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Mercury
Newsletter of the Aldershot Branch
Royal Signals Association
Summer 2005
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Future Events Covered in this Edition
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Saturday 24th September
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Aldershot Proms Extravaganza
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Sunday 23rd October
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Autumn Lunch
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Thursday 10th November
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Talk on Weather Signs & Sayings
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Friday 11th November
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Brookwood Remembrance Ceremony
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Sunday 13th November
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Remembrance Sunday
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Tuesday 15th November
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‘Farewell to St Omer’ Lunch
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Thursday 1st December
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Associate Members’ Pub Lunch
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Monday 12th December
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Corps Carol Service
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Congratulations to our gallant Standard Bearer
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We have often congratulated our standard bearer, Fred Bridges, for his fine bearing whenever on parade. This year our special congratulations go to him for attaining a very creditable third place in the Association’s standard bearers competition at the Reunion weekend. Well done Fred and well done Jean for your loyal support over many years. The Master of Signals is seen presenting Fred with a silver salver.
We also offer our congratulations to the winner of the competition this year, Christine Doe who used to be a member of this branch, but not then a standard bearer.
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Forthcoming Activities
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QUEUE HERE FOR KEW GARDENS!
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A Coach Trip and Guided Tour
Saturday 17th September
Coach departs 0945 from the RC Church, Queen’s Avenue, Aldershot
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The renowned Kew Gardens, located near Richmond, Surrey on the River Thames, was nominated a World Heritage Site in 2003. We shall start with a guided tour and shall then have the opportunity to wander the Gardens at leisure and take full advantage of the many on-site facilities.
This is the first visit under branch arrangements to the Gardens, so we look forward to your support
Programme:
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0930 Depart by coach from RC Church Queen’s Avenue.
1030 Arrive at Kew Gardens. Visitors’ Centre and Coffee Shop
1130 Guided Tour, starting from Visitors’ Centre
1230 Tour ends at Pavilion Restaurant
1630 Coach departs for return
1730 Arrive at Queen’s Avenue
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Cars may be parked in the RC Church Car Park, Queen’s Avenue
Cost per head for the visit, including coach, entrance fee and guided tour: £20
Please book your place, by returning the booking slip to Mary Pagan, with cheque as soon as possible and not later than 7th September.
Remember to include car registration number on the form.
You are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes!
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Also taking place in September, we are pleased to advertise:
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ALDERSHOT PROMS EXTRAVAGANZA
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Charity Concert presented by Aldershot Garrison in the Maida Gym, Queen’s Avenue
Saturday 24th September
Doors open1800, Concert starts 1900
The concert is in aid of the Poppy Appeal, Army Benevolent Fund and St. John Ambulance. It will feature, among others, Concert Bands from Farnborough, Bagshot and Basingstoke and the RBL Corps of Drums from Old Basing.
Tickets at £10, include Entrance, Programme, Flags, Hats and Free Raffle.
Send SAE with cheque made out to ‘Central Bank, Aldershot Garrison (Proms)’ to: Garrison Sgt Major, HQ Aldershot Garrison, Montgomery Lines, Aldershot, GU12 2AU
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OUR EVER - POPULAR AUTUMN LUNCH
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Those who regularly attend our annual Autumn Lunch always express enthusiasm for the very pleasing atmosphere of the Army Golf Club with its high quality menu, so we have chosen to hold our Autumn Lunch here again.
There will, as usual, be a three-course menu, the main course being a Curry, but special diets will be catered for if requested. The starter will be on the table, to enable us to sit down and enjoy the first course straight away. Cost of the lunch will be £13.50, excluding drinks to be ordered individually.
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Please complete booking slip and return to reach Peter Sharpe with cheque made out to Royal Signals Association, Aldershot Branch by 7th October.
Please also note on the booking slip the number of vegetarian meals required and any seating preferences.
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The Branch will again be represented at Remembrance Day events in the local area, parading our standard and laying wreaths.
Remembrance Day: Friday 11th November
On Friday 11th November a ceremony will be held in the Canadian part of the War Cemetery at Brookwood. In the past this has been organised by the Normandy Veterans Association but this year for the first time it will be run by the Canadian High Commission. As usual the pipe band of the Gordon Boys School will lead the parade. This is a very moving event, which all Branch members are encouraged to attend. You should be in position by 1000. Car parking is limited and warm clothing is advised. Anyone requiring directions to the War Cemetery please contact the Branch Chairman.
Remembrance Sunday: 13th November
We shall participate in the service and ceremony at the Royal Garrison Church in Aldershot on Sunday 13th November. This attracts a large congregation from units in the garrison and those attending are advised to be seated in the church by 1030. RMP will direct people to the ample car parks and there is normally a shuttle bus from there up to the church.
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‘FAREWELL TO SAINT OMER’
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Our Final Lunch at the Home of Army Catering
Tuesday 15th November
For the past three years, we have been able to hold our well-attended pre-Christmas lunches at the School of Catering, St. Omer Barracks, Aldershot. Each year, we have been warned that this may be the last, as the School would be closing, only to be pleasantly surprised the following year to find that it was still open!
This year, when attempting once again to make our pre-Christmas booking, we were sadly and reliably informed that, come December, St. Omer would be no more. So, we did the next best thing and booked for a lunch in November, rather too early to celebrate Christmas, but highly appropriate to bid ‘Farewell to St. Omer’.
We have been able to book Tuesday 15th November for the event, so we hope as many of you as possible will be able to come along on that day and enjoy our final lunch at St Omer.
The cost will be £10 per head, to include full three-course lunch, pre-lunch drinks and a glass of wine during the meal.
Please complete the booking slip and return to reach Peter Sharpe with cheque made out to Royal Signals Association, Aldershot Branch, by 1st November. We are limited to 33 places so book early!
For security reasons, please include a note of your car registration number on the booking slip.
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LUNCH AT THE PUB
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The Bat and Ball, Farnham
Thursday 1st December
1215
We started holding these Pub lunches, primarily for Branch widows (associate members) to meet old friends and Branch members. So far, three of these events have been arranged and have been greatly enjoyed by all those who attended.
The next Pub Lunch will be on Thursday 1st December. We again hope to see as many as possible of our Associate members together with Branch members at the ‘Bat and Ball’ in Wrecclesham, Farnham starting at 1215.
All those wishing to join us should inform Mary Pagan or Ian Ronald by 24th November. Will Associate members please tell us if transport is needed.
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Sunday 17th April was a beautiful spring day and as members were assembling for the AGM, a few intrepid souls went out onto the terrace of the Garrison Sergeants Mess to enjoy a drink in the sunshine. Alert as ever, the committee made a quick decision to move the meeting outside, with the result that Aldershot Branch enjoyed the healthiest AGM for sometime.
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All essential business was successfully transacted including the election of the new committee. This year a significant change occurred with Jane Knight standing down as secretary after 12 years active service in the firing line for which fulsome tributes were paid. Jane’s undoubted knowledge and experience of the Association will not be lost as she has kindly agreed to continue on the committee as Vice President.
Jane’s place as secretary has been taken by Mary Pagan who made a really excellent start by breaking her arm a few days into her tour, thus rendering herself unable to take minutes of meetings! Seriously, Mary, we are sorry about your nasty accident and wish you a full recovery.
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Mike Wilson, who had been filling the roles of Deputy Chairman and Information Officer as well as Membership Secretary, has now been able to pass the latter appointment to Chris Endean.
After the AGM, members enjoyed a hearty lunch thus undoing the earlier good.
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The Quiz Night Going from Strength to Strength
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Among the 20 teams that took part in our eleventh annual Quiz Night on 19th May were many familiar names (such as the Stray Kats and the Bright Sparks) and a few new ones (like Handbags at Dawn and Winchester Pride). The latter team were from Winchester WRAC Association and we were pleased to welcome them for the first time. We were also very pleased to have teams with us once again from 251 and 261 Signal Squadrons. Old and new took part in a spirit of intense but friendly competition, challenged as usual by the dreaded anagrams and by some new-look rounds this year. All this, of course, due to the hard work and inspiration of our Quiz Master, Neville Lyons.
This year an Aldershot branch team, The Choughs, took first prize followed by The Curry Lions from 261 Signal Squadron and the Lionesses. This was an impressive performance by The Curry Lions, the first time that a team from the serving Corps had come in the top three. Well done to them and, indeed, to all competitors who not only put their brains on the line but also contributed generously to the raffle as a result of which we were able to send a cheque for £100 to the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
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The Glories of the Tower
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Yeoman Warder Tom Trent, late Royal Signals, was the host for 32 members who visited the Tower on the evening of 28th July. After a comfortable coach journey to Tower Hill we were entertained for an hour with a fascinating tour with amusing history of the great fortress and, in particular, of the life and times of the Tudor monarchs.
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After this we were able to adjourn to the Yeoman Warders Club for some excellent sustenance while our host and his wife had to return to Tower Green to put the ravens to bed.
With that task successfully completed, Tom was able to guide us back outside to witness the Ceremony of the Keys. This has reputedly gone on for 800 years and, in the gathering gloom, with the brooding walls and towers as a backdrop, it is a spine-tingling event for anyone with a feeling for the history of our nation. We were privileged to witness it and are grateful to Tom Trent for giving us such an enjoyable and interesting evening.
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Music and Fireworks at Kneller Hall
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A group of 20 members and friends again enjoyed on 3rd August the last night of the Kneller Hall concert season, which has formed a regular spot in our branch calendar for the past few years. The four regimental bands treated us to a highly professional and varied performance of 12 musical items, ranging from Verdi’s Aida, through a performance by Gurkha Dancers, the film music of Ron Goodwin to a finale of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. The latter was accompanied by an impressive firework display. The occasion again demonstrated the very high standards of the musicians and trainee bandmasters of the Royal Military School of Music. The stillness of a fine and warm summer evening (for the second year running!) gave a splendid atmosphere to the whole occasion.
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RMA Sandhurst – The Commandant’s Parade
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Branch members attended the impressive rehearsal for the Sovereigns Parade (this year to be taken by the King of Malaysia, a Sandhurst graduate, on 10th August). We were pleased once again to act as the focus for groups from Southampton, Reading and West London branches. This year, too, we were delighted to be joined by a group from Brighton branch. Their keenness to attend was unfortunately rewarded by their tickets going astray in the post, but all was well in the end thanks to the prompt action of Paddy Verdon who obtains access for the RSA. Tony Allibone, chairman of Brighton Branch, is to be congratulated for his good humoured and philosophical attitude to the problem. All who attended not only enjoyed the parade and the Commandant’s inspiring words to the cadets, but also a pleasant picnic afterwards in the Sandhurst grounds.
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In Memoriam
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Major Hywel Thomas
A dedicated member of Royal Signals and loyal supporter of our branch, Hywel Thomas sadly died on 30th July while on business in the Caribbean. Educated at Welbeck College and Sandhurst, he was commissioned into the Corps in 1964 and took up his first posting in 7th Signal Regiment the following year. His subsequent Regular Army career until 1983 was marked by service in a wide variety of active units including an attachment to the Devon and Dorsets, 11 Armoured Brigade HQ and 6 Field Force HQ and Signal Squadron which he commanded. He attended the Army Staff Course and his overall valuable experience was recognised by being given the prestigious job of officer commanding Normandy Company at the RMA Sandhurst after which he retired to civilian life.While serving in Germany he developed a keen interest in Freemasonry which led to him becoming in 1980 a founder member of the Certa Cito Lodge for members of the Corps. He served this faithfully for the rest of his life including as its Master in 1984-85. In recent years he put a great deal of effort into researching the history of Freemasonry in the armed forces and the personalities associated with it. This is recorded in the book he completed in 2005: “Certa Cito Lodge – The First 25 Years.” With typical generosity Hywel donated copies to the Corps Museum with proceeds of their sale going to the Royal Signals Benevolent Fund. His second career was in the financial services industry concluding with a demanding job in the City of London. This allowed him to develop close associations with city institutions such as the Honourable Artillery Company and livery companies including, as befitted a member of the Corps, the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists. In all the organisations with which he was associated, Hywel had an exceptionally wide circle of friends who valued his companionship and irrepressible fund of stories. Everything that Hywel Thomas undertook in his life was marked by his own energy, enthusiasm and dedication and also by the constant and lively support of his wife Carole. Together they were loyal members of our branch of the Association, often introducing some of their many friends to our meetings and events. Hywel is sadly missed and we extend to Carole, Sarah and Johanna our deepest sympathy on their tragic loss.
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Miscellaneous Announcements
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Welfare Fund
At a recent Rotary Club Dinner held at Reading University, the OC and RSM of 261 Signal Squadron gave after-dinner talks to the assembled company. As a mark of appreciation, the Rotary Club presented them with a cheque for £100, to be donated to a good cause. This was passed to our branch and will be added to our donation to RSA, Blandford. We cordially thank Major Tim Allen and RSM Andy Lothian for their most generous gesture.
Old Copies of ‘The Wire’
Back copies of ‘The Wire’ from Feb 2003 to June 2005 are available from the Assistant Editor, free of charge. Payment of postage is required at the rate of:
1 copy at 71p, 2 at £1.48, 3 at £2.00, 4 at £3.27, 5 at £4.52, 6 at £5.40.
Contact Dawn at thewire@royalsignals.mod.uk.
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Out Of The Mouths of Babes……..
If you need a laugh then read through these Science Exam Answers.
These are real answers given by children.
Q: Name the four seasons.
A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar
Q: What are steroids?
A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.
Q: What happens to your body as you age?
A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.
Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery.
Q: How are the main parts of the body categorised? (e.g., abdomen.)
A: The body is consisted into three parts -- the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain; the borax contains the heart and lungs, and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels, A, E, I, O U
Q: Give the meaning of the term "Caesarean Section"
A: The Caesarean Section is a district in Rome.
Q: What does the word "benign" mean?
A: Benign is what you will be after you be eight.
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