News 1

Editorial

Staying Cheerful

Hello Everyone, Dubbin, there’s an interesting word, takes me back to my time at the Longtown Adventure Centre in 1976 (don’t get me started about the drought). None of us had walking boots, but luckily (or by good management) they [the adventure centre] did. We were each allocated a pair of an appropriate size and were charged with looking after them. If we looked after our boots, ‘they would look after us!’ So after a day’s hike across Bannau Brycheiniog (then known as the Brecon Beacons) we would return to base, wash, dry and ‘dub’ our boots; and dubbin is the stuff you dub your boots with… No dubbin, no dinner! Talking of dinner, we were made to change from our hiking gear into full school uniform, tie and all, and sit formally at table to be served, oh yes, those were the days… Nice dinners, three courses, it seemed that some of the boys didn’t know which hand to hold their knives and forks in, I did, thanks mum! Get Dubbin!
© Long Buckby URC 2023

Long Buckby United Reformed Church

News 1

Editorial

Staying Cheerful

Hello Everyone, Dubbin, there’s an interesting word, takes me back to my time at the Longtown Adventure Centre in 1976 (don’t get me started about the drought). None of us had walking boots, but luckily (or by good management) they [the adventure centre] did. We were each allocated a pair of an appropriate size and were charged with looking after them. If we looked after our boots, ‘they would look after us!’ So after a day’s hike across Bannau Brycheiniog (then known as the Brecon Beacons) we would return to base, wash, dry and ‘dub’ our boots; and dubbin is the stuff you dub your boots with… No dubbin, no dinner! Talking of dinner, we were made to change from our hiking gear into full school uniform, tie and all, and sit formally at table to be served, oh yes, those were the days… Nice dinners, three courses, it seemed that some of the boys didn’t know which hand to hold their knives and forks in, I did, thanks mum! Get Dubbin!
© Long Buckby URC 2022

Long Buckby United Reformed Church