Page 133 - Mercian Eagle 2014

allowing our bi-monthly meetings to
take place, their generosity is very much appreciated by all our members, especially Emma’s curries and baltis on meeting nights. We also thank Mr Mac Powell our Standard bearer who always turns out immaculately whenever the Standard is required.
John Kirk Branch Chairman (Walsall Branch)
June has been a very busy month for the Association. Members have been involved the Flag Raising Ceremonies at Civic Centres around the Mercian Area. Activities for the Armed Forces day varied and included Dinner at the Stockport Branch and Garden Fetes at Himley
Hall Nr Dudley involving Kidderminster, Walsall and Wolverhampton Branches.
The Kidderminster Branch attended the commemorations at the Severn Valley Railway. Burton and Rugeley Branches
have been active in their areas. Standards of the Association were paraded at many of these occasions with the Standard Bearers looking resplendent with the new standard belts. Representatives of the Association were present at many of the freedom Marches of the 3rd Battalion. Whenever possible the Standards were also paraded. Every effort is made to attend the many parades and functions in the Mercian area. A member of the Walsall Branch, Bill Goring, took part in a sponsored walk from ‘The Delves ‘in Walsall to the National Memorial Arboretum and helped to raise £1700 for ‘Help the Heroes’. Well Done! All Branches are involved with commemorations of
the First World War in their respective communities. The list of activities is extremely lengthy and unfortunately it is impossible to attend all the activities that are taking, or about to take place.
Wolverhampton Branch
It has been a modest year for the Branch due to illness and work, nevertheless the Branch started the year with the hosting of the Annual General Meeting which was very successful. The Branch standard has been paraded at numerous events during the year. Members are involved with a visit to Thiepval to commemorate the 1/6th battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment TF.
The Colours of the 1st Battalion, Mercian Volunteers together with the King’s Colours of the 6th Battalion the South Staffordshire Regiment
TF in St Peter’s Church Wolverhampton
Stockport Branch Members at the East Chesshire Re Union
Stockport Branch
Events with the Branch standard included ‘Ken’s Curry Night’ in memory of the Branch founder, Ken Ward, The Armed Forces Dinner Night, Crich, a clay pigeon shoot, the St Julian Church Service, the Mons Day Parade, the RAF Remembrance Ceremony at Manchester Airport and Dinner Nights at the Armoury Inn. These show the extent of involvement of the Branch in the life of the Regiment.
Armed Forces Day, June 28th was celebrated again at the Stockport Armoury with a Dinner Dance, attended by 143 people. An excellent night was enjoyed by everyone who attended. The entertainment was provided by Katy and Georgia, a
duet and Stuart Richardson, the DJ who managed to get everyone dancing. The intake of wine may have encouraged
the guests! During the evening Mr Percy Cooke celebrated his 93rd Birthday! The organisers, Paul and Hazel Lomas, would like to thank everyone for their support and hope to see everyone [and more] next year. The Branch joined with 207 Field Hospital and the Cheshire Regiment Association to hold a sponsored walk around Ladybower Reservoir and helped to raise over £1000 for local charities and the ABF. The Branch continues to hold monthly meetings at the Armoury or the ‘tavern’ across the way. Members attended the East Cheshire Re Union once again and look forward to the next in October.
Rugeley Branch
Branch meetings continue to be held at Lea Hall Social Club. Recent events include, ANZAC day, a Ladies Evening, Himley
Hall Day, a Ball at Lea Hall Social Club in conjunction with the Staffordshire Regiment Association, The Mercian Regiment and
The Rugeley Standards on Parade in Rugeley with Brian Jones and Tom McComiskie
Miners’ Associations with a 1940’s theme and attendance at various Remembrance Sunday parades. All these activities provide the Branch with a full calendar.
Nottingham Branch
The Branch paraded with the other Regimental Associations at Crich. A wreath was laid on behalf of the Association.
Phil Squires, Secretary of the Nottingham Branch, recently celebrated his 65th Birthday with friends at the Senior NCO’s Club of the Robin Hood Rifles. Phil has been in Hospital again, fortunately he is faring much better at the moment and we hope it will continue. Congratulations on catching up with the rest of us! The Branch held their summer Social and there was
a good turnout. The Branch also fitted
in their annual visit to the seaside with a weekend visit to Bridlington which was very successful Special thanks to Sandra Squires for all her work and support
and thanks to Wendy Barrass for her photographic contributions.
Members of the Nottingham branch gathered at the Robin Hood Seniors NCO’S club for a Social Evening
Phil Squires 65th Birthday party at the Robin Hood’s Senior NCO’s club Nottingham
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