NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2014

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.

NEWSLETTER- FEBRUARY 2014.   Branch Meeting Wednesday 19^TH.

WINIFRED (Win)  BUBB,

Ii is with sadness we report the death of Win, the wife of Major George Bubb, who passed away on

14^th January.   She was born 25^th May 1922.  She met George in Italy where they were both serving in the armed forces. They Married in 1944.   The funeral took place on Monday 27^th January at Poole Crematorium.  A tribute address was given by their Daughter Jacqueline.    3 Branch Members and 2 Ladies were present.  Our message of sympathy goes to George, Son Eric, Daughter Jacqueline  and all family and friends.

WELFARE

ROY FRITH has been in Hospital .Pleased to report he is now recovering at home.  Our good wishes go to him and any Member or Lady who may be unwell at this time;

RON GARNHAM,  who is our most Senior- and Founder Member at the age of 97 has now moved into a care home. He has been visited by the Welfare Member, Peter Piggott who reports that Ron seems very happy there.  He was in good spirits and enjoyed a conversation about his time in the Royal Engineers.  Ron also wishes to be remembered to all the Branch Members..

BIRTHDAY OF NOTE.

Many happy returns this month go to, Associate and Branch Honorary Member, VIC SMITH who will celebrate his 85^th Birthday on 26^th FEBRUARY

ENTERTAINMENT.  Tonight we are looking forward to seeing John England with his presentation entitled Holton Heath. (The Cordite factory)      Then on 19^th March the BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING will take place.   At the meeting on 16^th April Edna Dawes is booked to tell us the Story Behind the Story.

SOUTH WEST GROUP A.G.M. 2014.

This will take place at WOs' and Sgts' Mess' 22 Engineer Regiment, Swinton Barracks. Perham Down.  (Tidworth)   Post code  SP21 9LQ  on Saturday, 29^th March all bookings before 1^st March. Contact Branch Secretary with bookings, payment etc. Time table: Arrive / Coffee 1030-11hrs.   A.G.M. 1130-1215hrs.  Curry Lunch (With alternative)  1300-1400hrs.  Bar closes 1600hrs.

This year the lunch format will be a hot, self service, sit down lunch with starter, dessert and wine.  The cost will be £12 per head.  The new Group Director Commanding Officer 22 Engineer

Regiment, Lt  Col M.R. Wilkinson MBE RE will be attending the meeting. 

Time is short.

BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

This will take place at the Branch meeting on 19^th MARCH.   At this Meeting the election of  officers will take place, nominations are required.   The post of Treasurer is to be up for election.

Geoff Lord, has held this post for 10 Years.  Geoff who has made a first class job during this time wishes to stand down.   Also the post of Welfare Member needs to be filled.

Peter Piggott, who at the moment is covering 3 Committee positions, will be standing down from this post after the A.G.M.     Jim Tongs will also stand down as one of our Standard Bearers.

All very important positions which must be filled if our Branch is going to carry on as present.   Please consider taking on one of these important jobs.  Also at this Meeting the Branch accounts will be presented.  Copies with this news letter. Please  do take one.

One item to be raised is that our monthly meetings Should Start at 7.30 P.M with effect from April 2014.  If you have any matters that you would like discussed, please let the Secretary know before 6^th MARCH so that they can be added to the agenda. Secretary has forms for this.

INFORMAL  LUNCHES.

The next lunch will be held on Thursday 6^th March at POOLE EX-SERVICEMEN'S CLUB, NORTH ROAD. Then on Tuesday 1^st April 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

BRANCH ANNUAL LUNCH.   This will take place on Saturday 3^rd  May 12 Noon for 1P.M. at the Cumberland Hotel, West Cliff, Bournemouth.   The cost will be £16.00 for Members

Ladies and Guests.   The menu and form for your food choices was attached to the Newsletter that was distributed in January.     Please provide all written names and numbered menu choices, including payment to : Peter Piggott,  ( Please make sure that each diner has an individual Menu choice listed).   Peter has a few menus and food choice forms if you should need one. Final date for bookings and payment is  1^st April.  If you would like to donate a raffle prize the Social Secretary will be pleased to receive them.

EVENTS   2014

BRANCH EVENT.

Saturday 3^rd  May      

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

FORECAST OF SOUTH WEST GROUP EVENTS 2014

Saturday     29^th March     Group A.G,M

Sunday       25^th May        Standard Bearers Competition and Rally   

Sunday       27^th July        Group B.B.Q

FORECAST OF NATIONAL EVENTS 2014

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

04-06   July              Minley Weekend

31        May             Trooping the Colour - Maj Gen Review   (Bookings now closed)

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

07       June             Trooping the Colour - Colonels Review   (Bookings now closed)

11-12  June             Beating the Retreat, London.

14       June             Queens Birthday Parade   (Ballot now closed)

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