gwen who usually came in the car with Harry were missing.

Hence we are not sure about the numbers, but 36 (including the Vicar) are on the list below, if some have been missed then tell me. It was good to renew friendships after a year’s lapse but one or two had met during the year, for Tom Cowell came over early in the year and met with the Mitcham trio of Govus, Creed and Checkley. Jim Checkley, one of the trio, a regular attendee had to stay and look after his wife, well done Jim but we missed you.

Tom Cowell who is resident in Canada could not make the trip at this time of the year, likewise Jack Douthwaite and Bill Checkley both in Australia send their greetings, also many other such as Vic Meyers, Ted Douthwaite, Charles Sammonds and Peter Wright are unable to travel far due to their health problems, get well you guys we missed you, whilst Kerrigan Bryant (son of Michael) chose to sail in the Aegean sea rather than travel to paradise at Hawkley!

Peggy Carpenter was in Ireland seeking her family roots or was it that elusive pot of GOLD?

We welcomed Cyril Bridgen who was billeted with Mrs Mills, The Hollies, Hawkley and Alex Cardogan who whilst not an evacuee was in the same Battersea Central School pre-war class as Bill Applebee and Vic Meyers, we await Cyril and Alex’s memories for the site. Also Zoe May an ex Hawkley “girl” joined us welcome all of you. Their pictures have been added to the Hawkley Gallery, so have a look, also Doris Barber’s picture has been added, please check that names and pictures match if not tell me, or indeed any errors.

To all who have NOT contributed to the Memories pages, please send me your accounts this applies to all who started or finished at Hawkley, or were at BCS pre-war.

We had a splendid tea provided by our three ex village “girls” who are experts in this department, well done ladies, it was worth the trip.

A show of hands indicated that all wish for another reunion in 2006, we discussed about changing the day from a Saturday to a Wednesday, as the traffic on the weekend tend to be heavy, either from London or the Portsmouth area, this doubled the time from London today.

So on a show of hands it was carried unanimously that 2006 should be on a Wednesday; Doris Barber indicated the Hall would be free after lunch and the Vicar who conducted a wedding service today and came in later for the tea said it helps him.

Harry Withers had arranged for the local papers to attend and two arrived, one as soon as the pub was open, rather strange! And the other just in time for tea, so locals watch the press and send me any relevant papers, I am sure that Harry will also inform you, the shots on this page and the sequence are home-grown, but other digital contributions always welcome. Thanks Bill Dorey your shots in the sequence are most welcome.

See you all next year, God willing

Cliff -  9 July 2005

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.

Show the sequence

List of attendees 2005

APPLEBY, Bill

BARBER, Doris

BLACKIE, Bob

BLEACH, Joan and Bill

BRIDGEN Cyril

BURCHAM Charlie

CARDOGAN Alex

CARPENTER, Peggy

CLARK, Don

CREED Stan

CROFTS, Jean and Glenda

DANCE, George

DAWSON, Margaret

DICKESON, Peggy and John

DOREY, Doreen and Bill

DOUTHWAITE, Cliff

GOVUS, Arthur

HAND, Freda

HOBBS, Peggy and Eric

JORDAN, Christine

MAY Zoë

MILNER, Enid and Victor

PHILLIPS, Des

PHILLIPS, Joan and Jim

PHILLIPS, Lill and John

SIMPSON, Esme and Joe

HAWKLEY REUNI0N 2005 Saturday 9th July - pre Notice

We 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. 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! Suggest you park in the village hall car park, past the phone box.

This year will be the 66th since we first arrived in Hawkley on the 1 st of September 1939 and we are still arriving!
 

 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 meet again next year!

We are indebted again to that band of Hawkley lady villagers, who will provide a splendid tea and a vast selection of goodies and give 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 66 years ago, where have all those years gone? 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.

 

 

 

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.

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

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