Page 132 - Mercian Eagle 2012

Chesterfield WFRA Branch
by Mick Giles
The branch have started a new tradition and after holding our first official Annual Dinner last year are looking forward to our second for which the Mayor of Chesterfield will be the guest of honour. A sure sign that the branch is now seen as an integral part of the town as we have been involved in many civic arranged
events including Armed Forces Day. It has been a good year and along with attending, the all too many, funerals, we attended the Newbold Memorial in honour of Ben Ford, hosted a coffee morning for the families of 2 MERCIAN who were on Operations and had a trip to the NMA Alrewas for the NI Veterans Service.
Chesterfield Branch members
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Long Eaton WFRA Branch
by Cliff Housley
Has anyone ever noticed that in relation to any organization, especially Regimental Association Branches, that as one slides further down the banister of life, there seems to be less and less
to write about. I suspect that like many other branches of the Association, we at Long Eaton are no different, in that the majority
of members are all well over the 60/70 years mark. One has to wonder as to why, in spite of every effort to promote the branch in various local newspapers and magazines, displays in the town and open evenings, the younger element of WFR, and indeed Mercian ex soldiers, do not come along to take up the sword to keep the Association alive in their areas. At this time of year, when we get the summons to put pen to paper about our branch activities during the past year, it seems a daunting task to think back as to what we have done.
Well for starters the annual dinner always comes to mind (perhaps because it’s when we all get waited on and well fed). This took place this year on Saturday 3rd March and was again very successfully held at “Brennans” with some 34 members, wives and friends sitting down.
Our Standard Bearer Mr Phil Twells has been most active, covering many miles to attend a large number of official regimental functions; from the homecoming of our killed in action in Afghanistan, to the Regimental Reunion at Worcester and Crich in Derbyshire. Much closer to home and the more sadly he has also attended a large number of funerals. His efforts on behalf of the Branch and the Association are most appreciated.
We have amongst our members a very active group led by Mr Gary Crosby who makes an awful lot of effort setting up displays,
Mrs Chris White and Mr Gary Crosby setting up their stand at the Armed Forces Weekend
telling the story of the Regiment and advertising the Regimental Association at major functions. The last one being July at Wollaton Park Nottingham, when he attended the “Armed Forces Weekend” event on 30th June/1st July 2012 and which was attended by thousands of people of all ages. Although it rained over the period, we are told that it was a great success, with heavy crowds, well done Gary.
We are always asked to submit photographs, but when I ask the members for any they might have taken over the year, I seem to discover that such things as cameras are thought to be of a very high technical nature now days and film for the old Brownie Box is almost impossible to find.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE