NEWSLETTER APRIL 2019

MEETINGS -3^RD WEDNESDAY EACH MONTH AT RBL CLUB, CHURCH ROAD, FERNDOWN - STARTING AT 19.30 HRS        - INFORMAL LUNCHES 1^ST TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 12 NOON, SAME VENUE

Newsletter for Branch meeting on 19^th April 2019 - Please note any information for the newsletter to be passed on to Jan Bridle by the last Saturday before the next meeting; also if anyone has changed their email address or set up a new one could they please let Jan know.

Branch subs   remain at £15 and are due to be paid to the treasurer now if not already paid. Please send any cheques, made out to REA Bournemouth, to the above address for John Cusack.

Next meeting on 15^th May  will be a talk by Christopher Legrand.

Vacancies    A new Standard Bearer and also a new Social Secretary are required. Any ideas for evening meetings welcomed.

Monthly Informal Lunches

As usual held on the first Tuesday, menu lists on the table at evening meetings. Contact John Cusack for any information or to book/choose from menu if not at meeting.

March AGM  A number of changes to posts were made at the AGM this year. Peter Piggot has stood down both as Welfare Officer and as President.  Alan Grover stood down as Chairman but very generously accepted the post of President.  The post of Chairman was taken on by Bob Perry and John McDermott became a Vice-Chairman.  We would like to thank both Alan and Peter for their many years of service to the branch, and wish Alan, Bob and John all the best in their new roles.

Annual Lunch 18^th May 2019 Maurice Pearson has taken on the task of organising this year’s Annual Lunch to be held at the Ocean Beach Hotel, at the very low cost of £17 a head. However, the event cannot go ahead if more bookings for this are not made. This is a very enjoyable occasion allowing members who are not able to come to evening functions to meet up with fellow Sappers. Guests to this event are always welcomed so bring along your friends and relatives and make this event the success it deserves.

Welfare  Following the resignation of Peter Piggot it has been suggested that the post of Welfare is too much for one person and that, instead, a Welfare Co-ordinator with several volunteers who are willing to make visits in their own area when required are found. If you can take on either of these roles please contact John Griffiths.
We send good wishes to Richard Silsby who was rushed into Poole Hospital on 4^th April, but has now transferred to the Forest Holme Hospice in Seldown Road, Poole.  He is good spirits with plenty of visitors. Anyone wishing to visit can do so at any time, he would be very happy to see you.

Re-dedication of the Sapper Memorial at the NMA on Tuesday 28 May 2019, it is hoped that we will have strong representation for the Event from across the Association. Everyone is welcome to attend the dedication but there is only one pair of tickets per branch being allocated for the Lunch in the Aspects Event Centre.  Please contact John Griffiths if you would like to attend.

Data Protection Act May 2018- Letter from Chatham HQ
Please find attached a copy of a letter from REA HQ regarding the above Act which requires you to contact them to agree to the REA holding some of your details and explains how to do this. Email them with the agreement and your full name and service number.  If you don’t use email you could write to REAHQ or phone up instead.

Forthcoming  Evening  Events 2019

15^th May                    Talk by Christopher Legrand

19^th June                    Talk on Railways

17^th July                     Skittles

21^st August                Music Quiz

18^th September          Talk on Watercress

16^th October              Bingo with Fish and Chips

20^th November          Mike Randall ‘Son of a Spy’

18^th December          TBA

Forecast of National Events 2019.

17 – 19 May   - Gibraltar Weekend

25 May - Trooping the Colour - Major General’s Review

28 May - Opening Event at National Memorial Arboretum

06 June - Royal Hospital Chelsea Founder’s Day Parade

01 June - Trooping the Colour – Colonel’s Review

05 & 06 June - Beating Retreat, London

08 June   - Queen’s Birthday Parade 

28 – 30 June - Chilwell Weekend

26 – 28 July - Minley Weekend  -   info from secretary if you wish to go

13 - 15 September - Corps Memorial Weekend 

12 October - REA AGM and Annual Dinner   

13 October   - Sapper Sunday at Royal Hospital Chelsea 

07 November - Field of Remembrance, Westminster Abbey 

10 November - Remembrance Sunday