18th ANNUAL BRITISH WRESTLERS' REUNION

Sunday 9th August 2009

The annual reunion of British Professional Wrestlers was held at The Bridges Public House (proprietors, the former World Heavyweight Champion, Wayne Bridges and his bodybuilding champion wife, Sarah), in South Darenth, Dartford, Kent, England, on Sunday 9th August 2009. This year's reunion page differs from previous years because the Wrestling Furnace webmaster was unable to attend and take his own photographs, and is therefore relying on readers to send in their pictures for this feature.

If you took photographs of the reunion which might appeal to other readers, please email them. Also, if there are any budding journalists out there, your impressions of the day's proceedings might make interesting reading for everyone.
Please email pictures and text to: furnacehot@aol.com

SOUTHERN WRESTLERS REUNION 2009 REPORT by Ray Plunkett

The sun shone brightly on old/new faces at this year’s reunion. Among those wrestlers/officials who were there for this year's meeting were French Wrestlers, Jean Corne, Joel de Noirbrueil and Michel Saulnier who could not believe that amongst old wrestlers people like Al Miquet, Mick McManus, Bob Anthony, Paul Lincoln, Bob Kirkwood and Johnny Saint were there to greet them. To see Jean Corne’s face when he saw Johnny Saint for the first time in 31 years was an absolute picture itself.

      Frank Cullen came over from Canada and Len Hurst from America. The French Wrestlers have already told me that they will be coming next year.

Amongst the lighter weight wrestlers were Tom Thumb, Bob Collins, Fred Bentley, Johnny Kidd, Tony Scarlo, Peter Szakacs, Joe D’Orazio, Alan Sergeant, Billy Stock, John Hall, John Ritchie, Superstar Sanders, Keith Myatt, Ryan Gold, James Mason, Joe Queseck and Tony Kelly.

      In the heavyweights there was Dave Bond, Johnny Kincaid, Wayne Bridges, Steve Veidor, Romany Riley, Rex Strong, Lee Bronson, Banger Walsh, Roy St Clair, Colin Joynson and Tony Cassio.

      Spencer Churchill, Harry Kendall, Mel Stuart, Rocker Richards, Adam Mansfield, Klondyke Kate and her daughter Farrah, Mal Mason, Julia Prater, Belladonna and promoter Steve Barker. Former officials Billy Barber, Bobby Stafford, Peter Baines were also there. Jo Huckle was in charge of proceedings for the first time, with good old Frank Rimer helping out.

      Nice to see Old David (enjoying his double act with Keith Myatt!), Grizzled Veteran, Palais Fan, Couch Potatoweight, 78 Kid, Forearm Smash, Hack and Bearhug all enjoying themselves.

© Ray Plunkett 2009.


1. Johnny Saint, Michel Saulnier, Joel de Noirbrueil, Mick McManus, Al Miquet and Jean Corne.
2. Joel de Noirbrueil, Al Miquet, Michel Saulnier, Ray Plunkett and Jean Corne.

Wendy Mellor's pictures


1. Mick McManus, Colin Joynson, Tony Banger Walsh, Steve Veidor.
2. Colin Joynson, Mick McManus, Wendy Mellor
3. Wendy Mellor, Alan Miquet, Klondyke Kate.
4. Wendy Mellor, Johnny Kincaid, Klondyke Kate.

1. Colin Joynson, Mick McManus and Helen Joynson
2. Alan Miquet
3. Wayne Bridges, Peter Baines and Frank Rimer.
4. Klondyke Kate, Mel Stuart and Chic Cullen

Wendy Mellor is the former partner of the late Clark Mellor (Hans Streiger), who sadly died in May 2002. She believes he attended the reunion in 2000, and the photographs he had of that day are now lost. Their son Mark, now 34 years old, would love to see such pictures of his dad, so if any readers are able to help, please email: furnacehot@aol.com.

Readers' photographs and notes about the Reunion submitted to this site will be assessed, and a selection of the most interesting ones will be added to this page, with an acknowledgement to the contributor. Please email to: furnacehot@aol.com

For another report on the day's proceedings, take a look at the excellent "Wrestling Heritage" website at www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk.

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