Page 60 - Bugle Spring 2023

NORTH
NORTH REGION OVERVIEW
After our busy summer in the North East the region has returned to a state of comparative calm. Annual events such as the RIFLES/LI/KOYLI Memorial service in York Minster, Rifleman’s Association NE Remembrance Dinner, and Remembrance events for RIFLES Fallen and Golden Thread Towns.
At the end of the summer the long-time stalwart of the regional office and the association, Maxine Jordan sadly retired. For many years Maxine worked diligently to ensure that all five pillars of The Rifles were supported, often giving up her own time to ensure tasks were completed. She will be a great loss and we wish her all the best in her well- deserved retirement. (PHOTO NR028)
I am pleased to confirm that The Rifleman’s Association NE continues to grow and diversify, their latest activity includes regular Veteran’s Breakfasts and golf days. In addition, their contacts and commercial expertise are the main driver for The Rifles Great Northern Gathering that will be held in Newcastle on 26th of August.
Sadly, recent events in South Yorkshire have proved that there is a need for more Riflemen’s Association branches across the country. Having a group of comrades to have a chat or a moan to, who understand but do not judge may make all the difference to a Rifleman who is having problems.
Recent changes to the regional laydown will mean that from the start of the year, the Northwest of England, Derbyshire, and Cheshire become part of our large happy family. Oh, you lucky people!
60 RIFLES The Bugle
THE MODERN
RIFLEMAN’S ASSOCIATION
Way back in early 2020, after witnessing
the isolation and struggle of many veterans whom I knew from my days serving with RGJ and the younger generation of Riflemen, a little lost in their journey, an idea arose
to form an association that could aide in bringing us all together to start enjoying each other’s company and banter through social gatherings and events whilst also being able to support those struggling and point them in the right direction of those that could help.
A committee was enthusiastically gathered consisting of past and present members of the Royal Green Jackets and The Rifles and as such the Rifleman’s Association North
East was founded. Our team quickly got to work setting out our plans, building websites and apps that would be contemporary and appealing to all and contacting those whom we initially knew would benefit from joining our family, little did we know that only a few weeks later Covid would hit and lock our new members back into the isolation that they had just found a release from.
Throughout the pandemic, like many others, we found new ways to adapt as to how we would remain in group contact with everyone, we ran many online chats and meetings and supported those privately who reached out to us for help. One thing that sets us apart from others is that we opened our membership
to wives, partners, husbands, widows and direct family as we believe that these are the people who stand by our sides throughout our careers and should be welcomed in the same manner. Our membership numbers actually grew during this period and we looked forward to a time when we could all finally meet in person again.
As restrictions began to ease, we could start planning our first social events and towards the end of 2021 we successfully held two fantastic nights. The first being our Oktoberfest
We continually strive to develop and expand on what
we can offer our members by means of physical and mental support
event, which, as we were still limited to numbers and Covid testing guidelines, received a fantastic response, and the second event being our first annual black tie remembrance dinner. This dinner really set the mark for
what we had initially set out to achieve and a fantastic night was welcomed by all.
Over the next few months our membership requests continued to grow, website and social media traffic increased exponentially and another line up of events for the year were developed. Meetings were held with RHQ to discuss using our association being used as a template to be mapped across the country and divided into regional branches that would fall under The Rifleman’s Association. We greatly welcomed this transition in the hope that
our idea, enthusiasm and dedication for our cause would be mirrored across the regional branches and could draw good to those serving or whom have served.
We continually strive to develop and expand on what we can offer our members
by means of physical and mental support and one way of achieving this was through sport. Brian Hall, our Vice-Chairman and keen golfer set up a Veterans ‘Fore’ Brothers, a golf society that our members and any other veteran could attend on a monthly basis.