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RAF Bridgnorth 2007 Reunion | |
Peter Williams and Haydn Smith have kindly written this account of the 2007 reunion
held over the weekend of 18th & 19th August 2007.
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Introduction
My first meeting with Haydn took place in the cafe at Gloucester Railway
Station in February 2007. We had previously made our introductions over the
telephone and by email. At this meeting we discussed the idea of holding a
re-union and some of the problems we were likely to meet along the way. We agreed
that Haydn should be the prime mover and that I should be his mentor. We
realised that time was short and that August would soon be upon us. In the months
between, Haydn had a call from Corporal Michael Briggs at Cosford with offers of
help in the organisation of the event - an offer he gladly accepted.
On 17 August, approximately sixty former Bridgnorth Airmen, plus their
wives and partners, gathered at RAF Cosford for the long awaited re-union. Over
coffee we were greeted by Cpl Briggs who briefed us about the week-end that
started with a visit to the old site at Bridgnorth. We took with us detailed
maps that showed numbered huts and the various block surrounding them. Along with
the maps we had an aerial photograph (in colour) of a site that is now part
nature-reserve and part industrial estate.
Equipped with these useful references, a convoy of private cars and two
RAF Mini-buses threaded its way along the byways of this part of rural
Shropshire. The site visit was to be seen as the focal point of the week-end but only
the fool hardy would have wished to explore the site.
Our arrival coincided with heavy rain which lead to abandonment. Instead,
a number of people continued their journey to Bridgnorth where they visited
the Museum and the Tourist Information Centre, whilst others wandered the
Saturday Market.
A cordial atmosphere awaited our return to Cosford, whilst members of the
Air Cadet Force prepared the room for the evening session. A Buffet supper
preceded the formalities of the evening which began with a request by Cpl Briggs
for a moment or two of reflection for those on active service in trouble
spots of the world.
The formalities opened with a general introduction by Haydn, in which he
welcomed the Guests of Honour. Foremost among them was Sqdn. Ldr,
Bowden,(deputising for the C.O. Air Cdr. Gammon)
who welcomed us to Cosford. He was followed by the Mayor of Bridgnorth,
Councillor, Mrs. Connie Baines who referred to the long association between Civic
and Service life that culminated in awarding the Station the highest honour it
could bestow, Freedom of the Borough. Our additional Guests were, Mr. Gwynne
Chadwick and Corporal Michael Briggs. Each Guest was presented with a
commemorative mug that was decorated with the Station Crest and a translation of the
Latin inscription beneath it. The mug also had a view of the Main Gate at RAF
Bridgnorth. The photograph had been reproduced from a postcard in Haydn's
collection presented to him before he completed his basic training.
To conclude the formal session, I had the opportunity to relate the
difficulties I had found in my search for the RAF Bridgnorth Drill Cup. I also
alluded to the less formal ties between 'Town and Crown' built up between
residents of the Town and Airmen. I proposed a toast to absent friends and ended by
reading a short poem entitled 'Naming of Parts' by Henry Reed, whose word struck
a chord in the minds of many who were present.
To round off the evening, we were able to watch a short (six minutes) DVD
that showed recruits during a drill session at the camp. The recording
continued with archive material filmed during the ceremony of the Freedom of the
Borough. Our attention was then drawn to a showing of approximately five hundred
slides that had been compiled by Gwynne Chadwick - a collection he has built
up over many years. As the slide show progressed, every now and then someone
would break away from a discussion group, to look more closely at those black
and white images in the hope of finding an old friend. To supplement the slide
show some exhibition stands had been erected by the Air Cadets in order to
display enlarged photographs of scenes of life at RAF Bridgnorth.
The farewells were made on Sunday Morning, but not before several guests
paid a visit to Cosford's Museum of Aerospace close by.
A happy occasion had taken place despite inclement weather, but it had been
an event that received wide acclaim. As they departed already they were talking
about the next time they reunite.
Haydn Smith / Peter Williams.
3 September 2007.