Page 110 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

The Mercian Regiment Association
Stockport Branch
Steven Gregory
Well, what an up and down year due to Covid! The Branch has navigated the limitations imposed upon us and we appear to have gone from strength to strength. From Zoom meetings to full on face-to- face activities we are moving forward at pace.
Cheshire Regiment Memorial Contribution:
Stockport Branch donated £2,000 to the Cheshire Regiment Memorial planned for the NMA in
2022. Pictured are Mike Pilkington (Branch Chair) presenting the cheque to Harold Riley (Branch Vice Chair – Cheshire Regiment).
Zoom: The Branch embraced technology early on in the pandemic to maintain contact between members. This has allowed us to operate, even when limited numbers outdoors was the only option. Here we are using Zoom and the garages at the ARC Stockport to hold our first ‘real’ meeting of the year.
Canoeing: Back to organised activities! The sunny Saturday morning of 21st July saw 20 members, including some RAMC personnel from 207 Field Hospital, gathering at Burnage Rugby Club for a canoeing expedition down the Mersey.
AGM: The 2021 AGM, postponed from March, took place at St Julien Barracks (ARC) Stockport on the evening of Friday 6th August. Twenty-eight members were in attendance, including two via Zoom. A very productive meeting was held with re-election of the existing Committee.
Museum & NMA: Twenty-eight members and partners enjoyed a fully subsidised day out to the Mercian Regiment Museum at Lichfield with a donation made to the Museum from Branch funds.
MVRA Picnic: The Branch supported the return of the annual picnic of the Mercian Volunteers’ Regimental Association on 5th September. Here some members can be seen enjoying the post- parade picnic.
Mons: Transport was provided by the Branch
on 19th September for a small contingent to be present at the ceremony to honour the actions of 1st Battalion 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment during the retreat from Mons in 1914.
Relatives Event: Though during lockdown, the Committee have done their best to keep in touch with the widows and relatives of members now in higher formation, it has obviously been difficult to afford any face-to-face support. In recognition of this and to bring them back into the fold, the Branch, via our Welfare Officers Derek Sykes and Peter Williams, hosted an afternoon tea at St Julien Barracks on Saturday 25th September.
Shotgun Shoot: The biannual shotgun shoot at Doveridge returned on Sunday 26th September, with Mike Pilkington arranging a coached shoot for 13 attendees from the Branch. All were rusty due to the pandemic, but a great day was had by all.
Stockport Mayoral Service: On Sunday, 3rd October, a small contingent represented The Branch at The Mayor of Stockport’s Service to pray for his year in office. The mayor, Adrian Nottingham, was clearly much appreciative of the support.
RAF Cosford: Members and their families enjoyed a fully subsidised visit to RAF Cosford Museum on 16th October. The weather held fine for all to enjoy some really interesting exhibits in a well-run facility.
74th East Cheshire Reunion: Probably the Branch’s main event of the year in terms of organisation; on the evening of 30th October, 110 former Comrades in Arms enjoyed the much- anticipated 74th occasion of the East Cheshire Reunion, held at St. Julien Barracks, Stockport. We were pleased to welcome Colonel the Right Honourable Bob Stewart DSO MP as Presiding Officer. Make a note in your diaries for the 75th running on Saturday 29th October 2022!
L/Cpl Bagshaw Avenue: L/Cpl Steven Bagshaw of the 1st Bn, 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment was one of 17 (11 soldiers, 6 civilians) who lost their lives
in the ‘Droppin Well’ bombing, perpetrated by the INLA in Ballykelly on the evening of 6th December 1982 (Colonel Stewart mentioned above was
the Incident Commander). Tintwistle Council
have honoured Steven’s memory by naming an avenue for him. Branch standard bearers paraded the Main CRA Standard and also the Branch
CRA Standard to pay respects at the unveiling ceremony on 13th November 2021.The bearers are pictured here with Steven’s sister Mary and a representative of the 22nd Riders.
Remembrance Sunday: Whilst numbers permitted into St. Julien Barracks were limited, the parade in Stockport was well attended by Branch members. Again, it was great to feel a sense of normality returning! Later in the day, whilst our Lead Standard Bearer, Derek Sykes was waiting to attend another service in Hale, he was accosted by children from the local nursery. Derek explained what he was doing and apparently delivered a very positive lasting impression with the children.
Future events in December
A Ladies’ Dinner Night is planned for Friday 3rd December, during which the Ladies are traditionally waited upon by members.
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THE MERCIAN EAGLE