NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2025

Newsletter for August 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 number 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. 

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 now held at the Owls Nest Pub 196 Christchurch Rd Parley BH22 8SS 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 their car park free and this month it is on Saturday the 9th August. 

The lunches are also held at the Owls Nest Pub. This is for REA members and their wives, serving Sappers and widows of ex members, and will now be on Thursdays as the pub is only open Thursday to Sunday. This month it is on Thursday the 28th August, please be there by 12.30. The lunch menu is Roast chicken or Fish Pie followed by Lemon drizzle. Please contact Maurice Pearson to book your place and your menu choices.

Tidworth Families Day

Report from Maurice Pearson Maurice, Gill, John , Val , John, and Chris all attended the family day on 27th July. The Regiments put on a display of their armoured vehicles and showed the Trojan tank's ability to crush cars. We watched the show which was impressive and the MGB and the tug of war battles between the Regiments was exciting, each Regiment winning one of the competitions. There were a number of side stalls to visit with the Jamaican and Ghanaian contingent supplying free food. They entertained everybody with their African drum music and singing! The RSM Hammie Brown came and spoke to us all and promised to visit us in due course. A good day was had by all!

Report from John Cusack, it was a nice day out, but I think it could have been better organised. However, we should be aware it was a family day and not exactly an open day. There was a Medium Over Bridge demonstration and also a demo with rather a large track vehicle that drove over a car. I don't think the car will now pass the MOT. There was beer and a few stalls that catered for our culinary needs. We all enjoyed a very loud pop group whether we liked it or not. Not only that you had the pop group playing in your left ear and a Garnayan band playing in your right ear. As said it really needed better organisation. One interesting point was that when we arrived to my surprise the RE band was playing in the arena. No, you might say, that cannot be possible because it’s been disbanded, and you would be right. This band is the volunteer band from Chilwell. Good band though. I am glad I went, good to see some of the armoured equipment the RE's are using today.

Saturday Brunch

AUG 9th, SEP 13th OCT 11th, NOV 8th, DEC. TBA

Thursday Lunch

AUG 28th, SEP 25th, OCT 30th, NOV 27th, DEC XMAS LUNCH TBA

National Events 2025 

19-21st Sept Dove Cup, AGM, Annual Dinner, Freedom Parade