Page 129 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

STOCKPORT BRANCH
Gordon H Smith
At the end of September, we were invited to Stockport Railway Station for the unveiling of a plaque in honour of ex-railway employee Pte Wilf Wood. He was an ex- 22nd Cheshire/Northumberland Fusiliers soldier who in WW1, silenced a German machine gun post and captured 170 officers and men. We were entertained also by a WW1 re-enactment on Platform Two, plus a sing-a-long to several curious but appreciative passengers.
Early October saw the return leg of our bowls tournament, which resulted in a very hard-fought win over our rivals, Birkenhead Branch, the final score being 254-239. Many thanks to Birkenhead for a great series.
Our Annual East Cheshire Reunion was held with 130 sitting down to a hotpot and cheese board supper. Bollington Brass Band provided us with the background music.
It was with deep sorrow we learned
of the death of Eddie Bottomley, who passed away after a long illness on 24th October. Eddie was an outstanding athlete in the regiment, an avid Manchester City supporter and a likeable rascal who will
be sorely missed. His funeral was held
at St John’s Church, Dukinfield with approximately 300 of our regimental family and friends present.
Another sad loss was the death, after a long illness of Major Sidney Burton TD, a former Company Commander of the 7th Battalion and a long standing trustee of the Stockport CRA. His contribution to branch life will be sorely missed.
The Sainsbury’s Christmas advert on television aroused a great deal of interest, because it appeared to be based on the account of the 1/6th Battalion’s 1914 Christmas Truce football match. Our Branch Chairman contacted the local supermarket, and as a result five of us were the guests of
Christmas Truce 1914
Sainsbury’s in Stockport, for a photo shoot to commemorate the event. Passer-by were amused at the antics of we five “past our sell-by date” veteran footballers. However, we were pleased to get the opportunity
to raise awareness of the deeds of the Stockport Pals in the Great War.
Moving on to our Annual General Meeting, Derek Sykes became a Vice President in recognition of his unfaltering welfare work. Alan Jennings accepted
the position of Honorary Life President upon his ‘retirement’ from President of the Branch. Other committee changes were Treasurer which is now Steve Whaite (Stuart McDonald upon retiring became Branch Auditor) and Harold Riley became Vice Chairman. Paul Wilkinson took charge of the bowls section, and Tony Cleary became one of our Branch Standard Bearers.
In January, a small party were guests of the Royal Welsh Regimental Association in Pontypool at their annual celebration dinner and dance on the 136th anniversary of
the defence of Rorke’s Drift. It was a very impressive evening to say the least. Such is the busy social life we lead.
On Friday 23rd January, the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment marched
through Stockport and on to the Armoury, to be greeted by our Standards and members of the CRA.
Our annual Meeanee Church Parade and Service took place at Capesthorne Hall, and as guests of the Macclesfield Branch we adjourned later to the Flower Pot for lunch and refreshments. Next and on to Blackpool for our Meeanee Reunion. Great food, great entertainment (a little too loud for some of us) and great to meet up once again with old and not-so-old comrades. To see our ‘22’ flying proud from the flag pole was a treat to see. Many thanks to the organisers for a first class weekend.
We were then invited to attend the Annual St Georges Day Dinner hosted by the Mercian Volunteers Association (Stockport) at Reddish Vale Golf Club; a great evening and in good company.
Our bowls match against Birkenhead CRA, which resulted in Birkenhead running out clear winners (for a change) 241-191, leaving us with a mountain to climb on
the return leg. Too few of us managed the tricky green, myself included, but I did get a consolation kiss and cuddle off the lady that beat me.
ELLESMERE PORT BRANCH Gordon Kipps
Ellesmere Port Branch has 25 active members still, remarkable given our age profile. Our Autumn social evening saw thirty-five members, families and friends enjoying a fun evening of party games and a very enjoyable Hot Pot buffet. Mike discovered new talent as quizmaster, and Frank took on the role of bingo caller.
A special thank you to Shirley and the girls for a very efficient raffle, with prizes donated by members. As usual, the music was supplied by yours truly, “Just Gordon.”
On Remembrance Sunday our Standard was paraded in front of record breaking turnouts, first of all at the Station Road
Cenotaph, where our wreath was laid
by Dave Wright, and afterwards at Civic Centre Cenotaph, with a wreath laid by Bill Maguire. We rounded off a busy year with our annual Christmas Dinner.
We have been forced to move, due
to the closure of the Phoenix Club. Our meetings are now held at the Labour Club, Flatt Lane, Ellesmere Port on the fourth Friday in the month starting at 1930hrs.
We changed our terms of service at the AGM and now all officials must serve two years in their posts. The following were elected: John (Tiny) Davies as President and Chairman, Gordon Kipps as Secretary and Mike Dempsey as Treasurer.
In mid-June, we had our yearly outing and travelled over the Pennines to the
city of York. Raffles on the outward and homebound journeys were well supported, and needless to say went some way to paying the cost of the coach.
Every July, we hold commemoration services at the memorial in the Waterways Museum, followed by one at Whitby Copse. This year, we were honoured to have the new MP, Justin Madders, as well as the Mayor of Ellesmere Port and her Consort. There was a good turnout and we were pleased to have the support of Birkenhead Branch in large numbers.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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