Sound of Fury Fan Club Gathering

Sunday 16^th October 2005

Opening the curtains early on Sunday morning I peered out and how wonderful to see a nice sunny day. I had checked the weather forecast the night before and it had seemed promising. I thought of all the people who had got up a lot earlier than me and were probably half way to London at this moment. I have always enjoyed going to fan club gatherings and this day was no exception. Dot and Dennis Chappel came to collect me and Madeline Bourne and off we went to join the A406 and praying the traffic would not be too heavy today. I live about 50 minutes journey across London from Mill Hill but as usual the traffic is horrendous regardless of which route is taken.

We arrived about an hour and a half later and how lovely it was to see many of the fans we knew already there like George Wycherley, Roy Harvey, Eric Lander, Gill Kiddle, the Vickers sisters, Ron Stevenson and a few new fans dotted around. As I got out of the car Ron Stevenson asked me if I spoke French as there was a fan there who had travelled from France and didn’t speak a word of English. I chatted to the guy and he was so happy that someone could tell him what to expect that day. He was really excited about the whole event (and probably exhausted after all that travelling), to hear someone speak his language must have been music to his ears.

After placing our flowers on Billy’s grave and having photos taken we went down to the hall at Salcombe Gardens. Peter Davies and his wife Jen were doing the honours on the door and Debbie Miller and Rita Smalley keeping the refreshments going. What a beautiful table of food greeted us! Maureen Bowden had come down from Wales for the weekend, lovely to see her again. Cecilia and Linda were manning the merchandise stall and Di and Ann Vickers had a stand with some merchandise and mouth watering quiches and jams for sale.

Rob Dee and Bob Paskins made our afternoon by performing some of Billy’s songs with Chris (Rob’s lovely wife), Pat Young and friends clapping wildly at the end of each song. Rob surprised me by asking what my favourite song of Billy’s was and singing ‘I Will’ for me. Thank you so much Rob, you made my day! People came over to speak to me. Pauline Barker (who I haven’t seen for ages) and Daniel Heeney (that brilliant magician/DJ from Billericay Essex) were two of the many I chatted to that day.

Chris Eley held an auction and read out snippets of information we needed to know. Chris presented Bob Paskins with a 70’s picture of Billy in a white coat taken outside the Cavendish Avenue home, in appreciation for all his hard work for the fan club in particular his fund raising for the bronze statue. I had a bid for a ‘one off’ T-shirt and mouse mat. I have NEVER before bought anything in auction at Mill Hill in all the years I have been going there. They say there’s a first time for everything!

The afternoon passed too quickly as usual and before we knew it, it was time to pack up and leave for our long/short journeys home. A lovely day as always and blessed with good weather. I think Billy would have been happy with the days events.

Billy – we will never forget you – R.I.P.

Clare Mehmet-Nugent

Click below for photographs

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