NEWSLETTER MARCH 2025 

Newsletter for March 2025 Please note any news or information for the newsletter to be passed on to Jan Bridle anytime; also if anyone has changed their address, email address or telephone could they please let Jan know.

Branch subs Subscriptions 

For 2025 will remain at £20, 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 9 TH 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 8th March. The lunches are also held at the Barrington Centre Café for REA members and their wives, serving Sappers and widows of ex members, and will be on Tuesday the 25th March. The lunch menu for March is either Cottage Pie and Veg or baked Potato, choice of filling and salad. Desert is Apple pie and Custard. 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.

Branch AGM 

Just a reminder that the AGM will be held after the lunch on 22nd April. Please do try to attend this, we will be discussing the new rules, especially the one inviting wives, widows/ers and some other family members to become full members of the REA. This would allow us to increase the membership and hopefully keep the branch viable for longer. President David Watts regrets that due to ill health he will be standing down as president from the AGM. We thank David for his service, send him all our best wishes and hope his health improves soon. This will leave another vacancy to be filled at the AGM. Please let Maurice Pearson or John Cusack know if you wish to apply for the position of president or secretary.

150th Anniversary VE Day Celebration 

There are many events for the 150th Anniversary of VE Day going on all over the country throughout May and beyond. Look out for any in our area and join us at the annual lunch where we will be marking the occasion.

REA Annual Lunch and VE Day Celebration This year the lunch will be on Saturday 7th June at the Suncliffe Hotel, 29 East Overcliff Drive, Bournemouth BH1 3AG. This is another hotel in the Oceana group and is in between the Cumberland and the Ocean Beach where we had last year’s Annual lunch. The Suncliffe has a smaller room more suited to the reduced numbers likely to attend. As usual there is parking at the hotel, or in the other two hotels if that one is full, but don’t forget to register your number plate with the hotel or your car may be clamped. Please arrive at around 12.30 for a 1pm start. The cost per person, the same as last year, is confirmed at £28 for the 3 course meal, including wine. A menu is attached. 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 send a list of the full name and menu choices for each person

Branch News and Messages 

The Royal Engineers first took part in the FA Cup when it started in 1871/2 and the Royal Engineers were the winners in 1875, so this year is the 150th anniversary of that win which will be celebrated in May with a rematch on 10th May with the Old Etonians.

Branch Dates for 2025 

26th July Families Day at Tidworth

Saturday Brunch

MAR 8th, APR 12th, MAY 10th, JUN 14th, JUL 12th, AUG 9th, SEP 13th OCT 11th, NOV 8th, DEC. TBA

Tuesday Lunch

MAR 25th, APR 22nd, MAY 27th, JUN 24th, JUL 22nd, AUG 26th, SEP 23rd,

OCT 28th, NOV 25th, DEC XMAS LUNCH TBA

National Events 2025

10th May FA Cup 150th Celebrations 11th May Sapper Sunday Royal Hospital Chelsea 6-9th June Gibraltar Weekend 28th June Armed Forces Weekend 19-21st Sept Dove Cup, AGM, Annual Dinner, Freedom Parade