This years reunion was held at the Hampton by Hilton hotel, Broad Street, Birmingham on the 15th May 2915. Those attending were: Dave Beaumont; Barry Brannigan; Bob Cuss; John Evans; Alan Gray; Trevor Harvey; Bob Izatt;  Brian Ogilvie; Malcolm Jones; Con Martin; Bill Masterton; Alastair McCrindle; Brian Medland; Geoff Parsons; Bob Rock; Gil Ridley; Anne Ridley; Stuart Simpson; Mike Stephens; John Thompson; Frank Wilson; and Des Wilson.

 

It was very heart warming to see our two long distance travelling 49ers, John Thompson (Ireland) and Frank Wilson ( Portugal) attending again this year, also Gil Ridley despite not being in the best of health, thank you very much gents your effort was very much appreciated by everyone.

 

A big thank you to Bob Cuss for finding two superb venues for us in the city centre, Friday evening we had dinner in the Old Joint Stock & Theatre Venue and on the sat evening it was casino time for the 49ers which was conveniently situated only 50 metres away from our hotel. This year Dave Beaumont and Alan Gray were the lucky ones coming away with smiles on their faces even after their generous round of drinks for the lads, cheers both. Unfortunately some of the photos this year are not the clearest possibly because they were from mobiles or taken after a few half’s but thanks to Anne Ridley, Bob Izatt and yours truly for making the effort, more cameras next year please.

 

The hotel came up to expectations both in comfort & food and possibly with the exception of trying to find the one lift that took you to the car park before your exit ticket ticket ran out, everyone was very complementary. My lasting memory is of myself, Bob and Des in the car with the barrier down, other cars queuing up behind, us panicking and the machine saying Your ticket has expired ! then Des trying to lift the barrier manually and Rob shouting into the into the intercom to Let Us B****** Out ! To top that we go around the corner to face a police cordon where there has been a hit and run, what a finish to a great weekend.

 

Because we had a number of withdrawals (16) because of a clash with family holidays this year, a proposition was put forward that next years date be brought forward a week or two. It was also suggested the date be arranged around a sporting or festive event or possibly a theme weekend at a holiday park. Any suggestions would be most welcome. I would like to finish with a big thank you to Gil Ridley for his continued funding of our website, without which we would not have found a great number of you, I know the site is thoroughly enjoyed by those who cannot physically make the reunions.