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.

Attendees:

Mary & Chris Anthony

Amanda Atherton

James Baxter & Annie Appleyard

Tony & Dawn Beardmore

Julian M Bevis

John T Blackmore

David Brace

Peder Braendeholm

Peter Brown

Mike Chapman

Malcolm Coomer

David & Jane Cross

Peter Davies

Simon & Jenny Dyer

Freda Forse

Colin Frederick

Nick & Denise Gaden

Richard James

Susan & Geoff Lock

H John Loftin

Gary & Deana Joyce

Tony Mason

William & Ellen McLaughlin

Jerry & Bonnie Rickcord

Michael & Lindy Seymour

Les Swindells

Ian B & Joanne Thomson

Ed Van Dorp

Dave & Pam Warner

Captain Joe W Welch

John Williams

Robert Woods CBE

Sincere thanks have to go to Jim and Julian for organising a second successful event in the port city which was so significant for OCL, P&O Containers and finally P&O Nedlloyd. They fully expected to be organising a third reunion in Southampton for 2024, but we may be back earlier than that as a number of attendees seemed very keen not to have to wait a further 12 months before meeting again! Southampton Reunion 2023 Part 2 may therefore follow...

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