Page 82 - Bugle Autumn 2014

Officers’ Mess
The Officers’ Mess was keen to celebrate their return from Afghanistan in extravagant style, and so it proved with the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Ball in December. The origins of the theme were less a result of genuine interest in the TV show and more driven by a desire to add some originality to a black tie ball. Even so, a speculative letter to the BBC from
Mess Secretary and Unit Press Officer Capt
Lyndon Pinches yielded some unexpected
results. Although mercifully they were unable to
film on the evening as it clashed with the Strictly
final (no doubt sparing our blushes), a film crew
spent hours the previous day interviewing Mess
members and their wives and capturing the preparations. The end product was approximately four seconds of prime time TV footage that Capt Charlie Barrett would probably rather 12 million UK viewers hadn’t seen.
Not to be distracted by this short-lived mainstream celebrity, the event was a huge success. The dancing of the guests was in most cases not up to the standard of the professional dancers brought in to set the tone, but their exuberance was such that the professionals couldn’t even find space on the dance floor for their second set! It was a wonderful night that marked our return with appropriate flair.
During what transpired to be a furiously busy Spring, the Mess was well served with a series of excellent events. The Bugle Breakfast,
Back Badge and Wagon Hill Dinner Nights and a Regimental Dinner Night in June all contributed to a renascent Mess spirit. Furthermore, the Ladies’ Dinner Night and Pads’ Evening allowed us to bring our nearest and dearest into the fabric of Mess life.
These regular events all built up to a vibrant Summer celebration. BulFest, a Henley-meets-Glastonbury-meets-
...all built up to a vibrant Summer celebration
English Village Fête spectacular, was a triumph. Especially considering the international service commitments of the Ball Committee, the party was delivered in emphatic style. Not even the manual loading of over a hundred hay bales onto TCVs at nine o’clock the next morning
could shake the mood. It was a perfect sign-off to a high tempo period back in barracks.
During all of this, the Mess has experienced a significant turnover amongst its members. Notably, we have seen a change in PMC, with Maj Andy Child giving way to Maj Bertie Basset. Following his posting away from Regimental duty, Andy’s enthusiasm and verve will be missed, and his timeless Freddie Mercury impression will remain a classic in the rich history of the Mess. In his place, Bertie has already made great strides to maintain an active and diverse Mess diary, with a healthy forecast of events interwoven with the anticipated periods of absence for many members.
Capt Ed Hassard, Mess Secretary
Warrant Officers’ & Serjeants’ Mess
As HERRICK 18 finished the party started, with Mess functions to celebrate the safe return of the Battalion and to mark a job well done. Events included the Medals Parade, Christmas Ball, Father and Sons weekend, Army vs Navy, Inter Coy Boxing, Heroes &
with all walks of life coming together to
get a taste of the Army. Briefs covered Regimental history, kit and equipment, bugling and a bit of time on the range. It
all culminated in a Regimental Dinner and some bar games. I personally felt that those
Villains Summer Ball and (my favourite) the Wednesday Sport & Social afternoons to mention just a few (and no, we don’t have a drink problem!). With a busy forecast of events it is too easy not to invest in Mess activities, but with appropriate deconfliction and nominated Mess members to run each event, we have been able to work hard and play hard over the past year. Two things will stick in my mind about the last 12 months.
The first was the Father and Sons Weekend held on 1st February when Mess members brought the old and bold to experience what we do as a battalion,
Corporals’ Mess
Following the success of the JNCO cadre
at the start of the year the Mess population has swelled. To welcome the new members a number of social events were put together.
Firstly we had a Fathers and Sons weekend which gave the mess the opportunity to show off to their nearest and dearest. The weekend included shooting, an introduction to fieldcraft and some Regimental history. It was capped off with a relaxed Regimental-style dinner and
few drinks that ended with some veterans schooling the Mess big boys by drinking
who attended walked away with a huge amount of new knowledge and admiration for all those who serve. There is a strong desire to stage another weekend of this nature in the near future.
The second was the post-Inter Company Boxing Night social, when Officers & SNCOs joined each other ONCE AGAIN in the Serjeants’ Mess to host the boxers after the event. In true 4 RIFLES style, as the main guests departed the dancing started, with newly-promoted Sjt Gaz Evens leading the way in a dance off with the event doctor. With moves being pulled that would shock
them under the table!
In July the Mess held its Summer Ball
with a Heroes and Villains theme function on the rugby pitch. Aided by some great weather and a well-stocked bar, the night was a roaring success. This is testimony
to the effort put in by Cpl Fish, the function PMC, even if he did look more like the Crazy Frog than The Hulk!
The question of whether bouncy boxing and gladiator puggle were a good idea was soon answered when Cpl Ferguson and Cpl Archer (AKA He-Man and Skeletor) went toe
RAPTCI SSgt Jay Essam leads the attack during the Fathers and Sons Weekend.
most, it soon became evident that Sjt Evans was no match for the doctor when his
final move of spinning on his finger failed
to impress. Sjt Evans is now recovering in rehab.
As the Regimental Serjeant Major, I would like to thank all those who have contributed to the events within the Mess. With 2015 looming and yet another busy year ahead, I know the Serjeants’ Mess will yet again be the place to be for any social event.
WO1 P Hyde, RSM
to toe in a CIS-off. Let’s just say there were tears, but nothing a Jäger bomb couldn’t fix. The guest appearance of the RSM in an outfit none in attendance will ever forget was a highlight to a memorable night.
The Mess will be quiet for a few months due to deployment to Canada but rest assured - this is the calm before the storm. The Christmas Ball is just around the corner and with it the usual shenanigans that come with that time of year.
WO2 D A McCutcheon, Cpls’ Mess Warrant Officer
80 FOURTH BATTALION
THE RIFLES