Royal Anglian Regiment Association - Finedon Branch (News)

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News

Date:

08/08

Title:

Return to Berlin 2008

In late June/early July I made a return trip to Berlin having served there from August 1978 to December 1980.

I was very lucky in that my son Geoffrey was able via his contacts to arrange a visit of Kladow and the old Montgomery Barracks now renamed Blucher Kasern.

I was given a tour around the barracks and lunch in what is now the combined Officers/Sgts Mess. The barracks are now occupied by a medical training unit of the German Air Force.

The barracks has not changed although you can now freely of through the fence that used to form the border with the old East Berlin.

I visited my old company offices (B Company) and accept for the notice boards it was like stepping 30 years into the past nothing has changed.

I was introduced to three of the German maintenance men who were there then the 2nd Bn was stationed there and they showed me the plaque that they had been presented with on our leaving Berlin. It contained the cap badge collar badges and Royal Anglian shoulder titles.

Following the visit to the barracks we were then taken to the Berlin Golf Club. This was the British garrison Golf Club and was handed over to the Berlin Members when the British left. One ting that I was informed of that part of the golf club was used as the coal dump during the Berlin airlift and when they wanted to extend the course a large amount of coal was still buried there.

The branch is planning a return to Berlin next year and we have been kindly invited to visit the barracks for a further tour.

My thanks to Juergen Meierkord for arranging the visit and the camp Sergeant Major and all ranks at Blucher Kasern for making the visit such a memorable occasion.

Date:

08/08

Title:

John & Carol Behan Wedding Anniversary 2008

John and Carol has already published on the contacts page but I thought it would be nice if we included some photos of the party.
All had a great time it was a fab do and thank you so much John and Carol.
Enjoy the gallery.

Date:

08/08

Title:

Army Cadet Force Annual Camp 2008

On 15 August I, together with Andrew Hawkes and Ray Lawrence were invited down to Salisbury Plain to see the prize giving parade which is held at the end of the ACF annual camp.
It was a very god day out and te weather was in our favour.The parade and prize giving was a great event and all three of us enjoyed it.
It was so nice to see that so many young people had given up their time and holiday to take part in the annual camp. There is quite a lot said these days about the youth of this country and great deal of it in the negative. For those that do I would advise that they take the time and trouble to attend a parade like this and see the effort and dedication that goes into the cadet annual camp.All those instructor and adults officer and NCO's who give their time and effort should be congratulated.
A great day out thank you cadets.
Ray Ogle

Date:

06/08

Title:

Branch Update

Sorry that there has been a gap in news on the site recently this is due to other outside commitments. So for Paul watts keep on clicking.

There has not been a great deal of activity since the early part of the year and we had to cancel the annual ten pin bowling. However we have been kicking over a few ideas and it is hoped that one will published in the near future. The next event that the branch is attending in force is the silver wedding anniversary celebrations of two of the branch stalwarts John and Carol Behan on 28 June. Actual date 25 June. The branch wishes them well and hope that there are many more to come.

The branch had a very good turn out for the AGM held in May and we welcomed for the first time Dave and Pat Knight and Joe and Kath Evans. After the AGM and the regualr meeting a good time was had by all in the Cons Club Finedon.

The next two diary events are the Regimental week end at Northampton in July and Duxford in September.

Between now and then I hope to have more news on the web site with more up date. Meanwhile keep clicking on. Any ideas/news from any member of The Royal Anglian Regiment or former Regiments would be appreciated.

Ray Ogle

Date:

06/08

Title:

John & Carol

All Members of Finedon Branch wish John and Carol a very happy Silver wedding anniversary. May there be many more to come.
Enjoy your day and the holiday that is going to follow. Best of Luck and all our wishes goes with you.

John_Carol

Date:

02/08

Title:

Major Tim Warr TD

It is with deep regret that we report the death of Major Tim Warr TD at his
home in Spain.

From our formation until Tim and Annette moved to Spain he was our chairman.

A very dedicated officer who always had the welfare of the branch at heart.
Tim will be missed by all members of the branch and we send our condolences
to Annette and to both families.

Maj Tim Warr TD

Date:

12/07

Title:

Christmas Dinner 2007

On 8 December the Branch held their annual Christmas dinner at the Royal
Comfort Hotel Kettering.

We had an attendance of 52 and the guests of honour were Colonel Peter Worthy
and Ann Worthy.

The event was a tremendous success and all thanks are due once again to John
and Carol Behan and their team for putting on such a fine event.

After an excellent dinner the president said a few words about the previous
year and our hope for the future and the importance of supporting our Armed
Forces. Colonel Worthy then replied with a fine address to all those
assembled. After the speeches Colonel Worthy presented Association ties to
four of our associate members recognition for the Sterling work and support
they have given the branch over the last 9 Years. They are: Andrew Hawkes,
Shaun Cooper, Ray Lawrence and David Horn. Congratulations to them all. They
are now honourary members.

After the formalities came the fun. I think that it my be a long time before
any one who attended will forget the fine performance of the Finedon School
of dancing or the Branches version of Lili Marlene.

Once again we had a very good raffle and once again Murl Asbrey walked away
with an arm full of prizes. I am also pleased to report that Ann worthy did
quite well in this department and ended up by re donating some of her prizes
Very much appreciated by the Branch.

A wonderful night and it certainly rounded off the end to a great year.

My thanks to all members and supporters. A MERRY XMAS AND A SAFE AND PROPOUROUS NEW
YEAR TO ALL WHO VISIT THIS SITE

Click here for our Gallery

Date:

11/07

Title:

Remembrance Service 2007

This years Remembrance Day was without doubt the best attended in our 10
year history.

We had a couple of firsts for the branch again. It was the first time that
one of our lady members (Carol Behan) laid the wreath on behalf of the
Regiment. It was also a first when a party of our lady members marched with
us. The comments afterwards indicated that they quite enjoyed it. You can see
some of them in the Gallery pictures of this years parade.

The parade took it's now usual format in that Mick at the Conservative Club
kindly opened up to serve tea,coffee and other refreshments prior to the
parade and after the service we all retired back there for drinks with the
other local veterans and club members.

All members and guests then moved to the Royal Comfort Hotel in Kettering
for the annual Ladies Lunch. A record number of 42 members and guests
attended.

As is our custom we held a minutes silence for all of our former Regiments
and of course Royal Anglian Regiment who have paid the supreme sacrifice.
The Branch President then read out the names of the 10 members of 1 Bn Royal
Anglian Regiment who gave their lives in recent operations in Afghanistan.

All then proceeded to enjoy an excellent lunch and get-together.

All in all a most enjoyable and rememberable day.

Click here for our Gallery

Date:

15/09/07

Title:

Garden Party

Sunday 16 September was the day chosen for this years garden party hosted by Ray and Jean Ogle.

There was a good turn out and Joe and Kath Evans made the effort to come over from Syston in Leicestershire. As usual there was two curries and Jeans now famous cauliflower cheese dish. A special one was made for Paul Hale. Carol and John Behan provided the sweet which went down very well. The weather was great the company even better and all had a great time.

All monies raised will go to the branch funds. There was some very good party games and one of them was organized and run by Jade Cooper aged seven. The first time in branch history that the branch has come under the command of one so young!!.(See photos in the gallery)She did very well and the winner was Pauline closely followed by Marg.

Then came HUBBLY DUBBLY This was the first time some had played this game and what a laugh.Depending on your point of view it was a toss up between Carol and Dave Thornley for the winner. Carol had no hubbly dubblies so Carol was the official winner but Dave maintains that he got the most so he won!!!! (This game came via my great friend Major David Goude) A Great day and thanks to all who supported it.

Click here for our Gallery

Date:

07/09/07

Title:

Royal Anglian Day at Duxford 2007

Once again we had a very good gathering for Royal Anglian day at Duxford. The branch took advantage of the families day to invite friends and relatives for a great day out. We had a good turnout from the children and they were well looked after by Dawn and Carol.

Dawn provided a picnic lunch and Carol provided a goodie bag for each child. There was a good turn out of branch standards so many in fact that they were mixed up when they collected after the service for the march past. The Minden Band, Corps of Drums and the Corps of Drums from Cambridge ACF put on first class entertainment and when all three paraded for Beating Retreat it was a wonderful sight.

Many thanks to all who took part. Once again the weather was very kind to us and it was a pleasure to walk round the exhibits and the Regimental Museum. As always the ladies put on a first class buffet and I think provided enough food to feed at least half of those who attended. Thank you ladies.

The Regimental Day has now become a firm annual fixture in the Regiments calendar of events and long may it continue to do so.

Click here for our Gallery

Date:

14/08/07

Title:

Berlin Revisited

After 27 years, three members and their wives made a nostalgic visit back to Berlin. None of them had been back since leaving there in 1980. There have been many changes, not least is that the wall has now gone and there is no longer any allied forces left in Berlin. It is nice to think that in a miniscule way, they played a part in the reunification of that great city.

In the coming weeks, we will publish photographs and each one will tell their own story.

Click here for our Gallery

Date:

10/01/07

Title:

Branch Christmas Lunch

Not to be out done in losing the venue for our Christmas dinner Jean Ogle Organised a lunch at The Queen Victoria in Burton Latimer. The lunch was fantastic, it was a carvery ,loads of it and very good value for money. The Vic should be congratulated.

Thirty members and ladies attended which is not a bad number considering that some had made other plans for that day and John Knight and Vicky from Felixstowe were the only away members there. Preston King David, Knights grandson attended as a guest. (He is joining the Royal Navy!!!!)

The event was just a get together and ensure that Christmas was marked in some way. The photos speak for themselves.

Many thanks to Jean for the effort she put in to organise the lunch all had a most enjoyable time.


Happy Members! Dawn, Kim, Jade & Nicole, Andrew, Toni & Shaun	After the meal is over! (Don't worry, Porkie got his Spotted Dick!)

Angie, Craig & Stuart enjoying a pre-drink drink!	The ladies plan the next phase.

There are plenty more pictures in our Gallery here.


Date:	22/11/06	Title:	Website Redesign
As discussed at the November meeting to save cost and allow imput from members we have designed a website that will be administered by our own members. We will have more direct contact and input can be given on a more regular basis. Thanks to Noel for the help and support he has given in the past.

Date:

22/11/06

Title:

Remembrance Service 2006

I think that it is safe to say that this years Remembrance Sunday was the best that the Branch has ever had.

We started the day by assembling at the Conservative Club in Finedon where mine host Mick had laid on tea coffee and other beverages for the Branch.

We then proceeded to Mulso School to form up for the parade. The parade was as usual lead by the Branch Secretary Ray Ogle. However on forming up there was a bit of a surprise when Ray handed the branch over to David Knight and gave him the honour of leading the Branch and the parade through his home town for the first time. What a splendid job he made of it too.

The Regimental wreath was laid this year by Shaun Cooper. He is the first associate member to lay the wreath on behalf of the Regiment and he told me afterwards that it had been a great honour though he did feel a little nervous as he had not been so involved before.

As is now the custom the parade was lead through Finedon by the Corps of Drums of D Company Royal Anglian Regt ACF once again led by Charlotte Hawkes. They did a fine job and get better every year.

After the parade we again retired to the Conservative where the Branch had laid on a buffet to celebrate our tenth Remembrance Day parade.

After that the Branch retired in forces to the Tudor Gate Hotel for our customary Ladies Lunch. We had a splendid turnout for the lunch and I have to say it was the best we have had in our ten year history. After the lunch all retired to the lounge area for liquid refreshment. The end to a perfect day.

Ray Ogle


The Long and the Short Retired WO2 Ray Ogle hands over to Retired WO1 David Knight.	Shaun Cooper lays the Regimental Wreath.

Drum Major Charlotte Hawkes is not feeling blue.	Lofty Knight makes a point with the ladies.

Those ties and smiles having a great time.	And the winner is? Jade and Ethan help John Behan draw the raffle.

There are plenty more pictures in our Gallery here.

Date:

22/11/06

Title:

Royal Anglian Day - Duxford 2006

On a glorious sunny day the Branch assembled in force for the annual Royal Anglian Regimental Day. Again it was as if the weather had been booked especially for us for the gathering.

The Branch had a very large turnout with over fifty friends and family attending. This is getting to be one of the most popular days of our calendar as we get more attending every year. It really is a families day and so much work goes in to make it so.

As usual the ladies excelled themselves by producing a buffet lunch fit for a king and the Branch. Well done again girls!!!

I never get over the sight of all the Regimental Standards that are paraded on this day. The spirit of the Regiment and former Regiments is displayed for all to see. Long may it be so.

You have seen this write up and the pictures come and join us next year. You will not regret it.

Ray Ogle


The Bands perform.	Thats a cool one! Andrew Hawkes & Shaun Cooper enjoy a cool beer.

Branch members relax in the sun at Duxford

There are plenty more pictures in our Gallery here.

Date:

22/11/06

Title:

Stop Press! (Christmas Dinner Postponed)

It is with regret that due to circumstances beyond our control, we have to announce the cancellation of the Christmas Regimental Dinner that was due to be held at the Tudor Gate Hotel Finedon on 2nd December 2006.

We have rebooked this function to take place on Saturday 10th March 2007 at the Royal Hotel Kettering. Firm details will be issued early into the new year.

Ray Ogle

Date:

22/11/06

Title:

Tern Hill

On the return of 2 Bn Royal Anglian Regiment to Tern Hill after its operational tour in Iraq the Battalion held a medal Parade at Clive Barracks on 17 November 2006.

The battalion sent invitations to all association branches and Ray Ogle and Paul Hale from Finedon Branch attended. It was a great day and the battalion looked after us very well. After meeting in the Officer/Sgts Mess and having refreshments we were directed the square to see the parade.

The battalion paraded in the desert camouflage and it was a wonderful sight to see them march onto the square in full battalion strength.

A very big surprise awaited me when we reached the square. The OC C Company Major Simon Worthy asked me if I would present Iraq medals to a platoon of C Company. I was so surprised and delighted with this honour that I was very nearly speechless. It was a privilege that I will remember for all times.

After the parade we were entertained in the Junior Ranks club by members of C Company. The buffet was very good and talking to the soldiers was even better. It was good for an old Poacher to meet and talk to the young Poachers. I came away with the distinct impression that the battalion was assured of its future. Its values and traditions are in safe hands.

Thank you so much Poachers we hope to see you in the near future during the freedom marches.

Ray Ogle


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There are plenty more pictures available in our Gallery here.

Date:

22/11/06

Title:

The Ridgeway

Two members of the local cadet unit were going to walk 50 miles along the Ridgeway as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s gold award.

As the Branch sponsors this unit it was decided that a group of us from the branch would accompany them.

On a cold Friday morning in early March we set off to begin the walk. Four members of the branch was to do the walk and another two were to drive a support and safety vehicle.

During our time on the Ridgeway we experienced all the different moods of British weather, ranging from brilliant sunshine to ice, snow and blizzards. The Ridgeway in early March is not the best time of the year to do long distance walking .

As there is no camping on the Ridgeway we had to come off it in the evenings and spend the night under canvas on an established camp site. It’s many years since I woke up to see frozen canvas and it brought back memories of long ago. ‘Those were the Days!’ Throughout the time on the Ridgeway we had excellent support from our two man backup team and we knew that they would be there if needed.

At last on the Monday morning we arrived at Chinnor our end point after doing over 50 miles. We were all a bit tired but happy that we had done it. A bit of an achievement for those over 60.

Many thanks to Toni Hawkes who gave up her free time to transport us to and from the Ridgeway


Cadet Sgt Major Hawkes on the first day only another 40 miles to go.	End of the road. Cadet Sgt Major Charlotte Hawkes, Andrew Hawkes, Cadet S/Sgt Leach, Melvyn York and Ray Lawrence. Yours truly took the photo