RMPA EAST SUSSEX BRANCH
NEWS LETTER No 16 - Dec 2011

Meeting at 8pm on the first Friday of the month, at RAFA Club, Wish Road, Eastbourne, (except January and February.
Chairmans Notes
Starting with sad news I’m afraid. Have heard from the family, that Branch founder member Len Bland, following, a long illness, passed away on the morning of Saturday the 3’ of Dec. it was Len’s express wish that there should be no Branch involvement in his funeral. Of course the Branch will respect his wishes.

The Branch has also lost another most treasured lady; Joan, wife of Bob Adams, died suddenly on the 28th of October.  What can you say about Joan. She was a funny warm hearted bubbly person, liked by everyone. Her presence at Branch functions will be sorely missed. Our sympathies go out to Bob and his family for their loss.

As you know Beiyl and 1 are retiring from the Branch Committee at the next AGM. So far, there have been no nominations for our replacements. I understand that Barry Last will also retire from the post of Treasurer, at the same time.  The post of Treasurer will be particularly difficult to fill, and I think it is essential to the effective running of the Branch that we have an Accountant. It seems clear therefore, that some hard decisions have to be faced, if volunteers are not forthcoming before the AGM in April. Any suggestions please, before the last one leaving turns out the lights?

Given the uncertain future of the Branch, and the reasonably healthy state of our finances it would be unfair to ask for membership subscriptions for what may prove not to be a complete year. This action is not supported by one Committee Member, therefore membership cards will be sent out as usual, along with “Member of the Year” nomination forms, and members who feel they want to contribute are invited to send donations to the Secretary. The Member Of the Year Shield will probably be presented at the AGM.

As is customary, the Dec Branch meeting was the occasion for holding an auction of unwanted personal items. This proved to be another triumph for auctioneer extraordinaire President Bob, to exercise his extortion skills to sell off some really nice items, and in the process, raise some £77 for Branch funds. The Branch ladies provided an absolutely fabulous finger buffet, which together with a reasonable turnout of members, made for an excellent evening.
I should mention here that a cheque has been set to the Chairman of the RAFA Club, in appreciation for the use of their facilities, in the sum of £75, a fairly modest sum, for such a convenient and useful arrangement.

Regarding the annual Christmas Lunch at the Haddon Hall Hotel; this from all accounts was a huge success with a turnout of 49 people. The food and service, as always, was first class, and with entertainment from our Padre David, and Noel Dumbrell, a great time was had by all. Many thanks to Keith Barker for again providing presents for all of the ladies attending.

And so to other matters;

Dates for Diary

• Sun 5th Feb 2012. Tower of London Church Parade.

• Branch Meeting 2nd of March 2012,

• Branch AGM, 6th of April 2012

Branch Church Parade at East Dean. Sun 13th May 2012

• RMPA 66th Annual Reunion Weekend City of Coventry.

18/19/20 May 2012

• Sun 13th May 2012, Branch Church Parade at East Dean.

Standard

Stewart Henderson reports; The Branch Standard has been present at the following events since the last published news-letter.

Along with the Standard of The Royal Sussex Regimental Association, the Standard and Branch members were in attendance at the grave of the late L/Cpl. Pritchard in Ocklynge Cemetry when it was visited by Col. Dudley Giles as part of his Redcap Remembrance 2011 Cycle ride.
The traditional Arndale Centre, Eastbourne and War Memorial Remembrance Sunday Parades were both attended with representatives of the Branch in support.

Together with, other Standards, from Eastboume Combined Ex Service Association, it supported The Eastboume Branch of the Royal Engineers Association when they laid up their old Standard and dedicated a new one in All Souls Church, Eastboume in November.

Finally, I accepted an invitation to attend the ceremony to lay up the Standard of Seaford Branch of the Royal Naval Association in the Chapel of St. Dunstan’s, Ovingdean, near Brighton on Saturday 3rd December. (At which the officiating Padre was the Rev. David Farrant).
As we are now in the ‘Quiet Season’ for parades etc., There are no planned events requiring the attendance of the standard during the next few weeks but, as always, if members become aware of any events where the Standard could be deployed, please let me know.

Welfare
Bob Adams has nothing new to report at this time.

AOB

• A warm Branch welcome to new member Eon Matthews RN, of Seaford. We hope to meet him at a future Branch meeting.

• Enclosed is your new membership card, and voting slip for “Member of the Year Shield”

• The MOY Shield is currently held by Beryl Whiley; previous holders include, Bob Peedle, Reg Whiley, Dave Gibson, Derek Mead, Stewart Henderson, Barry Last, and Bob Adams.

Finally
Best wishes to you all from Beryl and I; we look forward to seeing you at the next Branch meeting in March.

Reg Whiley
Branch Chairman