Page 140 - Mercian Eagle 2012

Nottingham
Major Chell reported that the Branch now had 42 members. The Standard had been paraded at Nottingham [Clifton], Crich, and the NMA. The Branch has held three very successful evenings, joined on each occasion by members from other Branches. The Branch has enjoyed the hospitality of the Senior NCOs’ Club of the Robin Hood Rifles for their annual Social Evening. The members of the Branch have made another foray to Skegness for a very enjoyable weekend during the summer. The hotel where they stay is owned by an Ex Mercian Volunteer! Branch members have been invited to a tour of the Nottingham Town Hall later in the year. The Branch continues to support service charities. Thanks are due to Sgt and Mrs. Squires for all their hard work in keeping members of the Branch in touch with one another.
The Eagle Dining Club
The Club continues to flourish and has increased in membership during the year. The Club held its Annual Dinner at Lucas
house, Birmingham University on May 11th 2012. The guests included Col Simon Banton, Lt Cols Andy Hadfield who
recently commanded 1 MERCIAN, Robbie Boyd who recently commanded 2 Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment and Captain Andy Ryan, Regimental Adjutant Lt Cols Hadfield and Boyd are sons of ex Mercians and both had served in 1 MERCIAN V before joining the Regular Army.The Corps of Drums gave a display during the evening. All Officers, both Regular and Volunteer who served with the Volunteers are welcome to attend. More details from Maj L Chell. The next Dinner will be at Lucas house on Friday 10th May 2013. Several members attended the Mercian Regimental Remembrance Service and Dinner Held at RMA Sandhurst.
138
Kidderminster
Branch representatives and the Standard have paraded throughout Worcestershire and the Black Country during the year with ceremonies at Kidderminster, Bewdley, Bromsgrove, Pershore and Halesowen. Members of the Branch were in attendance at Crich and the Bench Dedication at the National Memorial Arboretum. The Burma Star Parade at Bromsgrove is always an important event due to the 7th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment TA wartime role in Burma and the Battle of Kohima. The Branch attended the funerals of Association members, the Worcestershire Regiment and the Mercian Regiment. Brian Turvey paraded with the standard at Brize Norton. Boxes were sent to TA soldiers from the area
serving in Afghanistan and the Branch received letters of thanks.
The welfare of members’ families has not been forgotten, and help has been given during the year. A retirement party was held at the TA centre for Brian Prosser, a long serving member of The Mercian Regiment and the antecedent units. A small presentation was made in recognition of Brian’s service. A member has donated a mobility scooter to another member of the Branch and this has made such
a difference to the life of the member and his family. The Branch has sent donations to Combat Stress, The Star & Garter Home in Solihull and the Royal British Legion. A member held a fund raising night and raised £260 for help the Heroes.
Members of F Company Kidderminster 4 MERCIAN at the Party
Members of the Kidderminster Branch at their August Lunch at the Stourport Royal British Legion
Some of the ladies at the Lunch
Rugeley
Due to pressure of work attendance has been lower than expected, nevertheless the Branch, with the Standard has been prevalent in the surrounding area. This began with the ANZAC parade in April. Unfortunately the weather was extremely unkind this year and the ceremony had
to be drastically curtailed. The continued with the Katzn Memorial Service, Rugeley Charter Fair, Crich Parade, Northern Ireland
Ted and Chris Rowley taking tea at the Armed Forces Day at Himley Hall
Veterans day, Rugeley, Brereton and Bridgetown Remembrance Parades.
Members also attended the Ashbourne Highland Fling and Gathering, The Staffordshire Regiment Association Dinner Dance at Rugeley, Armed Forces Day at Himley Hall, the ‘Tom Jones’ Tribute Night celebrating 90 years of the Royal British Legion, and the Burton Curry Supper. The chairman made an annual sponsored swim
and raised £300. Many thanks again for this very generous donation.
A tree was planted in Elmore Park, Rugeley in memory of Reg Bailey, a long-serving member of the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment in Malaya, 5/6 North Staffords TA and 1st Battalion Mercian Volunteers. The meetings of the Branch have now moved to the last Sunday in the month at the Lea Hall Social Club.
Members manning the Association Stand at Himley Hall, Messrs Hall, Maycroft, Bird, Benton, Fairbrace and Edwards
THE MERCIAN EAGLE