RMPA EAST SUSSEX BRANCH NEWS LETTER No 16 - Dec 2011 Meeting at 8pm on the first Friday of the month, at RAFA Club, Wish Road, Eastbourne, (except January and February. Chairmans Notes Starting with sad news I’m afraid. Have heard from the family, that Branch founder member Len Bland, following, a long illness, passed away on the morning of Saturday the 3’ of Dec. it was Len’s express wish that there should be no Branch involvement in his funeral. Of course the Branch will respect his wishes. The Branch has also lost another most treasured lady; Joan, wife of Bob Adams, died suddenly on the 28th of October. What can you say about Joan. She was a funny warm hearted bubbly person, liked by everyone. Her presence at Branch functions will be sorely missed. Our sympathies go out to Bob and his family for their loss. As you know Beiyl and 1 are retiring from the Branch Committee at the next AGM. So far, there have been no nominations for our replacements. I understand that Barry Last will also retire from the post of Treasurer, at the same time. The post of Treasurer will be particularly difficult to fill, and I think it is essential to the effective running of the Branch that we have an Accountant. It seems clear therefore, that some hard decisions have to be faced, if volunteers are not forthcoming before the AGM in April. Any suggestions please, before the last one leaving turns out the lights? Given the uncertain future of the Branch, and the reasonably healthy state of our finances it would be unfair to ask for membership subscriptions for what may prove not to be a complete year. This action is not supported by one Committee Member, therefore membership cards will be sent out as usual, along with “Member of the Year” nomination forms, and members who feel they want to contribute are invited to send donations to the Secretary. The Member Of the Year Shield will probably be presented at the AGM. As is customary, the Dec Branch meeting was the occasion for holding an auction of unwanted personal items. This proved to be another triumph for auctioneer extraordinaire President Bob, to exercise his extortion skills to sell off some really nice items, and in the process, raise some £77 for Branch funds. The Branch ladies provided an absolutely fabulous finger buffet, which together with a reasonable turnout of members, made for an excellent evening. I should mention here that a cheque has been set to the Chairman of the RAFA Club, in appreciation for the use of their facilities, in the sum of £75, a fairly modest sum, for such a convenient and useful arrangement. Regarding the annual Christmas Lunch at the Haddon Hall Hotel; this from all accounts was a huge success with a turnout of 49 people. The food and service, as always, was first class, and with entertainment from our Padre David, and Noel Dumbrell, a great time was had by all. Many thanks to Keith Barker for again providing presents for all of the ladies attending. And so to other matters; Dates for Diary • Sun 5th Feb 2012. Tower of London Church Parade. • Branch Meeting 2nd of March 2012, • Branch AGM, 6th of April 2012 Branch Church Parade at East Dean. Sun 13th May 2012 • RMPA 66th Annual Reunion Weekend City of Coventry. 18/19/20 May 2012 • Sun 13th May 2012, Branch Church Parade at East Dean. Standard Stewart Henderson reports; The Branch Standard has been present at the following events since the last published news-letter. Along with the Standard of The Royal Sussex Regimental Association, the Standard and Branch members were in attendance at the grave of the late L/Cpl. Pritchard in Ocklynge Cemetry when it was visited by Col. Dudley Giles as part of his Redcap Remembrance 2011 Cycle ride. The traditional Arndale Centre, Eastbourne and War Memorial Remembrance Sunday Parades were both attended with representatives of the Branch in support. Together with, other Standards, from Eastboume Combined Ex Service Association, it supported The Eastboume Branch of the Royal Engineers Association when they laid up their old Standard and dedicated a new one in All Souls Church, Eastboume in November. Finally, I accepted an invitation to attend the ceremony to lay up the Standard of Seaford Branch of the Royal Naval Association in the Chapel of St. Dunstan’s, Ovingdean, near Brighton on Saturday 3rd December. (At which the officiating Padre was the Rev. David Farrant). As we are now in the ‘Quiet Season’ for parades etc., There are no planned events requiring the attendance of the standard during the next few weeks but, as always, if members become aware of any events where the Standard could be deployed, please let me know. Welfare Bob Adams has nothing new to report at this time. AOB • A warm Branch welcome to new member Eon Matthews RN, of Seaford. We hope to meet him at a future Branch meeting. • Enclosed is your new membership card, and voting slip for “Member of the Year Shield” • The MOY Shield is currently held by Beryl Whiley; previous holders include, Bob Peedle, Reg Whiley, Dave Gibson, Derek Mead, Stewart Henderson, Barry Last, and Bob Adams. Finally Best wishes to you all from Beryl and I; we look forward to seeing you at the next Branch meeting in March. Reg Whiley Branch Chairman
.............................................................................................................................................................
CLICK HERE RMP Old Comrades Link-Up Newsletter No.46-April 2011
.............................................................................................................................................................
RMPA EAST SUSSEX BRANCH News-Sheet No 15 - Sept 2011 Meeting at 8pm on the first Friday of the month, at RAFA Club, Wish Road, Eastbourne, (except January and February). Chairmans Notes; Greetings to you all, as I endeavour to update you once more, with the Branch news, views, and information. Our most recent social event was the lunch/branch meeting at the Wheatsheaf Restaurant, Little Common. Attendance was not too bad at about twenty, but this included a couple of guests, and clearly it was not something our working members could attend. The meal was judged by most, if not all, to be very good, with an excellent selection in all three courses, and at £9, very good value for money. By common consent, this particular event will in future be held annually. Following the lunch, the party moved to the Whiley garden for tea and cake on a warm and sunny afternoon. Branch attendance is lower than it used to be, and we have now taken to bringing the tables together for a group gathering, rather than individuals spread thinly in a large room. We find this much more sociable. The viability of asking guest speakers however, is debateable given that we are now such a small group. Having said that, we have recently been fortunate to obtain the services of a couple of most interesting people. In June we were entertained by the head of Seahaven fm, Nick Mallinson, who provided us with a detailed account of the way that this recently fully commissioned local radio station operates. Of course our President Bob Peedle has a very important slot on this station, broadcasting “Forces on Parade” at 6pm every Sunday evening. He recently kindly invited Stewart Henderson and me, to talk about the Branch and our individual service histories and experiences. Another entertaining talk was given to us by one of Beryl’s SSAFA colleagues, Richard Bray. He spoke of his time in Aden around the mid sixties, when he was ic of an RAF medical facility. Even though we don’t always have a speaker, we do entertain each other with some very lively debate and of course it is the place to get the RMPA news and announcements, hot off the press. So, if you can, please come along and support your Branch at our monthly meetings. We still have the fund raising raffle, so to keep this viable, don’t forget to bring along a small prize. And now on to other matters. Welfare Welfare Officer, Bob Adams, reports to the meetings on his current case load. Unfortunately wife Joan is currently undergoing exploratory surgery. This is clearly worrying and on your behalf may I wish them all the very best for a good outcome. Standard Bearer Stewart Henderson continues to be very active, and the Standard is proudly displayed at numerous events and functions. His wife Joan appears to be making a good recovery from her recent brush with cancer, and again on behalf of you all I wish them well. Treasurer The accounts are in good order, so many thanks to Barry Last for his continuing careful control of these. Sylvia, his wife has also recently been hospitalised, so the Branch’s best wishes to her. Dates for the Diary · Sat 12 Nov 2011. RMP/RMPA Field of Remembrance Westminster Abbey Sat 12 Nov · Sat 10th Dec 2011. Branch Christmas Lunch. Haddon Hall Hotel Eastbourne. · Sun 5th Feb 2012. Tower of London Church Parade. · 18/19/20 May 2012 RMPA 66th Annual Reunion Weekend City of Coventry. · Sun 13th May 2012, Branch Church Parade at East Deanc ********************************************************************* And finally; it is with regret, that after careful consideration, Beryl and I have decided not to put ourselves forward, for the posts of Secretary and Chairman at the next AGM in April 2012. Many factors are involved in arriving at this decision, not the least of these is the fact of my eightieth birthday looming, also, the concern for falling membership. A new hand at the helm, may well revitalise the Branch, and take it into differing and more interesting directions and perhaps attract more members. The purpose of giving this advance notice is to give time to invite nominations for the vacant posts well ahead of the AGM. Nominations should obviously have the acceptance of the nominee, and be forwarded to Beryl. This bulletin will be forwarded where possible, by email. If we don’t have your email address it would be helpful to receive it, as this will speed the distribution process and save on postage. Best wishes to you all. Reg Whiley Branch Chairman 24 Eden Drive Bexhill on Sea East Sussex TN39 3RL Tel 01424 843461 Email r_1whiley@tiscali.co,uk PS; Have just heard that Col Dudley Giles, who is carrying out a charity cycle ride, visiting homes of RMP killed in action, will be in Eastbourne on 17 Oct. It is proposed that we discuss at the next Branch meeting how we might best mark this occasion and make a contribution. Frederick Adams 29 Mount Road, Denton, Newhaven BN9 0LT
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
COLCHESTER & EAST ANGLIA BRANCH RMPA THIRD ANNUAL WEEKEND AWAY FRIDAY 3oTH Sept – MONDAY 3rd Oct 2011 The Branch is happy to invite members of all Branch’s’ of the RMPA to our Annual weekend away in 2011. After another successful Weekend away at Gunton Hall, we have decided to repeat the break at Warners GUNTON HALL LOWESTOFT. For more details of the location please look at our Branch’s website http://www.rmpacolchester.co.uk or on Warners Hotel website http://www.warnerbreaks.co.uk/gunton-hall Enquiries have been carried out with Gunton Hall and they have managed to come up with a very good package for the Weekend of Friday 30th September –Monday 3rd October2011. Arriving on the Friday afternoon and departing 100 places have been pre booked for the 2011 Weekend Away. The cost for attending the weekend will be £170 per person. (Original cost was £229). The price includes £6 per person Cancellation Insurance with Gunton Hall. All those attending will have to pay this fee. This has been decided after recent trips when three couples cancelled just prior to the event and were unable to claim their money back as they had not booked the cancellation insurance. There is not up for negotiation, No insurance no booking Below is the order in which priority will be given for booking the 2011 weekend away. 1. Members of the Colchester & East Anglia Branch RMPA and their guests 2. Guests who attended the 2010 Weekend away 3. Other RMPA Branches 4. Non Branch Members of the RMPA (I.E. 200 Club, Mailed Fist Club etc) on a first come first serve basis If more than 120 places are requested a Standby list will be organised and then should any person decide to pull out of the weekend persons will then be selected from the standby list Please contact the Branch Secretary Allan Adam or Branch Treasurer Ray Hansen. When booking please state full names of the guests and their addresses. Our Treasurer is happy to take partial payments for the weekend up until Thursday 7th July 2011 when the full amount must be paid. A £50 per person Deposit for the weekend MUST be paid by Thursday 3rd February 2011 to our Treasurer to ensure your place. Please NO monies to the Secretary DON’T DELAY BOOK TODAY WHAT DO YOU GET FOR £170 I HEAR YOU ASK? 1. A nice Chalet with tea/coffee facilities, TV etc 2. Half Board (Breakfast and Evening meals) 3. Free use of all the facilities within the grounds e.g. Swimming Pool, Indoor Bowling Green, Archery, Shooting Range and many, many more? 4. Free entertainment every night (Cabaret Break) 5. On the Saturday night we would still hold a Dinner in a segregated area of the Dining Hall including a Raffle and then retire into the Cabaret area for the live entertainment. Country weekend It is also hoped to organise a couple of events during the weekend for example a day out and a Boat trip on the Norfolk Broads again, Branch Secretary: Allan Adam 1 Annbrook Road Ipswich Suffolk IP2 9JN Telephone Number: 01473 681094 (Answer machine) Mobile Number: 07795 025758 Email: allan.adam1@btinternet.com Branch Treasurer: Ray Hansen The Retreat, 1 Park Square West, Jaywick Essex CO15 2NS Telephone Number: 01255 422876 Email: ray@hansenfamily.co.uk
...............................................................................................................................................................................................................