Surrey 2009

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At the end of the Parade the horse went up the stairs and into lunch also.

This evening we held our second AGM. Mike Hall has had to relinquish the Chairman role due to a vast increase in the work load of his day job. He will however continue to produce the news letter for us every two months. Chas Timms was then voted in as the new Chairman and Mike took over the Vice Chair.

The Branch finances are in a healthy state and well able to support all the activities planned for the year.

An excellent day trip to Portsmouth organised by Chairman Chas. We visited Southwick House with the D Day map room and the RMP Museum. After lunch at the Florence Arms we went on to the Royal Marines Museum after hold a short commemorative wreath laying in the Memorial Gardens. Our grateful thanks to Chas for the organisation, to President Tex for arranging Southwick House and to Ken for the onboard refreshments.

Thirty eight members and family and friends spent an enjoyable day at the WWII intelligence gathering centre at Bletchley Park. After the first guided tour of the morning we were treated to an excellent buffet lunch to mark the occasion of Don and Joan Mott's 46th Wedding Anniversary. A second guided tour took place in the afternoon followed by free time. It was a most interesting visit and we are grateful to the Mott family for feeding us all so well.

Come to the cookhouse door!!

The President, Chairman, Standard Bearer and other members attended Croydon Parish Church for the funeral of Rifleman Danny Simpson. Danny, aged 20, of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles was killed in action in Afghanistan on July 10th trying to rescue comrades injured in a previous explosion.

A much more cheerful occasion was this years Merdeka lunch party. Being a free event for all members it was very well attended. Thirty-six of us enjoyed a very convivial buffet prepared by Ken and Marion, ably supported by the ladies at the RBL. The Chairman presented a cheque for £50 to the RBL in recognition of all the help they have afforded us over the last year.

Another profoundly moving experience for the four NMBVA members who journeyed to Wootton Bassett for the repatriation of L/Cpl Richard Brandon, REME and Private Gavin Elliot of the Mercian Regiment. Standard Bearer Ken McDonald dipped the Branch Standard as the cortege passed slowly down the High Street. Chairman Chas laid our Wreath at the Town War Memorial.

Three days later and a much happier out to the RAF Museum at Hendon. Early morning coffee and biscuits was on offer at the RBL before 31 of us set of by coach to North London. Sixty-nine years ago September 15th 1940 was acknowledged as the day the Ariel battle over South-East England turned our favour and the forefront of it all. To commemorate these momentous days a new exhibition hall was opened this weekend.. This is a superb museum but you do need a whole day to do it justice. To mark the anniversary there were numerous additional attractions both in the hangers and out on the landing field. The Barnet Orchestra gave a concert in the shadow of the Lancaster and the Polka Dot Dolls entertained with Wartime songs. Another enjoyable day organised by our hard working Chairman and Alwyn.

Early November was very busy for the Branch Members. We again Paraded in Guildford on Remembrance Sunday and prior to that planted our cross in the Field of Remembrance at Westminster. Ours is centre left in the photo with the NMBVA logo. The second photo shows HRH Prince Philip talking to Don Mott of the North Kent/South East London Branch. Later in the month some members made a return visit to Wootton Bassett as yet more Soldiers were repatriated. There were 2 NMBVA Standards on Parade this time. The month ended much more happily with a 'Burns Night' themed Dinner at the RBL West Clandon. Ably organised by Debby and Dave Clark, everyone had a thoroughly enjoyable evening and raised more than £1,000 for Help The Heroes and the Gurkha Welfare Trust.