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Walsall Branch
Because of Covid restrictions the first of our bi-monthly meetings of 2021 was held at the end of July. Members of the Branch were present at the MVRA annual picnic at Alrewas in early September, our grateful thanks
to Philip and Jane Fairbrace who re-stained the benches and cleaned our Monument at the Mercian Grove in preparation of the event. 4 MERCIAN Regiment who are based at Fallings Park kindly invited members of
the Staffordshire Regimental Association and members of the Walsall Branch of the Mercian Volunteer Association to join them in a parade in Wednesfield Town Centre for the unveiling of the Saragarhi Sikh Monument. Mr Albert Barton carried the Wolverhampton MVRA Standard on parade.
Members of the Branch attended the service of Remembrance held at Barr Beacon to which a large number of school children attended. Ten Members of the Walsall branch of the MVRA were cordially invited to attend the Annual Regimental dinner of the SRA which was held at The Goodyear Pavilion Wolverhampton.
The Branch extends their thanks again to Mr Mac Powell Branch Standard Bearer for his commitment and hard work in always turning out to his duties throughout the year, parading the Branch Standard at Funerals and social events, also my thanks to my fellow Committee members, who without them we would not be able to function as a Branch. Our thanks to Emma and Eddie Hillback and their staff at Rock Steady Eddie’s for their continuing support throughout the year.
Cpl Dave Smith, a local man named on the monument serving with the Cheshire Regiment, Northern Ireland. On a sad note, the Branch had to notify its member of the passing of ex Cpl Arthur Wilson who served with 16/5 Royal Lancers, Arthur also served with the Light Infantry and Mercian Volunteers at Whittemere Street TAC in the early seventies. Arthur was a regular attender
at our meetings at Rock Steady Eddie’s. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Stockport Branch
The Stockport Branch of the MVRA continues to be very active together with their fellow Associations: Cheshire Regiment and Mercian Regiment Association.
As with our other Branch members, many are members of the Antecedent Associations. The members continue to keep fit with their walks programme and canoeing down the River Mersey in the summer. They continue to host the East Cheshire reunion, one of the oldest; if not the oldest reunion held each year.
A very successful ladies dinner was held in December.
The Rugeley and Burton Branches continue to meet with their Staffordshire brethren in addition to branch only activities.
We look forward to 2022 and hope we will be able to extend our activities in particular to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the presentation of colours to the 1st Battalion Mercian Volunteers.
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Kidderminster Branch
The Branch has continued to hold meetings whenever possible. Charity walks have taken place in and around Kidderminster led by Gordon Maycroft in an effort to enhance the
fitness of members! The golfing fraternity has had little opportunity to play this year but
they have managed to play on occasions. The Branch was able to hold their Annual ladies Luncheon at the Island Pool Inn again this year and the Christmas Social in early December. Our thanks to Eileen and John Burrows, Centre Caretakers for all the help they give to the Branch throughout the year. The Branch attended the Annual Remembrance Parade with the Standard being carried by local ACF cadets, for which we are very grateful.