The 2013 Annual Reunion took place on Saturday 27th April with a total of 67 members and their guests in attendance.

The occasion was marked with a degree of sadness and nostalgia as it was widely expected that, due to the Association being unable to gain members prepared to stand for Committee, it was very unlikely that the Association would be able to continue in its present form.

A few of the regular exhibits were put on display by Ray Tuthill, our President, especially for those members who had not been able to attend a previous Reunion.

Despite Ros the chef having recently left to work at another location, Susie his deputy managed to provide the excellent buffet which is the trade mark of recent Reunion lunches.

Several new faces and some from years gone by were a welcome sight and helped add to the animated conversations taking place around the room.

Following the meal, our acting Chairman, Peter Hazelden opened the AGM with a brief statement outlining the difficulties faced by the Association and highlighting the decision to formally close the Association unless new Committee Members stepped forward. Unfortunately no offers were received and with a great deal of regret the 'winding up' notice was announced to the assembled members.
To read more about the process involved then please click here.

The possibility of some new organisation (not bound by a Constitution) being founded and run by a willing member or members was put forward by Richard Francis. The new organisation would permit interested ex-apprentices to continue to hold a casual annual meeting for the foreseeable future.

The remaining Committee members indicated their willingness to provide whatever help they could to set up any new 'friendly' group during the period of winding up the official RSAF Apprentices Association.

The 2012 Annual Reunion took place on Saturday 21st April.

The newly decided day for holding the Reunion met with a good deal of approval since travelling to and from the Reunion venue proved to be far easier than the previous Sunday meeetings.

Ray Tuthill, the President, had organised and set up the usual exhibits consisting of the model machines which now reside in various locations and museums along with a few other small memorabilia.

As is now the standard, the buffet meal prepared by Ros the chef, spoiled the members and their guests for sheer choice. Some even confessed to having forgotten that they were only starters and not the main course but managed nonetheless to enjoy all 3 courses.

At just after 3:00pm, the serious business of the AGM started.

There were a few topics which provoked some quite lively comment from the members and strong suggestions that perhaps it was a good time now to take a long hard look at the Reunion day with a view to making some important and necessary changes.

Many of the members felt that there was not enough time to spend meeting and talking to old friends because the AGM took up too much of the afternoon. With some members travelling considerable distances, this meant they were forced to leave before they had met up and talked to all their friends. The Committee responded by saying that it would give serious consideration as to what reasonable alternative arrangements could be made to preserve the value of the Reunion. Suggestions and proposals from the members were sought and will be discussed later at Committee.

Next year's Reunion date is provisionally booked as Saturday, 27th April 2013 - See you all there...

If you are an ex-Lockie and after reading this you find yourself wanting to know more about the Association then please don't hesitate to contact us through this website.

Saturday 16th April 2011 saw the Annual Reunion take place on an unfamiliar day because it broke with the very long-standing convention of being held on a Sunday!

If there had been any concern expressed about the day change affecting the number of members attending, then it was readily dispelled. There was a very creditable turn-out of 36 members, both young and old, and it was encouraging to see just how many of the members brought their wives along to add glamour and create a more relaxed and congenial ambience where talk was more about happy times shared and friends remembered, rather than engineering.

Most of the usual exhibits consisting of the model machines and various apprentice training exercises were on display with several new additions kindly supplied by members.

The buffet meal was a sight to behold and it's true to say that the diners were spoiled for choice when faced with the large and tasty selection placed before them. The Chef had once again exceeded all expectations by filling this table from end to end with cold and hot choices for starters and then once again with a whole new selection of delicious main course choices and then the desserts came. Phew!

View the photo album slideshow to see just how good it really was.

After the meal, at around 3:00pm, it was time to get down to some serious business and for the AGM to start.

Our Association President, Ray Tuthill, took the stage accompanied in the absence of our Chairman, Frank Evans, by Peter Hazelden our Vice-Chair. Ray began by welcoming the assembled members and several new guests. Among the guests were 2 ex-apprentices, Mike Haslam and Ken Emberson, who both completed their apprenticeships at ERDE after spending their first apprenticed year in the RSAF Training Centre in 1962. Both Mike and Ken were introduced to the Association by Peter Chapman who was himself an ERDE apprentice from the same year. Both guests expressed a keen desire to join the Association and we warmly welcome them.

Peter Hazelden then formally started the AGM and steadily worked through the Agenda which was completed just before 5:00pm allowing the members time to have that last valuable chat before setting off for home with the promise of doing it all again next year. Next year's Reunion date is provisionally booked as Saturday, 21st April 2012 - See you all there...

If you are an ex-Lockie and after reading this you find yourself wanting to know more about the Association then please don't hesitate to contact us through this website.

Sunday 18th April 2010 dawned a beautiful day as Lockies made their annual pilgrimage back to their old stomping grounds, or at least to a very congenial 'watering hole' not far away at NECC. The sun shone from a clear blue sky with not a cloud or vapour trail in sight. The birds sang and you could actually hear and enjoy them with their big and intrusively noisy metal counterparts all confined to their concrete nests and silence by the Icelandic volcano. It was absolutely great, a real treat - so long as you were not stuck in an airport!

It's always great to meet old friends, colleagues and hostel mates again for a good gossip over a few beers and an enjoyable, leisurely lunch and this year was no exception.

The summery weather lasted all day and when lunch was ready many of the happy throng had to be called in from the garden outside. Then during the AGM the ladies happily returned there from choice this year rather than to the comforts of the lounge.

Since Ros the new chef arrived at NECC he has started doing Sunday lunches every week. They are very good value and extremely popular with NECC members which has raised a problem for us of which more below (under the AGM). Ros' usual format is to present a wide selection of starters, buffet style, a carvery for the main course and then a sweet table, buffet style again, with a generous selection of choices. It's 'eat as much as you like' time and all very mouth watering.

As the range of choices Ros puts on is much in line with our traditional menu of recent years plus quite a lot more, he suggested to Ray that we try his normal Sunday arrangements. After consulting committee members it was agreed and a very good move it proved to be. With the quantity and choice of what was on the starter table, including a beautiful whole poached salmon, you could have had a complete and very good meal from that alone! What was on offer had to be seen to be believed and by AGM time everyone was very well satisfied. Comments were enthusiastically complimentary along the lines of "When can we come again?" and "More like a banquet than lunch!"

Since the NECC hall was refurbished there is nowhere to hang the boards of photos but as all the reunion regulars have seen them before that does not really matter. Ray had all the models and apprentice pieces out on parade as usual, save for the perspex miller which is on display in the Interpretation Centre. Those in working order, all of them now apart from the millers, performed to order as usual. It's great that we are able to bring them out and enjoy seeing them in action again so many years after first making their acquaintance, which in many cases was as lumps of metal for us to develop our skills on! Thanks are due to the LBE Museums Service for letting us borrow the ones in their care, to the 'heavy gang' of Ray and Andy Harris for machine shifting duties and not forgetting Ken Dee for his skills and efforts in restoring them to working order.

There was one aspect, however, which caused serious concern - the number of bookings. It is inevitable as the years take their toll of members that numbers will shrink and there are always some who cannot attend due to date clashes, illness or domestic problems etc. However, this year was exceptional and a week before we were quite worried by the number booked. Fortunately some late bookings were rustled up and by the day we were just about OK, but if reunions, which are one of our key functions, are to continue in their present very congenial form then members must support them. The facilities and fare at NECC are very attractive and suitable for our needs and members are always keen to return there again but, hall hire is expensive anywhere nowadays.

The Reunion on Sunday 26th April was once again a very pleasurable event, much enjoyed by everyone. The numbers were somewhat depleted this year due to a combination of some of the regular's having date clashes, and last minute, enforced cancellations. Russ and Marie Otto had suddenly found themselves having to take over parenting of two young grandchildren due to their daughter's serious illness. Roy and Janet Charlton too were unable to appear as Roy had been admitted to hospital. We wished all of them well.

46 members and their ladies, plus a few more for the AGM, assembled to enjoy lunch in the good company of old friends with plenty of reminiscing, good beer, lots of excellent food ("The catering was outstanding and I've not seen so much food on offer since I went on a cruise." commented Chris Brooks in a thank you note afterwards) and all in the very congenial surroundings in the newly refurbished hall at NECC. Even the weather was kind this year after last year's chilly day.

It was great to see John and Margaret Hone there as usual, despite their health problems. Also, another of our 'regulars' and now 'father of the house', Bert Savill. It seems almost unbelievable that it is now 74 years since Bert started his apprenticeship in 1935!

Neither of the millers has been seen at reunions in recent years due to their weight and lack of helpers both fit enough and available to help Ray move them. Mindful that if we did not find a new General Secretary it might very well be our last event, Ray made a special effort to put a full complement of the models out on display and thanks are due to Andy Harris for helping collect the miller and gas engine from Forty Hall Museum and then return them afterwards.

Thus the models were all on parade excepting just for the 'perspex' miller which Ray had left on display in the Interpretation Centre. After Ken Dee's successful restoration efforts of recent years, the Press, Shaper, Gas Engine and Profilator were all powered up and performed their now traditional 'cabaret' to open the AGM. They all behaved themselves impeccably and were videoed by Peter Hone, all working together.

The new panelling in the NECC hall has now precluded the hanging of photographs (there's nothing to hang them on!) so we will have to do without them in future. But, everyone who comes to reunions will have seen them over the years so that does not really matter.

One minor difference this year was that we were asked if we would like to participate in the Club's Sunday lunchtime raffle. Members said yes and so the Club's team came in and sold tickets during lunch. It paid off as Jim Franklin won £40! Recompense perhaps for later taking on the General Secretary position? - except that a posse of the ladies used the AGM and fine weather as an opportunity for a walk to Enfield Town and a shopping spree in Marks and Spencer's where his win got converted into a pair of ladies shoes!

As everyone departed and heaved the models etc into their transport back to Ray's house, within sight behind NECC, all agreed it had been another good day. Long may they continue!

The Reunion of 2008 has to be described as a very successful and enjoyable day for the 53 members and their guests who attended the Annual Reunion.

Prior to the Reunion and for a variety of reasons, the decision was taken that the usual display of engineering models would not be assembled but rather we would display some of the newest and latest acquisitions:

• The Michael Thompson Trophy
• The Apprentice of the Year Award 1972-84 & The Apprentice of the Year Award 1984 - 1987
• The Physical Education Cup
• The Alex Williams Trophy
• The Charlie Haynes Mini-Toolset-After and Before

To view the articles on display just click on the name in the above list.

The meal at the NECC was prepared this year by their new chef Ros Lamattina, who without doubt produced a meal of the highest standard and deservedly received the heart-felt congratulations of the gathered diners. After savouring the starters and feasting on the main course we were left wondering how much better can it get - and then out came the dessert trolley. Offering a huge selection of mouth-watering dessert options, Ros charmed the ladies by encouraging them to give in to their more feminine side and save that small portion of appetite for the sweetest part of the meal. A gastronomic experience that lasted well past the scheduled start time for the Annual General Meeting - but nobody seemed to mind at all.

With the dining over and the tables cleared, the Association President Ray Tuthill called the members to order and the meeting got under way but it didn't take long for the words in the President's Opening Address to add a sombre tone to the meeting.

Ray briefly outlined how through unforeseen personal circumstances he was now forced to step out of the limelight and play a much more passive role which meant that his activities on the committee, would necessarily be curtailed. He would however continue as President and Heritage Officer, but be less active.

He also explained how the workload experienced by the General Secretary was now excessive and added to the tasks of Membership Secretary and Website Manager was proving to be too much for one person to manage: New committee members had to come forward to share the load.

Fortunately several members did put themselves forward as committee members and the major diffculties that had faced the committee, should now be resolved throughout the summer months.

Once again the Association is extremely grateful and deeply indebted to Ken Dee for all his hard work and effort resulting in his excellent restoration work done on the Charlie Haynes mini-Toolset. The tiny set of tools mounted in a wooden case had suffered from the ravages of time and acid erosion despite previous efforts by Charlie's widow Jeanne Marples to preserve it. Nonetheless, Ken isn't easily thwarted and he set about bringing it all back to its former glory. To look at it now you would never guess the 'before' state Ken first saw it in.

As the meeting was drawn to a close at around 5.15pm the members said their goodbyes to each other and added little comments like - "see you next year". We certainly hope so...

Those present were...

Committee Members:
Ray Tuthill (President & Heritage), Frank Evans (Chair), Peter Hone (Vice-Chair & AW Ed), Russell Otto (Gen Sec), Robin Budden (Treasurer)
Members:
Peter Arnould, Bob Betteridge, Lee Bold, Don Bootle, Chris Brooks, Phil Champney, Bert Chapman, Roy Charlton, John Collier, Mike Cook, Richard Francis, Jim Franklin, Peter Hazelden, John Healey, Tony Hills, John Hone, Alan Jenkins, Tom Johnson, Bob Logue, Phil Maffia, Barrie Mitchell, Steve Robson, Iain Rose, Ken Scarff, Martin Stratford, Peter Turner, Ken Wilks, Dave Whitlock

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Another excellent day for the 54 members and their guests who attended the Annual Reunion.

A traditional turkey roast lunch was the main course with an alternative vegetarian for those who required it and coupled with a well tended bar (at club prices I might add!) it all made for a very relaxing atmosphere. The number attending this year was slightly down on last year's figure which was understandable since last year was the Diamond Jubilee of the Association!

This year we tried a change to the usual free-seating for lunch by using individual named place cards. Each member and guest was supplied with their personalised card upon arrival and invited to place their card on a table of their choice alongside their friends and colleagues. Each card also carried the personal meal selections on the back - as a gentle reminder for those of us who can't remember what starter or dessert we had ordered.

All the working models were on parade this year thanks to Ray who sought the customary help from several committee members to get the model machine exhibits in place. This year the main attraction amongst the models was the newly restored John Hand Press. Our thanks yet again to the dedicated efforts of Ken Dee.

The Gas Engine, despite its name, is now run using compressed air rather than gas which allows it to be run safely while on display almost anywhere. The conversion to using compressed air required significant changes to the way that the valves operated. The usual suck-squeeze-bang-blow timing needed for gas meant that a completely different approach was needed when effectively turbo-charging the cylinder with air and ensuring that no compression occurred.

All the other models are powered by small electric motors.

Our residential model engineer expert Ken Dee not only made the Gas Engine conversion a successful reality but has also restored the other models shown here to fully operational condition.

The Association is extremely grateful and deeply indebted to Ken for all his hard work and effort...

Those present were...

Committee Members:
Frank Evans (Chairman), Peter Hone (Vice Chairman), Russell Otto (General Secretary), Lee Bold (Treasurer), Ray Tuthill (Heritage Officer), Robin Budden (Minutes Secretary), Colin Sutton (Newsletter Editor), Barry Mitchell (Visit Organiser)
Members:
Peter Arnould, Norman Bacon, Graham Birchmore, Peter Blake, Don Bootle, Chris Brooks, Phil Champney, Bert Chapman, Roy Charlton, Mike Cook, John Dolder, Lee Driver, Bob Fisher, Richard Francis, Jim Franklin, Ashley Hambridge, Andy Harris, Peter Hazelden, John Healey, Derek Heath, Ron Heathcote, Tony Hills, John Hone, John James, Tom Johnson, Tony Kennard, Derek Lumley, Frank Mullins, Geoff Newton, Geoffrey Organ, Peter Roberts, Steve Robson, Iain Rose, Dudley Sapsford, Bill Scott, John Stevens, Ron Stilgoe, Martin Stratford, Dave Thompson, Peter Turner, Ken Vincent, Ken Wood, Terry Gibson, Alan Jenkins, Ken Wilks

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Another good day which was well attended - 76 members and guests - providing the ideal opportunity for friends to meet up and discuss both old memories and new experiences over drinks and a good meal.

This Reunion was quite notable for a number of reasons, not least of which being the pleasantly large number of ladies who attended and enjoyed meeting the other wives and partners for a long-overdue chat.

However, at the AGM which was held following the meal, one of the highlights for the members was the Election of an Association President. In consideration of his personal contribution to the Association and all ancillary dealings with respect to establishment of the Interpretation Centre, Ray Tuthill was recommended to the members present by the Committee for the position of Association President. It was proposed by The Chairman and seconded by Russell Otto. It was also proposed by Phil Champney and seconded by Martin Startford that Ray be made an Honorary Life Member. The motions were unanimously accepted by all members present at the meeting and Ray thanked members for the honour. The Chairman announced that an inscribed brass plaque was to be purchased and placed in the RSAIV Interpretation Centre. A framed print of the inscription was presented to Ray and flowers were presented to Olive in recognition of her many years of support and tolerance of Ray's work for the Association and for her long standing service of tea, cake and accommodation for committee meetings.

Delighted to welcome first timers:

• Geoff and Angela Newton - Association Friend - formerly Assembly Shop Mgr.
• Bill and Jill Scott - ('56) started in Eskmeals and transferred to RSAF in 1959.
• Peter and Jane Blake - ('52) started with letter by Peter to Ray Tuthill
• Terry Gibson - ('54)

"The Lads of Enfield Lock", first print run all sold out and a new order placed for a reprint including a few corrections which had been received and was available.

Nearly all the models were on parade this year - Ray had organised that the working models did actually work! The Butler Shaper, recently overhauled by Ken Dee, performed superbly as did the Gas Engine and the Profilator. (see Viewing the Models - Item 10)

The (in)famous Apprentice test piece - 'Cube and Plate' - had been lovingly reproduced and displayed in a wooden case with inlaid brass rifle logo - all lovingly handmade by Ken Dee! (Thank God we didn't have to make the wooden box as well or we would all have probably spent at least another 6 months in the Training Centre!)

Apprentice photos were on display again around the walls of the room and on several stands. An interesting addition this time was an excellent old photo kindly provided by Bill Scott showing four young fresh-faced lads proudly holding up a sporting trophy they had won. It was 'blown up' (the photo that is) and displayed by the entrance for members to 'name the faces from yesteryear'. Three of the faces were actually at the Reunion.

No less than 6 members of the 1962 year group were present for the meal which is a very high proportion indeed. Perhaps we can encourage some of the other year groups to try and better that score with their own?

Comments passed from the floor that the new trial of e-mail distribution of Reunion confirmation etc. was considered a success.