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This forum should be confined to people who wish to re-establish contact with former DTELS colleagues and friends.

NOTE: please respect privacy regarding the distribution of sensitive contact detail within these forum pages as some individuals may not wish to have such information broadcast on the internet.
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Graham Dean
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Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 7:19 pm
Location: Nantwich, Cheshire

Post by Graham Dean »

That's ok Graham. I shouldn't have jumped to the wrong conclusion. However, a trip on the Jannock would be nice. I enjoyed the evening as well and left at 2045.

Hope the meeting went/goes well today and that you have a safe journey home.

Look forward to seeing you again.

All the best.

Graham.
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Graham Keens
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Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:12 pm
Location: Thame, Oxfordshire
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the dialogue continues.

Post by Graham Keens »

Graham's posting ended with ...... Am going to my local pub in an hour to see Graham Keens. I expect he'll be moored up at the canal by now.

And just to disappoint, I turned up by car enroute between Rugby and St. Asaph. Sorry Graham, I obviously didn't make myself clear when arranging the visit. I'll try and get the baot up there this summer and give you a trip out.
Enjoyed the chat and look forward to meeting again when next convenient.

Nice to hear from Roy as well.

Graham
Best Regards

Graham
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Graham Dean
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Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 7:19 pm
Location: Nantwich, Cheshire

Post by Graham Dean »

Hi Roy

Thanks for the kind words. I enjoyed my time at Hannington, both work-wise and socialising. There were the monthly sea-fishing trips (fair-weather only!), summer fetes, BBQ's and Bonfire Nights at Weyhill, just to mention a few. In saying that though, I've been happy wherever I've worked and that's a bonus. There's many people that can't say that.

I bet Dave Cousins is chief (probably the only) beer-taster at the brewery. What a job!

I didn't know Geoff Simpson and I have no knowledge of the whereabouts of George or Eric. I expect someone else will let you know.

Your job seems really interesting. Were you taken on before leaving Blighty or after you arrived in Oz? The climate and the wine sound good but I'm not too keen on the wildlife. Do you have many flies? They are one thing that I can't stand. I'm not scared of them but get irritated when they keep flying around your head. Do you have any hobbies or is it down to the beach whenever you can?

I'm learning to fly and am almost there now. Have done all the theory exams and am now doing a few revision flights and then it's the skills tests (general handling and navigation). Assuming I pass those I'll have my licence. It's a slow process mainly due to inclement weather - unlike yours! Also having a 14-month old grandaughter takes up some of my time.

Am going to my local pub in an hour to see Graham Keens. I expect he'll be moored up at the canal by now.

Cheers

Graham.
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Roy Young
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Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:14 am

Post by Roy Young »

And also to you Graham (Keens).

Good to hear your still moving forward. Please take the info I addressed to Graham Dean as to include you.

Are there any silent members out there come on and introduce yourself?

Roy
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Roy Young
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Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:14 am

Post by Roy Young »

Hello Graham,

It's really nice to read about you and the other members of Hannington.
Dave Rumens has told me about Dave Cousins, I find it amusing he is running a brewery!
I knew that you would go far, you had that determination to succeed. It's nice to read that your career was also successful. Hannington was really barmy times (except the temperatures of course) I think we were rather innocent in those days.
I have very fond memories of Geoff Simpson, I'm not sure if he was not before your time. An excellent boss who sadly died of cancer far too young. He used to play the trombone in the stores (by the gate) every dinner time, even though he only had months to live.

I wonder what happened to George, our errant vehicle mechanic, he must have passed on by now? And Eric the rigger!

Life here is really good. I'll copy some info I sent to Dave, (We (18 techs) look after a encrypted
trunked (Motorola) digital radio scheme for the whole of government. There is
considerable use of HF SSB. We have a Police marine fleet to look after and two
aircraft. We used to fly a lot (to jobs) but that has really slowed down with
the new radio system.) we cover an area the size of England, but only has a population of 1.3 million. (we have the best wines in the world, all the vine yards are within five miles of the city. The weather is like the Mediterranean and the sea and beaches are too dream about, except the White pointers, they have very big teeth (Jaws was filmed of the here) and the three deadliest snakes in the world and some really nasty spiders.
Were expecting 41 C temperatures today and for the next four days, phew. )

What do you do to fill in your free time?

Sorry if the reply's are long coming. I don't get the the computer as often as I'd like.

Best regards.
Roy
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Graham Dean
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Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2006 7:19 pm
Location: Nantwich, Cheshire

Post by Graham Dean »

Hi Roy

I do remember you from Hannington and am pleased you are enjoying life down under.

I agree it was sad, and a bit of a shock, to hear about Conrad. He was a real gentleman.

After being made redundant by NTL, on the closure of Ruddington HQ in 1994, I started up as an independant consultant processing site sharing applications and site supervision duties. Last August I retired and, judging by the current state of the economy, it was a wise decision. During this time I had brief dealings with both Ian Doig and Graham Keens.

Graham is passing through my home town of Nantwich, Cheshire on 28 January and we are meeting up for a few pints. Am looking forward to it.

Will have to go now so take care and all the best.

Regards

Graham.

ps. The sun is out today under an unbroken sky but the temperature is only about +1 degree C!
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Graham Keens
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Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:12 pm
Location: Thame, Oxfordshire
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spam protection

Post by Graham Keens »

Thanks Steven

Graham
Best Regards

Graham
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Steven Cole
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Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:41 pm
Location: Exmouth, Devon, UK
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Grahapm Keens email Address

Post by Steven Cole »

Graham

To stop you getting spammed I have uploaded an image file with your e-mail address and amended your posting.

Image

For reasons I cannot figure right now, I have had to place the link on a new posting rather than on yours.

Steven...
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Graham Keens
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Location: Thame, Oxfordshire
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Greetings Roy

Post by Graham Keens »

I'd heard that you had emigrated but I didn't know where to.

I last heard that Ian Doig was living in France and working for ETSI having moved there from The Radiocommunications Agency.

I am working as an engineer for the NPIA (National Policing Improvement Agency) supporting the Police use of Airwave for the MidWest and SouthWest clusters so I still support several of the forces that we used to look after from Hannington. I was very lucky to start this job immediately after being made redundant by Vodafone. I'm happy with the change.
I currently work in the same department as Tony Redshaw (ex Kidlington) and am also still in touch with Steve Millin who has retired from the M.O.D. now. Norman was working at Basingstoke Tech. College but I have not heard anything about him for some time now.

Keep in touch, my personal email is given on the next posting by Steven Cole.

Regards

Graham
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Roy Young
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Joined: Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:14 am

Hi, I'm still kicking!

Post by Roy Young »

Hi to all those who remember me?

I have just been shown the site by Gordon Young (no relative) who I bumped into here in Adelaide South Australia. I migrated to Australia in 1990.
I'm an ex RH'r and Stanmore trainer. I must have met most of the tech's who were around in the 80's and I have very fond memories of Dave Waspe and the trip we made up the east coast around 85.
I have read trough the posting here and have often wondered what happened to the friends who I shared so many good times with and who taught me so much.
One name who's news I was sad to see is that of Conrad Pennington. A man I much respected and found a true enigma.
I hope the two Grahams, keens and Dean remember me. I was a good friend of Ian Doig but lost contact with him. I spent many many hours with Ginge Smith down the holes in the ground, poor old Norman took life so seriously.. So many names and people.

I will keep this short for now but just add that I am now employed by the South Australia Police doing virtually what I did when i was at Hannington.

73's

(G8FRZ G4OXQ) VK5ASY

Roy
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Steven Cole
Site Admin
Posts: 267
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:41 pm
Location: Exmouth, Devon, UK
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Hi Kevin

Post by Steven Cole »

Thanks for the updates Kevin, very useful. I was aware that a few of the 'old boys' are still working at Arqiva, including yourself and Martin Swift.

I have communicated with Dave W recently. I know he is busy these days, but hoping to catch up for an chat when he gets the chance. Also, as you will have seen from the site, he has contributed quite a bit of material in the true tradition of engineers who squirrel items that might have a use at a later date.... Hopefully, you will have done so and I look forward to hearing more from you soon!

Cheers

Steven.... :D
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Kevin Carrig
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Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 2:22 pm
Location: Hampshire

Post by Kevin Carrig »

Hi Graham

Dave actually drew my attention to the site, so he knows it is here. I'm at Crawley Ct also (01962 822664), so if you are on site give me a call, we can go and track Dave W down.

I'll persuade him to post a hello on the site !!

Others still around (or not around !!):-

Mark Lempriere (Guildford O/S) is working for Arqiva around Surrey / Hants / and up into Suffolk at the moment.

Pete Buckles retired about a year ago, and has gone off to be a full time weekend gipsy.

Chris Clarke (Cheveley & Martlesham) took redundancy about six months ago, as did Eddie Smith (Hannington & Crawley Ct) and Nigel Cook (Crawley Ct).

Mick Joyce (Hinchingbrook) took redundancy six months ago.

Paul Turner who was SWT Installation at Hannington before I replaced him sometime around 1987 has been with Hants Fire for many years, and is actually presenting a paper at this years Bapco conference.

Shawn McKendrick (Guildford O/S) moved over to work directly for Surrey Police 4-5 years ago.

Roger Tuckley who was RTE at Cranbrook at time DTELS was sold off, left a took a job with London Fire, and is still there.

I'm sure there are others around, I will add to this when I have checked

Regards al

Kevin
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Graham Keens
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Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2005 10:12 pm
Location: Thame, Oxfordshire
Contact:

Thanks Kevin ..

Post by Graham Keens »

.. for that update. Bill had been around for a long time then, good bloke. He was at Winchester when I first met him.

As for Arqiva being a funny name - only because there is no U after the Q!

I'll have to see if I can locate Dave W. at Crawley Court in the near future. If you see him, direct him to the site ,after all, he appears in a lot of the Harrow photo's on the site.

Regards Graham
Best Regards

Graham
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David Rumens
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Posts: 48
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 6:20 pm
Location: Berkshire

Post by David Rumens »

Kevin,

Nice to hear from you and many thanks for the up-date on the ex RH people. I glad their are all doing well.

I went to Vodafone when Weyhill closed. I took early retirement from Vodafone, Principle Quality Engineer, in 2002 and have worked for the MOD since.

Best wishes
Dave
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Kevin Carrig
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Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 2:22 pm
Location: Hampshire

Post by Kevin Carrig »

Hi all

I was an RH'r, RH5 if I remember, but that was after many of those on here were at Hannington.

I still work for Arqiva (funny name !!) recently done a fair amount of work with TVP, and can say that Phil Toogood left some time in the past.

Phil Wallis who was in the QA section at Hannington has been workshop manager for Motorola in Basingstoke for many years

Bill Goodhall moved back to NZ, I kept in contact for a number of years, he came back on one occasion, and came to visit, while he was here I got a call-out to Picket Post for Hants fire, he came with me !

There's not too many of the old firm around any more, but Dave Waspe is still here at Crawley Court.

Great site Steve, I shall look out any photos I can find, and send them in

For all its faults, we did some great stuff in DTELS days, and radio was much more fun than it is now !!

Regards to all
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