Page 141 - Mercian Eagle 2012

Stockport
This year was very similar to last year and hopefully will continue to improve as time goes by. The Standard has been paraded on 26 occasions, including Ieper [Ypres] for the Remembrance Parade on November 11th. Princess Mathilde was held up as the Parade was split into two. I should add that our standard was near the front in the first group, so we didn’t cause the problem! We are hoping for a change this year and have Malta in our sights.
We have held three dinners in the Armoury Inn during the year including a ladies’ night and a Regimental Dinner; all were very successful. We intend to start this year with a St George’s Day Dinner. Last year Armed Forces Day in Stockport was a non-event. This year was very different! Our first attempt at organizing a Dinner Dance was not without its moments. But it was all worth it on the night. 120 guests sat down to a three course meal. The entertainment was provided by Linda Dee, cabaret artist, and Stuart, the DJ, was excellent. They managed to keep the dance floor full for most of the evening . We would like to thank everyone who helped to make the evening such a success. Special thanks
to Major John Holden for all his help and advice.
The Branch joined with The Cheshire Regiment Association, Stockport Branch to visit Crich Memorial and hope to attend again before 2012 is out.
St Julien’s Day parade was held at St George’s Church, Stockport in July followed
Members of the Stockport Branch at their Dinner in November held at the Armoury Arms
by a Lunch at the Armoury. This year was a special event to mark the Queen’s Jubilee. During the August ‘lull’ we joined with
The CRA, Rotary Club, and Davenport & Bramhall Rugby Club for a day of Rugby 7’s. Last year we raised £3,000.00 and shared it equally between The Mercian Regiment, CRA and RBL. The Rotary Club were in charge last year but do not want to make it an annual event so we are taking it over, and with their help and good publicity we hope to smash last year’s figures.
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton now meets at the Claredon Hotel, Chapel Ash on the last Sunday of the month. Although small in numbers it is quite active. The visits to North Wales for camping and walking days continue. New members are welcome.
Burton on Trent
The Branch now has 50 members and
a very active committee. The Branch continues to support ‘F’ Company,
4 MERCIAN V as well as various service charities: Help the Heroes, Mercian Regiment Charities’ sponsored cycle ride in Cyprus. The Branch was present at the ANZAC Remembrance service, Crich,
as well as town activities and Bench dedication. The Branch held their Annual Curry Supper in October which was well oversubscribed. It was an excellent evening enjoyed by members and friends from other branches. Congratulations to the members for their hard work in holding the event each year. The Curry Supper is now firmly in the Association Calendar.
The Branch continues to play a very active role in the re-establishment of the 4th Battalion’s Corps of Drums. The drums have preformed at a variety of functions during the year, not least at the dedication of the 4th Battalion bench in the Mercian Grove when they led the parade and finally gave a display of drumming which was not only enjoyed by the members present but the visitors to the Arboretum also.
Some of the Association standards at the AGM at Burton
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