Newsletter Issue 28

September 2003

This has been a relatively easy year for the members so far. We had success and failure in the Boyton Cup and there were a couple of non-events. However, the year isn't over yet and we are now preparing for the Annual Dinner and the Christmas Draw.

REGIMENTAL NEWS

1st Battalion Operation Fresco, providing cover during the firemans strike, dominated the Battalion's life from October 2002, with 87 personnel directly deployed in support of providing emergency cover. They were attached to four different units within the M25 and were working out of 11 different locations. The remainder of the Battalion was bearing the not inconsiderable burden of Public Duties, with all other regiments reallocated to support Fresco itself.

Despite the increased commitments, a high priority has been placed on achieving sport and adventurous training. Two designated sports afternoons each week have been introduced, as have periods for adventurous training. Rugby is proving to be very popular. Proposals for the future include ski trips to Bavaria and a freefall parachuting expedition to the USA. Nothing, however, seems to get in the way of the Commanding Officer's Friday morning PT sessions, which see that Battalion covering every inch of Windsor Great Park carrying ever increasing weights on their backs. Very recently the Battalion was extracted from an exercise on Salisbury Plain to carry out security duties at Heathrow Airport alongside squadrons from the Household Cavalry Regiment also based at Windsor.

The Queen's Birthday Parade this year was somewhat of a unique occasion as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Regiment were all represented as follows:

Escort - The Queen's Company
No 2 Guard - The Nijmegen Company
No 3 Guard - The Inkerman Company

I understand that the last time this happened was back in the 1950s.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

I would like, on behalf of the Branch, to welcome Captain Trevor Rolfe who took over as General Secretary of the Association earlier in the year. He and LSgt Peter Hales have formed a good team and we can expect good things to come out of Association Headquarters.

BRANCH NEWS

I am pleased to report that Lieutenant Colonel Paul Harris MBE has accepted our invitation to become a Vice President of the Branch. Paul is a local lad from the Medway Towns and rose, within the Regiment, from Drummer to Drum Major. He then changed direction and ended up as Superintending Clerk of the Regiment from whence he was commissioned. He has just departed from The Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst and is now Commanding Officer of the Andover Support Unit. I am sure that many members remember Paul from when he attended our meetings back in the late '80s and I am just as sure that he will be made most welcome on his return.

Our other Vice Chairman, Colin Lamb, admits to being very reliant on his wheelchair, and of course to dear Midge, to move around now. He is in very good form though and sends his best to all in the Branch.

Unfortunately, with good news inevitably comes bad. The branch lost one of its senior members, Roy Tooze, who died on 11th July aged just 73. Several Branch members attended his funeral at Vinters Park Crematorium and were able to offer condolences to Joan and family.

Since my last newsletter we have welcomed 24741785 Neil Young who served with the 1st and 2nd Battalions and the Depot from 1987-98. He has already made an impact on the Branch (a born volunteer I'm afraid) and we look forward to seeing him and Rachelle more often.

We have said farewell to Roy and Angela Bates who have moved to Burton-on-Trent and have now joined that Branch. However, they have threatened to come back for the Annual Dinner and the Christmas Draw - it'll be a pleasure to see them again.

We wish Bill Merton and Glynn Jones all the best after their heart by-pass operations. Both have now fully recovered. I just wish Len Ross's crock knee would sort itself out - do they do a knee by-pass operation?

Finally, you will no doubt be relieved to hear that at the AGM in April Pat Franks and I agreed to stand for re-election as Chairman and Secretary respectively as no one else would come forward. Len Ross continues as Vice Chairman, but John Taylor somehow managed to stand down as Treasurer with Jeff Andrews coming forward to take over this role. I'd like to say many thanks to John for his work over the past four years. I am also pleased to say welcome to Ted Mew as Welfare Officer.

EVENTS PAST

Mayor of Maidstone's Charity Quiz Night I'm pleased to report that our team did very well on the evening although they didn't bring home any prizes. Out of 40 teams that entered they came a very creditable 7th. Well done to all.

Branch Quiz Night Another success on the part of Dave and Gill Bragger who hosted this popular event. As ever they set some fiendishly diabolical questions but this failed to put off the 62 members and guests who took part. The fish and chip supper was well received and the final outcome was a profit of £160 for the Branch.

Regimental Remembrance Day All those who attended enjoyed another good service and parade and, of course, enjoyed the meeting and greeting they had been looking forward to. We know numbers aren't what they were but this hasn't affected the enthusiasm of those attending.

Grenadier Day We were a little tightly packed in our allotted area it has to be said, but we had a successful day on our second outing to Windsor Racecourse. We were able to keep people interested in our Golf Challenge till the bitter end although I'm sure we gave more cash away to winners than we should have done. We'll just have to make it a little harder in future. Colin Brown's also had some success with his Ball Roll. Thanks must go to all those who manned the stall on the day.

The Boyton Cup shoot was held again at the Small Arms Trainer (SAT) laser range at Victoria Barracks. We entered three teams in the shoot and after we had all shot we were deemed to be, at that stage, the leading three teams - "great" we thought. However, due to an apparent break down in communications between the range and the stats tent we finally ended the day in last, second last and third last places. I must admit there were more than a few upset Medway members at the time. We registered a protest after the event and it was confirmed we should have won as our three teams did have the winning scores. However, we accepted that "the judges decision is final" and left it at that. We know we won again, as well as gaining 2nd and 3rd places, so many congratulations to all who took part - and also congratulations to those who have borrowed our trophy for a year.

NON EVENTS In my introduction I alluded to a couple of events that didn't happen. These were the Treasure Hunt and the Kent Branches Family Day. Unfortunately these didn't get off the ground for reasons beyond our control. Hopefully normal service will be resumed in 2004.

... AND EVENTS YET TO COME

Branch "Do" There will be a Social Evening on Saturday 27th September at the Rochwood Club. This will not be one of our spectaculars, just the members having a quiet get together with food and music provided by ourselves. Jeff Andrews has got a couple of games lined up for your entertainment. All are welcome - just bring your own food. Raffle prizes will be gratefully received! The evening starts at 8 - be there!

Annual Dinner and Dance This year we return to one our favourite venues, the Grange Moor Hotel in St Michaels Road, Maidstone. The date is Saturday 18th October and timings are 7 for 7.30 pm. Could you please complete the attached proforma and return it to me as soon as possible, by 4th October at the very latest. There will, of course, be a raffle and any donations will be welcome.

Remembrance Parades As usual services will be held at all the local memorials on 9th November and, although the Branch will be represented at Gillingham, Chatham, Borough Green, Gravesend and Sheppey, the main body will be attending the parade and service at Rochester Cathedral. The wreath will be laid at the Rochester War Memorial after this service. All are welcome to attend these ceremonies.

Christmas Draw After the problems encountered last year at the Medway Community College, this year we will be holding the Christmas Draw on Saturday 6th December at the Smallholders Club which is located in Woodside, Wigmore. This is an excellent venue and I'm sure we will be made more than welcome. Unfortunately our usual caterer, Jenny Randall, is unable to work her magic on that evening but, rest assured, you will not be disappointed as we will be using the Club's own caterers. Music will be provided by a four piece band named Jet and there will be the usual excellent prizes up for grabs. Tickets this year are available at £12 per head. We have upped the price by £1, the first increase I think in about 10 years. Family and friends are more than welcome. Let me know your numbers as soon as possible please for seating and catering.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

North Staffordshire Branch The Branch are holding their Annual Dinner and Dance on Saturday 29th November at the Moat House Hotel in Stoke-on-Trent. Tickets cost £23. Anyone interested should contact the Branch Secretary, Mel Robins, on 01538 702707.

Blackpool Reunion 2004 Les Scholes has written about the success of these Regimental Reunions and to say that next year's will take place from 7th -10th May at a cost of £126 per person. Over the last three years 150 people have attended each reunion for those who served between 1970 and 2000. Give me a ring for more information or phone Les direct if you are interested. His office number is 01204 362111.

Drummers Reunion A reunion is being proposed for September 2004 to take place either at Wellington Barracks or in Windsor. As this function is dependant on numbers, anyone interested should contact the organiser, Peter Taylor, on 0118 979 3372.

Bogus Letters I have been asked to bring to your attention that individuals posing as 'collectors on behalf of data protection' are attending business premises requesting payment for Data Protection Registration. The Information Commissioner's Office is the only organisation with which to register, there is a statutory charge of £35, with no VAT, and this is payable direct to the ICO, not to a notifying controller. The "collectors" are claiming up to £95 plus VAT for notification. There are many bogus companies using these 'collectors', who may even produce identification cards and receipts, and I have a list of many of these. The ICO recommends those approached in this way not to make any payment and to notify the local police.

Branch Subscription I am afraid that I must end on a down-note. There are many members on our books who have never paid the Branch annual subscription or who have stopped for one reason or another. The fee is only £3.50 per year for those of pensionable age and £5 for us youngsters. It all helps to keep the Branch financially stable and part of it goes towards subsidising the cost of various functions and events and also the distribution of this newsletter. It is felt by the 'core' of the Branch that those who do not contribute should not receive the same benefits. The message is, therefore, if you enjoy attending our functions and reading the newsletters - pay your subs!

That's all for now folks, so it just remains to say thank you to all those ladies and gents who keep the branch nicely ticking over - you're doing a grand job. And with that in mind:

-o-o-o-

It has been said that a membership organisation is made up of four sets of Bones.

The Wishbones, who spend all their time wishing others would do all the work.
The Jawbones, who do all the talking and very little else.
The Knucklebones, who knock anything that anyone else tries to do.
Then there are the Backbones, who get under the load and actually do the work.
Which are you?

That's all for now folks, so it just remains to say thank you to all those who involve themselves in the branch - we wouldn't be here without you.

Regards

Tony