NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 2015.

 

Branch Meeting Wednesday 19^th,

WELFARE.

Peter, our Welfare Member, reports that he has made contact with all the Widows of former Members, by telephone. He reports that  they all seem to be quite cheerful and in reasonably good health.   They were more than pleased to have been contacted from the branch, appreciating  that they had not been forgotten.

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 ENTERTAINMENT

The July Skittles evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all Members participating, or as supporting spectators.  Our thanks to Peg and Joan for providing an excellent Ploughman's Supper.  The highest scoring lady was Hazel and John Cusack was the highest scoring gent!  Many thanks to all the valiant 'stickers-up' and to Allan and  Peter for organising the whole event.

TONIGHT: Our speaker, Julian Humphries from Dorset Police has had to cancel his visit due to being sent on a course.  A  Quiz will be held.      

 At the meeting in September, to be held on Wednesday 16^th we look forward to a speaker from the Dorset Fire and Rescue Brigade.

 

FORTHCOMING ENTERTAINMENT

BINGO WITH SUPPER

The meeting on 21^st October  will be 'Bingo Night' with a Fish /Chicken and Chips supper.

John Griffiths is now responsible for the bookings and monies.   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 select your food and pay at meetings TONIGHT and at our meeting in SEPTEMBER.

 

INFORMAL  LUNCHES

The next lunch will be held on 1^st September at FERNDOWN, ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB.   As all our monthly lunches are now held at  FERNDOWN on the First Tuesday of each month the October lunch has been arranged for Tuesday 6^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  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 COMMITTEE VACANCY.  

The Post of Minute Secretary needs to be filled.   John Griffiths, who is now Branch Secretary needs some one to take Minutes as soon as possible, please help.     

VJ DAY COMMEMORATION

Unfortunately no notification of local events was forthcoming in time for publication in last months Newsletter.  However, Bob Hucklesby  travelled to London to take part in the Remembrance Service  at St Martin- in- the- Fields.  Her Majesty The Queen and other dignitaries attended and after the Service Bob was honoured to be presented to The Queen and Prince Phillip. The Branch was well represented locally at various Commemorative Services.  Bert Martin paraded our Standard at a Service held in Poole Park, at the Mountbatten Memorial.  Three Members and three Ladies attended. Next day Bert again paraded the Standard at a short memorial service  at Ferndown British Legion.   Thank you Bert for a smart turn-out - as always!

 

 

 



 

Bob Hucklesby Presentation



 

Photos from Dennis Brown

REA BARBECUE

This took place at 22 Engineer Regiment Pernham Down, (Near Tidworth) on Sunday 26^th July.  This was well attended including 15 Members from Bournemouth Branch.   The Albert Hicks Award was won by Lance Corporal Shaun Pierce.  Unfortunately the actual presentation could not take place as he was on leave.  A  future date is to be arranged on his return from duty in Canada. Once again this year a Mini Bus was available, for which we have to thank Peter and Jan Bridle, also Branch Chairman for making arrangements.  Special mention to Jan who drove us all so brilliantly.  Thank you all very much.

 

SAPPER 300      1716 - 2016

British Military Engineering can be traced back to Anglo-Saxon times - pre 1066.  The Corps of Royal Engineers which existed in 1716 were later granted 'ROYAL' status in 1787.  

Until the end of the First World War, Royal Engineers were leading the way with new ideas,  covering communications, transport and searchlights and the early days of flying.  The Royal Engineers Balloon Battalion merged into the Royal Flying Corps in 1912 which eventually led to the Royal Air Force being formed in 1918.  Other Corps which were helped to form and become independent  of the Royal Engineers were the Royal Army Service Corps (1914), Royal Corps of Signals (1920) and the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (1942).    After the Second World War the Royal Corps of Transport was formed.  In 1994 the Postal and Courier services were handed over to the Royal Logistic Corps.  Today the Sappers support all the UK's Armed Forces wherever they are deployed.  This continues a very proud  300 year history of the Corps of Royal Engineers.  Celebrations will be Nationwide with a series of Open Days throughout the UK,  locally at Perham Down on the 4^th  June.  RE GAMES EVENT takes place 8 - 9^th June 2016.                                              ( Details from The Sapper Magazine dated August 2015)

 

PARACHUTE  DROP.

BARRY ANDREWS aged 75  from West Moors ex Para, is to make this drop from  OLD SARUM on 29^th August in aid of the POPPY APPEAL.      Branch Secretary has full details.

 

 

EVENTS 2015

FORECAST OF NATIONAL EVENTS 2015

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

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