I went to Stoke Mandeville today..

[Vanpyre]

Me too!

By the way, Simon, I'm about to change your username!!

Pete.

u could at least change the bit underneath aswell

am i worth nothin to u guys now???? or was i evertything u dreamed i'd be?

[snock]

u could at least change the bit underneath aswell

am i worth nothin to u guys now???? or was i evertything u dreamed i'd be?

Give me some suggestions, Simon, and I'll sort it.

Pete.

[SCW22]

Well Done lads.

Sorry about those hand driers - turned out to be out of stock.

I'll get some from somewhere else.

ATB

Steve

[Terry D]

As my wannabe southerner, sparktastic colleague has intimated, this weekend's work party at Stoke Mandeville broke all records for achievement. The effort shown by the volunteers was nothing short of magnificent, and I know Rosie and her people will be as amazed as we are about what's been done at the ranges.

After the splendid efforts of the asbestos removal specialists on Friday - for which we are extremely grateful - we had just two days in which to take down and completely rebuild the end-walls of the two main ranges, despite continual rain on Saturday and the forecast of more the next day. It was a scary commitment and we were by no means certain we'd be able to do it, but we gritted our collective teeth, got stuck right into it, and just nutted it out. Mag-bloody-nificent - even if I do say so myself.

What a crew we had, with Steve Forster, the carpenter supreme, his non-stop son, Tom, and Stoke stalwart, Graham Guest the human JCB, putting in a priceless shift all day Saturday. Steve's missus had made us some Olympic standard cakes, and although I barely got a crumb (COUGH!!!) I can confirm that they were most welcome.

A special mention must go to Alan (Mucky Duck), whose very first post on this BBS was to confirm that he'd be there to help on the Friday and Saturday - and that he most certainly did. Great effort, Alan, you're a star, mate.

Our own Snock was there for the full shift from Friday to Sunday, and he'd also done a ton of organisation to get the supplies on site. I know how knackered I feel and I've done a day less than Pete, so full marks to our Snockster for a fantastic effort.

Paul 'Lobberman' Howell must take a huge bow, too. Paul sorted the asbestos removal and, despite his injured shoulder, gave us his expertise and enthusiasm over the weekend. Top job, Paulie.

Steve 'Northernspark' and his lovely wife, Julie, are just great to be around and they worked like Trojans to get the job done. Steve is a raving wimp in the face of a wasp and his imitation of a 'dahn sarf' accent points to someone who really wants to live in Peckham, but he and Julie made the long trek south after sorting funds, paint and supplies for the job. Unbelievable - but true I'm proud to say.

Kieran and Richard had stupidly long journeys too, but, as they've done on several occasions now, they did the miles with a smile and grafted their chods off between times. Luckily for Kieran, he never gets any stick from the rest of us and he's never the butt (ahem...) of any jokes about his gay icon status. Anyway, moving on...

Slicksid, or Simon as he is known in the real world, arrived on Saturday morning in his luxury van, towing a loaded trailer. Simon turned out to be our equivilent of 'Q' from the Bond films, with every tool and gadget we could need. Brilliant effort, Si, and we hope you'll be able to make it again, mate.

The marvellous Steve Gillies gave his considerable woodworking skills and boy were they needed as we raced against time and the weather to get the ranges secure. Steve also conjoured up some cider, which I managed to get a brief taste of...(what? ) after our communal Chinese meal on Saturday evening.

We were fully backed by Keith and co from the Disabled Shooters Association, and no account of this weekend could go without a heartfelt thanks to Bob Nicholls, the owner of Air Arms, who personally funded the whole replacement of the end walls, and who will give me a severe b0ll0cking for even mentioning his wonderful generosity. You're a gent, Bob, and we couldn't have done it without you.

As has already been said, there's plenty more to do and your help will certainly be most welcome. Working at Stoke Mandeville is the most personally rewarding thing most of us have ever done, and you'll see why as soon as you get involved. We've already made a massive difference at Stoke Mandeville and we'll continue to do so, thanks to the generosity of our airgun shooters and the airgun industry itself.

Only I know how proud I am of everyone involved in what's been done at Stoke Mandeville and when we work together, we're bloody amazing. That's who we really are, and no amount of media distortion could ever change that simple truth. Airgunners of this BBS - I salute you.

[delta1]

How can I follow a post like that?

Agreeing totally with it would be a start.

To single a couple of people out, Muckyduck and Vanpyre, you're both absolute stars.

Everyone who attended has done their bit and more, and is to be congratulated.

On a personal note I would just like to say "Ow. Ow. Ow."

Still enjoyed it immensely though.

[Baxterbasics]

The finished walls look superb-well done lads and lasses My apologies for not being able to do the whole weekend-I would have loved to have had the "Social" with you all on Saturday night-you lot are great company

Graham-proud to be a member of Terry`s barmy army

[Vanpyre]

How can I follow a post like that?

Agreeing totally with it would be a start.

To single a couple of people out, Muckyduck and Vanpyre, you're both absolute stars.

Everyone who attended has done their bit and more, and is to be congratulated.

On a personal note I would just like to say "Ow. Ow. Ow."

Still enjoyed it immensely though.

s...n.iifff i think ive pick some...sniff....... dust up from the lorries that were overtakin me on the way home.... sniff,... my eyes are are streamin!!! just to get home and my little bab say.... my daddy hiya love u and got big kiss and cuddle...... that set it off!!!but honest lads if u can put up with me snorin AGAIN (rich!!) i will be over again as soon as u whistle!!!
by the way i beat your ow ow ow with a OOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!!!

[kieran turner]

In my eyes your all legends! Absolute stars every single one of you, even Terry. I can't much else apart from thankyou for the whole weekend and we have made a difference.

As for been the buut of all jokes, 'tis true I was also nearly killed on 4 seperate occasions. For anyone that saw the finger then foot incident I am sure it was hilarious and thanks for your kind words of support as I removed the nail from my foot!

So thats me done for today.

Kieran Turner (Stoke Mandeville Projects Chief morale Offficer)

[Rikki]

Dear All

I can't really say much more than Terry wrote earlier. You are all really unbelievable and once again, on behalf of everyone at DTSGB, a huge THANK YOU for everything.
Rikki

[Northern Tart]

Well all I can say is that it was brilliant to meet you all and to be part of such a great team

Sorry Kieran that I laughed so much as your scream pitch got higher and higher Rich I hope your finger is not too sore

I am still in total shock about the amount that got done and I really hope I can attend another weekend in the future as I felt so proud to be doing something so worthwhile

Once again all you that attended are a great bunch of guys and you made me feel welcome

One last thing thanks to the hubby for getting me involved and letting me help out

Julie xx

[Rikki]

Dear All

Rosie has asked me to send you this quick message, as she is away on holiday at the moment (booked and paid for before the date of this work party was arranged).
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I have heard all about the work you have done this weekend,. It sounds fantastic and I can't wait to see it. I was peeling onions (again!), after Keith told me everything.

I was thinking about you all this weekend - I bought two toilet seats at the car boot sale today!

I can't wait to see you all again and I'll be there to do my bit next time.

Thanks.

Rosie

[Nealsey]

Guys,

A Herculean effort this weekend. Well done. Sorry I couldn't be there
for this weekend, let me know when the next working party is and I
will get it in the calendar.

Neal

[steveggg]

Well i'm starting to recover from a fantastic weekend, only the shoulders aching now.

What a great team, skilled and unskilled, everyone mucked in and we did an amazing amount of work.

Well done to all who helped out, shame some more bodies were not available.

Hope the next dates can free up some more bodies.

Can someone tell me what Steve was on, as he never stopped, and i got tired just watching him.

See you all next time.

[snock]

Can someone tell me what Steve was on, as he never stopped, and i got tired just watching him.

See you all next time.

He's like a pie-eating hurricane, isn't he Steve!
You didn't do badly yourself, mind.

[Terry D]

What a great team, skilled and unskilled...

Yes, I thought those unskilled chaps supported us rather well, Steve.

Thanks guys.