Hello everyone,

Back from yet another wonderful week-end in dear old Pompey having attended the Royal Marines band reunion in Nelson barracks, and what a great week-end it was.

As usual everything went off without a hitch. My thanks go out to Tommy Lawton and his team for yet another well run Reunion. On the Saturday evening I met up with old and new friends, which once again made for a great evening. One person in particular who I had the pleasure to meet was a wonderful "old soldier", (if I may call him that) named Sam Dyer. My thanks go to Dave and Joan Seed for introducing Sam to me. Meeting up with Ken and Joan White after 40 years was also another highlight for me. (thanks guys). Also I must mention Albert (good to see you again mate after many years). To Eddy and Barbara Pescud. I thank you both for listening to me rabbiting on for most of the evening. We shall carry on from where we left off next year hopefully.

To my old mate Mick Hickman safe journey back to Spain, and look forward to seeing you again next year. Also my sincere thanks go to Richard Valentine, Tony Oliver, Ollie Hollingsworth, Barry Pettitt, John (Bubs) Buberle, Barry Radford, Mick (Lofty) Logan for making it a memorable evening. Any names I have left off please forgive me, as everything is still a blur. But to all of you, many many thanks for making it a really great weekend. Anyone who missed it I suggest you get yourselves down to Pompey next year, as you don't know what you are missing. I realize that some of you cannot make it what with commitments and other such things and to you I wish you well for the future.

I myself was reminded that particular weekend that I never attended a Reunion for many years (much to my loss). So if there are any ex RMB's out there that have never attended a reunion, do what I did and give it a go. You just might enjoy it.

Last but not least I must also thank my friend Charlie Laws for accompanying and looking after me. (I am still looking for the Pussers Rum). As for the Beating the Retreat by the Portsmouth Band, another wonderful show performed to their usual excellent standard (I don't think there was a dry eye in the house). Sunday morning it was good to see a full house for the church service.

Well that's about it for now, so I will sign off. Once again thank you all for supporting what turned out to be a GREAT WEEK-END.

See you all again next year.

Sid.