Post by aghart on Mar 17, 2013 17:38:33 GMT
There were about 40 people present in the garrison church today 17th March 2013. As usual not a single serving member of the regiment was present. This is not a criticism of the individuals but of the system. "In our day" (how many times have we heard that?) a presence may not have been officially compulsory, but the WO's, SNCO's & Officers based at Bovington & Lulworth would have had it made obvious to them that their presence "was expected" this no longer happens, either it's good and shows progress, or it's a sign of the times, it's not my decision to make, but once a year? come on!!
for those who are unaware? every year the RTR sponsors a single church service at the garrison church at Bovington and includes a curry lunch at the officers mess afterwards.
The Bournemouth, Poole & District branch was however well represented, about 15 members turned up plus a number of wives. What was good, and deserves to be mentioned, is that two of our WWII veterans attended because two younger members made large detours in their journeys to pick them up and drop them home again. Dave Larcombe went all the way to Christchurch to pick up one old chap, and Carl LP went to Wimborne from Wareham to take another to Bovington.
Small things, but actually quite large things when you look at the world today. It is refreshing to see people willing to add up to 50 miles in their overall journey to ensure 2 old and frail members were not forgotten and left out of the occasion. Neither of the two old members had attended the church service and curry lunch before.
The day co-incided with St Patricks day so there was a slight Irish tinge to the service. Once it was over, there was tea and biscuits, Mick Everton and myself decided that the safety of the people attending was "paramount" and so , in a symbol of terrific self- sacrifice declined the offer of refreshments and ensured the route to the garrison Officers mess was cleared and safe! The fact that we got to the bar earlier than everyone else was just a total coincidence.
Why is it that army Curry's are better than anything you get in an Indian Restaurant?
The food was great, the beer and coffee was terrific and a great afternoon was had by all.
The 8 RTR reunion was held the previous night in Bournemouth and a coach load of the 8th made up a significant number of those attending.
After the mess, Mick Everton and I went to the "pub" in Bovington, "Clouds Hill " to await our transport, what a dive that pub is, all the negatives of a NAAFI bar, but without any of the positives. I think the techinical term is "shithole"
An enjoyable day out but there are items that need to be addressed.
for those who are unaware? every year the RTR sponsors a single church service at the garrison church at Bovington and includes a curry lunch at the officers mess afterwards.
The Bournemouth, Poole & District branch was however well represented, about 15 members turned up plus a number of wives. What was good, and deserves to be mentioned, is that two of our WWII veterans attended because two younger members made large detours in their journeys to pick them up and drop them home again. Dave Larcombe went all the way to Christchurch to pick up one old chap, and Carl LP went to Wimborne from Wareham to take another to Bovington.
Small things, but actually quite large things when you look at the world today. It is refreshing to see people willing to add up to 50 miles in their overall journey to ensure 2 old and frail members were not forgotten and left out of the occasion. Neither of the two old members had attended the church service and curry lunch before.
The day co-incided with St Patricks day so there was a slight Irish tinge to the service. Once it was over, there was tea and biscuits, Mick Everton and myself decided that the safety of the people attending was "paramount" and so , in a symbol of terrific self- sacrifice declined the offer of refreshments and ensured the route to the garrison Officers mess was cleared and safe! The fact that we got to the bar earlier than everyone else was just a total coincidence.
Why is it that army Curry's are better than anything you get in an Indian Restaurant?
The food was great, the beer and coffee was terrific and a great afternoon was had by all.
The 8 RTR reunion was held the previous night in Bournemouth and a coach load of the 8th made up a significant number of those attending.
After the mess, Mick Everton and I went to the "pub" in Bovington, "Clouds Hill " to await our transport, what a dive that pub is, all the negatives of a NAAFI bar, but without any of the positives. I think the techinical term is "shithole"
An enjoyable day out but there are items that need to be addressed.