When I worked for Rawlings we were all Baptists.That was the criteria for gaining employment.I think that the alcoholics mentioned were from Rawlings of Hook. A completely different outfit. 
Brother Charlie let us not forget Father Ernesto Bignall of the Blackmans sect often found to be parked at the side of the road between Le Havre & Tancerville
in the morning, having come over on the afternoon before’s ferry 
Brother Ernesto was a member of a certain sect who had a fear of sailing.They used to imbibe copious quantities of medicine to help their fear.The side effect was to make them sleepy.On a trip to Italia they used to loose two days at least.It seems to me Brother MaggieD that a little more charity towards these afflicted people would be in order especially at this time of the year.Seasons Greetings to you.Brother Carlos.
I cant remember if it was an accident or a breakdown Ernie suffered on the A4 somewhere near Carisio that required him to drop his ASR tilt in one of the mini laybys. When he came back (a few days later), someone had removed the tilt cover and dragged it across the field alongside the autostrada.
Blimey Gary.I bet it made Ernie sweat dragging it back across the field. Any idea where he had been for those few days? Answers on a postcard please
Brother Carlos, I think he had been to see St Peter of Verona, to take the Holy Water with the Pope (aka John Hood) rumour has it they had dirty habits !
MaggieD:
Brother Carlos, I think he had been to see St Peter of Verona, to take the Holy Water with the Pope (aka John Hood) rumour has it they had dirty habits !
Brother Ricardo,I too have partaken of the falling down water at the shrine of St Peter of Verona.I also have signed the pledge more times than I care to remember.I was overjoyed when at last my pen ran out of ink. At the same time my pencil ran out of lead.That is not something I want spread around.It would lower my street cred at the Darby and Joan Club.Mums the word Ok?
Whilst we’re waxing religious brothers, I feel it would be
at least remiss if not downright negligent to omit the name of
brother Stan Long a devout member of the sect, whose name
must belong near the top of the roll of honour!!!
In the days when we would eat at the Footballers and then run on to
the parking by the swimming pool at Macon. I remember Stan waking
me up at 6am and holding out a can of beer for me to start the day and looking somewhat taken aback when I declined. Luckily Danny Moss
who was also there accepted on my behalf and we all went off to the
Bakehouse for brekkie!!!
GAZ IOW:
Whilst we’re waxing religious brothers, I feel it would be
at least remiss if not downright negligent to omit the name of
brother Stan Long a devout member of the sect, whose name
must belong near the top of the roll of honour!!!In the days when we would eat at the Footballers and then run on to
the parking by the swimming pool at Macon. I remember Stan waking
me up at 6am and holding out a can of beer for me to start the day and looking somewhat taken aback when I declined. Luckily Danny Moss
who was also there accepted on my behalf and we all went off to the
Bakehouse for brekkie!!!
I put a posting on here a little while ago mentioning Stan Long but no response.I’m not sure if he’s still alive.Lovely man.Did enjoy a little of the giggling fluid as I recall.He was a Pompey boy.Did he ever work for Eric Baker? Perhaps the memory has gone eh.While I am in the rembering mood,what of Terry Sparrow.Spent News Years Eve with him in Bayonne.Got wasted and finished up in the local CRS barracks.Crowd of hard men! Must stop.Getting maudlin.Any info?
Charlie im afraid both Stan Long and John Hill are no longer with us allthough both are still alive and kicking in our memories.Terry Sparrow is still with us but Im not sure what he is up to.
Whilst we are talking about imbibing the falling down waters what about the night when in a force12 on the Venturer {I think} the observation lounge window was smashed inward by a gigantic wave and for a few moments chaos reigned when things had clamed slightly Polly AKA Richard Parrott was found still stood at the bar with alarge whisky and not a drop spilt. 
One Saturday morning about 20 years ago I arrived at Irun at the offices of Doman to get my paperwork for export.In the compound was Richard(Polly) fast asleep across the seats looking the worse for wear.It was 7am.I woke him up with difficulty and we went over the road for a coffee.I had three coffees and Polly had three full tall glasses of gin and tonic(easy on the tonic).I could never match him drink for drink.Maybe for the first two. Sorry to hear of the demise of Stan and John Hill.RIP the pair of them.Thanks for the info Ian.Tell me are you still as good looking as you were 30 years ago? Always remember your description of yourself.“I’m a bit of a babe magnet” What bit?
Hello Charlie one, I was talking to Terry Sparrow a while ago and he was still running Italy for fingers (Brian Young) He looked same as ever aint changed one bit. Regards Kev
Many thanks Kev for the info re Terry.Now I know he’s still alive I’ll have to look him up.Regards Charlie
Traniht
Nice to see your memory is still reasonable, hope mine’s as good
when I get old!
Do you recall your ‘wanted’ poster in Chantals? It read something
like, “Have you seen this man, answers to the name of Scattercash”
I thought it most rude, I can’t remember the gist of it but I believe it
was hinting that you were of a parsimoniuos nature! I of course,
never referred to you by that name. In that very same bar I remember
that poignant occasion when you took out your wallet, not to buy a drink
of course but to reassure yourself it was still there and a half crown
dropped out, rolled across the floor and disappeared through a crack in the boards. I shall never forget the sight of you kneeling on the floor, fingers bleeding looking up at me through a veil of copious tears as you realised it was lost forever. It brings a tear and a lump in my throat to this day.
Kindest Regards GAZ
Gaz Iow
I wondered when someone would bring this slanderous allegation to the fore I shall wait for more accusations before I defend myself
(Couldnt lend me a pound just to tide me over could yer) 
traniht:
Gaz Iow
I wondered when someone would bring this slanderous allegation to the fore I shall wait for more accusations before I defend myself
(Couldnt lend me a pound just to tide me over could yer)
You’re obviously struggling at the moment and I hesitate to mention this
but I believe I know what happened to your money. I know your brother
Mick told you he’s living in a prefab over here and taking in washing to
survive, but I have seen his place and met him enjoying himself at the
local inn. I think you need look no further!!!
PS Of course a pound is on it’s way to you along with a book of
luncheon vouchers.
Regards GAZ
Blimey Gaz, I remember that “poster”. It was a collaborative effort between myself and “The Green Canary” Richard Goodchild. Aspertions as to Ians want to conserve the “Oro” in order to pay his HUGE mortgage on the thatched shed in Micheldever. “Scattercash” was hastilly replaced by “Fozzie Bear” owing to the wooly nature of the copious amounts of facial hair, top AND bottom! Somewhat lacking these days!
gazzer:
Blimey Gaz, I remember that “poster”. It was a collaborative effort between myself and “The Green Canary” Richard Goodchild. Aspertions as to Ians want to conserve the “Oro” in order to pay his HUGE mortgage on the thatched shed in Micheldever. “Scattercash” was hastilly replaced by “Fozzie Bear” owing to the wooly nature of the copious amounts of facial hair, top AND bottom! Somewhat lacking these days!
Gazzer do you mean I have to change my mental image of him, has it all
gone?
And what of Richard are you still in touch with him?
Regards GAZ
Gaz, his hair seems to congregate around the back mostly, a rubber band holding it in place!
Richard was believed to be somewhere near Valencia. It was an area he liked, apart from Verona, Montebello and the Modena one way system. Sadly have no contact with him.
Gazzer thanks for the update on Richard. Wherever he is I wish him well.
As regards sc…er Ian I am now getting the image of a Fagin type character.
Would a stoop be involved and does he still wring his hands when talking
about money?
Regards GAZ