NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2024

Newsletter for August 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’s on the other side of Penny’s Walk, and this month it is on Saturday the 10th August. The lunches are also held at the Barrington Centre Café, and will be on Tuesday the 27th August. 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.

Reminder about the HM Armed Forces Veteran Card 

This is available online at www.gov.uk/veteran-card or contact the Veterans UK Helpline if you cannot apply online. They’ll send you a form that you can return by post. Telephone: 0808 1914 218 - Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm or email the helpline at veterans-uk@mod.gov.uk

Birthdays of Note

This month we wish a very Happy Birthday to Bill Marklew who will be 90 in the midddle of August, and send him our very best wishes.

Branch News and Messages

This month we have heard from Karol, from the Ukraine relief charity, who has recently made a visit to Ukraine to distribute all the donated food, clothing and equipment etc to the people of the villages and small towns close to the front line who have lost their homes and possessions. You can see Karol on the left of the first picture, and the second one was taken in Kiev where a large area is covered in flags, mostly Ukrainian but many from all over the world. Each flag represents a life lost due to the Russians’ invasion of Ukraine.

Branch Dates for 2024

Saturday Brunch

Aug 10, Sept 14,Oct 12, Nov 9, Dec Tbc.

Tuesday Lunch

Aug 27,Sept 24, Oct 22, Nov26, Dec Tbc.

National Events 2024

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