Para spectacular Sunday
What a great day!
The rain clouds never got going so we did not need wets, and some 15 intrepid sould set off from WAMSAD, led by "Spud" David Murphy, himself a Para, with flad proudly flying behind his bike. Road crew were Richard A as point, Colin as tail and Don W as "shepherd" - not needed this time and later flying the chapter flag in the parades - see the photo gallery!
Picked up the "southerners" of the chapter at Bagshot and now 23 of us wended our way down to Butser Hill, near Petersfield, to meet with the New Forest Chapter for the rest of the ride to Southsea and to join in the fun and celebrations for the Parachute Regiment weekend.
Parades, parachute drops, pipe bands and the welocome from the officilas and the crowds there was really spectacular.
Spud - do let us have the poropsed dates for next year so we can get it in the diary and ensure we try to have no clashes with other events.
Comments
Southsea Para Spectacular.
This event gets bigger and bigger every year, and it's a great day to come and meet serving members of The Parachute Regiment and former members of The Regiment, and generally have a good day to enjoy the other events within the arena.
I met a load of my old buddies, and as always, sadly, we have lost quite a few since last year.
This event is the Southern Region Airborne Forces Weekend and is usually held on the second week in July, but it clashed with other events on the Southsea Common this year, so it was brought forward by a week.
With reference to The Parachute Regiment Key Ring, as I previously explained to a few of you guys, this is a personal gift from me, you can obviously use it as a key ring, or, cut the key ring off and use it as a pin either stitching it on to your jackets, or like me, superglue it on there.
The Current Regimental Colonel (Lt. Colonel John Handford) has asked me to say 'Thank you' to you all for a brilliant display.
I would like to say a VERY BIG THANK YOU to all who attended, and for allowing me to lead the ride from WAMSAD and then onwards to the Arena from Butser Hill.
Thank you Richard, Don W & Colin.
I was hoping to be at the Chapter Meeting this evening to thank you all personally, but I have just returned home from work, and all I want to do at present is to have a quick shower and then to bed, as I have to be up at 0400hrs.
Best regards Guys, & Ride Safe,
Spud.