Commrades reunion blog: Wrexham 2009

Well, after three days I've finally managed to decipher my drunken scrawlings from the Reunion Blog notebook. Egyptian history experts has asked for a copy as they thought they were ancient scrawlings.

Well, Im sure those that attended will agree that another fantastic weekend was had by all. With the added bonus of the Battalion marching through. More of that later!

Friday evening saw me arriving at Bri and Ange Taylors house to dump my stuff in the spare room, where I would be bashering up! The 'Dyers', or as Sid Burns calls them, the 'Clampits' were staying at Sid and Heidi's house. So, off we went and headed for the RV at the Wynnstay hotel. Whilst approaching the RV was telephoned by Sid telling me that I was late on parade. We will discuss being late on parade and reasons for it, later in the blog!

As I arrived in the hotel, it was like the normal who's who of Regimental personalities, with the majority of the 'usual suspects' in attendance. The first to fall foul of my notebook, was, wait for it.....Of course, It was sid Burns. Sid decided to turn up as eighties pop star Rick Astley, wearing a suit jacket, roll neck top and jeans, along with his pastie-esque footwear. As I was writing in the said notebook, Sid had great pleasure in shouting across the bar "Pi** OFF SCOUSE, YOU'RE NOT A SUPER MODERATOR IN HERE!!!". Very true Sid, I do however own the copyright to the annual blog!!!!

As the pace of the evening gathered momentum, the door staff asked us to move inside with our drinks. And, even after last year, AND a note caution prior to the wekend, Led Blything could not help himself. He walked staright up to the doorstaff and said "I KNOW SCOUSE AND SID, CAN I STAY OUTSIDE WITH MY BEER?!" To which the doorman replied, "IF YOU KNOW THOSE TWO, YOU CAN STAY OUT OF THE HOTEL ALL NIGHT MATE!!"
Im sure many of us enjoy watching sports on TV whilst having a pint. What I did not expect or appreciate was my old mucker dale williams24 saying "Look, Scouse, Eastenders is on!!" Oh how things change! He did actually try to bribe me on keeping that out of the blog!!

Those of have read the Cyprus blog will be well aware of how vain Bean(W02 Tony Jones10) can be. This is rather disturbing as, like myself, he is a Llangollen lad. So I did not appreciate finding him and Stevie Cowap arguing at the door as to who was "The best looking in the Battalion!!"

The next item, should go down in folklore!! As Im sure many of you will testify, By early evening on the Friday, Jimmy Hawkins had sampled quite a few beers! He was then heard to say, to the RSM Wayne Roberts...(this is written with kind permission of the RSM, by the way) "WELL DONE, IM GLAD YOU ARE DOIN SO WELL, AS YOU A REALY GOOD SOLDIER, AND YOU HAVE THE ADDED BONUS OF BEING OUR FIRST BLACK RSM!!" For those who don't know the RSM, he may be olive-skinned, but is definately a Corwen boy. Although admittedly, he does like Sun Beds(apparantly!)

The next incident was not witnessed by myself, but confirmed by others. Larry (older and more talented brother of sid) Burns was heard to say, "OH GOD, WHY IS SCOUSE TALKING TO MY DAUGHTER?!!). Cheers Larry for the vote in confidence! It was during the evening that some of us realised that Sid Burns, Mark Wood and the Jackson Five had something in common........They all got where they are because of a more talented brother!!!

This is the end of part one of the blog, just to make sure It saves I will do them in three seperate posts. So please could you refrain from commenting or abusing me until I write up the remaining posts, directly under this one. Thanks

Part two:

Sid was then heard to say to martin gregory, sandhurst Instructor.."Hey Greg, You only got where you are because of me!!" And he wonders why he makes so many appearances in the blogs!!
I then had a pint with Patty, who im sure you will know is Sharon, one of our Forum founders. Thanks Patty for the following remark....."HEY SCOUSE, I DONT KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN THAT FORUM STAFF ROOM, BUT STOP CHATTING MY MISSUS UP IN THERE!! LOL

For those that know Rob 33's you will be aware that he is not too disimilar to Aurthur Daley, Del Boy or the bloke that sells dodgy aftershave at splott Market. But his cheek has no limits. He was to be found in the toilets of the wynnstay trying to get an order of sunglasses that he was trying to sell to the lads before they go away on OP's. He was even heard to say.."LADS, I KNOW YOU GET THEM ISSUED, BUT THESE ARE A MUCH BETTER DESIGN!!" Unbelieveable!!
Im not sure waht is happening to us all in our older age, but I cannot let it go, that certain members of the weekend were openly wearing their shirts as if they were tom selleck aka Magnum. Top two buttons undone, and chest hair on display. You know who you are..... Dai 72, Mark "Winky" Watters, Bean and rob 33's!!! Its NOT a good look lads!

Just to confirm my previous evidence agains Bean, at 2150hrs on the Fri evening he was caught by the RSM and I stood outside the wynnstay with his top off, showing anyone who would listen his body. Bean the returned inside and asked if I wanted a drink, I replied that i would like a Cider. Bean refused to buy me one as it's a 'Girls drink', until i reminded him that the apples were actually one of my "five a day!!"
Talking of getting the rounds in, did anyone else get pestered by Keith darlington at the door, to get him a drink, because "HE COULDNT BE BOTHERED GOING TO THE BAR HIMSELF!!" LOL.
Led Blything them seemed to become 'Blog aware' and as he listened to me trying to pursuade him into a coversation replied " Pi** OFF SCOUSE, I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE UP TO, AND I DON'T LIKE YOUR WAYS AND METHODS!"

I will finish of Part two and the Friday night with a little tale from 'Liquid' Nightclub, which saw Led and I dancing alone, drinking the worst champagne known to man. Howeveer, this did not compare to Led asking the DJ "HAVE YOU GOT ANY MOTORHEAD?!!" Before being told "NO I HAVEN'T, YOU WEIRDO!!"

I will continue with Saturday's shennanigans directly below this post, so again, please let me crack on with Part 3, prior to the abuse. Thanks

PART 3:

So, after teaching Led how to dance, it was back to Bri and Angies house for some much needed sleep. When I say sleep, what I mean is...I will do all the sleeping whilst keeping the remainder of the house awake with deafening snoring and shouting in my sleep. The worrying part being, that apparantly it was Brians name that I was shouting all night!!!!! A special mention should got to Bri and Ange's daughter courtney, who on the Saturday and sunday was taking part in a walk for the Duke Of Edinburgh's award scheme. Unfortunately she had to do this after hearing me snore all night!! I even had the cheek to say "well done, dig deep" as she left. A great effort considering she only got an hours sleep!! Prior to our RV at the Hightown barracks, we popped around to sids house to see how the Burns and Dyer families were. It was nice to see larry there, and amazingly, he was not wearing a Christmas jumper!! Those that know Larry will be aware that he and Noel Edmonds have the worlds largest collection of Yuletide woollen attire!

Sid then started to sprout off about being a Sgt Major, but was quickly and effectively shot down by his older and more successful brother Larry who commented.. "BUT JASON, YOU WERE ONLY EVER A CSM ON REAR PARTY, SO THAT DOESNT REALLY COUNT!!!" Oh, how the brotherly dissappeared before my very eyes!! So we left the two pil boys to argue over their differences, and by differences I mean Larry was a proper Sergeant Major! We then headed back to Bri's to get suited and booted!!

We arrived at Hightown Barracks, and guess who was late? Yep, Sid and Paul Dyer. And why was Sid late? Thansk to Paul snitching on him, we discovered that Sid was late because he had been dying his hair again!!! Classic! Sids lateness was only overshadowed(as was the rest of the barracks) by Dave Mac's 'Flasher Coat!!' I thought at one stage, that he had turned up as a Livestock auctioneer!

As is the norm for these functions, as the Battalion were on the square awaiting the parade, Sid piped up with "RIGHT LADS, IM OFF TO GIVE THE SUBBIES SOME SWORD DRILL" Whilst Mick camplin and I gave him abuse he replied "WHAT DO YOU TWO KNOW ABOUT DRILL ANYWAY?!!" Well, I did teach it in Depot and Mick was the Drum Major, after all. Where as Sid, was a Rear party Sgt Major!! Thanks again Larry.
Dave Mac still fuming that we were berating him for his cape, er, I mean coat, insisted that I put myself in the blog for in his words "Mutilating army property", I did in fact drop a pint glass at the barracks. But in my defence, i thought his coat would have caught it!!

So we all ventured off to the Wynnstay, where we RV'd with everyone else to await the Battalions march past. And wata great sight it was to see them parading past. At no time when i started doing these blogs did I believe that my own mother would ever make an appearance in them!! Seeing one of my sisters and my mother outside the Wynnstay, I introduced them to Led Blything, to which led said "NICE TO MEET YOU MRS SCOUSE(!!!!), I NEVERE IMAGINED SCOUSE HAVING PARENTS, HE ALWAYS APPEARED LIKE AN ORPHAN TO ME!!". Sid Burns then asked my Mum to turn up again next year, as its the "Quitest I've ever seen you!!"

My Mother then asked Mark Watters why the Regimental Goat was not heading the parade. mark kindly explained that as it was still young and untrained it was not being used yet. To which my Mum replied "WELL, THATS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!" Oh, Im sorry Mum, I do apologise on behalf of the goat major, for not traing him up quick enough for you!!! mind you, my Mum did make up for it when asking Mark Waters what he wanted to drink, he replied "OH, I'D LIKE A CIDER PLEASE MRS HUGHES, BUT CAN YOU MAKE SURE IT IS BULMERS AND NOT STRONGBOW" To whch my Mum replied "Er, Mark, You're not in the Officers Mess anymore, you'll have waht you are given!!"

I then spotted Ady wilkes of the RP Staff failing to wear Bulled toecaps, to which he replied "We Don't have to bull them anymore, I don't think the boots are designed for it!" mmmm seems a dodgy excuse I think!! Howvere, to take things to the exact opposite extreme, who could ahve failed to notice that Colin Jones 27 actually had bulled toecaps on his civvy shoes!!!

It was nice to see Yogi Rees at the wekend, and even nice when we discovered him drinking Shandy! He of course denied it at first until I conducted the 'sniff test' and asked the barmaid, both confirmed that he was watering down his drinks!!! It was long before Jinx 99, as he does every year, began to tell us all that he was Welsh schoolboy champion at everything. Yes, everything apart from pressing his kit and getting promoted!! He did however remind us AGAIN how he beat Alan Redburn 3-2 in the Red Dragon Chess competition!! Yawn.

The final part will follow directly below this post. Hang fire on the abuse and denials!!!

Final Part:

As the afternoon wore on, funds were becoming depleted so to save the 25 metre walk to the cash point I decided to use my card instead behind the bar. Oh how we laughed when I couldn't remember my PIN number and the card was declined!!!

Just in case anyone was not aware Thom 15 lives in Canada you know!! I had to add this after hearing him tell people on 5 sepearte occassions! He was like a walking Canadian Tourist minister. It was very nice to finally meet him though, and a big thanks for the three Peaks, Help for Heroes donation, much appreciated mate. Incidentally, sid burns tried to 'Look after it' for me!!

Having commented upon the chosen attire of Sid and Dave mac, Howie williams could easily have avoided his annual entry into the blog. That would be if he hadnt decided to turn up dressed as the man from Delmonte in his fetching Cream linen suit!! Either that or it was a hand me down from one of Dr Livingston's jungle expeditions!!

A special mention to Roger Littlehales who took it upon himself to go for a little afternoon nap!! Kindly bubbled by Dave Mac! Next mention goes to Paul Butt, who as usual attended the annual Golf Society competion. Apparantly Jacko watkins won. I thought I would put a stick in the hornetsnest and pretended that I knew for a fact that Jacko's handicap was a lot lower than he declared!! It was like a red rag to a bull. Beano Hind and Pal began calling him a bandit and ignoring him!! So easy to wind up the golfers!! Especially with a lie!! Sorry lads, couldn't resist!!.

A mate from home who also attended the weekend remarked that from the back Led looked like Chewbacca. Mind you, the Cambrian afterwards was like the NAAFI from Star Wars, so it was quite apt really. The next blog entry may require some honesty from members.... Someone asked the lad who tries to sell you a squirt of aftershave in the toilets to spray it in there mouth instead of on there neck Anyone going to admit to that one?!! I could not read the name that I had attached it to!

Thanks to keith darlington for bubbling me for cadging fags outside the Wynnstay "Like a homeless person!!" It was nice to see that from the off Paul Davies 01 was totally 'Blog Aware. From the beginning of the weekend, whenever i approached he just looked, smiled and said "NO COMMENT!!". I finally caught him out with the following classic... "HEY SCOUSE, BEER WAS ONLY INVENTED SO MEN COULD LOOK AT UGLY WOMEN IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT!!" I knew you wouldnt last!

Later in the evening, we were joined in the bar by the Commanding officer Nick Lock and General Jon Riley. To which Howie advised "Sir, Don't speak to Sid and Scouse, as Im sure you can recall, they are Riff Raff!! Howie then tried to outdo us by saying "I don't want a beer of you, the C.O just got mine in!!!" To which sid replied, Its ok, the General is at the bar sorting us out!!"

It was of course great to put names to faces, in particular Bob Bacon, who I finally met. Also great to see Jungle again. It was lovely that we all got to raise a pint in memory of karl Stowell on the Friday evening too. And equally great to see Gail at the parade on the Saturday.

So there we have it. Another Commrades Blog done and dusted for another year. As always, there are far too many people to mention everyone. If you managed to avoid the blog this year, well done. Like I've said, I dont write it, I just report what gets told to me!!

Please don't take any of the above personally, remember its when people stop talking about you that you should worry!!!

God Bless.

Paul,
(Scouse 75)

Apologies for some of the grammar and spelling, Im in a rush Im afraid

Nice one Scouse once again a work of art, Great weekend already saving and looking forward to next year.

Definately avoiding you next year................:biglaugh:


NO COMMENT!!!

Nice 1 Scouse

Can't believe you could accuse me of selling Oakleys Lol, as if I would, they are Deb's :biglaugh:

Rumour has it the 3 Peaks cash may need to go to repair the Chandalier, and pool table in the Cambrian :biggrin:

See you in town for a pint in November when I'm back

Loved it all, thanks.
I hope everyone who went had a great weekend.
Take care
Anita x

I'm thinking "Reunion weekend - the Hollywood mini series" or "One Man and his notebook - the BBC cheap copy" That was some seriously belly laugh making blogging Scouse... I don't even know half the people you mentioned but could picture it all in detail.

You're once again the Premier Blogger - nice one and cheers for taking the time to do this for everyone who couldn't make it.

Shar X X X (<-- Patty, If I want to kiss Scouse, I will :winker: )

I would have written it exacly as you wrote it.:no: Seriously Scouse you have exceeded yourself once again. Great job mate. Looking forward to next years reunion already.

Hey Sha dont post at the same time as me, I told them we dont have a lap top at home.

And I can kiss scouse if i want to too:twitcy:

Thanks for the blog Scouse. Well written.

In my own defence, i would just like to say that i didnt actually get a nap. I had just finished two legs of chicken sitting there in my pants and was just about to do a swollow dive between the sheets when Sam walked in.

Fat chance!!!

I do need to add a short note however!

After returning to the Wynnsay after an evening at the camp dancing and twisting, very tired and needing my bed. Opened the door to my room to the sound of two very contented smiling farting snoring men. Said brother "Sam" and whats this IN MY BED Roy Price smiling his little head off!! I was going to top and tail, but after smelling what was coming out of your a**e i dont think i would have woken up on Sunday morning.

I spent all night on the couch - freezing.

thanks muka

see you soon

rog

Well done scouse great blog mate, as always looks like every 1 had a great time, 3 years now ahh well may be next year il make it.

Same here Scouce, thanks for bringing the reunion to me and many others who were unable to attend, I will try my dammed est to attend next year mate - Great Read!!!

Barry



Interesting Rear Party Sgt Major

Nice one Scouse . I must say from what I seen and heard over the two days , a lot of people got off pretty lightly .
For example a group of us were walking down from the Fusilier to the Wynnastay and there was a group of ladies in front of us .
Sid , in his quiet charming manner opened the conversation ;
Sid; "your a good looking bunch of girls"
Girls ;thankyou
Sid;"you got great legs"
Girls;Giggling and looking around , thankyou
Sid;"you on the end , you got a great ****"
Girl on end , big smile , turns around very interested and thanks Sid once again
Sid; are you a ginge ?
Girl on the end; you were doing really well up until now , so f**k off :biglaugh:

That brings me onto my attire ;
It was an extremely expensive coat that I chose to wear as it looked like it would rain . (I had a similiar one when I signed up and nobody ever said anything when I wore it as COS )
Anyway , I like it , and now that you have given me other ideas for it's use , I intend to wear it even more and not just for when it's raining . So , thankyou for that big buddy . As a footnote , I have purchased a brown one for flashing and a green one for auctioneering , not sure which one I will wear at next years reunion :winker:

Great blog , great bloke , little tip , lose the Sid , he just drags you down mate , they are all like him from Pill .

Hello Scouse,
I just saw on the news yet another Liverpool fan was pardoned by the Home Secretary., possibly you are next on stem.The scuttlebutt from over the pond suggests you are being considered for this years Pullitzer Prize. Well done again.
Regards "Jungle"

Scouse,
Did you know... I now live in Canada.
By the way when Sid offered to look after the donation for H4H he added "you can trust me, I'm a policeman" but he had a rather large grin on his face so I thought it was better to see you in person (with witnesses).
Great job on the blog..... oh! I'm not sure if you know but I now live in Canada.

Nice one Thom. Great to meet you at the weekend mate. Sid has got a nerve, You live in canada and managed to doante, Sid lives near me, and works with me, and is still yet to donate!!!!! Discuss? lol

Great blog paul, as always! good to see I get a good mention but am not sure about me taking my top of lol, if it was true then its a first for me doing it sober!!!

had me in histerics!!!

Scouse, I apologise if my suit offended you, I assure you that was not my intention.
I will compensate you by sending a small (but significant non the less) donation to your "Three Peaks Challenge".

P.S I won`t tell anyone that I overheard you saying there was probably an MBE in it for you:spinny:

Yeah, the only MBE will be "My Blisters Ert!!"

Scouse highly polished not bulled, haha yet another good blog see you soon Col 27

Scouse good blog one thing missing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH-seNOupLI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu-UkTv8tVk

now its complete

Very Good Jeff! One song was Led in the nightclub, one was me in the Cambrian.!! Those present will know which is which!!!!

Nice one scouse, still think howies suit was a had me down from don jhonson, take care

hi .
Folks i think Scouse was a better dancer than me .
Great weekend , after i left the army i never went to a comrades Re union for 9 years .
But its a big part of our lives and i always encourage all Ex Royal Welch to go , the best Friends you will ever have { and the ugliest }

Be good , i got to move some furniture

Led

A useful blog for those who are getting on and short of memories

Nice 1 Good to see some old faces.....