NEWSLETTER APRIL 2016

 MEETINGS-THIRD WEDNESDAY EACH MONTH AT RBL CLUB CHURCH ROAD FERNDOWN STARTING AT 19.30 HRS

Branch informal lunch. Held on the first Tuesday of the month at Ferndown RBL club at noon.

NEWSLETTER-APRIL 2016 Branch Meeting Wednesday 20th.

Tony Arthur Edwards.

We sadly report the death of our Vice President Tony who passed away on the 12^th April. His funeral will take place on the 29^th April at 1100 hrs at St Johns Church Broadstone.  Tony came to our branch in Oct 1987 and very soon both he and Cynthia were very involved in branch activities. In Mar 1993 he was elected Secretary and Welfare Member, before becoming Chairman in 1999. In recognition of his work for the Association he was awarded a Group Director's Commendation in 1998 and the REA Badge of Merit in 2006 when he left the Committee and was appointed Vice President.

Tony joined the Army as a boy entrant in 1939 and served until the mid 1960s, leaving as a WO1 Clerk of Works Construction. He joined the REA in 1949 at Taunton Branch, moving to Harrogate, HQ twice, Kuala Lumpur, Andover and Salisbury before joining Bournemouth. He became a Life Member in 1956. Tony will be greatly missed by all in the branch and our sincere sympathies go to Tony's family.  

MONTHLY LUNCH

The May lunch will be announced at the April branch meeting. Please contact John Cusack for information if you are not at the meeting and wish to attend.

NEWSLETTER.

As you all know Mike needs to step back from the newsletter due to his health, as of now Allan Grover is producing the newsletter and Mike is printing and distributing it. If anyone has anything for the newsletter can you please let Allan know by phone or email. Many thanks go to Mike and Joan for all your hard work producing the newsletter, you will be a hard act to follow.

SAPPER 300 OPEN DAY

 This will be held at 22 Engineer Regiment on Saturday 4^th June 2016. Also included on this day is the SW GROUP Standard Bearers Competition. A minibus will be available for those who need it at a cost of £5 per person. John Griffiths will be collecting names and money. The minibus will leave from Ferndown RBL at 09.45 am prompt. Cars to be parked at rear of the legion. If we do not have enough members going the mini bus will be cancelled and members to take their own cars. The day will start off at 11.30 am. The RSM is doing a lunch for the branch members that go and it will be a carvery, the cost of this is unknown at the moment but the maximum cost will be £12.00. Only 8 have booked so far and we need 12-14 for the minibus to be viable.

BRANCH SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR 2016

The cost this year is £15.If you have not paid yet please let the treasurer have your subs as soon as possible. Many thanks to everyone who has already paid and to those who have made a donation.

QUIZ WITH SUPPER

At our meeting on the 18^th May we will have our quiz night with a fish/chicken and chip supper. John Griffiths is taking

the booking for food and the money. The cost is £4.70. This must be booked and paid for in advance, last chance to pay tonight or in next few days at latest, NO BOOKING NO FOOD.

BRANCH ANNUAL LUNCH

This will take place on Saturday 7^th May 2016. NOON FOR 1 PM at the Cumberland Hotel East Cliff Bournemouth. Car parking is limited at the Cumberland but parking is allowed at the Suncliffe and Cliffside Hotels. If you wish to donate any prizes for the raffle please let Richard Silsby know ASAP.

FORECAST OF SW GROUP EVENTS 2016

Open Day and Standard Bearers Rally SATURDAY 4^TH June 2016                                      Group BBQ and AGM at 22 Engineer Regiment Tidworth Sunday 4^th September 2016

FORECAST OF NATIONAL EVENTS 2016

10-12 June Chilwell Weekend

28 May Trooping the Colour-Major Generals Review

9 June Royal Hospital Chelsea Founders Day Parade

4 June Trooping the Colour- Colonels review

8-9 June Beating the Retreat London

11 June Queens Birthday Parade

29-31 July Minley Weekend*

16-18 September Corps Memorial Weekend*

8 October REA  AGM and Annual Dinner*

9 October Sapper Sunday at Royal Hospital Chelsea

10 November Field of Remembrance Westminster

13 November Remembrance Day*

*National Events Booking Details Available from the Branch Secretary

         Branch Welfare Officer Please Contact

Peter Piggott