NEWSLETTER JUNE 2021

Newsletter for ‘Keeping in Touch’ June  2021   Please note any news or information for the newsletter to be passed on to Jan Bridle anytime; also if anyone has changed their email address or set up a new one could they please let Jan know. Also, in this time of isolation, if anyone feels in need of a chat, please feel free to ring Jan or Bob (numbers above) any time.

 Branch subs    there are still a few people who have not paid their subs for 2020. The committee have decided that all members who have paid their subs this year are exempt for 2021 to compensate for the lack of branch meetings and activities. Please support the branch by paying the outstanding amount of £17 either by internet banking or cheque made out to REA Bournemouth.  For bank account details please contact John Cusack on 01202 517804.

 Branch meetings and monthly lunches   Due to the ongoing issues at the RBL Ferndown along with the lifting of covid restrictions the Branch Committee would like to invite you to a meet-up at the RBL Winton on Wednesday 16th June at 7.30pm. It will not be a Branch meeting per se but a tentative look at our appetite for meeting at this time. John Cusack and Bob Perry tried the club out last week and we can have a particular section of the bar reserved for ourselves. The club is very Covid compliant, and we felt very safe and welcome there. Please reply to Bob at bob5773@hotmail.co.uk if you intend to go so that we have an idea of numbers.

The full address is 593 Wimborne Road Winton, Bournemouth BH9 2AR and is some parking spaces there, but if you are able to walk please park in the adjoining side streets.

 Birthdays    This month we wish a very happy 50^th birthday on 7^th July to Julian Voles.

 The late Bob Hucklesby   A reminder that his relatives are planning a celebration of Bob's life at some point in the summer and is keen to get a feel for how many of the REA might want to attend. They have no date or location yet, so just want a rough number. Please contact Bob Perry if you would like to attend the celebration.

 Down Memory Lane

Sept 1985      Our Teddy Bear stall in Bournmeouth raised money by Eric charging tourists to shelter from the rain in our canvas covered stall – and forced purchase of teddy bears!!

 Dec 1985       The Christmas party was well attended, with guests from Burma Star Assiciation, Dunkirk Veterans, the Royal Artillary, and Royal Tank Regiments. Mrs Pringle raised money for the branch by knitting dolls clothes. We also received a donation of £240 from an anonymous member.

 Dec 1986       Some of our members attended the REA weekend in Llandudno. Altogether 367 Sappers and wives from other branches attended and found that the hotel was too small. A vote was taken to invade a larger venue, Butlins at Margate, next year!

                        Our branch made a donation to the Korean Memorial in the Garrison Church in Chatham.