Page 245 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

The Ri es Of ce Salisbury
“It was the Best of Times and It was the Worst of Times”
The Dickens quote from the Tale of Two Cities seems an apt description of this year! The ‘Salisbury Of ce’ was a delightful location to work from; ideally placed to meet commitments, deepen relationships with civic communities and a friendly atmosphere. It was a home to the Old Comrades, a focal point to retain and maintain legacies and heritage. The Best of Times.
The Worst of Times was to start with the Notice to Quit – to leave the hallowed portal after 37 years by Christmas 2016. The “Salisbury Of ce” rusticated over the holiday period, opened for business in RHQ Winchester but with its members camping in of ces at opposite ends of the building that was to impose a strain on the dynamic that had served both The Ri es and its Antecedents well for 9 years. The Salisbury Of ce remains and continues with “business as usual” but separation takes its toll on the maintenance of relationships and confuses many by not being in Salisbury!
The Ri es County Colonel for Wiltshire keeps the Regimental ag ying. Lieutenant Colonel Derek Brown OBE summited Kilimanjaro on 30th January, raising £3000 for his Mayorial Fund. His year as Mayor came to an end on 13th May and, though running for Councillor with the Wiltshire Unitary Council, is turning his attention to Ri es matters in the County. His energy and his ‘little black book’ of movers and shakers will be of much help without the physical presence of a Ri es Of ce.
Changes elsewhere threaten to diminish the Salisbury pro le: internal personnel moves saw the responsibilities of Ri es Regional Secretary South West and for Cornwall, Devon and Dorset pass to Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Trelawney from the Ri es Shrewsbury Of ce whilst Wiltshire business is conducted without the County borders. Before this happened, the Salisbury Of ce planned and coordinated the Dorset KAPE – a new policy whereby Ri es resources are consolidated in support of 1x regional Civic Event in lieu of a scattergun approach where no Event could be appropriately resourced. The Dorset KAPE was the South West Region MAIN EFFORT in 2017. It was based around the exercise of Freedom of Christchurch and incorporated a commemorative parade in Dorchester, assistance to two School CCFs and working with a Council to mentor “At Risk youths”; a ve day programme that was fully supported by The Ri es Band & Bugles, The Ri es Salamanca Band & Bugles and Ri emen from 5 and 6RIFLES.
Notwithstanding these changes, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Lerwill continued to deepen civic
“IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES AND IT WAS THE
WORST OF TIMES”
relations across the Region. May saw him attend these fascinating events in Blandford Forum, Wimborne Minster, Poole, Devizes, Swindon and Bournemouth. Clashes saw the Ri es Colonel Dorset, Lieutenant Colonel Andy Edwards attend the Mayor Making in Christchurch and Major Toby Hood, OC C Company 6RIFLES the event in Weymouth that clashed with that of Devizes. The Regional Secretary attended Civic Church Services in 4 other locations and, on 29th July, formally opened the Blandford Forum Museum Exhibition of its citizen soldiers at war in 1917; a singular and fascinating honour. He represenmted the Ri es at the “Last Ride of the White Helmets in Blandford Forum and a D Day presentation in Portsmouth along with the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire and a Commemoration of the actions in Palestine of the Queens Own Dorset Yeomanry in September.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL DEREK BROWN OBE SUMMITED KILIMANJARO ON 30TH JANUARY, RAISING £3000 FOR HIS MAYORIAL FUND
THE RIFLES REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 243
The Ri es County Colonel Wiltshire stands atop Mount Kilimanjaro, 30 Jan