THE BRITISH WRESTLERS' REUNION "came of age" on Sunday 12th August and celebrated its 21st Anniversary.

Frank Rimer welcomed wrestlers and their families, and the general public from far and wide. Travel and accommodation difficulties caused by the London 2012 Olympic Games inevitably led to a slightly reduced turnout, but those who made it were amply rewarded with a very enjoyable day in the summer sunshine. Wayne (Bill) and Sarah Bridges provided the venue, and a very welcome complementary buffet. Old friends began to gather even before the official starting time of 11am, and many tales were told and memories revived before Frank took to the microphone to compere the official proceedings, with awards for lifetime achievement and services to wrestling being gratefully received before an appreciative audience.

In the sections below, you can click on the symbols or the text between them to hear short audio clips of the introductions, tributes and speeches.

The beer garden begins to fill up


 

Old acquaintances are renewed, and new friendships struck

 

(1) Sarah Bridges, "Dazzler" Joe Cornelius, Shuhei Aoki, Ray Luxford.
(2) Billy LaRue, Karl Heinz, Steve Lee Curtis.
(3) Tony Bates, John Hurley.
(4) Bob "Blondie" Barratt, "Tom Thumb" Neil Evans, Johnny Kidd.

 

(1) Bob Anthony, Wayne (Bill) Bridges.
(2) Frank Rimer, Bobby Barnes.
(3) Johnny Kidd, Lee Bronson.
(4) John Hall, Johnny Saint.

 

(1) Jackie Turpin, Jim Howard, Keith Myatt.
(2) Roger Castle, Karl Heinz, Rik Sands.
(3) Ray Luxford, Rik Sands.

 

(1) Ricky Knight, Sweet Saraya, Jimmy Ocean.
(2) Peter Baines, Jackie Robinson, Johnny Saint, Colin Joynson.

ATTENDEES: (please email if anyone has been missed out)

Bob Anthony, Jack Armstrong, Sanjay Bagga, Peter Baines, Steve Barker, Bobby Barnes, Blondie Barratt, Tony Bates, Freddie Bentley, Sarah Bridges, Wayne Bridges, Lee Bronson, Brian Burgess, Tony Cassio, Roger Castle, Yorghos Christopoulos, Scott Conway, Barry Cooper, Joe Cornelius, Joe D'Orazio, Ian Dowland, Paul Duval, Steve Grey, John Hall, Karl Heinz, Barry Howard, John Hurley, Keith 'Hurricane' Haward, Colin Joynson, Harry Kendall, Johnny Kidd, Johnny Kincaid, Bob Kirkwood, Alan Kitto, Ricky Knight, Billy La Rue, Steve Lee Curtis, Robin Lekime, Ray Luxford, Steve Lynskey, Ian Muir, Keith Myatt, Jimmy Ocean, Ray Plunkett, Lex Pollock, Dave Prowse, Sean Regan, Kevin Richmond, Frank Rimer, Jon Ritchie, Pete Roberts, Jack Robinson, Lloyd Ryan, Johnny Saint, Mal Sanders, Rik Sands, Alan Sargeant, Joey Scarlo, Ricky Scarlo, Tony Scarlo, Steve Serene, Bobby Stafford, Sweet Saraya, Roy St Clair, Tommy Stewart, Mel Stuart, Jimmy Sullivan, Peter Szakacs, Tom Thumb, Jackie Turpin, Tom Tyrone, Tony Walsh, Jimmy West, Micky West, Tony White.

At around 1pm, Frank Rimer formally welcomes everyone to the Reunion



 
 
 

 

There is a respectful silence as Colin Joynson reads out the obituary list, and Peter Baines sounds the 'ten bell count'.


 

 
 
 

 

The presentations

 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 

After the formalities, time for the buffet, some musical entertainment and the raffle


 

 
 
 

 
 

(1) Jon Ritchie leads the way, as Bobby Stafford helps out with the buffet.
(2 & 3) The Lloyd Ryan rock band "No Nonsense" performs in the beer garden.
(4) Joe D'Orazio claims his raffle prize.


 

And some more informal gatherings


 
 

(1) Sean Regan, "Dazzler" Joe Cornelius.
(2) Ian Wilshaw, Keith Myatt, Dean Ayass, David Franklin.
(3) Joe D'Orazio with several generations of his lovely family.
(4) Frank Rimer, Sean Regan.


 

Now some photos contributed by others:

Pictures by Wendy Mellor, Keith Martinelli's partner


 
 

(1) Johnny Saint. (2) Bobby Barnes, Colin Joynson. (3) Jackie Robinson, Wendy Mellor. (4) Joe D'Orazio, Joe Cornelius.

 

(1) Jackie Turpin, Johnny Kincaid. (2) Helen Joynson, Sarah Bridges. (3) Elizabeth & Keith Myatt. (4) Ray Luxford.

 

(1) Dave Prowse. (2) Ian Muir, Colin Joynson. (3) Steve Grey, Peter Szakacs. (4) Wayne (Bill) Bridges.

 

(1) Billy LaRue, Johnny Saint, Jackie Turpin. (2) Sean Regan. (3) Sweet Saraya, Banger Walsh.


 

Pictures by Wendy Barratt, wife of Bob "Blondie" Barratt


 
 

(1) Blondie Barratt, Sean Regan, Neil Evans. (2) Johnny Saint, Sean Regan. (3) Frank Rimer, Bob Kirkwood.
(4) Blondie Barratt, Lloyd Ryan, 'Titch' White.

 

(1 & 2) Johnny Kidd, Blondie Barratt. (3) Alan Kitto. (4) Ricky Knight, Scott Conway.

 

(1) Audience. (2) Frank Rimer, Ray Luxford. (3) "Dazzler" Joe Cornelius. (4) Blondie Barratt, Jackie Turpin.


 

Pictures by Tony Bates


 
 

Tony Bates with: (1) Joe Cornelius, Banger Walsh. (2) Sean Regan, Bobby Barnes. (3) Joe Cornelius, Banger Walsh, Al Kitto.


 

Pictures by Christianna Cassisa, daughter of Tony Cassio


 
 

Tony Cassio with:
(1) Harry Kendall. (2) Sean Regan. (3) Billy LaRue, Johnny Kincaid. (4) Tony Scarlo. (5) Daughter Christianna Cassisa and Frank Rimer


 

Pictures by "Tom Thumb" Neil Evans


 
 

Neil Evans with: (1) Ricky Knight, Jimmy Ocean. (2) Sean Regan. (3) Wendy Barratt, Elizabeth Myatt.
(4) Shuhei's presentation to Johnny Saint.


 

Pictures by Steve Lynskey


 
 

Steve Lynskey with:
(1) Steve Grey. (2) Blondie Barratt, Johnny Kidd. (3) Mel Stuart.
(4) Bobby Barnes. (5) Jason Farmer, Julia Hamer (Sweet Saraya), Jimmy Ocean, Micky West, Ricky Knight, Robin Lekime.


 

If you have any photos from the reunion, or can identify anyone not yet named in the captions, please email: furnacehot@gmail.com