Central England Branch

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.

Then on 10th May 2014 we had our first social event at the now synonymous Nautical Club, which is a venue we are well familiar with and a place that welcome us with open arms. This event was organised by branch member ‘Craig Jenkins’ and turned out to be a really mellow afternoon. We were joined by the usual suspects and Pete Noble and Maggie Noble minus the Bugle on this occasion. We recruited a new member in Tony Morgan who I know personally from my time with 2 RGJ (1995-1997). As is always, the staff and maritime members of the Nautical Club made us really welcome and allow us without objection to do our thing with words from Guy on all our lost brothers coupled with the playing of the Regimental March and toasting with Port. Again monies were raised for both C4C and GREENSTOCK mainly by branch member John J Jones, his contribution was gratefully received and will go some way to ensuring both recipients put it to good use.

On that note, a special mention has been set aside here due to what we (the committee and branch) believe was a remarkable feat by JJ in that off his own back, he organised and executed a solo bicycle ride from Birmingham City Centre to Peninsula Barracks, Winchester 17th and 18th May 2014. Whilst he notified members of the task, he was so casual about it and even on completion was very humble about what he had achieved. Again all in aid of C4C and GREENSTOCK. Well done JJ, it will not go un-noticed!!

The next few weeks we are prepping for AFD at the end of June which should be another cracking day if last year is anything to go by. Providing the weather holds out and the day is without incident it will be. Organiser Guy Mynett is OIC event and this year we are having 2 pitches instead of one.

Following that we look forward to the RGJ Annual Reunion many of our members will be ascending on Winchester over the weekend. Then it’s the countdown to GREENSTOCK 2014 at the end of August 2014. All the planning has been done, the booking has been done so has we approach the business end, a lot will be down to luck with both weather and bands pledged to play. If you are not aware or have been blinkered for the past year, tickets are £10 per person for the weekend kids U16 free (Friday 29th – Sunday 31st August 2014) at Bramcote, Nuneaton. See www.cebrgjra.com or Facebook: GREENSTOCK 2014 or Pete Page sites for further details.

Finally, if you are interested in becoming a member of Central England Branch or want more details regarding the AFD in Birmingham or GREENSTOCK, please get in touch. Regards, Pete Page, Secretary CEBRGJRA

Best wishes and regards to our fellow Riflemen across the globe. Celer et Audax.

Pete Page Secretary