Tuesday 13 February 2007

The WI Speaker

The Royal Yacht heading away from port

Grabbed Prince Charles by the seat of his pants!

As promised,……..I went to WI last evening, and yes as anticipated, the speaker was so interesting, Charles Pickering, a lovely Yorkshire man, told us how he left school at fourteen and ran away to sea, for fifteen to eighteen months he was on a trawler, fishing off Iceland from Scarborough, getting fed up with the cold icy rigging etc.He decided to join the navy proper, he went of to The Royal navy training ‘ship ‘Gangees(this is not actually a ship but a training college for sailors )in due course, he went to sea on Vesuvius, which he said ,did erupt from time to time !it was a coal burning ship and when on shore the sailors would all don over alls and help to load the hold with wicker baskets containing coal, and got absolutely black and dusty .All this time training to be a chef. And was over in Korea, during the time of the war over there .In due course Charles received a signal to attend HMS Drake in Plymouth, for interviews lasting a week, he was interviewed by many branches of the civil service, policemen, and of course captains and an admiral .This was to set up to recruit an initial crew, to advice on the fitting out of the proposed Royal Yacht Britannia ,Charles and the rest of the crew left Euston station London ,slung their hammocks in the guards van ,and slept their way ,to Glasgow ,from there to John Browns shipyard on the Clyde ,

The Britannia’s first voyage was to Tobruck, where the Princess Elizabeth and her husband had been on a tour prior to her Coronation, and on board were, the then very young Prince Charles and Princess Anne, who were going out to join their parents the children were each given a young sailor whose job it was to act as body guards to the mischievous youngsters, and Charles remembers catching hold of a speeding little Prince Charles as he darted towards a lift, by the seat of his pants. To save him from falling down.

It was at this point that we had a power cut, in the Methodist Hall where we have our meetings, it turned out that the power was off all over the town, oh the joys of living out here in the Fens! And by torch light Charles continued his talk ….but I am going to end the entry here and continue another time with the rest of the story ....so have a good Evening every one Jan xx

 

 

 

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

TY for sharing! {{{ }}}
Hugs, Sug

Anonymous said...

what a very interesting story.............

Anonymous said...

Oh you little tease leaving us hanging like that! Hope all is well give my love to M.
Love Debbie

Anonymous said...

That was so interesting Jan, now I`m looking forward to the rest of the story. :o)

Love Sandra xxxx

Anonymous said...

Very interesting story Jan. Helen

Anonymous said...

It sounds like an interesting evening, especially when the lights went off, hope to hear about the rest of the evening soon!  Thanks for sharing it.  Hugs.  Terry x

Anonymous said...

The lights always go at the most important moment but you had a good time!
luv bella xx

Anonymous said...

Torchlight !  Takes a lot to faze the WI..........Bunny xx

Anonymous said...

That sounds very interesting...I'll be waiting for the next chapter.   Linda in Washington  

Anonymous said...

Lovely more please

Yasmin

Anonymous said...

I wish I had been there with you Jan.....I can't wait for the next episode!
You are cruel making us wait.....Lol!   I really perked up when you mentioned the Clyde shipyard, as I was brought up in Glasgow.  Jeanie

Anonymous said...

Well that was interesting Jan.I know of many ladies (not me though) who wish they could say they had once grabbed Prince Charles in that particular spot.Haaaaaaa!! My partners stepmother-in- law for one, she adores him.Seems Charles has some wonderful tales to tell you all.Look forward to reading the next episode.What a shame you had the power cut.Carn't believe you Jan of all people !!didn't have  have a BOB handy for the slot Haaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Have a lovely day tomorrow,thankyou for the lovely comment this evening in my journal.Take care God Bless.
Astoriasand http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

Anonymous said...

Very interesting Jan - cant wait for the next instalment!! Laine xx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/elainey2465/art-degree/

Anonymous said...

Ooh....'To be continued'.....I hate those...keep us posted..lol!

Lv Ste
xxxxx

Anonymous said...

You did have a wonderful speaker.  I can hardly wait to hear the rest.  We are having near blizzard conditions here with all the snow. I made it home from work and don't think I'll go tomorrow.  'On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

Good stuff Jan. Just goes to show, we all have an interesting tale or two to tell. B. x

Anonymous said...

Charles sounds like a very interesting man to listen to! My dad was in Tobruk in the war. Can't wait for the next instalment! Sorry you had a power cut but I'm glad it didn't stop the talk you had! Jeannette xx  http://journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels/  

Anonymous said...

Jan
This was very interesting and I look forward to hearing the rest of the story.
Sam

Anonymous said...

very interesting:)

Deb

Anonymous said...

Always love your stories, Jan!  You are always actively seeking out knowledge of some sort!  I live vicariously through you! :)

Hugs
Jackie

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed this story Jan!  Oh, how I would love to be a WI member.  It always looks like a fun group to belong to!
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan ,that was an interesting entry ,sounds like he was a good speaker ,sorry you lost the power at the meeting .
It was good he managed to save Prince Charles by the seat of his pants.!!
Look forward to hearing the rest of the story ...Happy Valentines Day.........Love Jeanxx

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan!  Wow!  Knock my socks off!  What a great entry!  I found this really fascinating!  Thanks so much for sharing!  It's amazing the lives some people live, isn't it?

Susie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/susanebunn/ItAllStartsAfter50/

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan - what a lovely story so far ........ but it was great when the lights went out !!!  Looking forward to hearing the end.
Luv Jayne x

Anonymous said...

Am enjoying this Jan look forward to hearing more ~ Ally x

Anonymous said...

That is an interesting story Jan, isn't everyone can say that they've met Prince Charles, let alone that they caught hold of him by the seat of his pants, lol!  Looking forward to hearing more :o)
Sara   x

Anonymous said...

This story is really interesting ~ I'm surprised at how much you can remember Jan.  It must've been fun listening to him talk by moonlight

Jenny

http://journals.aol.co.uk/jmoqueen/MyLife

Anonymous said...

Very interesting story, Jan.  It must have been even more enthralling listening to the speaker by candlelight.  Have a good night...love xx
Chris

Anonymous said...

Very interesting story hon!! (hugs) Indigo

Anonymous said...

Great story

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan, What an interesting life Mr Pickering must have had, looking forward to the next instalment,  Looking forward to the next part of this story,
take care Lynne xx

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan...

I hope you are keeping well...that was a great story and so well written...as always! I will be starting a new AOL Journal soon and i will let you know when it is up and running. Have a great weekend...Best Wishes and Take Care!

Astra!

ASTRA1547@sky.com

http://astrasblog.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Bet that was a challenge to mind the Prince and Princess. Paula

Anonymous said...

That must have been so interesting!  I enjoy listening to people tell stories like that, too.  
Hugs,  Kathy

Anonymous said...

What a fascinating man with tales to tell! Very interesting! Love Conniex

Anonymous said...

What a fascinating man with tales to tell! Very interesting! Love Conniex

Anonymous said...

He had such an interesting life, such a hard worker too. Brrr to the Iceland bit though! Linda xx