83rd OBA 2008 Re-union Weekend

Friday 19th to Monday 22nd September 2008

Bembridge Isle of Wight

This year we returned to Warners Bembridge Coast Hotel 

set in tranquil surrounding between Whitecliff Bay and Bembridge Harbour. 

The hotel offered a selection of comfortable ensuite rooms as well as an indoor swimming pool, 

fitness studio, sauna, steam room, bowls as well as a generously equipped games room.  

We were also able to enjoy outdoor bowling and putting greens set in 

23 acres of stunningly mature landscaped gardens including the famous Spanish Gardens. 

 

 

Weather through out our stay was typically “Isle of Wight” brilliant sun set in clear blue skies 

with a cool refreshing breeze in fact it was just perfect. 

 

Saturday brought an extra bonus as Sandown was hosting the 12th Annual White Air 08 Extreme Sports Festival 

which included European and UK championship events with world champions in 25 action sports.  

Although most of the action was on the beach we were all able to enjoy a stupendous air display over 

Sandown Bay by the world famous RAF Red Arrows.  

We all assembled at the Yarborough Monument high up on the Culver Down 

for a most enjoyable light lunch at the Culver Haven Inn.  

The monument is a memorial to the 2nd Baron Yarborough founder of the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes 

and was originally erected in 1849 on the highest point on Bembridge Down but was moved to its present position 

in the 1860’s when its former site was used for the construction of one of Palmerston forts. 

 

After lunch we found our way down into Sandown for the traditional round of Short Course Golf at Browns 

where three teams (one ladies two men) were soon enjoying a friendly but completive game of golf. 

 

An extension to Brown's Golf Course and the former ice cream factory was added in 1944 

to disguise pumping apparatus for the Pluto (Pipe Line under the Ocean) pumping oil to the “

D Day invasion” beaches, which still stands next to the large art deco Grand Hotel.

 

 

On Sunday we were welcomed at Holy Trinity, Bembridge Parish Church, 

for morning service, and afterwards enjoyed tea, coffee and biscuits in the rear school room. 

 

 

Memories of Past Times,  

From this shop, which is still in Bembridge, Old Mr. Woodford and young Mr. Woodford 

were “Providers of Meats” to all the 83rd Camps held at Whitecliff Bay  

 

 

We met up again at the Crab and Lobster for a most enjoyable Sunday lunch.

 

On Monday “Final Farwell’s” were taken in the Spanish Gardens before we all took a ferry home. 

 

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