NEWSLETTER- JANUARY 2010
Branch Meeting Wednesday 20 January

Branch News

JAMES (JIM) KEANE. 1928-2010.

The sad news is that Jim Keane passed away on Thursday 7111 of January 2010. The Funeral will be held

at Poole Crematorium on Friday the 22nd of January at 10-30am. Jim joined the Branch in

November 1983 only 18 Months after the Branch was formed. In civilian life he was known as

"Jim the Plumber". Our condolences go to his Wife and Family at this time.

A donation has been sent in memory of Jim to Cancer Research UK. (Sorry no service history available).

Welfare.

At time of writing. Norman Osbome is in Hospital, awaiting treatment for Pneumonia

and Dorothy Poole has had a fall. Both are keen to return home as soon as possible. We wish them well..

Birthdays of Note.

Les Sparshott 95 on the 29th of January, Bill Chick 85 on the 2nd of February and

John Mason also 85 on the 14th of February. Our congratulations to them all.

Social.

The 55 Members Ladies and Guests who attended the Christmas Celebration enjoyed an evening with

entertainment from the "West Dorset Accordion Group", which was arranged by Social Secretary Peter.

Thanks to the Ladies who were responsible for the superb Buffet, with special mention to Deana, Peggy

and Joan. It was Peggy who made the wonderful cake.

Our thanks must go to: Cecilia Napier for her generosity for paying for the drinks on Xmas party night,

in honour of her late Husband Choke, also to Tony Edwards for his excellent portrayal of Santa Claus.

The entertainment tonight is "Dorset Coast - Christchurch to Swanage" by John Coombs. In February we

look forward to a presentation from Rob Curtis entitled "Inn Signs of Dorset".

35 Members and Ladies attended the January informal lunch at Poole Ex-Service Men's Club.The next

Lunch is to be held on Tuesday the 2nd of February at Femdown R.B.L.Club .This meal a two course

roast with a choice of both main meal and sweet, the cost is £7.

Don't forget the Ghurkha Lunch on Tuesday the 26th of this Month. Please add names to the lists for

both of these events, which are on the table tonight. If later for any reason you are unable to attend, after

adding names to list please call Peter Piggott. This is great help to the Caterers.

The A.G.M is in March and with Peter Piggott standing down from Social Secretary we

need to find a replacement. Also the Committee is in need of volunteers as there are two

places that must be filled if the branch is to be run as efficiently as of now. So if you can help

please will you contact any branch committee member.

It has been suggested that we could bring any form of memorabilia from our service life

and talk about it, after the business section of the A.G.M. Please support this as it has the

potential of being an interesting project.

A SPECIAL THOUGHT.

Please take time to think about the Sappers killed and injured in 2009

These include; Spr. Matthew Weston, badly injured and is now a triple amputee, 
Spr.David Watson who lost his life on New Years Eve
both serving with 33 Engineer regiment in Afghanistan.

We do not hear enough about the injured service personnel returning from war zones, as

many as 70 in one month being admitted to The Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, at Selly

Oak Hospital, Birmingham.

Forthcoming Events 2010.

Family Reunion at Mundesley Holiday Village Friday 14th to Friday 21st of May.

Application forms are now available to book your place at this reunion. Cost for week is

£320.00 Full Board. Deposit of £30.00 per person required.

8th May Branch Annual Lunch at The Cumberland Hotel

East Cliff,. Bournemouth. List and Menu will be

available at February's meeting..

29th May Trooping the Colour -"Major General's Review".

5 June Trooping the Colour - "Colonels Review"

9th - 10th June Beating Retreat London

10th June Royal Hospital Chelsea Founder's Day Parade

12th June Queen's Birthday Parade

19th-20th June Aldershot Weekend

17 -19 September Corps Memorial Weekend

Trooping the Colour

Will any person desirous of attending the Major General's or Colonel's Reviews or the

Queen's Birthday Parade please contact the secretary no later than the February Branch meeting.

Don't forget that Branch subscriptions for 2010 are now due.

Please contact Branch Treasurer Mr. Geoff Lord.

at the Meetings. Cost for 2010 still £4.00.

Branch Welfare Please contact

Welfare Member: Peter Piggott,