Page 241 - The Rifles Bugle Autumn 2019

Bristol Branch
This has been a year of change for our branch having now moved to lunchtime meetings. We gather every other third Friday on the ‘odd’ months of the year (January, March, May, July, September and December). We start at 12.15pm with our meeting before having a snack lunch and an opportunity to catch up on each other’s news, finishing at about 2.00pm. The meetings take place at the Artillery Grounds in Whiteladies Road, BS8 2LG with car parking available. Any member or former member of The Rifles, Light Infantry or other forming regiments who is in the middle of Bristol on our meeting day is very welcome to join us.
In December there was a good turnout for our Christmas lunch. This has taken the place of our annual dinner as many of our members prefer daylight driving. The 2019 Lunch at which ladies are welcome will take place at Keynsham RFC. They provide an excellent meal and ample parking. The date is Friday 13 December 2019 and if you are tempted to join us then please ring our Chairman, Lt Col Eric Herrington, on 0117 986 1674. Another
highlight of the year was the inter-branch skittles competition where frustratingly both our men’s and our ladies’ teams were for the second year in a row nudged into second place. We are determined to make it third time lucky in 2019.
In September we made the journey to the National Arboretum. There is certainly a lot to see these days and it was a memorable trip as we remembered 75 years on from D Day and also the deaths, during the past year, of two longstanding branch members, Tom Cox and Ken Lockstone.
WE MADE THE JOURNEY TO THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM. THERE IS CERTAINLY A LOT TO SEE THESE DAYS AND IT WAS A MEMORABLE TRIP
Norton Radstock Branch
The Norton Radstock Branch during 2018-2019 attended with four members from Bath Branch
monthly meetings has been well attended with an average of 18 members present. We have gained two new members and are expecting some re-joiners after our summer break. Unfortunately, we have lost three members this year, two WW2 Veterans, Capt Arthur (Dick) Green and Mr Walter (Wally) Hicks and Mr Edward (Ted) Clark.
On the social side quite a few from the branch attended the Rifleman’s Gathering at Alliance Park and had a very nice day. Our Christmas lunch at Poachers Pocket, nr Shepton Mallet, was very well
participating. The annual skittles competition was hosted this year by the branch at the Prattens Social Club – the winners by one pin was Norton Radstock followed by Bristol who also won the individual highest score. Members have also attended dinners and lunches at Bristol and Bath Branches. Our Annual dinner at the Standerwick Centre Frome still remains very popular, this year a total of sixty-three members and guests attended and enjoyed a very good dinner.
WE HAVE GAINED TWO NEW MEMBERS
Toys for Children
Members of the Taunton branch of the Rifles and Light Infantry Association, Somerset donated hundreds of pounds worth of Christmas presents to Children’s Hospice South West’s (CHSW) Little Bridge House. Chairman Ray Hall and Secretary Lawrie Hodges visited the hospice near Barnstaple to deliver gifts donated at their annual festive lunch at Oake Manor Golf Club.
Ray Hall said: “We usually hold a raffle but this year decided it would be a nice to donate toys for the children at Little Bridge House. Many of our members brought toys to the lunch and also donated money that was used to buy more presents.”
Neville Pope of CHSW said: “We can’t thank Association members enough for their support, this is always a special time of year at our hospices and donations like this really help add to the magic this Christmas.” Members of the Association were subsequently invited to attend an open day at Little Bridge House in the New Year to find out more about the charity.
Toys for children
THE RIFLES
RIFLES OFFICES AND ASSOCIATIONS 239