February - June 2014 The last news published regarding the CEBRGJRA was the pending annual fundraising event organised by Ray Gaffney in Tipton which took place at the start of the February 2014. This year the event was well attended and well over £1000 was raised for the GREENSTOCK 2014 fund. The day took the form of football cards, tombola’s, raffles and auctions. The highlight of the auction being one of four ‘Dennis the Menace’ cuddly toys donated by UKIP member ‘Dickie Bird’. The toy donned in Black and Green complete with Green Beret was bought by a civilian attendee who kindly donated it back to the Branch. It has since been put into a case which will sit on the bar at future functions!! Incidentally, the last of the four can be bid for at auction along with some other excellent items at GREENSTOCK as we will be raising money toward the Waterloo Appeal 2014. Back to the event itself, branch members were in good form as we enjoyed pleasantries with some new attendees in the shape of Graham Simpson, Tony North, Bryan ‘Banger’ Harvey and Bugler Pete Noble. Pete honoured us with his playing of the Last Post following a few words or remembrance by Treasurer Guy Mynett and the playing of the Regimental March as is customary at our events. As the venue has since changed hands and now owned by a Chinese couple, the buffet food was of the highest standard and went down a storm. Overall, the day and evening were a resounding success both in terms of fundraising and socially – note to self ‘lay off the Thatchers Gold’!! March passed without any notable activity. Then on the 26th April 2014, members were invited to attend a Charity Golf Day at Rowley Regis Golf Course incidentally, by the guy whom bought the Dennis the Menace doll. Anyway it was all in aid of Prostate Cancer so Chairman ‘Mark Picken’, Treasurer ‘Guy Mynett’, Ents member ‘Dave Brown’, branch member ‘Leon Bailey and myself as Secretary attended what turned out to be an interesting day. Firstly, never believe Mark Picken pre golf when he states that he can hardly hit the ball – untrue!! Never believe me when I say go a 7 iron when a 9 will suffice!! Say no more on that. All in all it was a great day with plenty of banter and watching other groups play even worse than use was encouraging, nonetheless it was all for a worthwhile cause and hopefully a decent amount was raised.
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E-Zine 2014
