2025 Reunion

2025 Reunion

Well, we finally made it to The Petwood Hotel, albeit with only ten register members and six wives.

The advance party consisting of Cliff and Julie Doe, Mike and Karel Wilmott plus two guard dogs (!), Jim Waddington, after a long trek from Milton Keynes by train, bus and shank’s pony, Mike and Babs Flannigan, and Derek and Maureen Parks met up in the bar for refreshments and then to the restaurant where we were invited to peruse the menu and order our evening meal which turned out to be really nice and value for money. All credit to the Chef and the kitchen staff.

After a few more drinks and a brief discussion on how to get to RAF Waddington to see XM607 the following day, we retired to our rooms, it had been a long day for some of us travelling around the M25 and then up the A1.

Friday started sunny and following a very nice breakfast in the hotel, Cliff and Julie, Mike, Jim, Derek and Maureen headed for Waddington. We met up with John Thompson and after a long session of booking in, names, photos and the issue of vehicle and personal passes, Sgt Gavin Heggs escorted us through a maze of buildings to a hardstanding where 607 stood looking a little bit the worse for wear. Unfortunately the wind and rain had already started which added to the ambience of the visit, who can remember those interminable crew ins with the inevitable electrical snag and the efforts required by all and sundry to get it fixed!

The aircraft’s paint finish was ok but there were various areas of damage, especially around the entrance door which detracted from its appearance. The undercarriage bays had been sealed with some very close fitting wooden panels to stop the birds roosting. After about forty minutes with the wind and rain causing discomfort around the nether regions it was decided to head back to the Petwood for a warm.

Cliff, Julie, Derek and Maureen drove out to RAF Wickenby, an old WW2 Lancaster Bomber Base, where the Control Tower has been renovated and is now used as a museum to display artifacts related to the history of the airfield. A very interesting place and well worth a visit.

The main party, consisting of Geoff Ochs, Tom and Sheila Banks, John Thompson, John and Sally Fitzsimons and Robin Davey met up with the aforementioned advance party at the bar and at around 19.20hrs  we were all called forward to take our seats and partake of a really excellent meal, it must have been good as there was very little chatter, just the clink of knife and fork against china!

As the coffee and mints came round Derek explained the reasons that this may well be the last organised Reunion of the VCCR. There was a general consensus that, with the falling numbers, mainly due to health problems and the long distances involved, it would be best to finish the Reunions.

There were also discussions on the fate of the website. No decisions have been made yet but Jim and myself are looking at the various options. If any register members have any thoughts about the way forward please let Jim and/or me know.