NEWSLETTER MAY 2024

Newsletter for May 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 are £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’s on the other side of Penny’s Walk, and this month it is on Saturday the 11th May. The lunches are also held at the Barrington Centre Café, and will be on Tuesday the 21st May. As with the brunches, wives and 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 

A reminder that the REA annual lunch this year will be on Saturday 1st June at the Ocean Beach Hotel, on Bournemouth’s seafront, 32 East Overcliffe Drive, Bournemouth, BH1 3AQ. Please arrive at around 11.30 am for a 12 noon start. This is earlier than usual because we have to vacate the room by 3pm. The cost per person is confirmed at £28 for the 3 course meal, including wine. As usual friends and other family members are all very welcome to join us. Please let John Cusack or Maurice Person know as soon as possible if you plan to attend, and how many will join you. All menu choices and cheques must be in by the Saturday brunch on 11th May at the latest.

Birthdays of Note

This month we wish a very Happy Birthday to Richard Mantle who will be 95 towards the end of this month. We hope you have a great day for your birthday.

Branch News and Messages

At our last brunch we were joined by 3 new faces, Bryan, John and Stan. We hope to see them on future occasions and hope they will bring their wives too, now that they know we don’t bite.

Social

The May lunch is a week early as the 4th Tuesday is only a few days before the Annual Lunch. At the Lunch, on the 21st May, we will have a visit from Karol from the Ukraine charity (which we gave baby food to) to give us a presentation on their relief work. It would be good if we could have a good turn-out.

Branch Dates for 2024

Saturday Brunch

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

Tuesday Lunch

May 21, Jun 25, Jul 23, Aug 27,Sept 24, Oct 22, Nov26, Dec Xmas Lunch 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