Page 109 - MERCIAN Eagle 2017

Lt Col Tony Angel taking over as Regimental Secretary from Lt Col Brian Clarke on his retirement
Walsall
The Branch continues to meet every two months at ‘Rock Steady Eddies’ in Stafford Street, Walsall by kind permission of our hosts. Old and New members are always very welcome. The Year began in earnest with the Association’s AGM held at the Shrubbery Kidderminster in March. In April a dear friend and colleague, Major Ken Noakes TD age 83 passed away very suddenly on the 8th March. His funeral was held at the Streetly Crematorium on Monday 8th May where a large contingent of members of
the Staffordshire Regiment Association, Mercian Volunteers Association and 4th Bn Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters were in attendance. Sir Stuart Peach, Chief of the Defence Staff [who was Ken’s nephew] gave the eulogy at the service.
Members and the Branch standard attended the ANAZ Parade and Service on Cannock Chase. Later members attended the unveiling of the monument in tribute to Cpl Horne of the Staffordshire Regiment at the Walsall Arboretum.
On Saturday 6th May members in conjunction with the Amery Club in Willenhall
Philip Fairbrace about to do battle with ‘Dudley’ bear with Chris Rowley and Peter Hall in the background
Mac Powell with the Walsall standard on Remembrance Sunday at Walsall cenatph
held a Forces Charity Evening when an excellent evening of entertainment was enjoyed. A total of £1300 was raised for Combat Stress by a grand raffle. The Club Secretary, Mr Les Harris and the Branch Chairman, Mr John Kirk were invited to
a tour of the Combat Stress facilities and Audley House, Shropshire and to present the Cheque for £1300 to Ms Charlotte Harvey the Volunteer and Community Fundraising Officer. Further to this the members and the regular customers of ‘Rock Steady Eddies’ raised a further £1100 for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
On Saturday July members joined members of the Staffordshire Regiment Association at the Goodyear Pavilion for Dinner. The evening was a great success and true to form Walsall members
again winning raffle prizes. The Branch again joined the Staffordshire Regiment Association in November for their Christmas festivities.
Mr Dave Evans who suffered a major stroke last year has improved slightly, although he is still in a wheel chair. Mr
Jane Fairbrace and Pete Hall set up the stall
Mr Les Harris, secretary of the Avery Club, Willenhall and the Chairman of the Walsall Branch, Mr John Kirk presenting the Cheque to Ms Charlotte Harvey of Combat Stress
Bernard Pratt has greatly improved since his illness and is back selling his Regimental wares raising money for the Association.
A plaque has been placed in the Peace Garden at the Staffordshire Museum, Lichfield in remembrance of WO2 Tony Graham, ex Mercian Volunteers and 4 WFR.
As part of the Remembrance commemorations the Branch attended the Barr Beacon Parade and Service.
Wolverhampton
The Branch, still small in number continues to meet at Wolselsey House every two months by kind permission of 4 MERCIAN. WO2 Stuart -Thompson and Mr Steve Johnson met with the Express & Star reporter in an endeavour to recruit more members to the Branch. The article from the interview appeared in the paper together with a Video on face book. The Standard was paraded on Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Sunday in Wolverhampton. Members have taken part in the other activities of the Association
How busy can you get?
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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