Central Lancashire Branch Visit

13th July 2005

by Bob Palmer

The pirates were out, complete with the “Jolly Roger”, a boarding party of Barrie Downer, Ted Budgen, Bob Palmer, Mick Dack and John Houlding jumped in Mick Dack’s car on Wednesday 13 th July and travelled to Leyland on a skirmish to visit the Central Lancashire branch of the Submariners Association, arriving at the Leyland RAFA club at 1915 hours in good time for their meeting.

We were welcomed by, John Howarth (President & Treasurer); Norman Hart (Chairman); John Allen (Secretary & Standard Bearer) and RIP Kirby, Craig Pomfret and Roger Cowie were also present; this comprised a 30% turn out. Not bad considering they have only recently managed to avoid complete closure - and all the Central Lancs members send their regards to friends at Barrow.

They held a quick meeting before welcoming and thanking us for our social visit. Although John Allen was aware we intended to visit the others had not known and would otherwise have cleaned into No’s 1’s to welcome us. We enjoyed a few stories and were asked about various members of the Barrow branch.

Mick was having a deep and meaningful conversation with a fellow ex OA, although apparently a complete stranger, and they were going through the names of others they had each served with looking for a connection with the past. This OA, Craig Pomfret said to Mick there was one chap I remember very well, he was my mentor, Micky Dack was his name. Well Mick gulped, realising he really must have changed over the years, and replied “that’s me”. Instant recognition was evident as the years fell away with the continuing conversation.

Barrie Downer ask later of Mick “who was that fellow you were talking to Mick?” and when told the name he knew instantly he had been in his division and used to write up his docks – it’s a small world and its this sort of meeting that makes travelling and visiting so good.

All but the driver were presented with a tot which was gratefully downed with a toast to the Queen and our hosts.

We extended invitations to the Leyland boys to visit Barrow for any of our meetings but also to join us for any of our socials, passing them a copy of our social calendar for 2005 and posters for the BBQ and the Ladies Night Dinner Dance. They promised to reciprocate, I think they said that, in the near future.

You will see from the photo, the Barrow branch’s ‘Jolly Roger’ was displayed on its first away visit since we received it from our friends in NI less than two weeks earlier.

Many thanks to John for driving the “Pirates” on our latest visit.

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