Sandbach
by Dave Beech A group of us travelled to Stockport for the East Cheshire Reunion - always a good night out thanks to Stockport Branch. Our Branch Christmas Dinner was a great success appreciated by 45 members and guests. Charles Sullivan, who is 89, won the Christmas hamper (donated by Mr Sam Machin – thank you, Sam) and found that it was a life-saver during January’s cold spell because he was unable to leave the house to get to the shops.
The highlight of our year is always the Meeanee Ball which we held on 27th February and was once again a resounding success. At the AGM in April, the whole committee was re-elected unopposed: this could be seen as a vote of confidence, but I suspect that the true reason is different. Charles Sullivan, our spritely nonagenarian, enjoyed a trip to London to see the 70th Anniversary of General De Gaulle’s speech to the French being marked by a visit by M Sarkozy, the French President.
Southern Region
by George Szwejkowski It is nice to report that the Southern Region fielded good support for the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey in November. It was almost surreal to see the legendary Charlie Carress pass by our plot on his way to represent the Royal British Legion elsewhere. Fortunately, he was recognised and pulled to one side. It was reassuring to see that our plot had regained its separate identity and it was great to have Brigadier Tony Twiss out in front representing the 22nd, with Brigadier Andrew Sharpe alongside him representing The Mercian Regiment. We were treated to an excellent tour of the Tower of London on the Saturday before Remembrance Sunday and Dickie Dover did not disappoint with his macabre and gruesome tales from the Tower.
On Remembrance Sunday, we paraded along Whitehall although this time we were so far back that we were nearer to Trafalgar Square than the Cenotaph. We caught the Parade RSM’s eye when Angus Pritchard- Gordon gave an “eyes right” as we passed the Women’s Memorial. “What a splendid gesture” he exclaimed “but I will be checking Queen’s Regulations in the morning!” We also enjoyed great coverage from the BBC with both the cameras and David Dimbleby picking us out. As is customary, we enjoyed an excellent Sunday lunch afterwards. In January, we held our AGM and it will come as no surprise that all the usual suspects were re-elected as Branch officers. Our Meeanee Ladies’ Dinner in Knightsbridge
The Mercian Eagle
was on 27th February and, with Trevor Taylor in charge, a good evening was assured.
On a sad note, both of our Chelsea Pensioner members have passed on to higher formation; John Dean died in March at the age of 91 and Lawrence Stubbs in September: he had just turned 90. Both of them were great supporters of the Branch and the CRA in general. The Branch attended, also, the funerals of Pte Jonathon Monk and Lt John Sanderson, two of 1 MERCIAN’s casualties. George and Lynn Szwejkowski paid a visit on behalf of the Branch to Brig Mike Dauncey with a birthday cake for his 90th birthday and found him in fine form enjoying the attention.
South Wirral
by John Coldrick 2010 started with a post Christmas party at the Royal British Legion in Upton Chester and was attended by 76 members and guests. Nigel and Jane Hunt slaved away to make sure that the function was a hit (thanks from all). After the toast and speeches, a quick but excellent raffle was held and, as usual, Geoff Parsonage managed to win one of the wallets containing £135... never bought a drink, though !! In April, the Branch put on a Family Funday to aid Help for Heroes; this was a roaring success and raised £6680 for this worthy charity.
Stockport
by Keith Mort We lost one of our Honorary Vice Presidents in September: George Wilford Jones DCM passed away peacefully on the 18th. George served with the 6th Battalion in North Africa, Anzio, Salerno and Monte Cassino; he will be greatly missed by us all. At the end of September, we held the return match of the annual Bowls game against Birkenhead Branch: the day finished honours even and everyone had a most enjoyable time. On 31st October, the Branch hosted the East Cheshire Reunion with over 200 attending, among them Maj Gen Skempton, Brig Dauncey, Col Donnelly, Col Bob Stewart, Col David Owen, Maj Phil Oulton and the Presiding Officer, Col Scott. After a superb hot-pot supper washed down with copious amounts of liquid refreshment and the odd cup of coffee, Col Donnelly brought us up to date on the 1st Battalion’s activities as they got ready for deployment to Afghanistan.
In early November, some Branch members descended on Malta once again for seven days’ R & R and to attend the Remembrance Parade in Valetta. Whilst in Malta, we visited the war Museum in St Elmo’s Fort which is now fully refurbished and a credit to Malta Heritage for all their hard work
and commitment. Our cap badge is now fully restored and resplendent in the main entrance. On Friday 18th December, we held our annual Ladies’ Christmas Dinner Night when the ladies were wined and dined in the Mary Ward Suite in the Armoury, served by Head Waiter, Eric Longson, and a host of assistants who had to be prised out of the bar when every course was finished.
At the AGM in December, Branch President, Maj Sidney Burton TD, stepped down after nine years due to ill health. Mr A J Jennings was appointed as the new President. Also re-appointed as Vice-presidents were Maj J S Holden TD and Mr E Longson. Committee members re-appointed were Mr A Massey, Mr R Porter, Mr G H Smith, Mr B Hartigan and Auditors Mr H Riley and Mr K Hampson. Several members attended the Droppin Well Memorial Service in Tamlaghtfinlagan Church, Ballykelly. Many thanks to Limavady Branch for their excellent organisation of the event. On the 167th Anniversary of the Battle of Meeanee, we held our branch Meeanee Dinner in the Regimental Club, Chester, when 50 members, wives and guests sat down to a superb four course dinner. A wonderful evening was had by all, especially the Kennedy Clan who won most of the raffle prizes. On Thursday 18th February, several members and wives attended the family Open Day and briefing for Afghanistan in Marne Barracks, Catterick. Our Colonel in Chief attended and took time out to speak to all present, both young and old alike. We wish the 1st Battalion well on their forthcoming deployment and, of course, a safe return. On Sunday 14th February, we joined members of Macclesfield Branch for their Meeanee Church Service in the family chapel on the estate.
Twenty members attended the AGM and Meeanee Reunion at Chester on Saturday 20th February when Brig Donnelly and WO2 (CSM) Matt Henry brought us up to date on the 1st Battalion’s activities. After a very interesting meeting, the Meeanee Draw was held and our own Brian Hartigan won first prize of £500. This is the same Brian Hartigan who, only the previous weekend at our own Meeanee dinner, stated that he never wins anything. He is now looking forward to our weekend in London for Trooping the Colour. AGM done, we retired to the Regimental Club for a superb supper washed down with copious amounts of ale etc. Just to keep Iggy’s bar takings up and Eddie’s stress levels down, Stockport Branch were once again some of the last to leave the club after a great evening spent with old friends and comrades.
We had a very busy summer with representatives from the Branch attending CRA reunions and commemorative church parades the length and breadth of the North West and, of course, the hotly contested Bowls matches against Birkenhead Branch; we won the first one and they matched us
October 2010 141
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