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1st Battalion After an immensely productive year in England and around the world, the Battalion, still based at Victoria Barracks, Windsor,are now firmly back on the London District public duties roster and will be kept pretty busy in that role for the first half of the year. In July, training for Bosnia starts with the six month tour beginning in the early Autumn.
In spite of the workload, there continues to be many opportunities to get away. At present, the downhill and Nordic ski teams are roughing it in the Alps; the Senior Major, Major Richard Maundrell and the Temporary Equerry, Captain Oliver Saxbyare now out in Iraq.
The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel George Norton is due to hand over the Battalion to Lieutenant Colonel David Russell-Parsons in January 2005 and around the same time, RQMS Gask will take over from WO1 Broad as Sergeant Major of the Battalion.
Nijmegen Company The Company returned from the Falkland Islands in early November and were back on public duties by early December. Together with the 1st Battalion, they now provide a strong Grenadier presence on the London ceremonial scene.
The Company is currently commanded by Major B C Hancock and the Company Sergeant Major is WO2 D A Harrison.
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.
Brigadier Dermot Blundell-Hollinshead-Blundell has now retired as President of the Association after 10 years and his successor, Colonel Euan Houstoun takes over command at the AGM on 27th March. We in the Medway Branch would like to thank Brigadier Dermot for fulfilling his role so admirably and, in the same breath, we would like to welcome Colonel Euan and wish him well and hope he understands what he’s taking on. We look forward to seeing him at our Annual Dinner in due course.
LSgt Peter Hales has now returned to the Battalion and his successor as Association Clerk is LSgt Jay Ellingham. With Captain Trevor Rolfe as General Secretary, Jay Ellingham and Mr George Turton, who looks after all the Association goods for sale, we have a good team working for us at Association Headquarters. The contact number there is 020 7414 3285.
Unfortunately I start with the sad news that Len Thorne, one of the Coldstream contingent that supports the Branch so well, passed away on 22nd February aged 84 years. He had been ill for some time but was always cheerful. Ten members and two ladies attended his funeral at Vinters Park Crematorium and passed on their condolences to Joan and family.
I reported the passing of Roy Tooze in my September newsletter and, sadly, his wife Joan followed him in November. The Branch was unrepresented at her funeral due to the short notice but condolences were passed on to the family.
We have recently said goodbye (ish) to a couple of Branch stalwarts, probably to the Reading Branch. John and Brenda Taylor have upped sticks and moved themselves to Fleet in far off Hampshire to be closer to John’s office in Aldershot. He was until recently the Branch Treasurer and both he and Brenda will be sorely missed after many years with the Branch. However, as he has paid his subs for this year we will no doubt see them at the Annual Dinner and at the Christmas Draw.
The Branch Shooting Club continues to be very popular. With the departure of its Secretary, John Taylor, John Chapman has now taken over this role. It will be a hard act to follow as JT founded the club back in 1994 but I’m sure JC will lead us to success in this year’s Boyton Cup.
Finally, in this section, the Branch AGM will take place on Wednesday 7th April at 2030 hrs at the Rochwood Club. If any member unable to attend has any specific points for the meeting could they let me have them at least 24 hours in advance.
Branch Social – 27th September Jeff and Kath Andrews ran a very good social evening for the Branch at the Rochwood Club and although we could have done with a few more members there, those that did attend had a most enjoyable evening. A variety of games were provided including bingo and their version of ‘Play Your Cards Right’. An excellent night which hopefully will be repeated this year.
Annual Dinner and Dance – 18th October Everyone had a great time at the 27th Annual Dinner in October at the Grange Moor Hotel in Maidstone. The President and Lady Kingsdown were joined on the top table by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Harris, our new Vice President, and his wife, Pauline. However, Paul found he had to ‘sing for his supper’, so to speak, as he was also there in his capacity as Regimental Representative and I am happy to say he gave a very good report. We were also joined by Sergeant Chris Warden, currently attached to the Royal Engineers in Rochester, and his young lady. An enjoyable time was had by all - the food was excellent as usual, the wine on the table was most appreciated and the DJ played some good music. The company, of course, was second to none. An impromptu ‘gamble’ was set in motion during the dinner on how long my speech would last. The proceeds went to one of Lady Kingsdown’s charities, the Demelza House Childrens’ Hospice.
Remembrance Sunday Members of the Branch attended parades and services all over the Mid-Kent area and I’m happy to say that, despite the rain, a fair number attended the main parade through Rochester and the service in Rochester Cathedral followed by tea and wads with the Mayor in the Corn Exchange.
Christmas Draw – 6th December The Draw, held at the Smallholders Club in Wigmore was another good evening. The hall was a nice size and the band played someexcellent music that had everyone on the floor early on in the evening. The buffet, however, was laid on by the Club and we found there was too little food for too much money - come back Jenny, all is forgiven. The prizes were well received by all who won them and draw itself took on a new turn as we had earlier purchased Tumbling Tom, an Electronic Random Number Generator. The tickets that came with it did away with the problem of trying to sort out the multiple colours we used to use.
Mayor of Maidstone’s Charity Quiz Night – 13th February For the third year running the Branch lent their support to this quiz. We had two teams of six and although the ‘Grenadier’ team only came 34th out of 45 teams, the ‘Associates’ came a very creditable 16th.
Branch Quiz Night – 13th March Dave and Jill Bragger, along with son Craig, have once again had their arms twisted (or was it the lure of a free scoff that did it?) and ran yet another of their superb quiz nights for us on Saturday 13th March. The Rochwood Club was the venue and, as usual, there was a fish or chicken and chip supper included in the exceptionally low price of £5 per head. I’m afraid that because of the lateness of this report some of you may have missed out but the regulars turned out in strength along with some new faces. Over 70 attended a very enjoyable evening, many saying it was the best quiz night we’d held, and we may also have gained a few more fans amongst the newcomers.
Regimental Remembrance Day – 16th May This year’s service and parade will be held at Wellington Barracks on Sunday 16th May. The Service of Remembrance will be held in the Guards Chapel at 1500 hrs followed by the march to the Guards Memorial at Horse Guards. Tickets for the service are not required. All those attending should be in possession of their Association Membership Card and, if possible, one other means of identification, preferably with a photograph.
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.
Those who are severely disabled and require disabled parking passes for Wellington Barracks should contact me soonest. All other cars are to be parked at Chelsea Barracks where a shuttle coach service will operate between the two barracks. All members should use the West Gate (nearest Buckingham Palace) in Birdcage walk and not the Petty France gate.
Beating Retreat – 2nd & 3rd June The Household Division Massed Bands will be Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade on Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd June starting at 1900 hrs. Tickets are available at £10 and £7 (all reserved seating). For further information and bookings please call the Household Division Funds Office at Horse Guards on 020 7414 2271.
The Queen’s Birthday Parade – 12th June The Queen’s Birthday Parade – 12th June The Inkerman Company are finding the Escort this year, the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Inkerman which took place on 5th November 1854. No. 2 Guard will be found by No. 2 Company and No. 3 Guard by Nijmegen Company.
Grenadier Day – 11th July After two very successful year at Windsor Racecourse, this year’s event is scheduled to take place at Victoria Barracks in Windsor on Sunday 11th July. We shall, of course, be manning the Branch stall and entering at least three teams in the Boyton Cup shoot. All members attending should be in possession of their Association Membership Card.
Parking arrangements for the event are yet to be finalised but basically, there is to be no parking at all within the barracks. At the time of writing, cars and coaches will be permitted to drop passengers off at the entrance but must then move on to car parks in the local area. Cars may unload branch stall items in the barracks but, again, must park outside. Common sense says that members and families should share cars wherever possible. The event will be discussed at the Association AGM on 27th March and the final arrangements made known at subsequent Branch meetings.
The Boyton Cup Shoot will take place in the Small Arms Trainer (SAT) in Victoria Barracks between 1200 and 1500 hrs. For those that are shooting that day please ensure you are available between those times. We will once again be paying £5 per team with the proceeds being divided between the winning, 2nd and 3rd teams. In the event of going forward to collect that trophy (again) at the end of the day, could I request that all who shoot have suitable attire for the occasion.
Kent Branches Family Day This year’s get-together is due to be hosted by the East Kent Branch and, although my opposite number there hasn’t any details yet, he assures me that it will take place.
Treasure Hunt John and Kay Chapman have volunteered to try and put something together for a Sunday drive around Kent (well, I assume it will be in Kent) and knowing J & K, I reckon that it will be even more devious than Dave and Gill Bragger have arranged in the past.
Annual Dinner and Dance – 2nd October I’m sure you will all be pleased to hear that the Grange Moor Hotel in Maidstone has been booked once again for this event. Details will be in my Autumn newsletter.
Christmas Draw – 11th December Having been thwarted in our attempts to use TA Centres for the last couple of years, this year we have booked early and managed to get in to the TA Centre in Boxley Road, Maidstone. Once again, details will be in my Autumn newsletter.
Annual Subscription Once again it is the time of year when the Treasurer is pestering me to get subs in. So that I can get a bit of peace and quiet, could you please let me have your cheques as soon as possible. The rates are unchanged (in fact they haven’t changed since I arrived in 1987) and stand at £3 for those of pensionable age and £5 for the rest of us. Also a reminder that all cheques to the Branch should be made payable to GREN GDS ASSN (Medway Branch), and not to me or the Treasurer by name.
Grenadier Gazette For those that haven’t ordered their Gazettes through me, this year’s edition will be priced at £4.50, the same as last year, and should be available in early April. Postal cost from Association Headquarters is £1.10 for 2nd class. This is an excellent magazine which has been held as an example of how a Regimental magazine should look. This year’s edition includes 32 pages in colour.
Guards Magazine Headquarters Household Division are hoping to improve the circulation of this magazine which is issued four times a year at an annual subscription of £16. Payment should be sent to Headquarters Household Division, Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX.
Band Concert The East Kent Branch are hosting a Regimental Band Concert in Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday 8th May commencing at 1930 hrs. Further information can be gained by telephoning 01303 263173.
Sergeants’ (Past & Present) Club Dinner This year’s dinner takes place at the Union Jack Club on 6th November at a cost of £25 per head. Further information can be gainedfrom Regimental Headquarters on 020 7414 3284.!
Cenotaph Parade Remembrance Sunday this year will be on 14th November. Anyone wishing to take part in the Cenotaph Parade in Whitehall should apply to Association Headquarters for tickets by mid-August.
Phone Scam It was reported in the Medway News that a scam has been running in the area. Mobiles and land lines have been plagued with calls which, when answered, play a recorded message explaining that the user has won an all expenses paid trip. It then tricks phone users into connecting to a premium phone line by asking them to press ‘nine’ for more details about their prize. When nine is pressed the line connects to a £20 per minute line which bills for a minimum of five minutes. The bill could potentially run into hundreds of pounds. Kent Police advise that anyone who receives a call like this should hang up and not press nine.
How wreid is tihs? Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it desno’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer is at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by istlef but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig!
And finally ….For those of you who think the weather has been pretty perishing over the last couple of months, think on the letter that was published in an Australian newspaper in January:
My condolences on your cold January weather (The Advertiser yesterday). We are also suffering through a spell of below normal temperatures. It soared to a high of -35 yesterday with wind chills of -59 and last night a low of -42.
The veggies aren’t growing very well and besides, we can’t find the garden because of the 120cm of snow. And all our beaches are empty and frozen.
STUART SCOTT Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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:
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