Absence? of Secret Leeds Ex service personnel on Parade!

Arry Awk · Post by **Arry Awk** » Tue 11 Nov, 2008 5:28 pm

Bit of a disappointment for me last Sunday at the RemembranceParade and ceremony, when the Secret Leedser squaddiesfailed to appear on parade or afterwards in Mr Foleys pubopposite!Actually, My bus was late arriving in town and was divertedround Gt. George St, past the parade formation area and down the the Headrow before allowing us off. Not amused and after puffingup to Woodhouse lane, I just managed to fall in with,the then marching, Veterans' company and fill in a blank file at the back!No time to see if the SL people had turned up,so if I missed Blakeyand others, sorry!Anyway NOBODY went to Mr Foleys as I'd hoped,(Tasa said she'dsee me in there at least!!!)Not many in there either but I was welcomed by a couple ofex service squaddies and we had afew pints and did a bit ofsand shuffling and lantern swinging,before catching the bus home!Another disappointment was that they didn't have any LEEDS brews on! I was recommended the York Brewery 'Terrier' bitterand found it very palatable!Must have been too cold for the press etc. Just a coupleof odd shots on Calendar News and one in the EP.All thatbrass and shoe polishing for nuffin! Still got the '10ft tall'feeling marching down the Headrow to loud applause!Right you lot, better have good excuses ready! I still havea couple of F252 charge forms handy!

simonm · Post by **simonm** » Wed 12 Nov, 2008 10:06 am

I was pished up in a field near Larkhill. The pub burnt down so we had to make do with the hawthorne bushes aside Stonehenge.. Sorry mate, was darn sarf at the Royal school of Artillery meet up and parade and march past at Salisbury.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Wed 12 Nov, 2008 11:11 am

I'm afraid it was a bad day for me as well 'Arry - a personal crisis cropped up on Sunday morning as I was preparing to get ready and I reluctantly had to miss out. I was bitterly disappointed as I really do like to march in the Parade wearing Dad's WW1 medals - he was born in 1889 in Carlton Hill (as was) only half a mile from the Cenotaph - how poignant is that on Remembrance Day ?? I know just what you mean about feeling 10 feet tall as its a very moving occasion.Anyhow I did manage to go yesterday to the British Legion service at 1100 at the Cenotaph but its not quite the same. The howling wind combined with the failure to turn up of the sound van meant there were no microphones etc and we couldn't hear what was going on, and of course the normal weekday traffic put the tin hat on it. Anyway its the thought that counts. I did manage to have a word with the BL chap who is in charge at the annual Leeds Pals service at Colsterdale near Masham. This is always a terribly moving little occasion - usually about thirty turn up and the Mayor also - you can still make out the concrete bases of the contractor's huts which were then used by the first trainees after which the rest were in tents. You get a real feeling up there in the wild quiet countryside that "this is where it all began" for The Pals.Anyway 'Arry lets hope we can have more success next November eh ?? Take care.

Brandy · Post by **Brandy** » Wed 12 Nov, 2008 12:04 pm

Never mind arry at least you turned out mate, and if its any consolation to you im proud of you pal

Reginal Perrin · Post by **Reginal Perrin** » Wed 12 Nov, 2008 1:30 pm

I went to our local cenotaph. Never miss it. It doesn't take long to say thank you for being brave and leave before the religious hijacking starts or the ridiculous national anthem of saving someone who last time i checked had it just tip top.

Arry Awk · Post by **Arry Awk** » Wed 12 Nov, 2008 3:56 pm

simonm wrote: I was pished up in a field near Larkhill. The pub burnt down so we had to make do with the hawthorne bushes aside Stonehenge.. Sorry mate, was darn sarf at the Royal school of Artillery meet up and parade and march past at Salisbury. OK gang! Sorry for feeling nowty Yesterday. I'd been so looking forward to meeting some SL fowk at last! I came home frozen stiffon Sunday but with a certain inner glow from the York 'Terrier'bitter and a nice warm bus home to Bramla'!Simon,I had your Sleeping out Pass F295, so knew you'dbe lying ratted somewhere in Durrington (Larkhill) . Hopeyou had a good time at the RHA reunion! Need I ask? You could have slept it off at my Sister outlaw's house if I'd known theStonehenge Inn had burned down! She lives abt 1/2 mile down the road!Blakey lad,sorry you had troubles. can't be helped and I knew you'dhave been there from what you said before on the thread. As yousay, a date for NEXT year,eh? Deo Gratias etc!Thanks a lot Brandy and Reggie for your kind comments!As for Tasa, still awaiting your reply!!!XX(Wonder if you were among the spectators?)

simonm · Post by **simonm** » Wed 12 Nov, 2008 4:49 pm

My post was all tongue in cheek Arry. I was at Larkhill, but actually stayed at my sis-in-laws house at Devizes a few miles away.

Arry Awk · Post by **Arry Awk** » Wed 12 Nov, 2008 4:57 pm

simonm wrote: My post was all tongue in cheek Arry. I was at Larkhill, but actually stayed at my sis-in-laws house at Devizes a few miles away. Yeah Si I guessed that! Tongue in cheek? Yours is usuallylappin' at the bottom of a Pint sleeve glass! L O L !

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Wed 12 Nov, 2008 5:16 pm

Sorry 'Arry, I know I said I might see you and I should have let you know in advance that this year I decided not to go to the cenotaph (I don't go every year). I did observe the two minutes' silence, though, and again yesterday.I hope the pint of Terrier was a fair substitute for the Leeds Brewery beer - I like it, and their Guzzler bitter's not bad either!

Arry Awk · Post by **Arry Awk** » Thu 13 Nov, 2008 5:29 pm

Tasa wrote: Sorry 'Arry, I know I said I might see you and I should have let you know in advance that this year I decided not to go to the cenotaph (I don't go every year). I did observe the two minutes' silence, though, and again yesterday.I hope the pint of Terrier was a fair substitute for the Leeds Brewery beer - I like it, and their Guzzler bitter's not bad either! OK Tasa me dear!So long as you hadn't gone down with Flu!I bet a few that were on parade will have by now! Must try the Guzzler (suits me to a T,sez 'Er indoors!).They had a fair range of guest beers but not many 'Guests'Sunday dinner time! Will try the Town hall Tavern next time!Cheers!