The Royal Association The RoyalGreen GreenJackets Jackets Asso ciation
CENTRAL ENGLAND BRANCH Greetings and welcome to the Central England Branch annual write up of events and activities covering 2018. Following rather ‘harsh’ editing from the production team last year, we have decided to concentrate this years' offering to four main features touching slightly on the remainder in the hope that most, if not all, will be included verbatim including pictures? Therefore, we shall kick off this segment of activity with what was our first ‘get together’ for our Members. Location, newly refurbished ‘City Tavern’ Birmingham Saturday 12th April. A venue no stranger to our presence. After all, we have utilised this watering-hole on previous occasions but on this day in particular, it was extra special: Firstly, we got to wear in public, our new Branch Rugby Shirt which we all think is awesome. However, the side were let down by the author of this entry whom was the only attendee not to be donning the latest Branch apparel opting for a Polo Shirt!! Bugler Pete Noble having been on official Lt Div Bugle Assn engagement, was excused. Secondly, the presence of charismatic, socialite now Wiltshire based Veteran ‘Mr John Hennessey’ who many of us ex Handbags knew from our old Minden/Warminster days was something of a pleasant surprise having not seen him after so long. The funeral of a Cpl Lawrence Wall back in 1992 in fact. John also attended Greenstock in August, more of that later. The third reason that made this event great was the atmosphere, very reminiscent of days spent at ‘Red Fred’s’ aka the Salvation Army Club in Minden, singing and chanting as you do on such occasions, aided by copious pints of Hophouse 13 no doubt!! It was a great day and enjoyed by all. So much so, it will feature on the FoE for 2019 I’m sure!! The venue itself is situated just off Broad Street in the Ladywood district of Birmingham. For those that may be interested, it has been L—R Gibbo, John Hennessey, Scotty Brown, Colin Fleming, Guy refurbished but it displays many old antique Mynett, Dave Savage, Daz Roberts, Leon Bailey, Frank Hone, John items that were from the 1920s and 1930s and Kells, Mark Picken, Iain Grant, Gary Creswell, Pete Page, Paul Daley and Pete Noble (present not on photograph: John Culkin, John Jones also the internal windows have Peaky Blinder silhouettes. The pub itself is very much themed as Peaky Blinders with items originating from the Garrison pub the original pub and HQ of the PBs back in the day. Great ambiance and reasonably priced for a City Centre establishment. A couple of Ad-hoc small events followed between April and July including a Golf Day in May which is always good for a giggle, especially with only a small number of members whom can actually play the game!! That aside, it is the meeting up and joviality which makes for good craic. Plus a small group that held an impromptu meeting in May at yet another of our old venues ‘The Top Star’. This was mainly to visit ‘Ray Gaffney’ share a beer and chew the fat with our old pal. Swift & Bold Journal 2018
Swift & Bold Journal 2018
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