Post by aghart on Oct 9, 2023 14:51:32 GMT
OCTOBER 2023
14 people sat down for the October 2023 branch meeting, with another 15 logged on via Zoom. For the first time ever we had more on Zoom than in the room. Not an ideal situation but for November we have a cunning plan to change that.
Minutes of the September branch meeting were read and the recap of activity covered the Battle of Britain service at Christchurch Priory, and welcoming the Tour De Not Forgotten into Poole, more on that later.
Future activity includes the RAC Church Service at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on Sunday 15th October and the Charlie Welchman memorial bench unveiling at the Tank Museum on Sunday 22nd October at 11am. It was confirmed that a number of branch members are attending the evening talk in the Union Jack Club in London on Thursday 19th October, and anyone wanting to join in can do, the more the merrier. The subject was originally scheduled to be the Cold War & BAOR, but then changed to "Withdrawal from Empire" however by that time most had booked their rooms at the UJC and also cheap rail tickets so it was decided "what the hell" were booked so we will go!
The call went out for volunteers to help at the RBL poppy stand in the Dolphin Shooping centre in Poole from Saturday 28th October 2023. The numbers of willing RBL collectors in Poole is not high so the RTRA has sort of assumed control of the organisation and logistical aspect of the main poppy stand. That is a polite way of saying that we have taken over the Poppy Stand on behalf of the RBL and are looking for members to help out.
Members were reminded of the Cambrai Lunch at Bovington on 24th November and hard copies of the application form were available. People were also reminded to submit their Ladies Lunch returns by December. Dave Roberts gave an update on numbers so far, returns for 65 people have been received.
An update on the Chieftain Track Link "standard holders" was given and they are expected to make their debut at the Ladies lunch. We have two on order, they consist of a cleaned up and painted Chieftain Track Link with 3 x 30mm Rarden cannon brass cases fixed to hold flags and standards. These are being created by the Veterans Forge, a charity and it was agreed to donate £200 to the charity as a thank you for creating the satndard holders.
Returning to the "Tour De Not Forgotten" ? this was a grueling week long bike ride by disabled veterans in conjunction with what was the "Not Forgotten Association" (NFA) now simply called the Not Forgotten. They had a set route in the form of a semi circle from London to the National Memorial Arboretum stopping off at various locations overnight. A bit like the Rickshaw Challenge on Children in Need. One stopover was at the Foundry Arms in Poole where a small reception had been arranged. Members of the branch were there to welcome them at the end of that stage.
Whilst enjoying the buffet laid on by the NFA we got talking to Rosie the NFA chief rep present about the lack of NFA activity in Dorset, the outcome was that a weekday buffet get together at the Foundry Arms in Poole for veterans has been booked. Details will follow in due course. The Foundry is the main veterans pub in Poole.
The meeting then closed and the guest speaker introduced. Maj Pat Burgess RTR gave a very interesting presentation on "mindfullness" which the army is very keen to promote. The talk was via zoom but despite the link freezing a few times he managed to give his very successfull presentation which was enjoyed by all.
The meeting then closed and we had the raffle.
At the start I mentioned a cunning plan to make sure we have more people sat down than on Zoom? well here it is! Bring on your star turn as the next guest speaker and advertise the fact,
So with all guns blazing and switched to Ramming speed we can announce that David Willey the curator of the Tank Museum will give his annual talk to the branch at the November meeting. His presentation will be about the film "Fury" and the Tank Museum's role in it. David's talks are always popular and always give a huge boost to numbers present. So get it in the diary and get yourself down here to enjoy it. Brad Pitt wanted to give the presentation and I had to be very firm with him. Look Brad I said, David Willey is confirmed and you will just have to wait your turn maybe next year! If you don't make November I promise you that you will read the write up and think"damn" I should have made the effort.
Fear Naught.
14 people sat down for the October 2023 branch meeting, with another 15 logged on via Zoom. For the first time ever we had more on Zoom than in the room. Not an ideal situation but for November we have a cunning plan to change that.
Minutes of the September branch meeting were read and the recap of activity covered the Battle of Britain service at Christchurch Priory, and welcoming the Tour De Not Forgotten into Poole, more on that later.
Future activity includes the RAC Church Service at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on Sunday 15th October and the Charlie Welchman memorial bench unveiling at the Tank Museum on Sunday 22nd October at 11am. It was confirmed that a number of branch members are attending the evening talk in the Union Jack Club in London on Thursday 19th October, and anyone wanting to join in can do, the more the merrier. The subject was originally scheduled to be the Cold War & BAOR, but then changed to "Withdrawal from Empire" however by that time most had booked their rooms at the UJC and also cheap rail tickets so it was decided "what the hell" were booked so we will go!
The call went out for volunteers to help at the RBL poppy stand in the Dolphin Shooping centre in Poole from Saturday 28th October 2023. The numbers of willing RBL collectors in Poole is not high so the RTRA has sort of assumed control of the organisation and logistical aspect of the main poppy stand. That is a polite way of saying that we have taken over the Poppy Stand on behalf of the RBL and are looking for members to help out.
Members were reminded of the Cambrai Lunch at Bovington on 24th November and hard copies of the application form were available. People were also reminded to submit their Ladies Lunch returns by December. Dave Roberts gave an update on numbers so far, returns for 65 people have been received.
An update on the Chieftain Track Link "standard holders" was given and they are expected to make their debut at the Ladies lunch. We have two on order, they consist of a cleaned up and painted Chieftain Track Link with 3 x 30mm Rarden cannon brass cases fixed to hold flags and standards. These are being created by the Veterans Forge, a charity and it was agreed to donate £200 to the charity as a thank you for creating the satndard holders.
Returning to the "Tour De Not Forgotten" ? this was a grueling week long bike ride by disabled veterans in conjunction with what was the "Not Forgotten Association" (NFA) now simply called the Not Forgotten. They had a set route in the form of a semi circle from London to the National Memorial Arboretum stopping off at various locations overnight. A bit like the Rickshaw Challenge on Children in Need. One stopover was at the Foundry Arms in Poole where a small reception had been arranged. Members of the branch were there to welcome them at the end of that stage.
Whilst enjoying the buffet laid on by the NFA we got talking to Rosie the NFA chief rep present about the lack of NFA activity in Dorset, the outcome was that a weekday buffet get together at the Foundry Arms in Poole for veterans has been booked. Details will follow in due course. The Foundry is the main veterans pub in Poole.
The meeting then closed and the guest speaker introduced. Maj Pat Burgess RTR gave a very interesting presentation on "mindfullness" which the army is very keen to promote. The talk was via zoom but despite the link freezing a few times he managed to give his very successfull presentation which was enjoyed by all.
The meeting then closed and we had the raffle.
At the start I mentioned a cunning plan to make sure we have more people sat down than on Zoom? well here it is! Bring on your star turn as the next guest speaker and advertise the fact,
So with all guns blazing and switched to Ramming speed we can announce that David Willey the curator of the Tank Museum will give his annual talk to the branch at the November meeting. His presentation will be about the film "Fury" and the Tank Museum's role in it. David's talks are always popular and always give a huge boost to numbers present. So get it in the diary and get yourself down here to enjoy it. Brad Pitt wanted to give the presentation and I had to be very firm with him. Look Brad I said, David Willey is confirmed and you will just have to wait your turn maybe next year! If you don't make November I promise you that you will read the write up and think"damn" I should have made the effort.
Fear Naught.