Scousesubs

A short history of the Merseyside Branch
Banjo West

The Merseyside Branch of the Submarine Old Comrades Association was formed in the Mitre Hotel in 1956. The first President was Bob Pounder, the Chairman was Ben Miller and the Secretary was Bill Jones. Founder Members were Phil Drewary, Alf Young, Cobber Cain, Bill Cowley, John Cole, George Simms, Bill Kibbey, Les Fowles, George Ford, Tommy Heath and Roy Williams.
The meetings continued in the Mitre for about four months when the branch moved to its new meeting place in HMS Eaglet, which was moored in Salthouse Dock. The new place proved very popular and the membership flourished. Bill Kibbey took over as Chairman and Les Fowles as the Secretary.
In 1964 the membership dwindled due to lack of social activity; meetings were purely business. Les Fowles informed Bill Sadlier (the National Secretary) that he was wrapping the Branch up but Bill refused to believe that such an area as Merseyside could not find the necessary support, and he met members at that year's reunion. Ray Hedgecock said he would take over the Branch on the promise that meetings would be more social occasions and wives would be able to attend. Meetings increased to two a month - the first being Branch business and the second a social evening. The Branch flourished and membership once again increased.
When the old Eaglet was taken away for scrapping a new venue was found at the Dolphin Hotel. This pub was built for us and was opened by Admiral Sir Anthony Miers VC. The pub was built on a nautical theme with stool seats in the bar each bearing a submarine name, submarine photographs on the walls and boats' crests in the meeting room. We had a very successful period here with the landlord, Ray West, being very kind to us.
Around 1965 a new stone Frigate was built at Princess Half Tide Dock, opened by Admiral Sir Gilbert Stephenson (aka 'The Terror of Tobermory') and the Captain of the new Eaglet, Captain Humphrey Jones, extended the use of its facilities to the Branch. Successive CO's of Eaglet made us welcome and this friendly liaison continued until 1970 when the IRA troubles made security a problem and we had to seek new premises.
The Spiral Staircase in Old Hall Street was our next venue. This lasted about a year when a change of landlord meant we had to move again. The Branch the moved to the Dart Hotel and had a very pleasant stay there until 'druggies' caused a problem and forced the landlord to shut shop. We found a new home in the Legs of Man Hotel and had a very successful stay there (six years) but our luck ran out when the Empire Theatre bought the hotel, knocked it down and extended their premises. As luck would have it the mother of the Legs of Man landlord was the Landlady of the Lord Nelson Hotel and offered us a meeting room there. We had a very successful stay of about six years at the Lord Nelson until a property developer bought the place and once again we had to find a new venue.
We had a spell at the Arriva Club, the beer was cheap and we were happy there.
But the 2009 AGM proved to be a conduit for so much good news about the branch that we were totally unprepared for the bad news from the Arriva Club management. Like a lot of other organisations/businesses they have become a victim of the economic downturn and are having to sell off their premises. Bottom line is that with no further notice it closed for business on Wednesday 30th March 2009, leaving the branch up the proverbial creek without a paddle.
With a lot of helpful input from Steve Dooley, Tony Bullen and Paul Hedgecock we have now been successful in obtaining the Corn Market Hotel, in The Old Ropery, which is directly behind James Street Station and close to the Pierhead bus terminus. Turn left coming out into James Street from station and walk a few yards to next turning on your left, Fenwick Street, turn left here and take next cul-de-sac on your left which is The Old Ropery.
This pub has a large ground floor back room that holds around 60 persons and Julie, the publican’s wife is quite happy for the ladies to provide buffet food on our social nights. The beer is very good and prices are reasonable. Let's hope we can stay here for a good length of time.


The Branch Standard

The Merseyside Branch Standard was originally dedicated in 1969. the band present at the ceremony was the Pipe and Drums of the 103rd Regiment, Royal Artillery. Twenty-five years later, on 23rd July 1994, the Standard was re-dedicated and a Memorial Service was held. At this service, celebrated by the Reverend Trevor Delve (the Branch Padre) assisted by the Reverend John Williams and the Padre for the Mersey Mission to Seamen, a solo was sung by Miss Madelaine Richards. The band at the ceremony was, again, the Pipes and Drums of the 103rd Regiment, Royal Artillery, wearing the Crawford Tartan.


The Ballet de Scouse

At the 1974 Annual Reunion in DOLPHIN five Branch members got up to sing and act the fool in the Elms Hotel in Southsea. During the singing of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot', they dropped their pants. At the Reunion the following day they did the same - thus the 'Ballet de Scouse' was formed. The five singers that evening were Jim Bellew, Ken Collins, Kenny Kerr, Ray Hedgecock and Mick Jones. During the next twelve months they begged, borrowed and made costumes and recruited new members. The sailors from HMS Eaglet joined them for the more energetic routines and for the next 22 years they performed concerts all over the country raising money for various charities and appearing each year at the Annual Reunion. Their greatest achievement was appearing at the Philarmonic Hall in Liverpool were they raised money for the Alder Hey Children's Hospital and the Royal Liverpool School for the Blind. Over the 22 years of the Ballet de Scouse's existence they raised over £120,000 for charities.


Branch Officers since 1956