Post by aghart on Feb 8, 2014 15:40:40 GMT
16 members were present for the first meeting of the new year. Loyal Toast/ The Regiment, Green Fields, Welfare and minutes of the November meeting were quickly dealt with. The thank you letter from the Regimental Secretary regarding the January Ladies lunch was read out and the minutes of the RTRA AGM held in London in November were made available to view. The letters regarding the disposal of regimental property, the Nottingham branch service at the National Memorial Arboretum, and the changes to the amalgamation weekend were handed out to members.
Details regarding the RTRA sponsored church service and curry lunch at the Garrison Church Bovington and the Officers Mess at Allenby Barracks, Bovington were made available. Details were also given regarding the RTR march to the Cenotaph and RTRA AGM 2014 both events being held in November 2014. Members were reminded that subscriptions for 2014 were now due. Members were also reminded that if they belong to the RBL they can apply for tickets to the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in November. The branch were told that I was going to be the guest speaker at the Parachute Regiment Association (Wessex Branch) meeting, I'm glad I was there to hear that because this was the first I knew of it!
A vote of thanks was given to Pete Dore for once again organising the January Ladies lunch, and to Cecelia Clarke for her assistance in that and for dealing with the raffle on a monthly basis. With no further business to attend to, the Chairman closed the meeting and introduced the guest speaker,
Major "Wolfie" McKendrick RTR, formerly of 4 RTR and then 1 RTR, and currently serving at ATDU in Bovington gave an outstanding presentation to the branch members. Because of the nature of the information I cannot go into much detail, but he explained what ATDU did, the new vehicles, equipment and weapons coming into service, and, brought along a number of exhibits for the members to view, handle and examine. 120mm projectiles,30mm & 40mm as well, the new respirator, a new crewman's helmet being trialled and a piece of Afghanistan type body armour. When I get hold of it I will publish the photo of Dave "Rambo" Roberts with the exhibits.
The February meeting can sometimes be a bit of a damp squib, mainly due to the weather which can reduce the attendance, but not this year, it was a real pleasure to be involved, with the credit this going to Wolfie.
Fear Naught
Details regarding the RTRA sponsored church service and curry lunch at the Garrison Church Bovington and the Officers Mess at Allenby Barracks, Bovington were made available. Details were also given regarding the RTR march to the Cenotaph and RTRA AGM 2014 both events being held in November 2014. Members were reminded that subscriptions for 2014 were now due. Members were also reminded that if they belong to the RBL they can apply for tickets to the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in November. The branch were told that I was going to be the guest speaker at the Parachute Regiment Association (Wessex Branch) meeting, I'm glad I was there to hear that because this was the first I knew of it!
A vote of thanks was given to Pete Dore for once again organising the January Ladies lunch, and to Cecelia Clarke for her assistance in that and for dealing with the raffle on a monthly basis. With no further business to attend to, the Chairman closed the meeting and introduced the guest speaker,
Major "Wolfie" McKendrick RTR, formerly of 4 RTR and then 1 RTR, and currently serving at ATDU in Bovington gave an outstanding presentation to the branch members. Because of the nature of the information I cannot go into much detail, but he explained what ATDU did, the new vehicles, equipment and weapons coming into service, and, brought along a number of exhibits for the members to view, handle and examine. 120mm projectiles,30mm & 40mm as well, the new respirator, a new crewman's helmet being trialled and a piece of Afghanistan type body armour. When I get hold of it I will publish the photo of Dave "Rambo" Roberts with the exhibits.
The February meeting can sometimes be a bit of a damp squib, mainly due to the weather which can reduce the attendance, but not this year, it was a real pleasure to be involved, with the credit this going to Wolfie.
Fear Naught