I know that this Newsletter is appearing just a couple of months after the last one but 2006 is going to be such a very busy year for the Regiment, with so many functions and events happening, that you need to be aware of the dates for these events and the arrangements. Many of you will be aware that the 1st Battalion is likely to be posted to Iraq in May for between 2 and 6 months. However, the majority of the scheduled 350th Anniversary events will continue.
First can I welcome Andy Slater as a new Honorary Member to the Branch. Andy initially served in the Welsh Guards before transferring to the Blues and Royals.
As reported in my last Newsletter, the Branch did enter two teams for the quiz night on 3rd February and both finished in the lower end of the scores but with fairly respectable scores. There were 44 tables in all.
Branch Quiz NightThis has now been arranged for Saturday 13th May at the Rochwood Club starting at 7.30. This year Colin Brown’s daughter and son-in-law, Gary and Sue Rossiter, have volunteered to oversee the evening’s events. This leaves Dave and Gill Bragger able to take part in the quiz for a change. As usual, there will be a fish or chicken and chip supper included in the ticket price of £6 per head. Some members I will be contacting by phone about this event but, if I don’t contact you before 1st May and you wish to attend, please let me know your numbers and also whether you want fish or chicken and chips that evening. Please also let me have your cheques/cash as soon as possible.
Grenadier members attending any of the events below should wear lounge suit or blazer with medals plus their Guards Division tie. Members should be in possession of their Association Membership Card plus some form of photographic identification e.g. passport or driving licence.
350th Anniversary LaunchThe year’s proceedings begin on Wednesday 19th April with the launch of the new book covering the Regiment’s history, The British Grenadiers, the Grenadier Exhibition at the Guards Museum and the date falls just two days before the 80th birthday of Her Majesty The Queen, our Colonel in Chief.
This new history of the Regiment is available from Regimental Headquarters at a specially discounted price of £15 (RRP £25) plus £4.50 postage within the UK. I have a number of flyers, which includes an application, or you can send me a cheque and I’ll order on your behalf.
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, which will include the Chapel Choir this year, followed by the march to the Guards Memorial at Horse Guards. As per last year, the parade will form up in three detachments - the 1st Battalion, the 2nd and 4th Battalions and the 3rd, 5th and 6th Battalions. The salute will be taken by the President of the Association. Tickets for the service are not required.
The Guards Museum will be providing refreshment in the area of Chapel Square throughout the day and during the evening the Regimental Band will play on the steps of the Guards Chapel from 1800 hours.
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 members are to enter through the West Gate in Birdcage Walk after 1230 hrs and not through the Petty France gate.
The Review takes place at Buckingham Palace on Monday 12th June, the day after Black Sunday. After consultation with the Colonel, it has been decided that the Garden Party will go ahead without the presence of the 1st Battalion, but obviously without the Review of the Regiment. The Regimental Band will play during the afternoon but there will be no marching parties from the Association. It is still likely that Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Colonel will attend.
I said in my previous Newsletter that a cost of £15 per ticket would be made to offset the cost of staging this event. I am pleased to report that has now been reduced to £10 and I would be grateful if I could have your cheques as soon as possible. These should be made payable to the branch. I have applied for tickets for 37 members and ladies of the Medway Branch.
Tickets will be individually numbered and will be checked against a nominal roll on entry to Buckingham Palace. Tickets are not transferable.
There are limited car parking facilities in the area and those taking cars should be aware of the congestion charge of £8. The branch will be laying on a coach for those not going to the reunion at Littlecote House.
You may wish to take the opportunity to visit the Grenadier Guards Exhibition, with many artefacts of considerable interest, which has been masterfully put together by Captain David Horn and Andrew Wallis, the latter being the new Curator of the museum. The exhibition is highly recommended.
To help Grenadiers celebrate their special year whilst in London, the museum is offering a range of hospitality options. On certain days there will be a marquee erected in the Chapel Square which will offer food and a bar service to enable Grenadiers to socialise. The food will be available only to those who pre-order one of their Wellington Picnics. I enclose one of the application forms and I would encourage you to submit it to the Guards Museum as soon as possible.
As previously mentioned, this year’s event is to take place at Heaton Park, Manchester on Sunday 9th July and I make no apologies for repeating what I said in my February newsletter. 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. Everyone is advised to arrive early to set up and man the stall. It is expected that some 10,000 will attend as the area will be open to the general public who come to Heaton Park. So let’s make sure all branch members attending take an active part in running the stall so as to maximise our income. We need to Sell! Sell! Sell! in order to boost our funds.
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.
Arena events during the day include the Household Cavalry Musical Ride, the Red Devils Freefall Team, the Blue Eagles Helicopter Display Team, a fly past by the Red Arrows and of course the Regimental Band.
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 so the branch will not be laying on a coach. Please be aware that there is likely to be an admission fee to the park of £2 for everyone.
The Regiment, during their 350th Anniversary celebrations will visit Manchester, London and Worcester where they will exercise their privilege of marching through those cities with Colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed. The City of Bruges and the Flemish authorities have also invited the Regiment to take part in a parade and to march through the city with Colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed. Each parade will be complimented by a variety of other events that will make each occasion a worthwhile and memorable visit.
The Regiment will march through the City of Manchester on Saturday 8th July, the City of London on Thursday 13th July and the City of Worcester on Saturday 22nd July. Details, including timings, can be obtained from me.
The Regiment will also visit the City of Bruges during the weekend 8th / 9th September and the visit will include marches on both days, plus a reception and a band concert on the 9th. I have further details concerning this visit. It is not yet known whether there will be a charge for the Band Concert.
If anyone wishes to take part in the parades please let me know soonest and I will submit names to Association Headquarters. Those wishing to take part must be capable of marching at 116 paces per minute for a distance of not less than two miles. There will be no charge for attendance at the receptions.
I have the latest version of the Association Goods price list and will provide a copy to anyone who wants it.
The UK has recently adopted the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to replace the E111. Application forms are available from the post office, via www.dh.gov.uk or by telephoning 0207 210 4850 during working hours. UK residents are entitled to any medical treatment which becomes necessary - free or at a reduced cost - when temporarily visiting a European Union (EU) country. The cards, which are valid for up to five years from the date of issue, should be carried at all times when visiting EU countries.
The Royal Engineers at Brompton Barracks, Gillingham are putting on a Crimean weekend on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th May. It includes a concert on the Saturday night from 1800-2000 hrs and I understand that although there are bars available, you should take a picnic meal. Prices, which I understand to be just for the concert, are £5.75 for adults with concessionary prices of £3.00. Family tickets are available for £14.50. Further information and tickets can be obtained from the RE Museum at the Brompton Barracks on 01634 822839.
It is the Soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, not the student union, who has given us the right to demonstrate.
It is the Soldier, he who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag and whose coffin is draped in the flag, whose services enable the protester to burn the flag.
That’s all for now folks, so it just remains to say my usual thanks to all those ladies and gents who support the branch and make the events so successful.