PALM LINE REUNIONS
An annual reunion held by several ex-employees of the company has taken place each year since the company closed in 1987 apart from the two years’ Covid hiatus when the events, which had already been arranged, had to be cancelled at the last minute.
Initially these reunions were held as a lunchtime get-together in June at the Dickens Inn in St Katherine’s Dock by the Thames in London. Amongst the attendees at that first reunion held in 1988 were Gordon Williams, Alan Hofman, Eddie Brawn, David Fleming-Miller, John Hickman, Graham Light, Bob Irvine, John Cay, Norman Bakewell, Hughie Bunker, Rod Wilson, Bill Bidwell, Jammy Matthews and Jerry Batte. For several years the attendees were all either Head Office management or senior sea-going staff
The Dickens Inn, St Katharine’s Dock, London
In the early 1990s the reunion transferred to the Nelson pub in Wallasey. There were several reasons for this including the fact that it was a more convenient location for most of those who had to travel. It was also timed to coincide with the Elders of Elders lunch that was held in Wallasey in early June. Some of the Palm Line attendees, including Gordon Williams, Alan Hofman and John Goble regularly attended both events. The Elders lunch was held on a Tuesday and the Palm Line event on the following day in the evening. The numbers of those attending remained relatively static until around 2012.
The Nelson, Wallasey
In 2002 the venue moved to the Grove House Hotel, directly opposite the Nelson. By this stage the event was being organised by Dave Flynn. As several of the attendees to the Nelson reunion stayed overnight in the Grove House Hotel where there was a secluded room available for groups this was found to be a better venue. It also helped that the catering there was a great improvement. Sadly, Dave crossed the bar in 2019 and Bob Ellsmoor took over control of the reunions’ organisation
Grove House Hotel, Wallasey
During this time the number of attendees at the Nelson and Grove House events varied between 15 and 40. These included amongst other ex-employees, Gordon Williams, Dave Flynn, Alan Hofman, David Fleming-Miller, Mike Hurley, George Morris, Don Sculley, Jeff Friar, John Goble, Adrian Hobbins, Jammy Mathews, Mike Marshall, David Wilson, Paul Trayler, Jerry Batte, Bernie Grace, Peter Perry, Mike Scott, Colin Curtis, Bob Rankin, Mike Kelly, Brian Kenny, Brett Metcalfe and Mark Williamson. By this stage some wives and children were also attending and the ratio of sea-going to office staff steadily increased.
Unfortunately, the event had to be cancelled in 2020 and again in 2021 because of the Covid pandemic and the enforced shutdowns. Even more unfortunately, the Grove House Hotel never re-opened after the pandemic and a new venue had to be found. Jerry Batte took up the reins for the organisation of the event and the next one was held at the Leasowe Castle Hotel on the Wirral. Whilst the reunion was viewed as a great success by the record number of attendees there were a few problems including the lack of a lift at the venue and the quality of the catering. It also didn’t help that there was a rail strike on the day of the event.
Leasowe Castle Hotel, Wirral
As a result of the Palm Line Facebook site the existence of the reunion had become better know such that the attendances rose. There have been around 60 attendees each year since and there is every indication that the 2026 event will have a record number of attendees
Following the disappointment with the facilities and catering at the 2022 venue it was suggested that the venue be moved from the Wirral to the centre of Liverpool. After discussions with potential venues as well as visits to check their facilities, the Leonardo Hotel in the renovated Albert Docks area was selected. The three following reunions were held at this hotel and it will be the same again for the 2026 event. The hotel has proved to be very popular with attendees as it has several advantages over the previous venues. These include proximity to a main line station and its situation in the dock area with plenty of other attractions nearby such as the Maritime Museum to cater for majority of attendees who spend two or more days around the event. There are also easily enough rooms in the hotel to cater for all the attendees which was not the case with the Grove House Hotel.
Leonardo Hotel, Liverpool
With the previous venues the arrangements were very much on a come as you please basis. Numbers were not fixed and it was just a case of who turned up on the day. No deposits were required and the meal was paid for on the night after a cash whip round from the attendees. With the increasing numbers attending and all hotels now wanting contracts signed, early deposits paid and everything fully paid for a couple of weeks before the event as well as all menu selections being pre-ordered, arranging the reunion became somewhat more onerous.
Alan Weekes took over the reins of organising the event in 2025 and he has already arranged this year’s event which will be held on 3 June 2026. Anyone with a genuine connection to Palm Line is welcome to attend. If anyone is interested an email to this website (palmship@aol.com) will get the ball rolling.
In 2023, Brett Metcalf, the Chairman of the Carmet Tug Company and a previous Deck Cadet and Third Officer with Palm Line, offered very generous sponsorship for the reunion which we were delighted to accept. He repeated the gesture for the 2024 and 2025 event and it has made the organisation so much easier as well as significantly reducing the cost to the attendees. We offer our sincere thanks to Brett for this wonderful gesture.
The reunions have become very successful and are clearly enjoyed greatly by those who attend as evidenced by the numbers who return each year, many from long distances and some from abroad. Whilst very informal in nature the format has remained the same for many years and that will continue. There is a reception and general get-together starting at 5 p.m. and this is followed by a three-course meal with wine at around 7 p.m. At the last two reunions attendees have been encouraged to bring artefacts and mementos and these were displayed on tables. At the 2024 event we even had a model of the Apapa Palm on display.
The next Reunion is due to be held on 3 June 2026. If you have a genuine connection to the company, you would be welcome to attend. Please let us know at palmship@aol.com and we will pass on your details to the organiser.