Page 258 - Rifles 2017 Issue No 3

THE VERY FIRST RSM I KNEW, USED TO SAY THE SUN ALWAYS SHINES ON THE RIGHTEOUS
Light Infantry & Ri es Association Annual Reunion Greenhous Meadow Stadium 16/17 June 2017
The reunion always manages to be blessed with dry weather, and this year was no exception. Saturday dawned dry and bright with a cloudless sky and a very slight breeze. The temperature slowly increased and the order of the day for the Veteran’s Parade became Planter’s Order. Although we try to keep the time on the parade ground to a minimum some were feeling the heat by the time it came to march off. The Reviewing Of cer was Major Chris Lawton, who elected to inspect the 2LI contingent (no surprise there then Chris!). The very rst RSM I knew, a Coldstream Guardsman, used to say the sun always shines on the righteous (he really couldn’t go wrong with that one, could he)!
If anything, the numbers were slightly down on last year, but even so there were well over 2,000 members and their families at the stadium. The outside seating area was well occupied, the beer appeared to be freely owing and I know the ice cream stall did a roaring trade. The stalls in the
display tent seemed to do well, and although I never get to know just what they’ve taken they keep coming back so they must be doing it right. I would like to give a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who comes along to support the reunion in this way, from The Shropshire Regiments Museum to Strathcarrons, who have taken on the role of Regimental Tailors, and everyone in between.
The parade was very well supported by the excellent Waterloo Band and the Association Buglers, who just get better and better. Unfortu- nately, the Salamanca Band, who were also tasked to support us, were sent off to Georgia and were unable to attend. It was also good to have the Waterloo Band playing at the All Ranks Dinner in the evening. Many thanks to the Director of Music and the most capable support of WO2 Ghigi for the evening’s entertainment (not forgetting the role of our very own choir master, Ian Sawers, for organ- ising the County Songs). Thanks also to everyone
256 REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS
THE RIFLES