Page 84 - RSDG Year of 2021 CREST

90 EAGLE AND CARBINE
Annual Branch Dinner Night
After some twenty-eight months in the planning, we finally held our annual dinner on Saturday 27 November 2021. The venue was the GoGlasgow Urban Hotel. We had 121 booked in for this event but, thanks to Storm Arwen creating havoc in certain areas on the Friday night, some unfortunately didn’t make the evening but 116 people were there. The dinner was originally planned as a usual annual branch dinner but turned into a triple anniversary event. The 30th Anniversary of Op GRANBY, the 50th Anniversary of the Regiment and the 125th Anniversary of the forma- tion of the Glasgow Branch of the Royal Scots Greys. Hectic...YES, fun... MOST DEFINITELY.
Lieutenant Colonel John Sharples (Commanding Officer at the time of Op GRANBY) gave an informa- tive and amusing talk on the build-up and subsequent battle to free Kuwait from the Iraqis. This was fol- lowed up with a video compiled before and during the battle. A booklet – Desert Dragoons – written by Mark Ravnkilde was given to everyone at the dinner.
We had the pleasure of the company of our new Colonel of the Regiment Brigadier Ben Edwards, the outgoing Association Chairman, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Phillips and -Lieutenant Colonel Billy Raitt. A pres- entation was made to Billy on behalf of our members to thank him for being our chairman from 2012-2019. A token of appreciation was also presented to our out- going Association Chairman.
Thanks must go to the serving members for brav- ing the weather travelling down from Leuchars. Captain Jamie McLachlan, Squadron Sergeant Major Jason Messenger, Warrant Officer Class 2 Jacqueline Taube and husband Paul, Corporals Alex Tootle, Neil McCubbin and Apolsia Sokia and, of course our piper for the night, Trooper Conall Stewart.
The remainder of the evening was taken up dancing, drinking and chatting. The entertainment was pro-
Edinburgh and East of Scotland Branch
In line with other branches the Edinburgh Branch was subject to cancellations and rearrangements over the last year but finally managed to go ahead with the Branch dinner at the Leonardo Murrayfield Hotel on 9 October. Everyone enjoyed the evening and the dance exhibition provided by Ian Duncan and Alan Brien was a refreshing sight and proved that age was no bar-
vided by ABBA Dreams who were amazed that us older people could dance to the beat. We’ve still got it ladies! An auction of regimental memorabilia was held with over half the money raised going to char- ity. Thank you all for coming and hopefully we will see you again at our next gathering. Thanks also to the committee members without whom this whole even- ing would’ve been a non-starter.
Absent friends
It is always with a heavy heart that we have to say fare- well to any of our members. It is, however, heartening that we do manage to provide a “Guard of Honour” when possible. Even though restrictions were in place for some, our aim was to always have at least someone to funerals to show our respect to our friends. In 2021 we said farewell to Hugh Paterson (Bo-Peep), Richard McCrimmon, Christopher Cowan, John Paton and Thomas McDonald. Our sincere condolences go out to all their families.
Committee
Unfortunately, our chairman, Willie McLaughlin, sadly had to stand down due to health reasons. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. Hopefully we will see him at some of our events in the new year. The current committee consists of Stand -in Chairman - Ronny Johnston, Secretary – Hunter Maxwell, Treasurer – Billy Bootland and Peter McDonald. They will remain in place until our AGM.
rier, providing one “charged ones batteries up” with the relevant fuel first.
The dinner coincided with the handover of the chair- manship of the Branch from George Aitchison to Aidan Stephen, and the arrival of Sandy Fowler who replaced Bob Swan who retired as the Secretary.... for the third time. The Branch is very grateful for the