RAF Haydock

[Cerura]

Happy New Year to everyone!  Hope it is a good one for you all.

Great to hear from you Ken and from you Barbara.  I remember you both so well. 

Haydock was like no other station I ever served on.  It seemed locked into  a delightful time warp of its own.  As others have said, a very special place, despite the slag heap!

I am glad that Sgt Sperandeo made it through OCTU.  I know how disappointed he was to be turned down initially and it must have been galling for him to wave some chit of a girl off soon after.  We did well from one section from one tiny station didn't we Ken?  LOL!

Looking forward to the photos Ken.

Lynn

[Swo.man]

hi lynn seen your message to ken how true about haydock iv been on a few stations some nearly as good as nwcc but it took some beating even the staff where some how different then most on other stations oh well its all been nice to look back on hasnt it ?? bab best was due to come to our place for a meal and chat last thursday but she has a chest infection so couldnt make it but will come later have you any more photos to send  keep in touch  regards frank  ps did you have agood time in france ??

[geordielad]

Here's to another year Haydockites! Hope we survive many more! I also agree that there was no place like it throughout my 35 years in blue. Frank is right; the people were all a special breed and we were all so very happy. What about those dances in the Spiders Web? Did we not pack 'em in ??

At this time of year I know we all remember family/friends who have gone. On this site it must be Janet O'D; how close we were to saying "Hello" after all these years. In particular I recall Denis Wells; Around 1978 I walked into a pub in the centre of London and there he was! We met up every Friday for a pie and a pint( sorry we were officers - it was lunch and a wine!). By then Denis was a Sqn Ldr Med Sec at MOD just round the corner from Adastral House where I was at the time.

Sadly Denis passed away around 5 years ago; I used to get a card from his wife Barbara but not for the last couple of years. Jacqui says she will upload more photos I have sent her; I am in the process of fixing up a lunch with Frank/Irene - Kath/me and Alan/Mutriel Garner who live in Southport. Lynne; when you have time drop me an e mail?  Cheers to all.

[Sunshine Girl]

Hi Ken!
Here, at last, are the start of the pictures you asked me to upload for you. Sorry for the delay - was with family for the holidays.

[Sunshine Girl]

First two pics from Ken. He can explain who, what and where

[Sunshine Girl]

Christmas Menu from the Airmen's Mess, 1963.

[Sunshine Girl]

Ken, you can explain!

[Sunshine Girl]

Last two pics from Ken

[geordielad]

Good try Jacqui; thanks anyway!  The first picture is yours truly at a Wedding in Aden in 1962 with Pat McAlden and Judy Dudley (+AN Other). Both of them had just been posted to Steamer Point - from Haydock! Weeks later my posting came through - to Haydock!

The second picture is when I was best man at Alan Gardner's wedding (ex PTI) at Haydock around the mid 60's. Then there is Lynne and I with Sqn Ldr Pollock at the orphanage in Liverpool. I have kept some Menus from the Xmas Dinners of 62/63/64 and this is an example. Remember Dickie Ward the WO Catering? We always had good food.

Lastly there is a photo from the local paper of the trroops on parade for the AOC's in 1967. It's a pity the picture is not clearer as others - apart from the Sgt on the end in glasses - might be recognisable!

Full marks to Jacqui for effort!. Any more pictures of that era?