The Royal Green Jackets Associa on
CENTRAL ENGLAND BRANCH It seems only five minutes since compiling our write up for Swift and Bold, yet here we are again writing for the June RGJ E-zine. Nonetheless, we have a fair bit going on within the Central England Branch. On the social side, since our last entry we have had two fairly successful fundraising events. Both with the aim to raise revenue for Greenstock 2015 (21– 23 August 2015). At the beginning of February, The Top Star public house at Tipton in the Black Country, played host to yet another enjoyable event. Organsied by Branch Member ‘Ray Gaffney’, this is becoming an annual gathering just after New Year. The day was busy with around 40 members plus guests passing through at varying periods. Money was raised through raffle draws, football cards and an auction with around £900 going into the Greenstock pot. Entertainment was provided with two male vocalists accompanied by accoustic guitars and a disco. By mid evening the pub was packed to the rafters following a visit from the Birmingham Mystery Pub Bus which usually moves off after a pint. Due to the excellent ambience they ended up staying over for the remainder of the evening. The overall event was made more enjoyable by virtue of the number of Veterans that travelled to support it, some coming many miles up A34/M40 from Gosport/ Portsmouth (Art Hayward, Bryan ‘Banger’ Harvey picking up Clint Hill en route). Tony North from Warrington and UKIP Party Official ‘Dickie Bird’ from Oxford all helping to make the occasion so enjoyable. Hats off to Ray Gaffney, he always puts great effort into ensuring that everyone is welcome and that proceeding run without fuss. A quiet period was had between February and April with planning and prepping for Greenstock, Armed Forces Day and our first, planned Christmas Event (2015) keeping the Committee busy and the bi-annual visit to Peninsula Barracks by the Chairman and myself for the RGJA Spring Meeting last week of April. As usual Branch Chairman and NMA LO ‘Mark Picken’ continues to act as the conduit between the RGJ Council and the staff at Alrewas coupled with corresponding with the Stone Mason whom is about to commence the lifting of our Memorial. Hopefully a comprehensive update of works will be published once this has been achieved. Speaking of the NMA at Alrewas, more details regarding future events including the Northern Ireland Veterans Parade (Sept 15) which we will be heavily involved again will be announced on our Facebook page in addition to the CEBRGJRA Webpage. Please note that due to the advanced planning of our FOE, we will not be part-taking of the AFD at NMA. Instead we will continue to support Birmingham Central as we have done so for the past 3 years. Anyone wishing to visit that location during AFD should note that it gets heavily congested with parking limited therefore, you should aim off with travel timings and parking. On the 9th May The Cock Inn, Bartley Green, Birmingham 12 | Volume 7 Issue 1
staged the second fundraiser for Greenstock. Landlady ‘Emma’ and Branch Property Member Gary Collins did us proud with the RGJ décor. Fine ale and entertainment for younger familiy members were enjoyed culminating with a disco later in the evening. The fundraising was a resounding success (various Raffle prizes, Auction and Football Cards) thanks to the tenacity of Emma and guile of Gary contributing to a great occasion. The one downside being that it clashed with Army v Navy Rugby and numbers present were less than expected (20 – 25). This however, did little to dampen the enjoyment or hamper the amount raised (£1050). A massive thanks goes out to Gary and Emma and all those that helped to facilitate the occasion. As we approach the mid-year point, our next gathering will be the weekend of 5th, 6th and 7th June 2015 at Peny-Fan, Brecon. A team of 10 individuals and a couple of support staff will travel up to North Wales where they will attempt to do the Fan Dance. Organised by John J Jones, this will be the last Greenstock fundraising event prior to the Festival itself taking place in August. More on this later once the blisters fade!! Before I finish our piece, I would like to express our gratitude to Brigadier (Retired) Hugh Willing Chairman of the RGJA Committee who through his intervention was able to secure a grant of £5k to guarantee that all infrastructure costs for Greenstock would be covered. The Planning Council agreed the grant and thus allows us to put on better facilities for this years’ Festival. A mention also goes out to Roy Stanger (Winchester Branch) for expressing his support with our application. On behalf of CEBRGJRA, we salute and thank you. Finally, tickets for Greenstock are still available at £20 per person for the weekend (Camping, Live Music, Cheap Ale, Food, Exoctic Coffee, Merchandise, Bouncy Castle, Jousting and Tattooist) under 16s free, dogs also welcome. Methods of payment are: Paypal at CentralEnglandBranch@hotmail.com or by arrangement with Treasurer ‘Guy Mynett’ or myself – ring for details or message via Facebook plusmynettlag@hotmail.co.uk or petepage71@hotmail.com ‘To our fellow Officers and Riflemen across the globe, we wish you all well. If you have not already done so, go visit the Waterloo Diorama within our Museum, it is looking extremely impressive. Saw it last week and well impressed, you will be too. Swift and Bold Pete Page Secretary E-Zine 2015
