FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

NEWSLETTER - February 2015. Branch Meeting Wednesday 18^th.

BRIGADIER H.J. GOODSON.  OBE.

It is with sadness we report the death of BRIGADIER GOODSON who passed away on 26^th January 2015 at the age of 85.    A Memorial Service will take place at 2.30pm on 21^st of February .  At the Church of the Transfiguration, Chaddesley Glen, Canford Cliffs, Poole.  BH!3  7PF.

He served 1950 -1983    Commissioned from the RMA Sandhurst where he was awarded the Corps Medal.  Served with 38 Engr Regt as a Lt.    Married 1955, served in Korea as acting Capt.  In1956 was in Christmas Island.    1958 Adjt 3 TRRE Cove.   Then service in Pakistan and Australia.  In 1969 he was promoted to Lt Col.    Awarded the OBE in 1973.   Colonel A2 2Div Germany.   Promoted Brig 1976,Commanded 30 Engr Brigade.    1980 Director D Ops MOD.   John retired in 1983 and in June  joined HQ Branch. R.E A.  He became a member of  Bournemouth Branch in 1991.    Also on retirement he was Secretary, for several years, of the Parkstone Yacht Club. Poole.

Our message of sympathy goes to his Wife and to all his family and friends.

WELFARE.

Geoff Lord, Is recovering after suffering a nasty fall .   Ted Young, Is in Poole Hospital.  .

Our good wishes go to them and any Member or Lady who may be unwell at this time;

BIRTHDAYS OF NOTE.

This month we celebrate two member's birthdays.   Peter Piggott   Vice - Chairman, Welfare Member and Social Secretary  who will be 80 on the 28^th  February.  Royce Fripp  will also be 80 on the

11^th March.   We wish both Members "Good Health and Many Happy Returns of the Day"

SOUTH WEST GROUP A.G.M. 2015.

This will take place at WOs' and Sgts' Mess' 22 Engineer Regiment, Swinton Barracks. Perham Down.  (Tidworth)   Post code  SP21 9LQ  on Saturday, 28^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 Royal Engineers Association Controller  Lt  Col (Retired) K. Lowerson will be attending the meeting.  Time is short. Bookings to Branch Secretary. Before 1^st March. 

ENTERTAINMENT. 

At our meeting tonight we welcome Alan Chitty his subject will be "Magic". A word of thanks must go to Alan for stepping in at short notice as the speaker that was booked has had to cancel his visit to us.

BRANCH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

This will take place at the Branch meeting on 18^th MARCH.   At this Meeting the election of  officers will take place, nominations are required. We urgently need a replacement Treasurer as Geoff Lord is standing down after 11 years in the post.   Geoff asked to stand down in 2014.

Also the post of Social Secretary, MUST BE FILLED. .  Peter Piggott, who at the moment is covering 3 Committee positions, will be standing down from this post after The Branch Annual Lunch. Both very important positions which must be filled if our Branch is going to carry on as present.   Please consider taking on one of these jobs.  PLEASE STEP FORWARD.    Also at this Meeting the Branch accounts will be presented.  Copies with this newsletter.   If you have any matters that you would like discussed, at the meeting please let the Secretary know before 1^st  MARCH so they can be added to the agenda.

INFORMAL  LUNCHES.

The next lunch will be held on Tuesday 3^rd March at FERNDOWN, ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB.   As all our monthly lunches are now held at  FERNDOWN on the First Tuesday of each month the April lunch has been arranged for Tuesday 7^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  Mike Herbert 

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 ANNUAL LUNCH.   This will take place on Saturday 9^th  May 12 Noon for 1pm at the Cumberland Hotel, West Cliff, Bournemouth.   The cost will be £17.00 for Members

Ladies and Guests.   The menu was distributed with the Newsletter last month.

Please provide all written names and numbered menu choices, attached to last Month's Newsletter  to Peter Piggott.      ( Please make sure that each diner has an individual Menu choice listed).

Final date for bookings and payment is  1^st April.

If you would like to donate any prizes  for the draw, please let Peter have them well in advance of the Lunch.

The Memorial  Service for John Mason.

This was held at St. Marks Highcliffe on the 26^th January.  18 Members and Ladies attended

Bert Martin paraded our Standard.    Norman Osborne and David Watts formed the Guard of Honour.   Branch, Chairman Allan Grover delivered the Reading and also read the Citation

QUIZ  WITH SUPPER

Our meeting on 20^th MAY will be our QUIZ NIGHT, with FISH/ CHICKEN & CHIP SUPPER with VEGETARIAN OPTION.     John Griffiths is now responsible for the bookings and monies this year.   He has made the following arrangements:     The Cost of all food is to be £4.70 Per person.  This must be booked and paid for in advance.   You will be able to pay at meetings to be held in March and April.

FoREM

There are two tickets for the Royal Engineers Museum, Chatham. These are available for any of our members to use. You gain free entry to the museum with these tickets. More details and conditions are available from Branch Secretary.

FORECAST OF SOUTH WEST GROUP EVENTS 2014

Saturday     28^th March     Group A.G,M

Sunday       17^th May        Standard Bearers Competition and Rally

Saturday     30^th May       Open  Day, to be held at Tidworth.    No details are yet to hand. 

Group B.B.Q           Date to be discussed at Group A.G.M.

                       
Branch Welfare:  Please contact Welfare Member,

Peter Piggott