Page 234 - The Rifles Bugle Autumn 2019

A STRONG WIND ON THE FRIDAY WAS BLOWING CHAIRS ALL OVER THE PLACE
Light Infantry & Rifles Association Annual Reunion
Shrewsbury Town Football Club, now called ‘Montgomery Waters Meadow’ after its new sponsors, was once again the venue for this year’s reunion. Perhaps I could take this opportunity to set the record straight, as many people still believe that the club charges the Association for the hire of the venue. This is simply not so; all the facilities are provided free of charge.
Setting out the tables and chairs proved problematic this year, a strong wind on the Friday was blowing chairs all over the place. Indeed, at one time we were asked to move some in case they struck the chairman’s Bentley! But Saturday came with a much calmer breeze, and although slightly overcast the weather behaved itself and was quite warm.
Numbers were down considerably this year. That was to be expected after the large turn out for the 50th Anniversary last year, and the change of dates didn’t help (as requested by many so as not to clash
with activities put on by the town). Having now tried a new date we’ll revert to the middle of the month for future reunions (Saturday 20th June for 2020).
The Rifles Band was at the 75th Anniversary of D Day and Waterloo/Salamanca Band were on deployment, so things looked bleak on the music front. Much paddling was going on under the surface to rectify this and my thanks go to Andrew Trelawny for his efforts, and of course to the Association Buglers and the Veterans’ Band who pulled out all the stops to provide excellent music on the day. The recorded music put together by the Buglers was excellent and worked seamlessly, if were you not aware of it, it could easily have been a band. The Buglers and the Veterans’ Band provided a concert in lieu of Retreat, which, again, was superb. Both the Association Buglers and the Veteran’s Band are about as professional as can be without being professionals! We look forward to hearing much more of them at future reunions.
232 RIFLES OFFICES AND ASSOCIATIONS
THE RIFLES