The Parachute Regimental Association Aldershot Branch Newsletter

Transcription

1 The Parachute Regimental Association Aldershot Branch Newsletter 09/2015 Charity Number Sept 2015 Monthly Meeting Tony Mastin The next monthly meeting which is the September meeting will take place in the Conservative Club at 2000hrs on Friday 28 th August This is a week early due to the trip to Arnhem to take part in the Airborne March. The meeting after this will be held on Friday 2 nd October. It is with great sadness that I have to inform you of the death of Branch member Tony Mastin on Wednesday 5 th August at the age of 63. Tony lived in Scunthorpe but joined the Aldershot Branch as he wanted to receive the newsletter so that he could keep in touch with what is happening in Aldershot. Tony served in 16 Lincoln Coy TA ( ) and 2 PARA ( ). Tony s funeral will take place on Friday 21 st August. There will be a short 20 minute service at 1200 hours at St Bernadette s Presbytery Church, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe DN16 2RS followed at 1240 hours by the service at Scunthorpe Crematorium, 1 Brumby Wood Lane, Scunthorpe, South Humberside DN17 1SP. All Standards are welcome. Our thoughts and prayers go to Tony s family at this sad time. National Arboretum Airborne Forces Day South 2 Para Reunion 2016 Apologies for not including this article in last months newsletter. I can only put it down to getting older. The rain started as we boarded the minibus and it rained on and off for the trip to Staffordshire. It eventually stopped as we approached the National Arboretum. We were dropped off at the entrance to the National Arboretum and made our way to the Marquee at the rear of the visitors centre. After the Annual General Meeting had finished those not marching made their way to the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Memorial. No sooner had they sat down when the rain started again. The umbrella s were put up as the band, followed by the members who had travelled from all over the country marched to the Memorial. Fortunately, everyone had come prepaired for the rain and it did not spoil the service. Wreaths were laid by Lt. General Lorimer, Penny Mordaunt and John Wilson. Lt. General Lorimer is Chief of Joint Operations and Penny Mordaunt is the Minister of State for the Armed Forces and her father served in the Parachute Regiment. John Wilson is the Vice Chairman of the PRA. Whilst there we were able to visit the Camp Bastion Memorial that has recently been transported from Kabul and placed in the grounds of the Arboretum. See page 4 for photos. Airborne Forces Day South was organised by the Portsmouth Branch on Sunday 26 th July at HMS Excellence, Whale Island, Portsmouth. It seems to be a pattern this year, but just before the start of the parade the rain started. Fortunately, plans had been made and the drill shed was used for the parade. General Chip Chapman who is the President of the Portsmouth Branch took the salute. After the parade we all made our way to the mess where the Portsmouth Branch had laid on a Hog Roast and live entertainment. I am pleased to say that they had the sound level just right. You could listen to the music but you could also talk and hear what was being said. Well done to the Portsmouth Branch. See Page 5 for photos. I have received the information below regarding the 2 Para Reunion in Blackpool next year. David Singletary has sent me full details and a booking form. If ay member would like to attend please contact me, and I will forward on the full details. As I hope you are now aware the 2 Para Reunion Club's annual reunion is in Blackpool on the weekend of 11th to 13th March If any of your members served in 2 Para or were attached or maybe just like blue, they are welcome to attend. The reunion will be taking place at the 4* Hilton Hotel in Blackpool for the

2 fantastic cost of per person for the weekend. This includes all meals as well as free parking and a private bar at reduced prices. Hope to see many of you there. Regards David Singletary Chairman 2 Para Reunion Club Support Company 10 Para Reunion Chilbolton Memorial Service This is advanced warning for the Support Company 10 Para Reunion next year from 19 th till 21 st February The organising committe have been looking for a new venue after the hotel on the Isle of Wight was sold. They have now booked the conference room in the Union Jack Club, London. Rooms can be booked at very reasonable rates. As this is a group booking you don t have to be a member of the UJ Club to book a room. It could be very benificial to you if you did join the UJ Club and the fee is only 20 a year. Full Membership is not open to Officers although they can book rooms as a temporary honorary member. It is based next to Waterloo Station and is of the highest standards. Single rooms ensuite start from 45 and you can book double or twin rooms, family rooms and flats. The function room only seats 30 people so please book early. Royal Air Force Station Chilbolton or RAF Chilbolton is a former Royal Air Force station in Hampshire. The airfield is located approximately 4 miles south-southeast of Andover. Opened in 1940, it was used by both the Royal Air Force and then later by the United States Army Air Forces. During the war it was used primarily as a troop carrier airfield for parachutists. After the war it was used for jet aircraft testing before being closed in The Chilbolton memorial Service is being held on Sunday 13 th September. Peter Richens has sent me the details below. Ladies and Gents I have just completed my last planning meeting for Chilbolton Memorial Service which is being held on Sunday 13th September. This years event is looking good and we have had a good support from the local Parish Council. Our two VIP Guests are Colonel David Parker (Late PARA) and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Colonel Charles Ackroyd (Late 7 PARA RHA and RM RA). We would like as much support as possible for this event with Members, Families and Standards. We have two added attractions this year; The Red Devils Free Fall Team and Chilbolton Aero Club (Light Aircraft). To confirm the location: Stonefield Park, Martins Lane, Near Chilbolton, Hampshire, SO20 6BL (2 miles north of Stockbridge on the A30). Timings: 1. All arrive by 1130am. 2. Free Fall Display 1145 hrs. 3. Parade Form-up 12.05pm. 4. Memorial Service Starts 12.10pm. 5. After the Service ends there will be lights refreshments courtesy of the Ladies of Chilbolton Parish and a change to view the aircraft on the airstrip. Summer Hog Roast and Dance Everyone who attended the Hog Roast and Dance agreed that it was a fantastic evening. Sixtyfive people ensured that the evening would be a success. The Hog was roasted on a wood fire for eight hours and as everyone arrived they could smell the crackling. Needless to say, the hog tasted even better than it smelt and along with the salads and dessert it was good value for money. Doggy bags were provided for those who wished to

3 take the remainders home. The singer went down well and he was joined by two Branch members who asked if they could sing a song each. Reg Howells sang A little old wine drinker me which was originally sang by Dean Martin and John Ross rendition was My Way which of course was sang by Frank Sinatra. I don t think Dean or Frank will be quaking in their boots, but they were both very good and received a huge round of applause. This was Julie s first major event after taking over as Entertainments member and it was a great success. As all those who have organised events know that a lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes that people don t see, so very well done Julie. Thanks must also go to Les and his staff who ensured that we didn t go thirsty. See page 6 for photos. Barn Dance Friday 9 th October Southwick House We will be holding a Barn Dance in the Conservative Club on Friday 9 th October. The country and western group Pitchfork have been booked. They played at a Barn Dance that we organised at Malta Barracks and are superb. A buffet will also be provided and the cost for the buffet and dance is 13. If you have any country and western attire please wear it as this will help provide a good atmosphere. A rail will be provided outside, so that you can tie up your horse. This event is an extra event and is not in the year planner, so please make a note in your diary. Please send a cheque made payable to Aldershot Branch PRA to the Secretary. I mentioned in last months newsletter that we will be running a trip to visit Southwick House in Portsmouth on Thursday 10 th September Southwick House is now a museum which still holds the maps and rooms as they were used during the planning for D-Day. This museum visit is by invitation only and is not open to the general public. We still have three seats left on the minibus if any member would like to join us. I need to inform the guard room at Southwick House a week before our visit so please contact me soonest if you want to join us. Itinerary: 1. Depart at 9.30am. 2. Arrive at 10.30am at Southwick House. 3. Tea/Coffee upon arrival. 4. Briefing and talk at 11am. 5. View the articles and depart at 12.30pm. 6. Lunch at Fort Nelson between 1pm-2pm (note: lunch is at members cost) 7. View the articles at Fort Nelson and depart at 4pm. The cost of this trip is 12 per head. National Arboretum Trip to the Houses of Parliament The Conservative Club are running a trip to the National Arboretum on Sunday October 11 th The transport will be leaving the Conservative Club at 8.30am and will depart at 3pm for the return journey. The cost is 20 per person. If any member would like to take advantage of this trip please contact the secretary who will put you in touch with the secretary of the Conservative Club. The Conservative Club are also running a trip to London to visit the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 13 th October. The transport will be leaving the Conservative Club at 7.30am and will depart at 12.15pm for the return journey. The cost for this trip is 17 per person. The reason for the early start is that you have to be at the Houses of Parliament by 9.15am. Once again if any member would like to take advantage of this trip please contact the secretary who will put you in touch with the secretary of the Conservative Club. Stuart

4 National Arboretum The Parachute Regiment Band and Standards Padre Lt Col Jerry Sutton starts the service John Carey Midland Regional Secretary reads the Airborne Collect Lt. General Lorimer, Penny Mordaunt and John Wilson after laying their wreaths People sheltering under their umbrella s The Camp Bastion Memorial Inside the Marquee The Aldershot Branch Table

5 Airborne Forces Day South, HMS Excellent, Portsmouth Forming up in the rain Marching on with the Rose and Thistle Pipe Band leading General Chapman addresses the Parade General Chapman spoke to many members General Chapman talking to Murray Smith Even the Royal Marine Cadets did not miss out

6 The Hog Roast and Dance The smell was mouth watering Can I have some more crackling please Very satisfied customers The plates are clean The dance floor is full Dean and Frank, sorry Reg Howells and John Ross join in the entertainment