NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2024

Newsletter for September 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. Please note the change of phone number. 

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, children and guests are also very welcome. This is also now open to all service and ex-service personnel and their families. 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 14th Sept. The lunches are also held at the Barrington Centre Café, and will be on Tuesday the 24th Sept. As with the brunches, wives, children and guests also welcome. The lunch menu is decided at the brunch with two choices of mains and one of pudding, and will be emailed to you later. At a cost of only £7 a head it is great value for money. Please contact John Cusack or Maurice Pearson to book your place.

Birthdays of Note

This month we have two birthdays to celebrate in the first two weeks of September. The first one is Jim Tongs who will be the grand age of 90. Jim has been a valued member of the branch for many years and attends as many functions as he can. Jim acted as Peter Aldridge’s second as a standard bearer and in 2012, along with Les Smith and Hazel Aldridge, he attended the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the REA at the National Arboretum. He was one of 99 standard bearers at the service where a tree was planted to note the occasion. Jim served with the Royal Engineers in the canal zone during the Suez crisis, and also attends the ‘Canal Zoners’ lunches in Wool. A couple of days later Bob Perry will be 70. Bob was chairman of the branch for a while, but gave it up to concentrate on his valuable work for SAAFA.We wish them both a very happy birthday with many more to follow.

Golden Wedding

Congratulations go to John and Valerie Cusack who celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary on the 14th September. We send them our very best wishes for a wonderful day.

Social

The date for the xmas lunch has been booked for the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 17th December, as the 4th Tuesday is Christmas day. Prices and menu to follow. Also as the brunch would have been just 3 days before, it has been decided to not hold a brunch in December.

Branch Dates for 2024

Saturday Brunch

Sept 14, Oct 12, Nov 9, Dec no brunch

Tuesday Lunch000

Sept 24, Oct 22, Nov 26, Dec 17 Xmas dinner

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