NEWSLETTER- MAY 2013.

Branch Informal Lunches,   Held on  First Thursday on odd months

 at  Poole Ex-Servicemen’s Club, North Road, Poole, at 12.30..  First Tuesday on Even Months at Ferndown R.B.L. Club, at Noon.     Quarterly – Gurkha Restaurant, Sandford Road, Wareham, BH20  7AD.

NEWSLETTER- MAY 2013.

Branch Meeting Wednesday 15^th. 

BIRTHDAYS OF NOTE.

Many happy returns this month, go to the following two Members. George Wilby who will be

85 tomorrow 16^th May,  Bert Martin who celebrates his 80^th on Sunday 26^th May. 

ENTERTAINMENT.

Tonight we will welcome our guest speaker the Rev Stewart Timbrel who will entertain us with a humorous talk entitled 'Wonders and Blunders'.  The June meeting is a talk all about the R.N.L.I

IMPORTANT NOTICE.

Our entertainment on Wednesday 17^th July will be a Skittles Evening. The meal will be a Ploughman’s Supper at a cost of £2.50.   Names and Money will be collected tonight and at the June meeting.   All food must be ordered and paid for in advance.

BRANCH INFORMAL LUNCHES.

The next of these lunches will be held  on Tuesday 4^th June at the ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB, FERNDOWN.    The July lunch is to take place at POOLE EX- SERVICEMEN'S CLUB on Thursday 4^th. Lists on the table tonight. Don’t forget that if you are unable to attend meetings and would like to go to our lunches do contact Peter Piggott. Please let Peter know if you need to cancel as this assists the caterers with food preparation.

HEROES RETURN 2.

The Big Lottery Fund have extended their Heroes Return programme again, this time to allow those veterans who have already made a commemorative visit to travel again. Travel under this scheme, will operate through to 2015.  Funds are available for WW2 veterans (including former prisoners of war) to visit the countries where they served between September 1939 and September 1945.  This grant scheme enables WW2 veterans, their spouse and a carer (where necessary) to return to where they served in the UK or overseas with substantial funds being made available towards the cost of travel and accommodation.                                                                                                                                  visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/heroesreturn.

Thanks to Irene, Ted Young's Daughter for this information.

SOUTH WEST GROUP ANNUAL STANDARD BEARERS RALLY

Will be held on Sunday 26^th May at Swinton Barracks, Pernham Down, (Tidworth)  22 Engineer Regiment. Arrive 10.30  Bookings Now Closed.

SOUTH WEST GROUP, R.E.A. B.B.Q.

This is due to take place at 22 Engineer Regiment Pernham Down, (Near Tidworth) on Sunday 28^th July. No further details yet from Group, but last year bookings closed on 27^thJune.

BRANCH ANNUAL LUNCH 2013

This was held on Saturday 4^th  May at the Cumberland Hotel with 61 Members, Ladies and Guests in attendance.     Our President, Geoff Smith greeted all who attended as they entered the dining room.   Chairman Allan Grover proposed the loyal toast. The President presented on behalf of the Branch, an engraved  glass tankard to thank Major Phil Webster (who recently relinquished his position as Chairman) for his service on various committee posts since 1999. Thank you Phil for all your hard work and valuable time you have given to the Branch.   Flowers were  presented to Phil's Wife Ann for her support given. The President also presented flowers to all the ladies who helped the Branch over the past year.  Peter Piggott who arranged the most enjoyable event thanked all who had assisted him, with special mention of wife, Peggy, and also Susan Smith who had not only prepared all of the flowers but had engraved the tankard.  Also included in his thanks were the staff of the Cumberland Hotel.

CORPS MEMORIAL WEEKEND.

This takes place on 13^th-15^th September 2013 in Chatham, This will include Beating Retreat on Saturday afternoon.  As well as official Corps Memorial Weekend events. Accommodation is in Kitchener at nil cost, Meals are as follows: Breakfast, £4.20. Lunch, £4.55. Dinner, £5.18. Pay As You Dine. Names to Secretary by June meeting at the latest.

 

EVENTS   2013

FORECAST OF SOUTH WEST GROUP EVENTS 2013

Sunday       26^th May        Standard Bearers Competition and Rally. (Bookings now closed)   

Sunday       28^th July        Group B.B.Q

FORECAST OF NATIONAL EVENTS 2013

  

  1       June            Trooping the Colour -“Major Generals Review” (Bookings now closed)

  6       June             Royal Hospital Chelsea Founders Day Parade. (Bookings now closed)

  8       June            Trooping the Colour –“Colonels Review” (Bookings now closed)

12-13  June             Beating the Retreat, London.

15       June             Queens Birthday Parade (Applications for ballot now closed)

28-30  June             Minley Weekend.*  (Bookings now closed)

13-15  September   Corps Memorial Weekend* (Closing Date 21^st June)

12       October        REA AGM and Annual Dinner* (Closing date 27 September)

13       October        Sapper Sunday at Royal Hospital Chelsea. ( Bookings not required)

  7       November    Field of Remembrance, Westminster.

10       November    Remembrance Sunday

* National Events            Booking details available from Branch Secretary..                             

.                 Branch Welfare:  Welfare Member, To be announced.  In the mean time Contact.

Peter Piggott