Post by aghart on Nov 12, 2014 10:41:49 GMT
16 members were present for the start of November meeting, however 18 members left at the end of the meeting, our trickle of new recruits continues. Green Fields was a nil return, and welfare issues were discussed. Timings for the January Ladies lunch were confirmed at 12 noon for 1 pm. Numbers for the Cambrai Lunch at Bovington were confirmed. Dave Roberts gave details of the RTR car fresh "smelly things" that Chris Young has produced and directed the branch members to put their bids in to me so one large order can be made. (Dicked again me thinks). Members were reminded to bring food for the December social gathering.
Dave Orman gave a detailed description of the presentation of a photo to the Widow of Tommy Handley which she appreciated greatly. Dave also reminded the Secretary (me) about creating a branch Tankfest attendance list! "In hand" I do like that phrase, it's like a "get out of jail free card". Plans for entertainment at the Ladies lunch have ended, as the hotel is not keen, we are however going to have a few bottles of Port to help things along kindly donated by a number of branch members.
Following negotiations with RHQ RTR, The Bournemouth & Poole Branch have obtained a pledge from RHQ that extra copies of the Tank Mag will be sent to those branches that have had a deceased member obituary printed in the journal. This will allow the widow or next of kin to have a copy to keep.
The meeting then closed and the Chairman introduced the Guest Speaker.
Ian Corr runs the Royal Voluntary Service, RVS (formerly WRVS) at Bovington. He gave a short rundown on the history of the service; it was started in WWII during the blitz when there was a shortage of manpower to provide help and comfort to people affected so the women’s Voluntary service was started. It received its "Royal" charter in 1966 and became the WRVS that most of us remember. With the introduction of males into the service it seemed sensible not to mention "PC" to delete "women’s" from the title and so is now the RVS. In a civilian role it still helps out with house visits to the elderly. Although the RVS has been involved with the military for years, this involvement became bigger and more visible after "Deepcut" and the Blake Report. In the eyes of the law under 18's are deemed as venerable adults and so the RVS is concentrating it's activities at Phase 1 and Phase II training Regiments, although it will still have a presence at some other regiments. They have a presence in NI, Germany, Canada, and Cyprus. They are now in Sandhurst and may soon be at Woolwich. HQ of the RVS is in Cardiff.
The RVS facilities can best be described as a Youth Club for soldiers, no alcohol is permitted, and its main use is by single soldiers and married unaccompanied servicemen/women. The physical facilities include access to X Box/PlayStation’s, DVD's, a computer room, Pool Room, TV room, newspapers. It provides a sympathetic ear outside the chain of command, signpost problems, debt, death of a relative, pregnancy etc, it is a neutral agent with a direct link to the CO. The Centre’s are open 7 days a week but some do take block leave during the year (Not Bovington), and are staffed by up to 4 people. With the introduction of SLAM accommodation it will be harder for NCO's to spot problems and the RVS provides somewhere to go rather than for unsettled soldiers to fester in their rooms out of sight. The garrison pays for the facilities and Bovington is one of the best-equipped Centre’s in the country. The RVS recruits from all walks of life (Ian is ex RA) but most are civilians, 60% women and 40% men, average age is 50. They live on camp (Officer Status), 36 hours a week, alternate weekend working, 36 days holiday a year; they usually do 2-year postings, alternating between Phase I and Phase II stations. They can apply for the oversea's posts.
Lots of questions were asked, lots of comments about today's soldiers and "softness", Ian did remind everyone that today's soldiers are performing very well in combat situations and that a bit of help at the right time for those who need it can and does result in a young man being a credit to himself and the army instead of becoming a regular guardroom resident and a waste of taxpayers money.
Dave Orman gave a detailed description of the presentation of a photo to the Widow of Tommy Handley which she appreciated greatly. Dave also reminded the Secretary (me) about creating a branch Tankfest attendance list! "In hand" I do like that phrase, it's like a "get out of jail free card". Plans for entertainment at the Ladies lunch have ended, as the hotel is not keen, we are however going to have a few bottles of Port to help things along kindly donated by a number of branch members.
Following negotiations with RHQ RTR, The Bournemouth & Poole Branch have obtained a pledge from RHQ that extra copies of the Tank Mag will be sent to those branches that have had a deceased member obituary printed in the journal. This will allow the widow or next of kin to have a copy to keep.
The meeting then closed and the Chairman introduced the Guest Speaker.
Ian Corr runs the Royal Voluntary Service, RVS (formerly WRVS) at Bovington. He gave a short rundown on the history of the service; it was started in WWII during the blitz when there was a shortage of manpower to provide help and comfort to people affected so the women’s Voluntary service was started. It received its "Royal" charter in 1966 and became the WRVS that most of us remember. With the introduction of males into the service it seemed sensible not to mention "PC" to delete "women’s" from the title and so is now the RVS. In a civilian role it still helps out with house visits to the elderly. Although the RVS has been involved with the military for years, this involvement became bigger and more visible after "Deepcut" and the Blake Report. In the eyes of the law under 18's are deemed as venerable adults and so the RVS is concentrating it's activities at Phase 1 and Phase II training Regiments, although it will still have a presence at some other regiments. They have a presence in NI, Germany, Canada, and Cyprus. They are now in Sandhurst and may soon be at Woolwich. HQ of the RVS is in Cardiff.
The RVS facilities can best be described as a Youth Club for soldiers, no alcohol is permitted, and its main use is by single soldiers and married unaccompanied servicemen/women. The physical facilities include access to X Box/PlayStation’s, DVD's, a computer room, Pool Room, TV room, newspapers. It provides a sympathetic ear outside the chain of command, signpost problems, debt, death of a relative, pregnancy etc, it is a neutral agent with a direct link to the CO. The Centre’s are open 7 days a week but some do take block leave during the year (Not Bovington), and are staffed by up to 4 people. With the introduction of SLAM accommodation it will be harder for NCO's to spot problems and the RVS provides somewhere to go rather than for unsettled soldiers to fester in their rooms out of sight. The garrison pays for the facilities and Bovington is one of the best-equipped Centre’s in the country. The RVS recruits from all walks of life (Ian is ex RA) but most are civilians, 60% women and 40% men, average age is 50. They live on camp (Officer Status), 36 hours a week, alternate weekend working, 36 days holiday a year; they usually do 2-year postings, alternating between Phase I and Phase II stations. They can apply for the oversea's posts.
Lots of questions were asked, lots of comments about today's soldiers and "softness", Ian did remind everyone that today's soldiers are performing very well in combat situations and that a bit of help at the right time for those who need it can and does result in a young man being a credit to himself and the army instead of becoming a regular guardroom resident and a waste of taxpayers money.