NEWSLETTER APRIL 2026

Newsletter for April 2026 

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 2026 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 11th April followed by the AGM 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 23rd April The lunch can be ordered from the pub’s menu …….. Please contact Maurice Pearson to book your place.

AGM 2026

This is to be held after the brunch meeting on the 11th April at around 12.30 -1pm. All paid up members are encouraged to attend this to try to determine the way forward for the branch. All suggestions for the coming year are also welcomed. Please do try to attend - meeting for the brunch beforehand is not compulsory to joining the AGM afterwards.

Hazel Aldridge

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Hazel Aldridge on the 5th March following a short stay in Poole Hospital. Our sincere condolences go to her family and friends.

She was the widow of Peter Aldridge who was a founding member of the branch and was the Standard bearer until his death in 2011.

Both Peter and Hazel attended branch meetings and lunches regularly and supported the branch in many ways. Hazel continued to come to meetings and was a great source of information about past activities and such. Her funeral is to be held at the North Cemetery, Strouden Ave, Bournemouth, BH8 9HX on Thursday 2nd April at 1pm, and afterwards at Moordown Conservative Club, 7 Balfour Road, Moordown, BH9 2AZ The road is quite narrow, don’t think there is any parking

Saturday Brunch

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

Thursday Lunch

23 APR 28 MAY 25 JUN 23 JUL 27 AUG 24 SEP 22 OCT 26 NOV DEC XMAS LUNCH TBA

National Events 2026 

8th November Remembrance Sunday 11th November Remembrance Day