Central England Branch Report

Greetings to our fellow Officers, Riflemen and family members reading this, our summary of events for 2019. It is fair to say that the Central England Branch have had a quiet year by our standards. Nonetheless, we have been ever present and despite a 'dampening down' of events, we are always looking ahead as to how best we can move forward as a branch. This, we believe, is done by finding the balance between formal and social events for the diary. Within this reporting year, there has been no difference. We usually aim to meet up every 2 –3 months dependent upon what is happening and in doing so maintain an even balance across the year without expecting our members to be worrying about cost and expenditure. In terms of our contribution to Swift and Bold, we have for the past few years had the luxury of being able to 'wax lyrical' about our flagship event the 'Greenstock Festival'. However, we decided that in 2019 there was to be a ‘fallow’ year for those involved with the planning and execution of such a busy event.

Although, I can confirm that we have moved swiftly to ensure that 2020 is well and truly endorsed and underlined for its return. Greenstock 'V' (The Retreat from Corunna) is at DEFCON 4 in terms of planning, organisation and admin. We just need to ensure that the event receives maximum publicity coupled with great interest from you, the reader, by supporting the event. Incidentally, check out the poster within the 2019 S&B Journal or our events page on Facebook: Greenstock Festival for further details.

Central England Branch have coasted along nicely with a fluctuating number of members but this has had little effect on the success of our events. A good example of this being in September when we were blessed with a fantastic day and by a great attendance at the 50th Anniversary of 'OP BANNER' Service of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum, followed mid-afternoon by a late lunch, and a few beers, together with 200 RGJ veterans from around the country, at Lichfield Rugby Club.

2019 also saw the annual November Remembrance Sunday Parade followed, in December, by another of our greatly anticipated functions, the Rifleman’s Christmas Ball.

We continue to keep a watching brief on the Regimental Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) at Alrewas, but with the freak weather we experienced in late 2019, the River Trent saw a significant rise in the water level, with a month’s worth of rain falling in just a few hours. This, in turn, led to the River Trent bursting its banks leaving half of the NMA flooded for a couple of weeks. The drainage system installed back in 2010 by the NMA grounds’ maintenance staff was simply overwhelmed.

There appears to be no damage as we go to press but our memorial will be professionally surveyed once the spring arrives. An Association Council decision will, no doubt, then be taken in terms of what precautions can, if any, be implemented!

Last year saw a wide stretch between our last event of 2018 which was the Riflemans' Christmas Ball in December and the first get together in late February which was a meeting held at our old, but refurbished, watering

hole - 'The Port and Ale' in the Black Country in late February. A relatively small number of members, friends and family gathered for some local hospitality and to catch up with our good friend and comrade Ray Gaffney and his good lady Tracey.

(L-R: Les Pitt, Ray & Tracey Gaffney,

Author, Gary Collins and Stu Read)

It is worth noting that Ray and Tracey Gaffney have made serious financial investment in the building and the business generally and it is now regarded as a fine-dine restaurant - and not before time!!

The Port and Ale now serves some real fine Indian cuisine that is truly worth a visit. That aside, it

The late Frank Hone with flat-hat and rucksack in hand was the meeting up with our old friend that made

to join the Central England Branch following its formation back in 2012! On Saturday 6 February there was a meeting up in Buxton in the Peak District for a post Christmas and New Year ‘tab’ amongst the picturesque Derbyshire Dales scenery to brush away the winter cobwebs. The weather was more like early May than early February and not a drop of rain all day. It is worth a special mention at this juncture, because the picture accompanying this section is a significant one in that it was the last time that branch member Frank Hone (ex 3RGJ) was out with us. Frank sadly passed away 7 weeks later on Monday 8 April after an unexpected and short illness. Frank’s demise was a shock to us all and visiting him in hospital was an upsetting affair. He, like Ray Gaffney, was an original and devoted member of the branch and he was ever present, not missing any functions or events; including taking part in the Birmingham to London sponsored walk we did back in 2016. He will be sorely missed by his fellow Riflemen within the CEB. The next ‘tab’ being organised by CEB Chairman Mark Picken is planned for Sunday 12 April 2020 around the canals tow paths of Birmingham.

April saw a small gathering convene to discuss Branch projects over a beer or three in Kingstanding at a location that must remain nameless. A few cheap snifters were had before moving via Taxi in convoy to The Deer's Leap P/H some 2.5 miles north and well worthy of our clientele. Nothing too spectacular but a decent days’ socialising and banter was had by all nonetheless.

The next Branch get together was Armed Forces Day 2019. Usually, we don blazers and berets and man a stall in Centenary Square organised by Birmingham City Councils. However, the ongoing redevelopment of Birmingham city centre, for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, has hampered both AFD and the City’s Remembrance Sunday parade for a number of years. Therefore on AFD 2019,

we chose to adopt a more relaxed day in the blinding sun and frequent one of the city’s fine pubs near to Corporation Street. A busy, bustling thoroughfare that gets congested most days, and this Saturday proved to be ‘uber’ busy. The Shakespeare is a nice P/H and one gets to meet some interesting characters there. To the delight amongst our ‘blue nose’ supporters (aka B’ham City FC) were one or two of the infamous members of the ‘Zulus’. Fans of those Football Hooligan TV documentaries will be familiar. It was a great afternoon and there was plenty of banter and the craic to be had by all. The event eventually retreated to a pub in Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield with some of us flaking earlier than usual –probably as a result of too much sun!!

There was a lull in our events calendar between AFD and the September NIVA Service Of Remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum to allow for summer holidays to be taken.

Remembrance Day 2019 was a small gathering due to larger nationwide events drawing members to other Remembrance Sunday parades. However 12 branch members paraded at Birmingham City’s Remembrance Sunday service held in the Cathedral Square.

December is always a great social occasion anywhere in life but to our members it means a bit more. The Christmas gathering is a wellattended function and very reminiscent of a Sgts/ Cpls Mess type party. The past two have been fancy dress, which have been well received and thoroughly enjoyed by all. I’m always amazed at the sense of occasion and imagination displayed by the attendees. 2019 was no different. Minworth Social Club the venue, 1970s/80s theme, hot food, disco and a drag artiste!! What could go wrong? It was that well organised by Guy Mynett It was a great night, plenty of party games and silliness was had by all. There were some fantastic prizes in the raffle and the money tree of £400 being won by Mick Masnuick.

At this time of year, we present the CEB Regimental Cane to the person deemed most helpful to the committee and beneficial to the branch members. It was a difficult choice as there were two people nominated. Gavin Brittain and Marc Penson - both deserving candidates, but with only one cane to present the award went to Marc. Because of the late Frank Hone’s unstinting support to the CEB, it was decided by the committee to change the name from “Rifleman of the Year” to the “Frank Hone Memorial Award”. A toast to Frank and other departed members was made. Chairman Mark Picken duly handed over the CEB Regimental Cane to Marc.

Finally, we have a busy 2020 and the opportunity for RGJ or Rifles veterans wanting to join our merry band of brothers. If anyone wishes to find out more information about us, you can contact any committee member via our Facebook page:

Central England Branch RGJA.

Alternatively contact Branch Secretary, Pete Page,

petepage71@hotmail.com or

01922 694733