SCARA Southampton reunion - 13 April 2023

The first SCARA reunion in Southampton took place in April 2022 and was a resounding success.   Everyone seemed keen to see a repeat so Jim Baxter and Julian Bevis got back into planning mode, this time (by popular request) looking to organise a buffet lunch.  The result was another great meet-up, attended by 45 former colleagues and partners...

The venue for the 2023 reunion on 13 April 2023 was the Everest Cuisine restaurant on Queensway, 10 minutes walk from the Solent, Mayflower Park and several former company offices (Duke's Keep and Richmond House to name but two).

Despite some travel challenges on the day (both rail and road) everyone made it either on or close to the midday start time.   By coincidence, the date for the lunch fell on the 35th anniversary of another event in Southampton, the naming of a British Rail locomotive 'P&O Containers' and SCARA Chair David Cross arrived with some memorabilia from that day.

Food was brought in for the buffet (a splendid range of curries and accompaniments) and people took their seats.   17 years has passed since the P&O Nedlloyd name disappeared (there being a formal agreement between A.P. Moller-Maersk and P&O SNCo that 30 April 2006 was the last date that the name could be used) but, as always seems to happen at these events, from the conversations at the tables it could have been yesterday.  

Huge thanks to Geoff Lock, Sue Lock and Jim Baxter for the photographs of the event.  More taken on the day can be found at: 

Google Photos - PONL Heritage - SCARA Southampton Reunion April 2023

See also:

• 35th anniversary of a locomotive naming (SCARA news item on this website)

• Everest Cuisine (restaurant website)

• Future events including SCARA reunions/gatherings (this website)

• 2022 SCARA Southampton reunion report (this website)