September 18th – the day of the Reunion started with a bright sunny morning; a good omen? And it was. The day continued to be bright and sunny, which added to the occasion in the pleasant surroundings of Pontlands Park.
The turnout was remarkable considering the disruption (and confusion) generated by the pandemic. 108 Guests and Members were seated in a well ventilated marquee, with its own bar.
Members started arriving shortly before 11 a.m. and were welcomed by Management Committee members handing out £3.00 drinks vouchers. This was due to a generous and anonymous donation towards the drinks bill for the 2020 Reunion.
Shortly before the Luncheon, the Committee members gathered for the annual photo shoot.
The Management Committee
Back Row Left to Right:
Christine Powell (guest), Barry Powell (President 2020),Gillian Drake, Dave Roscoe, David Frost (Treasurer), Colin Page, Mark Watson-Lee (Newsletter Editor), Chris Gardiner, Claire Lucas (raffle) and Colin Fletcher (Secretary)
Front Row Left to Right:
Valerie Cleare, Peter Turrall MBE (Patron),Brian Izzard (Chairman) and Eric Peachey (Vice-chairman)
The Members then took their places for the meal and the Master of Ceremonies David Frost, introduced the Top Table.
Top Table
Left to Right: Brian Izzard (Chairman), Eric Peachey (Vice-chairman),
Christine Powell (guest), Barry Powell (President 2020), Prof. Lew Schnurr (Guest Speaker) and Valerie Cleare
Before the luncheon, Veteran Brian Izzard requested a one minute silence in honour of our former colleagues and families who suffered loss and our founder, the late Marchese Guglielmo Marconi GCVO, LLD, DSc.
The surprise of the afternoon came when during the Chairman’s introductory speech, Peter Turrall entered the marquee and Brian revealed that Peter had been asked by the Management Committee to be Patron to the MVA. An event that was clearly popular.
The luncheon was well received by all and the service experienced was, dare I say, excellent.
The new surroundings, the dishes the luncheon and the excellent service were well received. Nobody appeared concerned by having to pay for their own drinks and although the queue for the bar was sometimes lengthy, everybody appeared to be in good spirits
Following the luncheon our Vice-chairman Eric Peachey, proposed the Loyal Toast. This was followed by Valerie Cleare presenting news of and messages from absent Veterans.
Speeches
Brain Izzard, Chairman
Unfortunately Veronica Reed our President for 2021 was unable to attend due to personal reasons. However she had kindly sent in a speech , which is in this newsletter.
In a change, due to the lockdown in 2020 there was a slight change inasmuch as Barry Powell the President for 2020 gave the speech he would have given had the 2020 Reunion not been cancelled.
Barry Powell—President 2020
Our Honoured Guest Speaker for 2021 was also due to give a speech at the 2020 Reunion.
Professor Lew Schnurr would have been known to some of those present and he would have tutored them in their apprentice days at Marconi. Indeed this was how Barry first met Lew.
Professor Lew Schnurr (Honoured Guest Speaker)
Lew ended his speech with a poignant poem, which obviously had a personal meaning for Lew.
Raffle
The Speeches were followed by the excitement of the annual raffle, which along with the regular prizes also included matching sets of table mats and coasters for 2020 and 2021 – the table mats were a larger version of the coasters. (If you would like a set of table mats, please contact the Secretary for further details).
AGM
The AGM this year was unusual due to the special resolutions that were proposed, namely:
- The qualification period for a Veteran Member be lowered to 15 years’ service
- That Friends be referred to as Associate Members.
- The Constitution be updated to reflect these changes.
- All resolutions were passed by the Veterans.
Thus ended the 2021 Reunion
Far Left: Peter Turrall MBE (Patron) at a Basildon table
Left to Right: Chris Skidmore (Skidders), Ken Harvey, Paul Mordey, Nick Savin, Wade Hadley, Bob Barnes and Peter Brisley
Photographs courtesy of Graham Chorley