Page 91 - MERCIAN Eagle 2020

New Chairman
There have been some changes within the Association; Lt Col Tony Scott MBE has retired as Chairman and has been persuaded to become our President, to which he has agreed. Capt. Mike Pilkington has taken over as Chairman of the Association.
Capt. Mike Pilkington was elected as Chairman of the MVRA at the AGM at on 15th March. He said that it was an honour to be appointed as Chairman to replace Lt Col Tony Scott, who is now our President. Mike joined A Company, 1st Bn Mercian Volunteers in
1980 as a private soldier and was commissioned into the battalion in 1983. He also served as Infantry Platoon Instructor at BUOTC and as a Company 2i/c with 5 Queens.
In his incoming address he stated that it was a difficult time to take on this role for all of us, living with the restrictions and threat of COVID-19. It was worth remembering that the primary function of our Association is the welfare of its members. What is key right now is maintaining communication and identifying
and supporting any member who is struggling for practical support, such as shopping. Our Facebook group is a great example of good communication and banter that helps motivate us all.
Each branch is working hard
to support its own members; one branch has put together a newsletter and is looking to create ‘Skype’ and/ or telephone chat groups to enable ‘radio checks’ and chat. He asked that whatever branches are doing please support it and get involved. He looked forward to meeting those members that he doesn’t know at the end of the present situation.
Commemoration of the end of WWII & Remembrance Sunday
The Association had to cancel the planned Commemoration of the end of the Second War World that was to be held at the National Memorial Arboretum in September because of COVID. Branches commemorated the occasion in various ways.
Branches commemorated Remembrance Day according to the arrangements made by the Local Councils. Wreathes were laid at most of the centres where the Association has Branches.
Members of the Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association and the Staffordshire Regiment Association were at the Barr Beacon War Memorial on Wednesday 4th November for the wreath laying ceremony with a timely flypast by a C17 of the Royal Air Force.
As we were unable to hold both our annual service at the National Memorial Arboretum and the committee meeting at RHQ, members of the Rugeley Branch, Mr Richard Bates, Chairman, WO2 MacPherson -Smith [RAPC] and Sgt Brian Harrison laid wreathes at the Association memorial.
The Future
We look forward to 2021 and hopefully we can begin to have a full programme of events again.
Two dates for your diary; AGM at ‘Rock Steady Eddies’ on 21st March 2021 and MVRA Parade and Picnic at the National Memorial Arboretum on 5th September 2021.
New President
Colonel Tony has been our chairman since 2009, taking over from Col Tony Griffiths. During this time, he has promoted the interests of the Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association very effectively, ensuring we have close links with the current Mercian Regiment Association supporting all those who served with Mercian Volunteers.
He first came to the Mercian Volunteers as the Commanding Officer of our first Battalion in November 1980. His moment of glory came when, with his battalion, he was congratulated by the C in C of 1BR Corps, Sir Martin Farndale, for preventing an enemy breakthrough in brigade strength at Langenholzhausen on Exercise Keystone in 1982.
Under his very able chairmanship we have seen the Mercian Volunteers Regimental Association grow in strength and stature, building on a strong sense of camaraderie, loyalty and family values. As a Midlands man himself, he is imbued with the psyche of the area and has a deep understanding of how volunteer soldiers’ tick. We offer him our heartfelt felt thanks for all he has done for our Association as chairman and wish him well and welcome him as our new president.
THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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