Page 98 - MERCIAN Eagle 2019

Worcestershire and
Sherwood Foresters
Regimental Association
MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING CHAIR
Lt Col (Retd) Keith Jeavons TD
Having attended the Executive Meeting last year, representing my Branch Chair, I suddenly found myself as Acting Chairman of the Association!
A position I have continued to occupy this year. The year has been again very successful, due I might add to the enthusiasm and hard work of the members in the Branches. I continue to be amazed at the time, effort and enthusiasm that members find to achieve the results that they do: be it Crich and its maintenance, the Reunion,
the Gheluvelt Commemorations and many other activities. Many of which go unknown because they are not recorded. I will try to avoid naming names, otherwise I am likely to fall into the trap
of forgetting someone which can be very hurtful, but I feel I must mention Andy Mc Dougal who has worked for many years for the Association both as part of his previous employment with RHQ and as a volunteer, as Treasurer and Editor of the Newsletter. His contribution to the work
and life of the Association has been tremendous and for this we say’ thank you’ as he now retires. The Newsletter will continue as another willing volunteer has been found to continue producing up to date information and news to members on a
regular basis.
Nigel Fish who has been Secretary to the
Association for the past few years as well as Secretary of the Worcester Branch, has decided to retire from the Association position. Nigel has worked tirelessly to enhance the work of the Association and involve members in its activities and for his hard work we say, ‘thank you’. In addition to the many members who work hard to achieve the aims of the Association we must not forget the ladies who again add so much to the work of the Association. They all are part of the ‘team’ that makes Association activities so enjoyable, and worthwhile. Finally, thanks to Ms Cindy Clark, Assistant Regimental Secretary for her support in general.
Please don’t forget to send your contributions for the Newsletter, and the Mercian Eagle, both written and photographic so we can tell the world of the activities and success of the Association. Anyone wishing to join a branch is asked to contact RHQ Mercian (Nottingham) for details of their nearest one.
President: Brig (Retd) Peter Dennis CBE A/Chair: Lt Col (Retd) Keith Jeavons TD Secretary: Maj (Retd) Bob Prophet
MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY
Maj (Retd) Bob Prophet
I am delighted to have taken back over the post of Association Secretary, replacing Nigel Fish who has done a sterling job for the past three years or so. As many of you will know, he is also Chairman of the Worcester Branch and that has created a great deal of work for him. Thank you very much, Nigel. I find that some of the same stalwarts are on the committee and I look forward to taking up where I left off.
The Association is still flourishing and members are as keen as ever to keep the organisation going. Whilst new members are not flooding in, there is
a steady trickle which bodes well for the future: some of these new members are still serving and we welcome them whenever they are at home. The older members are the backbone of the Association and do not lack enthusiasm. Also showing a huge quantity of enthusiasm is the Ms Clark, Assistant Regimental Secretary, Nottingham, who plays a valiant role in keeping the Association informed about regimental matters and acting
as our link with RHQ; we could not operate so smoothly without her input. Thank you, Cindy.
You will see that Cindy has coordinated a piece for the journal about this year’s winners of the Association Merit Awards. For many years, it has been the men who have received this award for
the hard work and support which they give to their Branches and the Association. Fortunately, that has been questioned recently and now the ladies are eligible to receive the Merit Award and Full/Life Membership of the Association as their valuable input has been recognised by the Committee;
this, in turn, gives them a well-deserved vote at
the Annual General Meeting. Without doubt, some Branches would have closed at great loss to WFRA without their help and support: we all recognise that wives play a vital role when their husbands are serving and we are delighted that they continue to do so when they retire. Thank you, ladies. I look forward to attending Committee meetings and the AGM under the Chairmanship of Keith Jeavons and the Presidency of Brig Peter Dennis, now retired and living closer to the Association’s activities in the Midlands. However, although my tenure of the post of Secretary this time around is in its (third) infancy, I issue a plea to the regiment’s younger (retired or serving) officers and soldiers to join or simply align yourselves to a Branch but, above all, to volunteer to take on some of the few Branch or Association committee posts. I don’t resent being Secretary again but I retired 20 years ago and there must
be youngsters out there who would like to help to keep the Association going...
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