NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2014

Branch Informal Lunch,   Held on  First Tuesday of each month at  Ferndown  R.B.L. Club, at Noon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

            MERRY XMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

NEWSLETTER - December 2014. Branch Meeting Wednesday 17^th.

WELFARE.

It is with sadness we report the death of Pearl  the wife of Member Richard Silsby  who passed away on Friday the 21^st November.  The funeral has already taken place.

Our message of sympathy goes to Richard and all the family and friends on their loss.

Sheila, partner of Geoff Lord, Treasurer is now recovering at home following surgery in Hospital after  suffering a broken hip.  Our good wishes go to all Members or Ladies who may be unwell at this time.

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 21^st , we welcome Neil Gartshore who will be telling us all  about  " The Birds of Poole Harbour".

INFORMAL  LUNCHES.

The next lunch will be held on Tuesday 6^th January at FERNDOWN, ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB.   As all our monthly lunches are now held at  FERNDOWN on the First Tuesday of each month the February lunch has been arranged for Tuesday 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  Mike Herbert  on 01202  674612.

Please let Mike know before Noon on the Sunday before the Lunch  if you need to cancel as this assists the caterers with food and seating.

BRANCH SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2015These will become due on 1^st JANUARY.  The cost this coming year will be £12.00.

AN IMPORTANT NOTICE FROM THE BRANCH COMMITTEE.

At the Meeting  held on Wednesday 10^th December,  Peter Piggott announced that he had decided to stand down as Social Secretary.   This is to take effect immediately after the Annual Lunch which takes place in .May.

At the A.G.M. 2014 Treasurer Geoff Lord requested  a replacement.   It is very important that these posts are filled as soon as possible.  If members do not come forward it will be impossible for the Branch to run as it currently exists.  The Committee has been short of volunteers for quite a good few years.  This meant that  the committee has had to take on a lot more work to keep the branch as it  is.  With the loss of two very important members this will be  impossible.

If members do not  come forward the branch will not be able to run as it is at the present.

Interested- Allan Grover will be more than pleased to hear from you.

Please take notice of this important information and come and help your Branch.

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 and Gwen Griffiths  for recording bookings and collecting payments for events.

Many thanks go to Bert Martin our Branch Standard Bearer.  It is greatly appreciated.    If you would like to join Bert as Standard bearer, Bert is willing to give you all the instructions.     

(apologies to any one who has been overlooked)

Legion d'honneur

Details were reported in August's  newletter.  (In conjunction with events to mark the 70^th Anniversary of the Normandy landings, the  Government of France has advised that it wishes to make this award to all surviving veterans,)    I am pleased to report that Ted Young is to be presented with this award by The French Honorary Consul on 18^th December.

Computer Problems.

Because of this, Newsletters by E/Mail will not be possible this month.

EVENTS   2015

 BRANCH EVENT. Saturday 9th  May      

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

 FORECAST OF NATIONAL EVENTS 2015

The following events of interest for 2015 have been notified to HQ REA

TBA                         Chilwell Weekend *

30        May             Trooping the Colour - Maj Gen Review   (Applications by 17^th  February)

04       June             Royal Hospital Chelsea Founders Day Parade  (Bids by 16^th March)

06       June             Trooping the Colour - Colonel's Review   (Applications by 17^th  February)

10-11  June             Beating the Retreat, London.

13       June             Queen's Birthday Parade   (Ballot close 28^th February)

TBA but in June      Minley Weekend*

11-13  September  Corps Memorial Weekend*

10       October        REA AGM and Annual Dinner*

11       October        Sapper Sunday at Royal Hospital Chelsea.

05       November    Field of Remembrance, Westminster.

08       November    Remembrance Sunday

* National Events            Booking details available from Branch Secretary

Branch Welfare:  Please contact Welfare Member, Peter Piggott