NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2013

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

        

MERRY XMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL                                                                                                                                               

                 

Branch Meeting Wednesday 18^th.

 BIRTHDAYS OF NOTE.

Many happy returns this month go to the following two Members.  TED YOUNG who will

celebrate his 90^TH on 28^th DECEMBER, also LT.COL BRIAN LIPSCOME, 85 on the 15^th January.   

ENTERTAINMENT.

Tonight is Christmas Party Night when we start our Christmas early in the company of

Wimborne Musical Theatre, who will entertain us with a selection of songs from the shows and also some Xmas music.     Afterwards there will be a special supper, including a beautiful Xmas Cake made by Peggy -- and who knows -- maybe a visit from “You Know Who”.  Many thanks go to our catering ladies who do tremendous work all year round. 

At our meeting in January on the 15^th, we welcome a return of Jacky Smith who will take us on a tour of Portland. 

INFORMAL  LUNCHES.

The next lunch will be held on Thursday 2^nd January at POOLE EX- SERVICEMEN'S CLUB, NORTH ROAD.  Also in January, on Tuesday 21st, our meal at the GURKHA RESTAURANT SANDFORD has been arranged.   In February on Tuesday 4^th we return to the FERNDOWN, ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB.   

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

 A WORD OF THANKS FROM THE BRANCH COMMITTEE.

Thanks go to David & Jean Watts for their hard work in running the monthly raffle.  Also to those members who contribute prizes for the raffles.   Thank you to all members and ladies who are on hand in

setting up microphone, tables chairs etc at the start and finish of our Monthly meetings.  Next a mention of thanks to Wendy Grover for her help in recording bookings and collecting payments for events.

Many thanks go to our Standard Bearers.     Also pleased to announce that Gwen Griffiths  has offered to help us in the coming year.  That is greatly appreciated.   (apologies to any one who has been overlooked)

XMAS LUNCH

This lunch at Ferndown British Legion, was well attended, with 44 Members, ladies and friends present.  A word of thanks to the caterers for a good meal including mince pies.  We must remember that they produce an excellent meal on every even month for us.  Our thanks to the caterers at Poole Ex-Servicemen’s Club for their hard work over the rest of the year

BRANCH SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2014

These will become due on 1^st JANUARY.  The cost this coming year will remain at £8.00.

SOMETHING YOU MAY NOT KNOW

“CORPS MOMENTS”  (For members who do not subscribe to The SAPPER MAGAZINE)

FORT AMHERST.

Is situated in Chatham, Kent, and makes up part of the Great Lines of Chatham.  In 1708 after the  devastating attacks by the Dutch in1667, plans were drawn up to construct a fortification to protect the dockyard from land- based attacks.  Earthworks began at Fort Amherst in 1756 during the 7 years war with France.  In the Napoleonic wars the fort's defences were enlarged and strengthened.  Military miners were set to work in extending the tunnels, creating vast underground stores and shelters. Although Fort Amherst was never attacked, the structure and design held the potential to be a great line of defence.  Eventually it became an important training area for the Royal Engineers from 1824 until 1918, when the Corps used it to train and develop soldiers, testing tactics in siege and trench warfare.    Every Sapper who has trained at Brompton Barracks knows of the Great Lines and Fort Amherst still gets used for training today.  We have always had a strong bond with the Fort  and have completed projects working together with English Heritage.  Recent projects have included the Gurkha Bridge and, more recently, the Bicentenary Bridge.

(Taken from October 2013 edition of SAPPER magazine)

NEWSLETTER EDITOR'S  FOOTNOTE

In recognition of the work carried out by my fellow Committee Members, for all their 'behind the scenes' hard work --"Thank you" -- for all the time spent in keeping the Branch running smoothly.

EVENTS   2014

BRANCH EVENT.

Saturday 3^rd  May      

The Branch Annual Lunch will be held at the Cumberland Hotel. East Cliff. Bournemouth.

FORECAST OF NATIONAL EVENTS 2014

The following events of interest for 2014 have been notified to HQ REA

TBA                         Minley Weekend

31       May              Trooping the Colour - Maj Gen Review   (Applications by 14^th  February)

05       June              Royal Hospital Chelsea Founders Day Parade  (Bids by 14^th March)

07       June             Trooping the Colour - Colonels Review   (Applications by 14^th  February

11-12  June             Beating the Retreat, London.

14       June             Queens Birthday Parade   (Ballot close 28^th February)

13-14 or 20-21-  September  (TBC) Corps Memorial Weekend*

11       October        REA AGM and Annual Dinner*

12       October        Sapper Sunday at Royal Hospital Chelsea.

 06      November    Field of Remembrance, Westminster.

 09      November    Remembrance Sunday

* National Events            Booking details available from Branch Secretary

Branch Welfare:  Please contact Welfare Member,

Peter Piggott