Page 132 - MERCIAN Eagle 2011

Dover Branch
The Branch held a Ferozeshah Dinner on the 21st December 2010 in the Warrant Officers and Sergeants Mess Shotncliffe. The event was well attended and transport was
spent three hours on the M25 in time for the presentation.
Branch members also made the journey to Newcastle-Under-Lyme for
opening address. The public attended
in large numbers on what proved to be a worthwhile sunny day. We managed
to make a donation for ‘Combat Stress’ to Les Hart (Ex Stafford) who had taken part in a bike ride from Holland to the UK for his charity. Les found time to join us on the day and run a stall. Overall a very successful day. We intend to repeat the exercise next summer to raise monies for the Regimental Museum and ‘Combat Stress’.
Readers take note; a plan could be in place for a big event in Dover in 2012? That’s all for now, we look forward to
the safe return of the 3rd Battalion soon.
Regards, GG
laid on from Dover. During April and
May we held a BBQ at the same venue, again it was a well attended event
a plan could be in place for a big event in Dover 2012?
the funeral of Pte Gareth Bellingham. In September we
held a fundraiser for H4H and the Mercian Benevolent Fund. The event was held in
for our normal Easter gathering. Our membership increased by another two, who were welcomed into the fold. The Worshipful Mayor of Dover Councillor Veronica Phillpott presented a cheque
to the Branch, to assist with the cost of transport. Our President Angus Pritchard Gordon finally made it to Dover having
Pencester Park in Dover. The recruiting team travelled from Lichfield, our thanks go to them for making the journey. We would also like to thank the pipes and drums of 1RGR, the Band of the Dover Air Cadets and Branch members who ran the various stalls. The event was attended by the Mayor who gave the
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Staffordshire Regimental Association
Brereton Branch
Our annual trip to Bournemouth on
Friday 8th – Monday 11th October 2010 was described as a “Cracking Trip, well organised and fab!” Once again Albert Oakley had worked his magic. The Chairman Ted Harley unfortunately, was taken ill on the trip and hospitalised with a bout of the flu. The Vice-Chairman Don Caswell stood in
for Ted at our monthly meeting on Sunday 17th October 2010, sadly this would prove to be his final duty as Vice-Chairman and Welfare Officer, having stood down due
to his health, he is now unable to attend meetings. Don has been indispensible on the committee; his dedication and loyalty to the Branch has been second to none and he has been appointed Hon. Vice-President. Remembrance Sunday 14th November 2010 saw the Branch attend the service at St Michaels Church Brereton, with Bill Ward parading the Branch
Standard and a wreath
was laid on behalf of
the Regiment at the
Brereton Cenotaph by
Bill Jones.
check-out list! Which brings us to the fact that although our monthly meetings are well attended, we are not getting any younger and any younger new members we do get, seem to drift away and join their mates in other Branches. We’ve all seen this cycle before, so while our members keep on attending, we will keep on going: at least until the Secretary has to buy his own beer.
The future of the Annual Reunion was
the main topic at the Museum on the 9th February with Bill Jones our representative reporting back on a constructive meeting. We received a visit from Mike Savic (Rugeley Branch Chairman) who was on a fact finding mission; we’re not sure he found what he was looking for however, but it was nice to see him all the same. On Sunday 20th March 2011 it was ‘Happy Birthday’ to Branch Stalwart Derrick Holt (2N/Staffs) Medjez-El-
Derrick Holt
Don Caswell
Bab and all that, as we congratulated him upon attaining ‘Four Score & Eight’!
The Branch was represented on a number of solemn occasions during 2011. The first was the
funeral of Warren Mason (Lichfield Branch)
at Carmountside, Milton on Thursday
31st March 2011. Mase will be sorely missed by those who knew him; again our sympathies go out to Cath and the family. Another occasion being the funeral of John Bolas (Hednesford Branch) at ‘Our Lady of Lourdes’ RC Church Hednesford on Tuesday 16th June 2011. The Branch was also at
the Repatriation of Pte Gareth Bellingham,
‘Wootton Bassett’ on Tuesday 23rd June and also at his Military Funeral at Newcastle- Under-Lyme on Friday 8th July 2011.
The Annual Reunion on Saturday 10th September 2011 went someway to regain the atmosphere of Reunions gone by, although numbers were down. We thank the Reunion Committee and the Duty Branch for their efforts on the day and look forward to next year.
Two members joined the Lichfield Branch on their pilgrimage to Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire on Saturday 24th September. We were made very welcome by the
people of the village, the guided tour of the ‘Lines’ was of particular interest as was the Lancaster Bomber ‘Banking’ over the main street. Starting from scratch, local volunteers have made every effort in re-establishing the history and ensuring a fitting tribute to all those of the 1st Airlanding Brigade. We can but support them in their venture.
In closing these notes, I am aware that by the time the Eagle goes to print the Branch will have notched up another trip to Eastbourne.
J A Sysum
On the social side,
blizzard conditions failed
to put the damper on
a very good evening’s entertainment at the Brereton Social on Saturday 18th December 2010, although some were snowed in, most of our guests made it. Due to inclement weather, our AGM was deferred until Sunday 16th January 2011 at the Castle Brereton, where we welcomed Mr Alan Walker (N/Staffs) onto the committee as Welfare Officer. Incidentally, his first written sick report resembled a supermarket
blizzard conditions failed to put the damper on a very good evening’s entertainment
THE MERCIAN EAGLE