NEWS LETTER APRIL 2011

Branch Meeting Wednesday 20th April.

Welfare.
Bob Hucklesby has had a Cataract operation and is recovering well, and is looking forward to being able to drive again soon.
Margaret Hardiman Is still in Hospital. We wish her and all others who may be on the sick list, a return to health.
Les Sparshott has been visited in his new home and seems to be settling in quite well.

Birthdays of Note.
Greetings go to Allan Grover who will be 55 on the 16th May. He is our youngest Member. Belated greetings go to Morgan Benjamin who was 102 on 16th April and is our oldest member. Morgan’s family have asked if any member would like to visit him he will be pleased to see them.

Entertainment.
Tonight we welcome Major Susie Beeching with her presentation entitled
R.A.M.C. in Afghanistan.
The Speaker in May will be Mr. D Fones to explain the Origins of Words and Sayings.

Branch Annual Lunch. This will take place at the Cumberland Hotel on Saturday 14th May.
1200 for 1300 Hours. Cost £13 for Members and Ladies, £15.50 for guests.
Monies will be collected tonight. Please add names and menu choice to list on table tonight.
This will be the last time that booking can be made. If you are unable to attend meetings you can of course book places with menu choices by contacting Peter Piggott in the next few days.
Time is needed to make final seating arrangements and organise Menu etc. Remember that car parking at the Cumberland is limited but parking is allowed at the two adjacent Hotels, the Suncliffe and the Cliffside.

Branch Annual General Meeting.
The A.G.M.on the 16th March was well attended with 24 Members
13 Ladies present. Reports, covering the past year’s activities were received from the office bearers and the accounts for 2010 were accepted. The Chairman expressed his thanks to the outgoing Committee for their support and work. He also thanked the Ladies who prepare the buffets which are enjoyed at our meetings and also to Peter and Hazel Aldridge for the successful raffles they organise each month.
Our two fine Standard Bearers were also thanked for the work that they had done over the last year.
Our President Geoff Smith and his wife Susan presented flowers to Edie Osborne, Peggy Piggott,
Hazel Aldridge and Joan Herbert as a mark of appreciation for all of their hard work.
You will note from the information below that some alteration to the Committee has taken place. The changes are: John Mason Chairman. Phil Webster is Vice Chairman and Secretary,
Peter Piggott is Welfare and Social Member. All other posts stay as before except the welcome addition of Allan Grover who joins the committee as Assistant Secretary. He will be responsible for
recording and reading the minutes at meetings, also helping the secretary should the need arise.

After the meeting we were entertained by a few of our members who told us about their

experiences while serving in the Corps Some had brought along artefacts from their time in the Forces and told us all the history of them.
Afterwards Bert Martin demonstrated the drill movements that were involved in parading the standard, This was of great interest to members who had never seen the standard paraded. Our thanks to all who took part.
The proceeds of the raffle was £31. The committee agreed to round this up to £40 which was donated to ”Combat Stress” on behalf of Branch Members.

South West Group Annual General Meeting. Was held on Saturday the 9th April, at
22 Engineer Regt, Swinton Barracks, Pernham Down, near Tidworth. The Branch was represented by 4 Members and Mrs J. Mason



Informal Monthly Lunches.
There were 21 Members and ladies at the April lunch.
The next Gurkha Lunch is at The Gurkha Restaurant, Sandford on Tuesday 26th April .
The May Lunch takes place at Poole Ex Servicemans Club North Road on Tuesday 3rd May. Lists on table tonight. Both of these events start at 12 Noon. Please let Peter Piggott know if you need to cancel. If you cannot attend meetings and wish to come to any of the Lunches, you can of course contact Peter

Notes for your June Diary. The June Lunch takes place at the Ferndown British Legion Club on Tuesday the 7th. At the monthly meeting on Wednesday the 15th, our Speaker will be Mike Colbourne to tell us all about Monkey World.

REA SOUTH WEST GROUP EVENTS
The Standard Bearers' Competition will be held at 22 Engr Regt, Swinton Barracks,
Perham, Down, Near Tidworth on Sunday 12th June. Details not yet available. Group Barbecue will be held at 22 Engr Regt, Swinton Barracks, Perham Down, on Sunday 31st July. Details not yet available.

22 ENGINEER REGIMENTAL EVENTS
Lieut Col Kerr, CO 22 Engineer Regiment Is keen to invite Group members to Regimental events. The next one is, Beating the Retreat - for 22 Engr Regt - by the Corps Band at Swinton Barracks on Wednesday 11th May. This is an open event. If this Regimental event is of to interest you, please contact the Secretary for further details.

Forecast of National Events 2011

20-27 May Spring Reunion, South Downs Holiday village, Bracklesham Bay.

28 May Trooping the Colour -“Major Generals Review”.

04 June Trooping the Colour –“Colonels Review”.

08-09 June Beating the Retreat, London, (Tickets available online from Ticketmaster)

09 June Royal Hospital Chelsea Founders Day Parade.

11 June Queens Birthday Parade.

24-26 June Minley Weekend. *

15-18 September Corps Memorial Weekend, Chatham. *

08 October REA AGM and Annual Dinner*

09 October Sapper Sunday at Royal Hospital Chelsea.

10 November Field of Remembrance, Westminster.

13 November Remembrance Sunday.

* National Events.

Branch Welfare:
Please contact Welfare Member Peter Piggott,