NEWSLETTER APRIL 2014

Branch Informal Lunches,   Held on  First Thursday on odd months at  Poole Ex-Servicemen’s Club, North Road, Poole, at 12.15 pm.  First Tuesday on Even Months at Ferndown R.B.L. Club, at Noon.     Quarterly – Gurkha Restaurant, Sandford Road, Wareham, BH20  7AD.

NEWSLETTER- APRIL 2014.   Branch Meeting Wednesday 16^TH.

BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

At this meeting held in March the following alterations to the committee were announced.

We are pleased to announce that Phil Webster was elected as Branch President.

Treasurer, Geoff Lord is to remain in this post with help from the committee, until a

 replacement is installed.   Peter Piggott , Vice Chairman and Social Secretary,  Peter has agreed to stay as Welfare Member until a volunteer can be found..   John Griffiths was officially installed as Assistant Secretary.   Allan  Grover to remain as Chairman and Branch Secretary.

All other Committee posts remain unchanged.  No replacement Standard Bearer was proposed to assist Bert Martin, who stays in his present post.  The Branch President on behalf of the

Committee thanked the Ladies and Members who had helped during the past year that had kept the branch running smoothly.  

Also at this meeting the following two items were announced. 1)  Our Meetings will start at 7.30.P.M with  immediate effect.  2) The possibility of holding afternoon meetings has been put on hold for the time being. If we change it will not be possible to stay at Ferndown Legion Club, and up until now another suitable venue has not been found.

President’s Piece :  

It was a tremendous honour to be confirmed as Branch President at the AGM last month and I am very grateful for the support of the members at the meeting. I will strive to live up to the standards set by my two predecessors in the post, Colonel Jim Joiner and the late Geoff Smith, our sad loss last year.

At the meeting I had the pleasurable task of presenting Mike Herbert with a well deserved Group Director’s Commendation for his valued service on the Branch Committee over the last ten years.

It was announced at the AGM that two other long serving committee members wished to stand down. Geoff Lord our Treasurer for close to ten years and Peter Piggott our Welfare Member for thirteen years; fortunately Peter is to continue as Vice Chairman and Social Secretary. No nominations for replacements were received at the meeting, but later Peter Bridle kindly volunteered to be our Treasurer and this will be put to members at our meeting this month. Someone is still needed to take on Welfare in the Branch.

I attended the recent SW Group AGM at Tidworth and it is evident that Bournemouth remains one of the more active and flourishing branches within the Group. Long may this continue  but it requires the active support of branch members, many of whom have the skills and experience required by the Branch Committee. Please give volunteering some thought.

  

ENTERTAINMENT.  Tonight we are looking forward to welcoming Edna Dawes with her presentation entitled 'Story behind the story'. Then in May on the 21^st we look forward to a visit from Phil Holt who will be telling us about Donald Campbell.

SOUTH WEST GROUP ANNUAL STANDARD BEARERS RALLY

Will be held on Sunday 25^th May at Swinton Barracks, Pernham Down, (Tidworth)  22 Engineer Regiment.   A lunch with wine will be provided cost £12.00.  Timings for this  event are 10 30 Hrs Arrival (Tea/Coffee).   15 30 Hrs. Depart. Booking at April Meeting or to Secretary before  the 24^th  of APRIL.  Transport to this event, A mini bus has been arranged cost £5.00. 5 seats still remain.

Cheques made payable to: R.E.A. Bournemouth Branch.

BRANCH ANNUAL LUNCH. 

This will take place on Saturday 3rd May,   NOON  for 1 P.M. at the Cumberland Hotel, East Cliff, Bournemouth.   Car Parking:- Remember that this is limited at the Cumberland but parking is also allowed at Suncliffe and Cliffside Hotels, which are adjoining hotels.

If you would like to donate a bottle of wine for the Raffle, please let Peter know as soon as possible so that the draw can be finalised.

TRANSPORT TO GROUP B.B.Q.

The Social Secretary has arranged transport to Tidworth, for this event on

27^th July, the cost will be £8.00 per passenger.   All bookings and money to him as soon as possible

INFORMAL  LUNCHES.

The next lunch will be held on Tuesday 22^nd  April a the GURKHA RESTAURANT

Then on Thursday 1^st May we return to the POOLE EX-SERVICEMEN'S CLUB, NORTH ROAD.  NOTE The times for North Road are changing (Club will not be open before NOON, Meal to start at 12.15). Our meal in June will be held at  FERNDOWN, ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB, on Tuesday the 3^rd.  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.

Ted Young.  His family are taking him to Normandy in June and asked if the Branch would like him to lay a wreath during his visit. The committee have agreed to finance this.

EVENTS 2014

FORECAST OF NATIONAL EVENTS 2014

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

16-18   May             Chilwell Weekend  (Booking by 20^th April)

04-06   July              Minley Weekend Cost £30 plus food booking until 24^th April )

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

05       June             Royal Hospital Chelsea Founders Day Parade  (Bids now closed)

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)

12-14  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,