Joined: 07 Jun 2005 Posts: 104 Location: In the Danny Eck
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2005 7:52 pm Post subject: Brian Keightley
Brian Keightley wrote:
Like to thank John Richardson for the lecture on how to post on the forum. Strange to say I can find my way about the various Subject Boards here on AOL without any difficulty!(and post on 'em) So this old ex-D/F / Spec Op. can't be that dim. Also don't find it 'ball-breaking' to skim through a few pages of the Guest Book. Regarding the 122 pages, I seem to feel that they started in early 1999, that to my reckoning is less than one and a half pages a month! Not a difficult task I would have thought.
I notice that Jim Coglan has also decided to remain in/on the Guest Book (hope he soon gets it together) but would also like to mention it to John that he never did get round to comment on my comments, so to speak. Thats really what the subject matter was all about. No critique intended but a question I ask is why is it from our total membership do only on average 12% attend the re-unions both here in the UK and in Germany? Also nearly 45% of membership are 'on-line' why are there not more postings? Are people disatisfied, don't care, no money to attend, no interest or apathy? If any of these why the hell did they join? Made my feelings clear so why don't others do the same?............I again await any comments, shootings down or replies with interest........
Brian Keightley
Lot of points in that, Brian. The point I was making is that using the Forum there are more possibilities to carry on a reasonable discussion between two or more posters on one related topic, without having other irrelevant (to the thread) posts get in the way. You can even post photos here, for instance:
Now to the points you make, I can only speak for myself, of course.
I think the first "wave" of old comrades attended the reunions in Germany out of curiosity to see what had become of Langeleben, 'Slutter, and of course the former GDR. The novelty has now somewhat worn off, and some of our older members are getting on a bit, even if they can still drink copious amounts of beer
Don't think the cost plays a great role, as thanks to the Euro, visiting Germany is relatively cheap, compared to what I have to pay going the other way.
Maybe we should return to attending the Schützenfest, even if it is in August. I personally would certainly welcome it, but then I haven't far to travel. I agree with you that the evenings in the beer tent with the natives were extremely enjoyable. Jock Stirling made this point this year at the AGM. The decision lies with the committee.
I don't think it makes much difference whether the memsahibs attend or not. The women seem to enjoy the nights as much as their partners.
Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 61 Location: Lincolnshire
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 7:59 pm Post subject:
Interesting comments Brian. I do try to attend reunions but I do not feel obligated to attend. The first time I did manage to make it I hardly knew anyone as it appeared to me that most people that attended were ex-National Service, hardly anyone of 'my era' was there. I was particularly impressed at the distances some members travelled to be able to make it, and after a couple of years thought much the same as you - where is everyone? When I first turned the corner around the Kinderheim and saw Langeleben it was like coming home, and I had never been there before. I can see that it must have made a similar impression on the youth of the 50's who spent their time in uniform there, and it is only natural that you want to get back together. I did over 25 years with the colours, and Langeleben was only a part of that time (7 years), but it did leave a lasting impression and that was the reason I joined.
I don't care who shows up, it's just nice to have a few days going down memory lane with others who went through a similar experience, and having a bit of a banter. If I miss it then that's my loss, that's what this site is for, the photos and comments just make me wish I had been there. That is particularly true of this year as some of the guys turned up who I haven't seen for a dozen years or more. For me that is what it is all about.
Did that come out alright??
Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 15 Location: Grimsby,(the Bad Lands) N.E.Lincs
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2005 12:27 pm Post subject:
Like to say 'thanks' to John and Bob. At least somebody out of the 140 odd people on line took the trouble! Nice to see other peoples opinions regarding the Langeleben Assoc.
Think that I nailed my colours to the mast when I said that I believe that a re-union should be just that, a re-union of people who were actually in the place. It was also suggested to me, via an e-mail, that everyone who served there, including German civvys, should be encouraged to 'come along' to our 'do'. We have people there who could advertise that locals are welcome and should come and join in the march, why not? Also I am a very strong believer that we should return to the same weekend as the Festival, do the march, and the evening in the tent. Is this not possible, if not, why not? I thought that was what made our re-unions, not sitting in a hotel on the Saturday evening, which is done every other year in Loughboro' anyway.
Agree with Bob one hundred percent when he says he doesn't feel obligated to attend every year but am I the only one who wonders why less than 12% attend? As I keep saying, at the risk of being a bore, why did they join?
Thankyou for reading............Brian Keightley
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