RGJA Reunion report 2018

RGJA REUNION AT WINCHESTER SATURDAY 14TH JULY 2018

We are all familiar with the military maxim ‘poor planning leads to a poor outcome’ or similar words to that effect. So when Roy Stanger asked the Reunion Sub Committee if we were all free on the 22nd August 2017 to hold our ‘wash-up’ meeting for the Regimental Reunion held the previous month, and to lay down the foundations for the 2018 Reunion, I don’t think anyone can accuse us of not spending enough time on planning!

As I write this article in the late Autumn of 2018 with the central heating keeping me warm, that early meeting the previous year seems such an awful long time ago. However thinking about it now, it also reminds me of how much personal time, effort, and planning goes into organising this particular event on behalf of the Regiment with much of it falling on the shoulders of our Winchester Branch to whom we all give our grateful thanks.

So how did that wash-up meeting go? Well, as always, we looked closely at the income and expenditure for arranging this Reunion. In general terms the overall outgoing costs were £46k less gate and bar takings of £9k and a £25k grant, with the shortfall being met by a further generous grant from the Association. This was followed by a performance analysis of the various supporting companies and other external organisations responsible for providing the marquees, toilets, brewery, food, refreshments, waste disposal, entertainments, PA systems and sideshows. And not forgetting, of course, a number of our own admin teams of ‘in-house movers and shakers’, especially in terms of how efficient or problematic their tasks proved to be, and whether anything can be improved on for future years. This was followed closely by an in depth look at all the boring bits and pieces of general administration which make the day happen efficiently. You know the sort of thing – but if you don’t know here are a number to give you some idea: event policing and security, OOB areas, positioning and layout of all the catering and restaurant facilities including static stands, what merchandise can or cannot be sold, grass cutting and facilities for the camping areas, signage outside and inside the barracks, first aid, toilet positioning, traffic control and car parking etc and last but not least the good old Risk Assessment which has to be carried out before anyone can walk through the gates - the list goes on as you can imagine.

Again I will not bore you with the detail of this initial meeting and the many more planning meetings that subsequently followed other than to say all these subjects and many more together with any constructive feedback (which is welcomed) were all debated at length and several times over. So once again I sincerely thank the Winchester Branch for their advice, knowledge and expertise in pulling all of this together for us. In summary and to mishmash Winston Churchill’s famous quote ‘a few do an awful amount of work for the many’.

So how did the actual day itself go? Well discounting those that were still travelling to Winchester from the 4 corners of the UK and for the large number of early campers who had arrived the day before and were still snoozing in their sleeping bags or luxury camper vans – For us organising the event it was a 06.30 start to put the final touches to everything we had worked on over the previous 5 days. Also throughout the remainder of the morning P-F Productions arrived to set up their complex but very professional PA system around the complete site including the ‘Command PA Tent’ manned for the occasion by Nicholas ‘the voice’ Prideaux. Final photographic touches were added to, the walls of the main marquee by Chris ‘Rocky’ Gates and a weapons display laid out and manned by Riflemen from 4 Rifles – including the heaviest and most armoured plated civilian 4x4 we had ever seen (a normal vehicle used by the military in Afghanistan these days it would seem). In amongst this busy hive of activity wafted the inviting smell of bacon and burgers being prepared by the on-site caterers which as you can imagine threatened (and did) slow down our final preparations a bit.

By mid-day with the sun giving a strong indication it was going to be a scorcher of a day. The last bits and pieces were eventually in place. With a last walk around the whole site Roy Stanger was finally able to complete and submit his Risk Assessment and once that was done we had the green light for go for a 2pm start!

And what a start it was. As people began to walk to the main gates from the camping areas or the external car parks they were welcomed by the unmistakeable stirring and yet beguiling sounds of bagpipes being played by Phil Garrod and Jim Stanley (civilian friends of John F-D) who were standing in the hot sun by the display helicopter in their smart ‘Spirit of Scotland’ kilts and regalia. On approaching the reception team one fella was heard to remark “What the effing hell have Scottish bagpipes got to do with the Regiment?” to which he was given the curt reply “Call yourself a Green Jacket –they’re playing for FREE!

The steady flow of visitors were greeted by the smiling faces of our Reception Team consisting of Jan-Dirk von Merveldt and our new Membership Secretary Hugh Goudge. Once any necessary membership details were updated or fees paid it was then through the gate and into the main barracks itself. And what a splendid sight it was in the glorious sunshine. All the grass on the lawns had been cut to perfection and the various armoured display vehicles dotted around the area stood in gleaming tip top condition through the efforts of Derek Randall and others in the Winchester Branch. Walking up the hill towards the main activity and static site area you couldn’t help but notice the Memorial Garden which stood serene and immaculate beside the chapel and fully prepared for the Service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance later in the afternoon.

Arriving at the marquee and static display site on the all-weather pitch everyone was welcomed by the aroma of bacon butties and other delicious food on offer from the fast food catering tent and including on offer for the very first time –ice cream which was a perfect antidote for such a hot day. If that didn’t stop people, then it was immediately off to have a nose around the museum shop and other static displays, or better still to dive into the relative cool of the main refreshment marquee for a beer or glass of wine or prosecco. Once a nice cool drink was in hand then a walk around the tent to have a look at all the photographs on display along the walls was a must. All covered the Royal Green Jacket period 1976 –1986 so there was a good chance someone might have found their face on one of them. A peep into the restaurant tent was a must too for no other reason than to see how a canvas tent can be magically changed with a little bit of chandelier lighting, carpeting and wall drapes into a very up-market eating establishment. Not to be outdone by the décor the food and service later that evening was quite superb too, and all for a staggering good price of £5 per head.

It is true to say that our annual Reunions are in the main fairly similar from year to year and although we try desperately to add something a little different every year we are bound by a fairly tight budget. Sadly long gone are the days when the public purse paid for the White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team,

various parachute displays (including our own) and all the other military showbiz razzmatazz that drew thousands of attendees each year. Having said that the feedback we get from Branches is that, in the main, most attendees simply want to meet up and renew old friendships with their pals, tell tall and improbable stories over a few (?) beers and listen to the bugles and regimental marches. All of which of course is what a Reunion is all about.

Anyway back to the day itself where the first event of the afternoon at 3pm was a Service of Thanksgiving at the Light Division Memorial Garden, which as I said previously was in immaculate condition thanks to Pat and May Low of the Winchester Branch. The Service was undertaken by the Senior Winchester Garrison Padre Norman McDowell, accompanied by the Winchester Military Wives Choir, a supporting quintet of musicians from The Rifles B&B’s and of course buglers from the superb The Light Division Buglers Association.

The focus then moved to the Main Square where we were entertained in unique fun style by the Romsey Old Cadet Band dressed this year as leprechauns. They had a good and enthusiastic audience from which to choose certain lucky people to dance with them on the Square. This was popular with the children and also some potential ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ hopefuls?

Next on the schedule of events was the main Battalion Parade on the Square and one of the highlights of the day. Once everyone had fallen in to the satisfaction of the Parade RSM Gary Driscoll the Parade was called to attention for a short address by the Association President Maj Gen Jamie Gordon, he informed us that the Association was in good order and finished by thanking all those involved in organising and supporting the Reunion

The Parade RSM then gave the order ‘ Bugle Major- Sound the Advance’ and off we went in battalion order and led by the Deputy Chairman (me) who managed with a little bit of help from his old Battalion 1 RGJ to keep in step. As we marched round the square in bright sunshine and despite the heat old bones straightened up and faces were creased with smiles as we turned to salute our President on our final run past the dias. The only sad note on this happy occasion was our Chairman Col Carron Snagge was unable to be with us due to family issues in Australia.

Once the command ‘Battalions Fall Out!’ had been given we all took our seats to watch and listen to ‘Sounding Retreat’ by The Rifles Band and Bugles and accompanied by The Light Division Buglers Association – a splendid and rousing way to bring the formal activities of the day to an end. Finally this was followed by the National Anthem and Sunset at the end of which the Regimental flag for some mysterious reason refused to come down? Did anyone spot that?

After a short break and refreshed by a beer or 2, it was into the marquee to listen to those 3 wonderful ladies The Melodic Belles who have entertained us so brilliantly over recent years They were terrific and had 2 x 30 minute sessions which had people dancing in front of their stand. They will be back for 2019. After that is was back to the bar and the continuation of even taller stories until lights out at about midnight.

It’s worth mentioning at this point that formal letters of thanks were sent out to everyone and every civilian company or organisation that assisted or participated in our Reunion. The most notable on the military side being the CO of the ATR Lt Col Nick MacKenzie together with the DOM Major J Griffiths and

Senior Bugle Major CSjt S Topp of The Rifles Band and Bugles, and finally the ACF 60th Cadets London under Major Janet Collect.

As always when commenting on exceptionally large events such as our Reunion there are inevitably a whole host of sometimes anonymous background staff who work long hours and tirelessly (often in their own time and at their own expense) to make it happen and yet never get a mention. However on this occasion I will attempt to do so. My sincere thanks therefore go to:

The 10 Riflemen from 4 Rifles led by LCpls Stantan and Delport who worked tirelessly all of the previous week setting things up and lugging things hither and dither -including of course packing everything up after the event on the Sunday and cleaning every inch of the site of general litter.

Steve Alcock, late of Worthy Down, who produced the very professional event programme for the Reunion.

PC Lee Gristwood of MOD Police at SJMB and Colour Sjt Spalding of Worthy Down who made all the signage.

Terry Young of the Winchester Branch who sat in the hot sun all day selling raffle tickets.

WO2 Lee Jolly who set up and managed the bar and its staff throughout the day and evening.

And finally to all of those who helped in whatever capacity that I haven’t mentioned by name or task as well as to the Reunion Sub-Committee members.

We are hoping that future Reunions will continued to be held at SJMB up to 2020. The next Reunion will be held on Saturday 6th July 2019.

To sum up I have to ask you the reader “Was it a good a day and did we achieve all that we set out to do’’? I certainly hope so and if we didn’t, I am sure you will let me know.

Swift and Bold

Chairman RGJA Reunion Sub Committee

October 2018