FEBRUARY 2024

Newsletter for February 2024 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 any new addresses could they please let Jan know.

Branch subs 

Subscriptions for 2024 will be £20. This is the first rise in many years and they are due now. Please support the branch by paying the £20 either by internet banking or cheque made out to REA Bournemouth. For bank account details please contact John Cusack by phone or by email, numbers above.

Branch monthly Lunches and Brunches

These are informal, social meetings where any news etc. can be passed on to those attending, and added to the newsletter for others to read.

The brunches are held at the Barrington Centre Café in Penny's Walk, Ferndown BH22 9TH - Wives and children and guests are also very welcome. This is also now open to all service and ex-service personnel. You can park in Tesco’s car park free and the centre is just past Tesco on the other side of Penny’s Walk, and this month it is on Saturday the 10^th February.

The lunches are also held at the Barrington Centre Café, and will be on Tuesday the 27^th Feb. As with the brunches, wives, children and guests also welcome. There are, however, not the choices we had at the RBL and this months’ lunch will be notified later at a cost of only £7 a head. Please contact John Cusack or Maurice Pearson to book your place

Annual Lunch 2024

Advance news, the REA annual lunch this year will be on Saturday 1^st June at the Ocean Beach Hotel, on Bournemouth’s seafront, 32 East Overcliffe Drive, Bournemouth, BH1 3AQ.

The cost per person will be approx £25 for the 3 course meal, including wine. We hope to have the menu available for you soon. As usual friends and other family members are all very welcome to join us. Please let John Cusack know as soon as possible if you plan to attend, and how many will join you.

AGM April 2024

This year it will be after the lunch on the 23^rd April 2024: please do try to attend this as it is an important occasion for the Branch. If you just wish to attend the AGM, it should commence at about 1.30pm.

Branch News and Messages

Welcome to our new member Tony Townshend

Dot Martin would like to express her heartfelt thanks for all the very kind sympathy calls and cards she received after the passing of her beloved Bert and for the attendance of so many REA members at the funeral. She also says that at the last count, donations for Friends of Wimborne Hospital, in memory of Bert, had reached £280 and thanks everyone that donated.

Branch Dates for 2024

Saturday Brunch

Feb 10, Mar 9, Apr 13, May 11, Jun 8, July 13, Aug 10, Sept 14,Oct  12, Nov 9, Dec Tbc.

Tuesday Lunch

Feb 27, Mar 26, Apr 23, May 28, Jun 25, Jul 23, Aug 27,Sept 24, Oct 22, Nov26, Dec Tbc.

National Events 2024

11-13 May Monte Cassino, 80th Anniversary

19 May Sapper Sunday

24-26 May Gibraltar Weekend

6 June Founders Day, Royal Hospital Chelsea

Corps Memorial Weekend

80th Anniversary of D-Day

13-15 Sep AGM

Annual Dinner

Freedom Parade, Brompton Barracks

5 Oct The Sapper Charity Dinner, London TBC

18-21 Oct Ijzendijke, Holland, 80th Anniversary

10 Nov Central London Cenotaph Parade