NEWSLETTER MAY 2025

Newsletter for May 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 10th May The lunches are also held at the Barrington Centre Café. This is for REA members and their wives, serving Sappers and widows of ex members, and will be on Tuesday the 27th May. 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

Congratulations and our best wishes go to Olive Joiner who celebrated her 100th birthday on the 26th of March. Olive is the widow of the late Col Jim Joiner who was a founder member of the Bournemouth and district branch of the REA back in 1992. Peter Piggott and Hazel Aldridge joined Olive with her friends and relations for a lovely afternoon tea. It was a wonderful occasion.

Branch News and Messages and AGM 2025

The AGM was held after the lunch on the 22nd April. All current officers were re-elected. Peter Bridle was elected as President. The accounts were presented and agreed upon. Wives, widows/ers and some other family members who wish to become full members of the REA should send their details and a photograph to Maurice Pearson. Due to the closure of the Barrington Café there is a great need the find replacement premises as soon as possible. If anyone has any ideas about this please contact Maurice.

Welfare 

Val Mantle has now returned home from her stay in hospital following a fall, she says ‘ Hi everyone Sorry to have to miss seeing you again. Although improving, I'm not venturing out just yet but looking forward to meeting up with you all very soon. Love Val (M) xx’   We send her our best wishes for a speedy recovery. David and Jean Watts are still recovering from their difficulties and are unable to join us at the lunches and brunches at the moment, but we hope to also see them again in the not too distant future.

Branch Dates 

For 2025 26th July Families Day at Tidworth

Saturday Brunch

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

Tuesday Lunch

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

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

National Events 2025 

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