Shelley the Lifeboat Labrador Read online

  We then met up with some very old friends of mine Paul and Trish McKeown. I had worked with Paul in my early veterinary selling days and both Christine and I had remained good friends. They were great company and full of fun and although Christine and I had parted company they had kept in touch with us both. Whenever I went to Thanet I always met up with them and we walked Shelley remembering the good times. Paul after a few pints was always good at doing impressions and was a keen wine collector. Later in life they both ended up working at the Fayrness Hotel so it was useful in the days of hand written hotel bills when it came to checking out after a business trip! I have lots of fond memories in their company and they were very good the Shelley. Paul sadly passed away later due to a brain tumour.

  Back at The Faryness we had an excellent dinner and stayed up for a while but the antics of the night before soon caught up with us and an early night beckoned. It was a pity as I knew many at this establishment and with its wonderful outlook over the English Channel it was always a nice place to have a late nightcap. The rooms made up for everything and Jack and Peggy loved their one night there. Shelley had her normal place beside my bed in the room I always had which was situated at the top of a round tower on the corner of the hotel at the front. As I went to sleep I remembered that I had also locked myself out of my room at this hotel and spent a night sleeping in the linen basket with Shelley. However I decided not to remind her.

  Next day it was a slow drive back to Shoreham giving Jack and Peggy the chance to see some of the beautiful Kent countryside. We stopped off to give Shelley a run unaware that there was a pond nearby – yes you have guessed it - poor Peggy had a rather muddy dog next to her for the remainder of the journey. “Let’s put it down to experience’” she said with a smile to which Jack replied, “Nice to meet so many people and John has got some first class friends out there.”

  On this occasion I must say I had to agree with them both. Thinking to myself at the same time how important in life it is that one can share ones pleasures and friends with others.

  End Chapter Twelve

  MAD DOGS AT BODIAM – CHAPTER 13

  When I lived at Boxley near Maidstone as a child I attended Vinters Boys Secondary School. I did not enjoy my school years and given the opportunity to get into work at the first opportunity I did just that working at ‘The Kent Messenger Newspaper’ as a trainee reporter. During those years I made friends with a Graham Beames who lived nearby. I also spent a lot of time at Boxley House with my other good friend Willie Marr-Johnson (who I mentioned earlier).

  I won’t go into detail about my trainee report days other than to say it was an experience and a learning curve. My only claim to fame was that I worked in the same office as David Wigg who was to become a highly respected celebrity writer later in life. Bert Charlton was the editor and a taskmaster and my pay was £3 a week. At times my frustrations turned to tears but it stood me in good stead later in life!

  Graham was a character and used to do things that many of us would never dream of doing such as climbing the tallest tree he could find right to the top or driving at speed on his homemade soap box. They were the days of no computers and one had to make their own entertainment out of the most mundane things. It was a wonderful feeling as well as one of life’s experiences. I remember doing a paper round at 6am in the pitch dark walking down long country lanes whilst still feeling safe. We used to visit Willie at Boxley and take out their Labrador walking for miles along the North Downs in all types of weather. Nothing was a problem and each day was a fresh adventure and challenge (watch out Huck Finn) I used to say to myself.

  I was in the local church choir and when I was confirmed by the then Archbishop of Canterbury we had a parish breakfast. My only sausage when prodded by my fork jumped onto his plate. He ate it saying “Bless you my dear boy and thank you for small mercies.”

  Here I am now some 30 years later driving in my car to Bodiam with Shelley to visit Graham whom I had not seen for well over 15 years. I had a call from him out of the blue asking me if I would like to visit him and stay over for the weekend. Graham and his wife Sally had two daughters and a nice dog - hence there was no problem in taking Shelley along with me (so I thought).

  Their house had a swimming pool in the back garden surrounded by lawns and woodland. Graham had not changed at all, still full of fun with one of the most outrageous laughs I had ever heard. It was infectious and resulted in all and sundry laughing at him when he laughed. Try and have a pint with him in the pub and disaster took over – it was non stop – if he was not trying to climb up the chimney he was walking on the bar with a soda siphon.

  One Saturday afternoon featured the highlight of the year ‘The Mad Dogs Bodiam Seven Side Rugby Match’ held near the grounds of the Castle that had been used in the TV series of Robin Hood with Richard Green (for those that are old enough to remember). Graham had been one of the key founders of this event so it was a reunion linked to an event that sounded fun giving Shelley and me the opportunity to meet his friends and family.

  We turned up at the field and made our way over to the spectator’s enclosure where Graham and Sally met us. The first game had already got off to a fine start and Shelley was well behaved sitting beside me as we met many of Graham’s friends. Not being a great rugby fan I could take or leave the game – but the characters involved were very different. There was Robert McGowan a well know journalist who wrote for the Daily Express (who had recently returned from the Falklands conflict) and his wife Pauline. Then there was Piers Mott who made Cricket Bats and was also involved in running one of the local pubs. The beer tent was already very active with the non playing supporters where we joined Graham’s family who had made themselves up a nice picnic area with a table full of an ample supply of liquid refreshment from the bar! I left Shelley tied to my chair whilst I went to get a drink for myself and some water for her.

  Suddenly I heard all this yelling ‘Get this dog of the field’ and I realised she had taken my chair in tow right into the game trying to chase the rugby ball at the same time. It did cause a lot of fun more so for the non players than the players. She was bought back to me with strict instructions from Graham who managed to retrieve her to keep her under control! As a result we were now both well known to most of the other guests there. The afternoon went on well and as the teams got eliminated the muddy bloodstained players made their way towards the beer tent. It got so packed that it was a real effort to move and Shelley I could see was not enjoying herself. I took her outside and tied her to one of the Tent pegs knowing that she would be fine.

  Oh dear! Was that a big mistake! About forty or so minutes later more yells from the Rugby Field. I took one leap outside the tent to find Shelley covered in mud from top to toe carrying the remnants of a 5 foot long plank with her head down. It was too heavy to carry with no centre of gravity which resulted in her running between the players hitting all and sundry on their chins with the ends of the plank.

  Trying to catch her was out of the question. It was more fun for her making a charge towards the surrounding spectators who had to do an emergency evacuation to avoid being hit by both dog and plank. After a while all calmed down and yes! I got another abrupt lecture on dog control from Graham and Gezz Higgins (who really took the game to heart). Gezz was one of those that played Rugby and every year went to the ‘Hong Kong Sevens’. He was the founder of ‘The Mad Dogs’ team playing to the rule book up until he had reached his 7th Pint of bitter when modified the rules a little. Lecture over, we decided to find a chair nearer to the bar area where I remained sitting watching from there giving Shelley time to dry off in the hot sun whilst making sure she could not get away.

  After the game it was time for a wash – minus me (looking around I could see no showers). It appears the wash was in a nearby stream which Shelley had found earlier. It was a case of skinny dipping whilst having a swim in the stream and leaving the clothes on the river bank. Shelley thought she would like to help out so collecte
d some of the clothes taking them in the stream to their owners whilst the rest just got covered in her muddy paws. This was the final straw and before I knew it I was in the stream fully clothed having been pushed in by more players who came up behind me. To put it bluntly it was a total disaster all caused by one small Labrador who just wanted to enjoy herself for the afternoon. Those who could drove home to collect more clothes and before long all had calmed down and the day returned to some form of normality – with some dry clothes kindly lent by Gezz for me.

  The rest of the evening was just one disaster after another with so much going on. As soon as we got into one pub we were off to another or asked to politely leave – we finished up (or should I say those that could) finished up back at Grahams house ready for a swim and barbecue by the pool. Then the singing started followed by more pool activity – Shelley included. As the evening went on she began to get more admirers once they saw her crisp packet trick.

  I think we got to bed about 4am (I know it was light). Graham was last seen going off with a ladder to try and climb up to Piers Motts bedroom to join him in bed. That failed when an old television set appeared the window. Oh yes Piers was a character too!

  Next day I was somewhat surprised to see that some were already drinking at 11am. Shelly was in more trouble for using Sally’s new sofa as his bed and likewise I also was in trouble for allowing it. “Where was Graham” I asked? “Gone off to find Bob McGowan’ said Sally.

  Bob had a nice country house and was doing very well as a journalist. I really admired what he did and over the next few years Bob and I became very good friends. He helped me no end and encouraged me to write. Had it not been for this I am sure I would not be doing what I am doing now?

  The sad tale to this chapter is that Graham died suddenly a couple of years later after mowing the lawn one day – to us he always seemed such a fit person. He was due to go to France for Easter on a Rugby Tour that afternoon. It was Bob who phoned me within hours of it happening. Apparently Graham had had a massive heart attack. I recall Graham saying to me one day when met for lunch at Maidstone, “If anything happens to me make sure you see that Sally and the children are fine please?” It was as though he had a premonition that something was going to happen – he was only 41 and lived life to the full.

  I did go back before Graham passed away several times and also to Bob’s 50th Birthday bash (more later) Deep down inside I also think Shelley had a soft spot for the area due to the affection she was shown knowing that she could get away with perhaps just being a little naughtier than she was normally. There was a lot more fun to be had before Graham left us!

  I did forget to add one thing and that each time we went up to Bodiam I was always given some money for the Lifeboat at Shoreham. Shelley had really appealed to all and sundry and to show their fondness they often had collections which they saved up for me. A very nice thought from a wonderful group of people that were just that little bit different and had a link to ‘Mad Dog’s’.

  End Chapter Thirteen

  LIFEBOATS AND THE RED ARROWS – CHAPTER 14

  Living in Shoreham was very enjoyable and as a town it had a nice cross section of people. The Adur River divided the town into two sections – Shoreham Beach and the town itself. They were linked by a footbridge over the river or one could drive over via the A259 coast road. The beach was steeped in history and many years ago became a hive of activity for the film industry that made many silent films there. These days the properties were a mixture of the old and new which went up to the harbour entrance where there was the coastguard lookout. Then the port was a lot more active with a large coal fired power station and custom sheds. In those days fishing played an important part with several of the fishermen being on the lifeboat crew.

  The town itself had St Mary’s Church in the centre which was surrounded by some nice streets with rows of cottages hidden behind the small but busy shopping centre. There were over 14 pubs of some character which the community used and the Sussex Yacht Club on the waters edge hence it had a nautical theme. Shelley loved it and seemed to know her way around. Every one seemed to know each other so walking to the town was a stop and start scenario which she enjoyed knowing she would always get a friendly pat.

  Living at Molly’s was fun and she was a wonderful character. I recall one evening coming in and hearing her dulcet tones saying can anyone please help me! Shelley ran upstairs first into the bathroom only to find Molly wedged sideways in the bath which was empty. She had this habit of sitting on the side of the bath when she put her make up on and this time she slipped down into it unable to pull herself out – apparently she had been there for a couple of hours. She was laughing, Shelley was barking and I, although concerned could see the funny side of it. I helped her out and a couple of drinks later all was back to normal.

  Shelley slept at the end of my bed and the bedroom overlooked a nice small garden where she often sat out with Molly. She loved dogs and this was a real bonus for me as I had a purpose built dog minder on the premises. Sometimes she would take Shelley out with her around the town, however; this at times caused a slight problem as Shelley wanted to take her into the Kings Head or Marlipins Pub for a drink. I wonder why!

  The Lifeboat was going well and I had now become a part of the Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) Crew so had set roster weeks when I was on duty. This meant I had to be around Shoreham and spend the weekends in the summer sitting down at the boathouse each afternoon waiting for calls and going out on exercise. This was fun and gave us time to chat, clean the ILB and our own cars and show visitors around. Shelley loved it as well and when I was on duty became part of the team. There was a beach area also which often used to get busy as it was ideal place for children to swim. The rowing club was opposite so club members used to be out practicing most weekends and evenings. Shelley was always keen to help them put their boats into the water and often ended up in a splashing game with the crews and became part of their weekend fun. I could also trust her knowing she would not run off and every now and then she used to pop her head around the crew room door to see if I was still there.

  On one occasion I recall a keen sea angler fishing off the rocks who had a small bag by his side. Unknown to him Shelley decided to investigate the bag and removed another carrier bag which contained his food. Before anyone knew it she had taken it away devouring the contents under the boathouse steps. He must have gone home wondering what had happened. As it was too late for me to do anything about it so we both put it down to experience. It was part of her character and had happened before, her retriever instinct never left her for one moment!

  The ‘shouts’ as we called them were mostly dinghy related with the ILB towing them back to the relevant sailing club. Of course there were more serious situations with lost children and the odd strong wind which took rubber dinghies out to sea with the occupant still in them.

  One Saturday ‘The Red Arrows’ were displaying off Brighton and John Condell a crew member who had his own boat took three of us down to watch the display from the end of the pier. I left Shelley in the boathouse with a couple of helpers which she was used to.

  It was a day that was to change my life! The display started and the beaches and piers were packed to capacity. There were also a lot of private boats moored near us to watch the display. It was about half way through the eighteen minute display that the two singleton Hawk aircraft did their cross over; always a highlight. Unknown to us and those watching a yacht sailed into the flight path resulting in one of the aircraft clipping the top of the mast.

  This caused the aircraft to loose control after part of its wing tip broke off.

  The pilot had no option than to eject and the aircraft by a miracle went over the pier crashing into the sea the other side. It all happened in a split second and I am glad to say no one was hurt. Had the aircraft gone into the pier or the promenade the result would have been totally different. John was a first class lifeboat man and within minutes had radioed the coastguard as
we with full power on went to the pilot’s aid.

  There were no injuries reported so we pulled him on board with his chute attached. His name was Steve Johnson and apart from a small cut to his head he was fine. We took him ashore and he was taken to hospital. He returned to flying with the team a few days later.

  We were asked to stay over the wreckage of the aircraft until the Navy Divers arrived which turned out to be about 8pm at night. It became very cold and we only had our summer gear on. A further incident happened when a member of the public from the beach swam out in his diving gear and removed part of the rear ejector seat pin as a souvenir. He surfaced alongside our boat and was arrested by a policeman who had been taken out by the Brighton Lifeboat. We found out later that it could have been very nasty. Once removed the pin may have fired the rear seat and as we were right over this wreckage it would have come through the bottom of our boat!

  I was concerned about Shelley so John radioed the Coastguard. They touched base with the stations ‘Hon Sec’ who told them she had been taken home by one of the crew to Molly’s.

  We got back to Shoreham Harbour about 9-30 pm in the dark, only to find the National media wanted to speak to us. The next day we were in all the newspapers and this was followed by calls from the RAF and Air Accident Board.