NEWSLETTER – MAY 2011.

Branch Meeting Wednesday 18th.

Welfare.
Geoff Smith has been in hospital for two weeks. It was good to see him at the Annual Lunch.
George Bubb has unfortunately had a fall and damaged his hip. He was sorry to have missed the Annual Lunch as he was looking forward to attending.



Birthdays of Note Greetings go to:

Ron Garnham who will be 95 on 30th May
Len Elderfield 90 on 1st June
Arthur Hardiman 85 on 22nd May
Roy Robinson 80 on 1st June
Keith Butt 75 on 24th May
John Goodwin 60 on 21st May



The Annual Lunch was held last Saturday at the Cumberland Hotel with 59 Members,
Ladies and guests in attendance. Our President Geoff Smith greeted all who attended as they entered the dining room. He then started the proceedings by saying prayers and reading Grace.
Our Chairman John Mason proposed the loyal toast and thanked Peter Piggott, ably assisted by Peggy, who arranged it all. Thanks to Susan Smith for making the floral sprays for the Ladies, and not forgetting the staff of the Cumberland Hotel and all the others who made our day most enjoyable.
The annual lunch for 2012 has been booked for 5th May. This was the only Saturday in May 2012 that the hotel was available to us

Branch Informal Lunches.
The June Lunch takes place at Ferndown British Legion Club on Tuesday the 7th at 12 Noon. List on table tonight. If you cannot attend meetings you can book your places by contacting Peter Piggott.



Tonight’s Speaker is
Mr. D. Fones, who will explain all about The Origins of Words and Sayings.
At the June Meeting Mike Colbourne will tell us all about Monkey World.

Beating the Retreat for 22 Engineer Regiment.
This took place at Swinton Barracks on Wednesday the 11th May. Our Chairman John Mason represented the Branch, accompanied by his wife Jane.

John reported back that he was most impressed by the whole event.

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 are as follows:
Arrive at 10.30 Hours (Tea or coffee) Competition at 11.45 Lunch13.15. Depart by15.30
List on table tonight for names and car details. Tonight is the final time that you can make bookings. The cost of lunch is £5.00.

Group Barbecue will be held at 22 Engr Regt, Swinton Barracks, Perham Down,
on Sunday 31st July. Details not yet available.

Corps Memorial Weekend, Chatham, This takes place between the 15th and the 18th of
September. The accommodation is in Kitchener Barracks which is free of charge.
Costings for meals are as follows: Breakfasts £4.20p held in Kitchener. Lunch and Dinner held in
Brompton Barracks at a cost of £4.55p for Lunch and £5.18p for Dinner. List on table tonight,
Booking, vehicle details and payment required by the end of June.

Notes for your July Diary.
The July Lunch takes place at the Poole Ex-Servicemen’s Club North Road on Tuesday the 5th.

Local Non R.E.A. Event.
A letter has been received with details of Burton Armed Forces Day 2011.
This takes place on Sunday June 5th in Burton Christchurch. Taking part will be the Queens Gurkha Signal Regiment and the Royal Marines from Poole. (Subject to Commitments).
This is the fourth time that this event has been held. This year fund raising will be in aid of The Poppy Appeal and Help the Heroes. The parade will be followed by a service of celebration on the village green. To help the organizers to finalise seating etc please call Colin Jamieson Event Organiser on 01202 477929, tell them you would like to attend. More details from him will be available when the programme is finalised.

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,