Page 53 - QDG 2022

Corporal’s Mess
1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards 51
It has been a steady year for the Corpo- ral’s Mess, with a quiet start to 2022 due to operational commitments in Mali and the endless trawls that seem to find their way into most of our daily lives. As a tribute to Op Newcombe and the NCOs who served on the peacekeeping mission, a painting has been commissioned by the Corporals’ Mess, which will be a great addition to the collection. However, with the regiment now back in the UK and with the parades complete it was time for the first official Mess do since Covid. By no means did this disappoint and it ran perfectly well and in keeping with the proud traditions of the Cpls’ Mess. The Lucknow dinner night was a resounding success and after a busy year, a great way to get the Mess together to share stories and enjoy a drink and celebrate our most coveted battle honour.
With a new year came some promo- tions! As a Mess we must thank Sgt Ross Casey for his devotion to the job of PMC and congratulate him on his very worthy promotion to Sgt. He will be a fine addition to the WOs’ & Sgts’ Mess and we all wish him the very best for the future. As Sgt Casey moved on, it was time to get “out with the old and in with the new”. I found myself in the position of PMC and the rest of the committee also experienced some movement. Joining myself as the PEC was Cpl Harrison, and with the foundations set we were both keen to get stuck in and continue the good work. Other appointments included the PEC 2ic Cpl Lunness, Bar Mangers: LCpl Palmer and Bitten along with the Property JNCO LCpl Sweeny and Fire NCO Cpl Ward; all the names listed here have worked incredibly hard over the last six months, making the Mess a busy, enjoyable, and safe place to be.
The Mess is never quiet and even when there are no events taking place, the background activity is always a buzz
with mess improvements! At the fore- front was the introduction of some long overdue fridges and some bar stools which brought some new life into the bar area. After a year of lukewarm beers, fellow Mess members relished the chance to sample a cold pint in a comfy seating area! With this recent success we are now looking forward and intro- ducing an improvements day. It is hoped that this will further benefit the Mess and enhance our ability to work collectively for the mutual benefit of the Members.
As the year quickly came to an end it only meant one thing, the Corporals’ Mess Christmas Ball. This presented a chance for Mess Members and partners to get dressed up, eat, drink, and most of all, have a good time. A Christmas function is never as simple as you would first imagine. There’s a lot to plan to give the Mess Members and their depend- ants the evening that they deserve. From invites to entertainment, decorations to food, and of course, everyone’s favourite, a free bar and big prizes. An enjoyable night was had by all with a lot of laughs and wine consumed along the way! Judging from the clean up the next day, mostly red.
The Mess is looking forward to a successful 2023 with plenty of func- tions, sports competitions and a few pub quizzes along the way.
All activity in 2022 could not have been achieved without the collective buy in from the entire Mess which includes the constant support from partners and families which we never underestimate. Additional to this, are those that contin- ually push themselves forward to better the Mess at each and every opportunity. From the whole committee and I, we thank you and look forward to more of the same in 2023. Cpl Parsons.
LP