RGJA Branches

BAND AND BUGLES BRANCH

The 2015 reunion was held in Wincheter as in previous years, on Saturday 10th October commencing at 12 noon.

The secretary, Dave Timms, again made a big effort to arrive at the clubroom before reunion attendees and members of the Waterloo Band - but yet again he was too late. Ex-members and Waterloo members were again inside and outside the club awaiting his arrival.

The secretary eventually set himself up (with the help of Jon Windeatt) at the entrance, opened the books and started to sign-in members and guests - all this WITHOUT having to stave off the usual tremendous headache of previous years.

Some new faces in attendance this year from the Light Division - Peninsula Band - Light Infantry and four serving members from the band of The Rifl es.

The Waterloo Band provided the dots (music) and music stands, along with a few musician’s for the annual blow, and along with ex-members and a few from The Rifl es Band the blow got going at approximately 12:30. Conducting this year where Peter Connibear (ex-Depot Bandmaster) and Jack Leeming (ex-3 RGJ Bandmaster). A good selection of music was played this year: Amparito Roca, The Dambusters, Ballet Egyptian, Jersey Boys, Irving Berlin Showstoppers, Calling All Workers, Beguine Festival, Bandology, and with the high turnout of buglers (again) High On A Hill plus a few well known Band & Bugle marches were performed. The Regimental Marches where ‘busked’ (and some missed out) at the end, which concluded the annual blow - all had a jolly good time… and a laugh.

The annual ‘blow’ over, it was then time to draw the raffl e. This year there were more prizes on offer and looked like an endless supply. The tickets where drawn whilst lunch was being served so as to save time. Thank you to those that donated raffl e prizes - the majority of which were sourced by Tony Dowd - who again organized this. A very big thank you to him.

Lunch consisted of: Chicken & Chips, Bangers an Mash, beans and peas, followed by apple pie or cheesecake. This gave members the opportunity to soak up the 3 or 4 hours worth of John Smith’s already consumed before starting over again.

Following lunch the secretary gave his ‘Annual Sermon’ taking the opportunity to thank everyone for attending the reunion, and a warm welcome was extended to the new members joining for the fi rst time this year. Special thanks were given to members of the Waterloo Band and Bugles for their selfl ess efforts, despite being very busy with their own engagements [helping out with the Salamanca Band and performing at the rugby the following day]. The manageress and staff of The Winchester Club were also thanked and congratulated on looking after us – with liquid refreshment and the fantastic buffet.

David Timms

CENTRAL ENGLAND BRANCH

Greetings fellow Offi cers and Rifl emen, welcome to our Autumn edition of the RGJ E-Zine.

The second part of the year has been rather busy in terms of events and social gatherings. Though for the sake of continuity, I will continue where the last edition ended and that is to cover the period of the ‘Fan Dance’ over the weekend: 13th - 15th June 2014 up to and including the NIVA Parade on 19th September 2015.

The Fan Dance Team pitched up at a camp site near Abergevenney on the evening Friday 13th, with camp routine established early. Naturally the beer began to fl ow and despite the gruelling feat that awaited those taking part, this did not dampen spirits and being Green Jackets ensured that the night was jolly. Rouse was around 0600hrs on Saturday 14th, the team had breakfast and prepared for the day’s event. Vaseline and Zinc Oxide tape at the ready, preparation squared away, it was all systems go. The Team set off around 0730hrs whilst the admin team (Gary Collins and yours truly), set about conducting area cleaning and generally making the place look soldier like.

The guys originally planned to complete the Fan Dance as a team which under the terms of the SFE rules is not allowed. Though from the onset it became apparent that it wasn’t going to work. Those of ‘slight’ build and youth were struggling to maintain the comfortable pace set by their elderly ‘fuller’ fi gured team members, therefore the party split into two with the old and bold bringing up the rear. The other team which then fragmented into individuals opting to give it ‘best effort’ to the end. Despite the gruelling terrain and arduous trek, thankfully all team members fi nished it without injury returning to camp early evening whereby a BBQ

and beer were enjoyed courtesy of camp chef Gary Collins. A walk down to the Slaughtered Lamb yielded a joyful, banter fi lled evening followed by an early night. Sunday morning at sparrows fart, the group and no doubt the entire population of those dwelling within the Valleys were awoken to the sounds of Leon’s Band & Bugle CD blaring out from his car. Any chance of a lay in were well and truly scuppered. Thankfully, we managed to depart the area without getting lynched.

It was good to see a good contingent from our friends and colleagues at the Wiltshire Branch whom had formed a camp within a camp with their Regimental Branch Flag clearly marking their territory amongst a sea of Green Flags and Banners.

Padre Major David Adams (RACd) once again presided over the Service of Remembrance for which we are truly grateful and in the absence of Branch President Michael Leeming who remains in the USA, deputy Chairman RGJ Council Simon Booth-Mason addressed the congregation outlining the general plan for the 50th Anniversary celebrations. Again, we are grateful to Simon for travelling up to attend the event and give his oration.

There are countless individual recollections of the weekend, too many to list and like last year, the main bulk will be saved for next years’ edition of Swift & Bold.

I do wish to thank also Denise Boomer who once again was steadfast in raising some much needed cash for the RGJ Museum upkeep appeal. Denise manages to run her raffl e stall with gifts and freebies provided as a result of her tenacious yet charming approach - Well done D from all at CEBRGJRA. September 19th saw our second year in attendance Following our annual pilgrimage to Winchester in July, Greenstock 2015 was upon us over the weekend 21st - 23rd August. A different set up to 2014, the event itself was much bigger with more on offer for those attending. This helped make the event a great success and by tea time Saturday, numbers swelled to well over 400. It helped that the weather was fantastic on the back of some torrential rain leading up to the fi nal weeks’ preparations with the Sun making its’ presence felt on the Thursday morning as the event build commenced. People had travelled far and wide to come make the festival the success that it was. Great music, plenty of affordable food and ale had been consumed by all and even the tattooist (Dionne) was kept busy over the duration of the weekend with her array of regimental artwork. Branch Member Len Readle got his fi rst ever tattoo with a skull and Chosen Man proudly displayed on his upper arm - he even managed to sit through it without wincing in pain!! Top bloke Len. Team Members: Chris Jones, Len Readle, ScoƩ Newstead, Daniel Page, Craig Jenkins, Andrew ‘Dodsy’ Graham, Leon Bailey, John Jones & Liam Jenkins (To be conƟ nued on next page)