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I know we are now into the second month of the New Year but can I wish you all a belated welcome to 2006 and may it be a happy and prosperous year for all. Last year was another busy year as far as functions and events are concerned but with this year seeing the 350th Anniversary of the Regiment, it is hoped that there will be even more. It promises to be an exciting year for all.
This takes place in the Guards Museum, Wellington Barracks starting at 1215 hrs on Saturday 25th March. All are welcome to attend the meeting which will be followed by a buffet lunch in the Sergeants’ Mess, 1st Bn Irish Guards. All those entering Wellington Barracks must be in possession of their Association Membership Card and another form of identification, preferably complete with a picture.
First can I welcome the following new members to the branch:
24263602 | Roy Brinkley and Marianne | served 1972-1978 |
23969973 | Len Higgins and Liz | served 1964-1976 |
Geoff Jordan and Patricia | Coldstream Guards |
An up to date list of branch members is attached to this newsletter.
The Branch AGM took place at the Rochwood Club on Wednesday 1st February and I’m sure that you will be overjoyed to hear that the Branch Committee was re-elected which means that your officers for the year are:
Chairman | Pat Franks |
Vice Chairman | Len Ross |
Secretary & Treasurer | Tony West BEM |
Entertainments | Steve Vaughan |
Now that we have entered another new year its time for those dreaded words … Subs Please! I would be grateful for your cheques as soon as possible at the usual rate of £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 anyone by name please.
Branch Shooting Club The AGM of the Branch Shooting Club was held the same evening and, again, the Club Committee was re-elected as follows:
Chairman | Colin Brown |
Secretary & Treasurer | John Chapman |
The club has recently taken under its wing several members of the Korean Veterans Association. The Club Secretary has arranged a separate night for them to shoot, the 2nd Thursday of each month, which is also open to branch members. The main shooting night for branch members remains the 3rd Tuesday.
It has been reported by the Club Secretary that one day in January he had visited the TA Centre in Maidstone to withdraw ammunition from the armoury for use by the club that evening. On leaving the unit he pulled out into a line of traffic on the main road and within a short distance was pulled over by a police car travelling behind him. An officer approached him and asked John if he had been drinking. Pausing to consider the question carefully, bearing in mind it was mid morning, John stated that he had not. The officer then pointed to the ammo lying (improperly) on the passenger seat and said, “What’s that?” John replied, quite truthfully, that it was 500 rounds of rifle ammunition to which this officer of the law responded “Oh!” He then returned to his police car and drove off leaving John initially quite flummoxed and later curled up with laughter at the absurdity of the whole conversation. (Note: John is licensed to carry weapons and ammunition in his car but they should be carried in the boot.)
Annual Dinner and Dance The evening of Saturday 8th October saw the Branch President and Lady Kingsdown enjoying our 29th Annual Dinner and Dance, held at the Grange Moor Hotel in Maidstone, venue of many a successful dinner in the past. We were very pleased to welcome Lieutenant Ben Jesty of the Nijmegen Company who gave an excellent report on the Regiment. He admitted that this was the first dinner he had attended since commissioning and was a little nervous but he carried it off superbly. Being a young and single officer rather than the usual, shall we say, more mature officers who grace the top table, he was an immediate wow with many of the ladies there and was whisked away to the dance floor at the earliest opportunity. The 71 diners enjoyed a marvellous meal and then spent the remainder of the evening dancing to the sound of DJ Paul Simmons.
Christmas Draw The last event of 2005 was the Christmas Draw which took place for the second time at the TA Centre in Boxley Road, Maidstone. The evening was a great success with about 115 enjoying themselves. The food, once again provided by Peter Hinds, father of branch member Pete, was absolutely marvellous. We tried a new band face the Music and the improvement over the previous year was enormous. We’ll try and get them again for the 2006 bash.
350th Anniversary Events This is a big year for the Regiment and a number of events are taking place throughout the year. Details are as per the attached Diary of Events for the Regiment which is accurate as at 11th January. As can be seen there are events in London, Manchester, Worcester and in Bruges. A web site is being constructed giving details of all the events. The provisional page can be viewed at www.grenade.org.uk. The main event, for us, is the Review of the Regiment on Monday 12th June and this is covered separately below.
Mayor of Maidstone’s Charity Quiz Night This year we have entered two team to take part in the quiz on 3rd February. I’ll let you know later how well (?) the teams did.
Easter Concert The Guards Chapel Choir and the Household Division Orchestra are presenting an Easter Choral Concert at the Guards Chapel on Wednesday 12th April at 1915hrs. Tickets which cost £12.50 each are available from the Household Division Funds, Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX Cheques should be made payable to Household Division Funds. Alternatively telephone the credit card line on 020 7839 5323 during working hours.
Branch Quiz Night As I write no firm date has been set for this year’s event but the Rochwood Club has been tentatively booked for the evening of Saturday 6th May. For those that are interested in joining us but don’t attend the branch meetings, please keep in touch for more information. As usual, there will be a fish or chicken and chip supper included in the exceptionally low price of £6 per head.
Regimental Remembrance Day This year’s service and parade will be held at Wellington Barracks on Sunday 11th June. 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. The salute will be taken by the President of the Association. Tickets for the service are not required.
There is limited car parking at Wellington Barracks for the severely disabled only and those who require a parking pass should contact me by 14th May. All other cars are to be parked at Chelsea Barracks where a shuttle coach service will operate between the two barracks. All those entering the barracks must be in possession of their Association Membership Card and another form of identification, preferably complete with a picture. All members are to enter through the West Gate in Birdcage Walk after 1230 hrs and not through the Petty France gate.
Review of the Regiment The Review takes place at Buckingham Palace on Monday 12th June, the day after Black Sunday.
The number of members of the Regiment who can attend has been quite severely restricted and conditions have been set. The one that affects you is that our ticket allocation will represent 50% of the total number of non-serving Grenadier branch members registered. Assuming that each member would wish to take his lady this realistically means that just 25% of the Grenadier members of the branch can attend. This branch has 74 members on its roll which means that just 18 or 19 members can attend with their ladies. Priority will obviously go to those who have attended the meetings and functions and, of course, paid their subscriptions and I can say now that our complete allocation has been met. I’m afraid there are no more vacancies.
For those who will be attending, admission to the Palace will be by ticket only and, as the cost of the whole event is expected to exceed £300,000, a charge will be made for the tickets at £15 per head to offset the cost. The branch will probably hire a coach to travel from Sheppey to Rochester Prison and thence to London. There should be more information after the Association AGM on 25th March.
The Queen’s Birthday Parade The 1st Battalion Welsh Guards are finding the Escort this year. The parade and rehearsals, with ticket prices, are as follows:
Major General’s Review Saturday 3rd June Tickets are freeAnyone wishing to apply for tickets for the two reviews should contact me by 18th March. Applications for tickets for the Birthday Parade should be made to Headquarters Household Division, Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX enclosing a S.A.E. Do not send cheques with your bids as you will be billed if and when the tickets are allocated. Applications are accepted between 1st January and the end of February each year. A ballot is held in mid-March and successful applicants are notified in April. No refund can be given if the event is cancelled for reasons beyond the organiser’s control.
Beating Retreat The Household Division Massed Bands will be Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th June starting at 1900 hrs. Tickets, costing £10 and £7 each, may be obtained from Household Division Funds at Horse Guards. Family tickets are available in the £7 area for two adults and up to five children aged 16 or under for just £20. Cheques should be made payable to Household Division Funds and should be accompanied by a S.A.E. Credit Card bookings may be made by calling 0207 839 5323 after 3rd April but be aware there is a £1 credit card booking charge. No refund can be given if the event is cancelled for reasons beyond the organiser’s control.
Grenadier Day Following the last two year’s successful days at Victoria Barracks, Windsor, this year’s event is to take place at Heaton Park, Manchester on Sunday 9th July. We shall, of course, be manning the branch stall there and if anyone has any old cuddly toys in good condition, don’t throw them out or shove them up in the attic, let me know and I’ll come and take them off your hands. We can make good use of them on the stall. We’ll also be having our Golf Challenge which appears to be very popular. Let’s hope for a fine day.
We will, of course, be entering a number of teams in the Boyton Cup shoot which will take place using the new Static BB Range on the Regimental Recruiting Trailer stand. Shooting will take place between 1330 and 1430 hrs. Registration will take place at 1300 hrs so please see me at our stall before that time otherwise you’ll not be able to take part.
Although Heaton Park is not a military establishment, please ensure you are in possession of your Association Membership Card. Despite the distance from Kent, all members at the January branch meeting decided they would prefer to use their own transport, therefore the branch will not be laying on a coach. More information concerning travel and parking arrangements will be available later. If members decide to make a weekend of it there are a number of good hotels in the area. Information can be gained from the internet or, for those without it, I have a few details.
Annual Dinner and Dance I’m sure you will all be pleased to hear that the branch’s 30th Annual Dinner - in the Regiment’s 350th Anniversary year - will take place at Sergeants’ Mess in Brompton Barracks, Gillingham on the evening of Saturday 14th October, courtesy of the RSM of the Royal School of Military Engineering. Details will be in my Autumn newsletter.
Cenotaph Parade Remembrance Sunday this year is on 12th November and anyone wishing to march in the Cenotaph Parade should let me know by the end of July please as tickets are required to take part.
Christmas Draw Draw This year we will be holding the Draw at the United Services Club in Rainham on Saturday 16th December. Details, again, will be included in my Autumn newsletter.
In addition to the functions and events listed above, your Entertainments Officer is looking at other possible attractions to entertain you including a visit, a treasure hunt and a barbecue. Announcements concerning all events will be made at branch meetings and in forthcoming newsletters. A Branch Diary of Events for 2006 is attached to this newsletter. Please give me ring if you wish to attend any of the events or functions or if you have any queries.
Grenadier Gazette This year’s Gazette will be priced at £4.50, the same as last year, and should be available during mid March. Postal cost from Association Headquarters is £1.20. Alternatively you can order through me and pick up your copy at the April branch meeting.
Guards Magazine Annual subscription for this excellent magazine is £16 for four magazines per year. Further details can be obtained from Division Funds at Horse Guards.
Changing The Guard - Video Henlow Marketing, who produced the very successful video The Guards Museum … A Private Viewing have now released Changing The Guard At Buckingham Palace. Both are available in DVD or VHS format at a cost of £14.95 each with p&p at £1.05 per item. Credit card orders can be made by calling 01462 850608 and asking for ‘Guards Shop Sales’ or orders can be made on-line at www.guards-shop.com. The address for cheques is AVR Productions Ltd, 38 Station Road, Lower Standon, Henlow, Bedfordshire SG16 6JL. Cheques should be made payable to AVR Productions Ltd.
Rochwood Club For those that attend the monthly meetings and/or functions at the Prison Officers Club please be aware that, with effect from 1st January the function room and the bar area of the main bar are Non-Smoking areas. Our meetings, by the way, continue to be held on the 1st Wednesday of the month commencing at 2000 hrs.
And finally …
Be warned. I shall seek and find you.
I shall take you to bed and have my way with you.
I will make you ache, shake and sweat until you moan and groan.
I will make you plead for mercy and beg for me to stop.
I will exhaust you to the point that you will be relieved when I have finished with you.
You will be weak for days.
All my love
The Flu Bug
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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