|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Mercury
Newsletter of the Aldershot Branch
Royal Signals Association
Spring 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future Events Covered in this Edition
|
|
Spring Lunch & AGM
|
Sunday 17th April
|
|
11th Annual Branch Quiz Night
|
Thursday 19th May
|
|
Colonel’s Review of Trooping the Colour
|
Saturday 4th June
|
|
Lunch at the Pub
|
Thursday 9th June
|
|
Ceremony of the Keys, Tower of London
|
Thursday 28th July
|
|
Band Concert at Kneller Hall
|
Wednesday 3rd August
|
|
Dress Rehearsal for Sovereign’s Parade
|
Wednesday 10th August
|
|
|
|
|
|
Next Meeting
SPRING LUNCH AND AGM IN THE GARRISON SERGEANTS’ MESS
Sunday 17th April
Details were published in the Winter 2004 - 2005 edition of Mercury. We are expecting a good turn-out, but if any members have missed the deadline and still wish to come, please contact Peter Sharpe without delay.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Membership
|
|
|
|
We are delighted to welcome Major (Retd) Dick Dominy to the branch.
A warm welcome is also extended to Bob Webb who has been appointed an Associate Member in recognition of his contribution to and close interest in the branch. Over the past five years, Bob has entertained us with two excellent musical evenings and conducted us on our tour of Brooklands motor and aircraft museum.
|
|
|
|
Forthcoming Branch Activities
|
|
|
|
ELEVENTH ANNUAL QUIZ NIGHT IN THE GARRISON SERGEANT’S MESS
|
|
|
|
Thursday 19th May
Start at 8pm. Please arrive between 7.30 and 7.45 pm
|
|
|
|
We are again delighted to announce our Annual Quiz Night. This will be our eleventh successive year and we hope it will be even more popular than before, as we are including some innovations that will appeal to all ages, to replace some of the well-tried rounds. We shall again be in the congenial venue of The Garrison Sergeants’ Mess, by kind permission of Joe Fairbairn and the Mess Committee.
So, come along, pit your wits and enjoy this very social event. Separate invitations are being sent to visiting teams, including garrison units, neighbouring RSA branches and our HQ friends in Blandford. Prizes will be awarded to the first three teams. Each team will comprise four people and it would be very helpful to the smooth running of the event if as many as possible would form their own teams in advance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There will be five rounds of questions and a Ghurka curry buffet supper (with alternative dish) will be served about the halfway mark. An inclusive charge of £7 per head, payable on the night, will cover the cost of the buffet and quiz prizes. All contestants will receive a free issue of raffle tickets. Additional raffle tickets will be on sale and all proceeds given to the Ghurka Welfare Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
COLONEL’S REVIEW OF TROOPING THE COLOUR
|
|
|
|
Saturday 4th June
|
|
|
|
This event was notified in our Winter 2004 - 2005 edition, when invitations to attend were requested by the end of January. Peter Sharpe will be sending tickets to applicants during the month of May.
|
|
|
|
Realising that some of our Branch members can’t always get to our regular meetings, particularly if they are evening events, we decided last year to organise Pub lunches, primarily for widows of former members, with full members also being most welcome. These have proved a great success.
The third such lunch will be held on Thursday 9th June again at The Bat and Ball, Wrecclesham, Farnham, starting at 12.15 pm. We will try to help with transport where necessary. All those wishing to attend should inform Ian Ronald or Mary Pagan
The Bat and Ball is an attractive hostelry in the Bourne Valley south of Farnham. It has recently been completely refurbished and now serves an excellent selection of meals and snacks.
|
|
|
|
TOWER OF LONDON: EVENING GUIDD TOUR AND CEREMONY OF THE KEYS
|
|
|
|
Thursday 28th July
Coach departs 5.45 pm from the RC Church, Queens Avenue, Aldershot
|
|
|
|
For our July event we shall be privileged to witness the ancient Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London by courtesy of Yeoman Warder Tom Trent, late Royal Signals. The details are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
17.45
|
|
Depart by coach from RC Church Queens Ave, Aldershot
|
|
19.30
|
|
Arrive at the Tower followed by conducted tour of some parts of the fortress
|
|
20.30
|
|
Drinks in the Yeoman Warders Club courtsey of the Chief Warder
|
|
21.30
|
|
Witness Ceremony of the Keys
|
|
22.00
|
|
Buffet supper
|
|
23.00
|
|
Departure
|
|
|
|
|
We last made this trip in the year 2000 and it was a memorable occasion. We are limited to 40 people and so members are advised to book without delay. Smart dress with collar and tie are required.
Cars may be parked either on the RC Church car park on Queens Avenue or across the road in the HQ 4 Div car park, which has some security as it is close to the guard post.
The cost per head for the whole visit including coach, guided tour and buffet supper is £20.
|
|
|
|
|
|
BAND CONCERT AT KNELLER HALL, TWICKENHAM
|
|
|
|
Wednesday 3rd August
Grounds open: 6.30 pm Seating by 7.50 pm Concert 8 to 9.30 pm
|
|
|
|
For the last five years, a group from the Branch has enjoyed this ever-popular military band concert evening at Kneller Hall. As for last year, we have gone for the final concert of the season, which is considered to be the highlight occasion. We have again succeeded in getting a limited number of tickets for Branch members and their guests.
Kneller Hall is a short drive up the M3 towards London and easy to find, once in the vicinity of Twickenham Rugby Stadium. Cars may be parked in the grounds. We suggest that you bring food and drink, folding chairs etc and join other Branch members in the car park to enjoy a social picnic before the performance. Oh, and don’t forget that an umbrella could come in useful!
The cost per head is £8 and, as there may be a heavy demand for tickets, you are advised to get your bids in without delay. If we are over-subscribed, allocation will be strictly on a first come first served basis. Please send your requests using Annex ‘C’ to Peter Sharpe as soon as possible, with cheques made out to ‘Royal Signals Association, Aldershot Branch’. or click here to make your booking
Tickets will be sent to you. Any unsuccessful applicants will be notified and their cheques returned.
|
|
|
|
SOVEREIGN’S PARADE DRESS REHEARSAL AT RMA, SANDHURST
|
|
|
|
Wednesday 10th August
Seated by 10.45 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
We and friends from our neighbouring branches are again invited to watch this highly impressive and well-attended event, the Commandant’s Rehearsal for the Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy.
Please aim to arrive at the Staff College Gate by 10.30 am, as seats must be occupied by 10.45 am. Facilities will be made available at the Cricket Pavilion for lunch, so please bring picnic and light refreshments with you. As the RMA authorities require a contribution for use of their facilities, £1 per head will be payable with your replies.
|
|
|
|
|
Aldershot Branch members please complete and return Annex ‘D’ to Peter Sharpe by 21 July, with cheques made out to ‘Royal Signals Association, Aldershot Branch’. or click here to make your booking
Members from other branches please apply to your own branch secretary.
|
|
|
|
|
And for your diaries, details in our next edition:
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday 17th September (note change of date)
|
Coach trip & guided tour to Kew Gardens
|
|
Sunday 23rd October
|
Autumn Lunch at Army Golf Club
|
|
Thursday 10th November
|
Talk on Weather Signs and Sayings
|
|
December date to be notified
|
Christmas Lunch
|
|
|
|
|
Neighbouring Branches and Aldershot Garrison Events
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SOUTHAMPTON & DISTRICT BRANCH ANNUAL LUNCHEON
|
|
|
|
Sunday 24th April
Chandlers Ford
|
|
|
|
Members wishing to attend this event should obtain details as soon as possible. See contact details published in hard copy.
|
|
|
ALDERSHOT GARRISON EVENTS
|
|
|
|
Members may be interested in the following events to be held in July:
2nd - 3rd July: Aldershot Army Show. This will take place on Queen’s Parade. Participating in the Grand Finale on 3 July will be VE and VJ Veterans accompanied by Standards.
10th July: VE and VJ Day Commemoration Service. As part of the national VE and VJ Day celebrations, a morning service will be conducted in the Royal Garrison Church. This will be followed by a parade through Aldershot, following a similar pattern to last year’s parade to celebrate 150 years of the Army in Aldershot.
For details of above events, please contact the Garrison Sergeant Major, RSM Joe Fairbairn,
|
|
|
|
Spotlight on Corps Activities
|
|
|
|
RSA ANNUAL NEWSLETTER, 2005
|
|
|
|
Members’ attention is drawn to the RSA Annual Newsletter, now published on the RSA Website: www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/rsa
|
|
|
|
FORTHCOMING CORPS EVENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuesday 3rd May
|
Officers’ Corps Dinner, London
|
|
Sat & Sun 25 – 26th June
|
Royal Signals Association Annual Reunion, Blandford
|
|
Sunday 26th June
|
Officers’ Luncheon, Blandford
|
|
|
|
|
Details of the Officers’ Corps Dinner, Luncheon and some other events are given in the Retired Officers’ Newsletter published by RHQ in March 2005. Members should note that the Officers’ Luncheon is not part of the Association Annual Reunion, so separate booking is required.
Full details of the RSA Annual Reunion including administration and application forms are published on the RSA Website: www.army.mod.uk/royalsignals/rsa
The outline programme is:
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday 25th June
|
|
|
0900
|
|
Museum Open
|
|
1030
|
|
Princess Royal Parade on Hawke Square
|
|
1200
|
|
All Ranks Lunch in Regimental Restaurant
|
|
1500
|
|
Arena Programme including:
|
|
|
|
Corps Band, White Helmets Motor Cycle Display Team
|
|
|
|
Corps Pipes & Drums, Branch Standard Bearers Competition
|
|
|
|
Corps Parachute Display Team, Corps TA Band
|
|
|
|
Musical Finale & Retreat
|
|
1800
|
|
Entertainment & Buffet in Sergeants’ Mess
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday 26th June
|
|
|
0900
|
|
Museum Open
|
|
1030
|
|
Drumhead service on Hawke Square
|
|
1145
|
|
March Past on Hawke Square
|
|
1200
|
|
Lunch is available in the Regimental Restaurant provided it is pre-booked, for those not attending the Officers’ Luncheon.
|
|
1400
|
|
Dispersal
|
|
|
|
|
Recent Branch Activities
|
|
|
|
CHRISTMAS LUNCH
|
|
|
|
|
|
Despite continuing rumours about the imminent levelling of St Omer Barracks as part of the Aldershot re-building project, we were once again able to enjoy an excellent Christmas lunch there in December. We were pleased to entertain as our guests the OC and some members of 261 Signal Squadron as a small reward for all the help and support they have given us over the past year. Serving and retired members enjoyed
the first class service provided by the trainee mess stewards and mess supervisors who we warmly thank.
|
|
|
|
|
SOCIAL EVENING
|
|
|
|
In January we were very pleased, at the invitation of RSM Andy Lothian, to return to the Buller Barracks WOs and Sergeants Mess for a Social Evening. It should be remarked that
|
|
|
|
“Social Evening” is code for Games Night. On this occasion, the enthusiastic Sergeant Mordecai planned the event and acted as Master of Ceremonies for a wide variety of apparently innocent games which, in one or two instances, were in danger of infringing new anti-blood sport legislation! Fortunately no casualties ensued. It was a fine event much enjoyed by our own members and those of 251 and 261 Signal Squadrons. A ‘Pub Quiz’ run by SSgt Snape rounded off the evening in good style and enabled Aileen and Richard Assender (a team to watch at our next Quiz Night) to leave the mess somewhat wealthier! Very many thanks to mess members of 261 Signal Squadron for entertaining their visitors so well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
RHYTHM AND BLUES EVENING
|
|
|
|
After a lapse of five years to the day, we were delighted to have Bob Webb with us again on Thursday 17th March, entertaining us with a solo performance on saxophone and orchestral backing. This was a tour de force, with music covering an extensive range from James Bond, through Stan Getz to Bizet’s Carmen. So, we can say to Bob, appropriately in the words of Abba, “thank you for the music.”
|
|
|
|
Branch Recruitment Campaign: An Appeal for Your Help
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We are very much aware of the need to recruit new members to the Branch. Your committee has initiated a recruitment campaign and in doing so, we wish to enlist your help.
How can you help? One of the most effective means of recruitment has proved to be personal contact. Retired members of the Corps, including those who have recently left the Service, move into the area or may have lived here for a while without realising the facilities and advantages of joining the branch. If you come across anyone who falls into this category, then do let us know, so that we can follow up.
Secondly, we have available advertising posters and leaflets giving branch details. We should value your assistance in displaying these in local shops, supermarkets, libraries and on town notice boards.
Your contacts are:
For possible new members: Mike Wilson: e-mail mikeoscar@mac.com
For posters & leaflets: Chris Endean: e-mail: chris_endean@agilent.com
Please help us in our efforts to maintain the health, strength and continuity of our Branch!
|
|
|
|
Welfare Appeal
|
|
|
Our annual Welfare Appeal for the Royal Signals Association has resulted in a total to date from our branch members of £227. We express our very grateful thanks to all contributors for this excellent figure. But we could do better! The fund is still open for any who wish to make further contributions, and these should be sent to Peter Sharpe
|
|
|
|
Ever wonder........................
|
|
|
|
Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?
Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why don't you ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Why is "abbreviated" such a long word?
Why is it that doctors call what they do "practice"?
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavour, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why isn't there mouse-flavoured cat food?
Why didn't Noah swat those two mosquitoes?
Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?
Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?
|
|
