NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2025

BRANCH MEETINGS

BRUNCHES 2nd SATURDAY 11.00 AT THE OWLS NEST PUB, PARLEY

LUNCHES 4TH THURSDAY 12.30 AT THE OWLS NEST PUB, PARLEY

Newsletter for November 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.

Subscriptions

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 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 8th November. 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 27th November. The lunch menu is to be decided at the brunch…….. Please contact Maurice Pearson to book your place and menu choice.

REA Christmas Lunch Tuesday 16th December 2025

A reminder that the Christmas Lunch is on Tuesday 16th December at the Hamworthy Club, Magna Road, BH21 3AP The lunch will be free for all paid up members of the branch and wives and widows. A sum not exceeding £40 per head will be paid from branch funds. All guests to pay the full price of £35. John Cusack is arranging the event this year as Maurice and Gill will be away on a well-deserved holiday. John would like everybody’s choice of menu by the 8th November, and payments for guests by the second week of November. If you have not yet expressed a wish to attend please contact John Cusack as soon as possible. As the Christmas lunch is only 3 days after the second Saturday in December there will be no Brunch in December.

Branch News and Messages 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING 30TH OCTOBER HELD AT THE OWLS NEST, PARLEY. Meeting opened at 12.15 Those present: President Chair 2 other members 2 associated members 3 wives 3 widows Agenda: The chair address the meeting by highlighting sections of the rules appertaining to the formation of a Branch and a Social branch . He also pointed out the responsibilities of the skills/management of committee members of a Branch . The Chair expressed his disappointment with the under tones circulating within the Branch and that he would under the rule Annex B, 2a¡¡¡. be stepping down as of the 27th November. He also expressed his opinion that the Branch had ceased to be a Branch, and become a Social Branch, and this would have to be addressed by the new committee. The Chair broached the question regarding the meal prices and future meetings. It was agreed that the meetings as advertised would continue till December. The Chair, who is also the Standard Bearer, stated that he would fulfil all the duties until he stepped down in November. These included Remembrance parades at West Moors and Ferndown, and also a funeral. Any other business: The President asked that an extra ordinary meeting be held with members to discuss the way ahead. This was agreed and he would notify everyone of a convenient date. He also informed everyone that a meeting had taken place, unbeknown to the Chair, of moving from the The Owls Nest to Hamworthy Social Club in the new year. The President also informed the Branch that a discussion had already taken place to propose that he assumes the role of the Chair and the Vice president becomes the President. (This will have to be ratified by voting at the Extraordinary General Meeting) With no further business the meeting was closed at 12.23pm From John Cusack The present chairman had informed us that he would not be organising the Christmas Dinner as he was going to be away and that if anybody wished to take on the job they should do so. This we did. The idea to enquire at the Hamworthy Club was suggested by others, I only followed it up. The club was suggested as far back as when we knew we would lose the Barrington as our meeting place. The reason Peter and I decided to go to the club for lunch was primarily to see where we were going to have the Christmas Lunch, whether we would need to provide decorations etc., and to talk to the Events organiser. We did of course have thoughts of future meetings at the club, but it was not the reason for going there in the first place. I am sure we are all very grateful to Morris and Jill for organising the Christmas Lunches and indeed the Annual Lunches. The presentations have been first class. We have a lot the thank them for. We have at present 26 names down for our Christmas Lunch, far too many for the Owl’s Nest to cater for and seat everybody. The Chairman informed us that he was standing down because of health reasons which I fully understand. With that information it was important to have a plan of action if we were to continue as a group in one form or another.