New Members
Jo Hook writes:
We welcome the following new member into the Guild:
·
Robert Hina from Middlesex joins. His interests
are Ancient, Dark Ages, Medieval inc. Hundred Years War, English Civil War,
Marlburian Period, American Revolution, Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars
Crimean War, American Civil War, Zulu and Boer Wars WW1 and WW2
Annual Membership fees
Jo Hook writes:
Yearly membership is due from 1st April. Please send
cheques for £75.00 made payable to Guild of Battlefield Guides Limited to Jo
Hook at Quince Cottage, 5 West Church Street, Kenninghall, Norfolk NR16
2EN. If paying by BACs directly to the Guild's bank account (details of
which can be found on the website) please ensure you give a reference whereby
you are easily identifiable as this will save Jo and the Treasurer hours of
work trying to chase who has sent what. If membership payments are not
received by close of business by Thursday 17 April 2014 membership will be
cancelled forthwith.
Guild Insurance
Secretary writes:
I have had a number of requests for quotes for the Guild
Public Liability insurance policy which starts again in April. I will be
getting premium quotes out to people shortly. If you would like a quote and
have not yet asked please send me details of your annual anticipated guiding
turnover by Sunday 23rd.
New Bastogne War Museum
John Greene writes:
Members may be interested to note that a new memorial centre
dedicated to the Second World War and to the Battle of the Bulge, the Bastogne
War Museum, is opening its doors to the public on March 22nd, 2014. Further
details can be found at www.bastognewarmuseum.be
Ulster Tower
Tonie & Valmai Holt write:
A couple of days ago we phoned the current custodians, Don
and Maureen Mitchell, newly returned from their winter break in N. Ireland,
only to be told they had decided they could no longer continue at the Tower and
are leaving next week. However the Tower or visitor centre will not be closed
at any point - Teddy & Phoebe Colligan have volunteered to go back out for
April and May to allow the Somme Association to find replacements.
Sheriffmuir Atlantic Wall
Assistance
Ran Shepherd writes:
Sheriffmuir, just outside Dunblane, has the remains of a
D-Day, "dry-shod", training ground. The site extends over an
area of 400m x 600m and includes bunkers, "Tobruck"
shelter, anti-tk ditch, communication trench lines and an 87m stretch of
"Atlantic" seawall.
·
A commemoration event will be held on 6 Jun ‘14
and include guided walks around the site followed by a service at Dunblane
Cathedral.
·
An exhibition will be run at the local
museum. Tony Pollard is leading on the archaeological
research.
The museum is keen to receive further assistance from
someone who has a detailed knowledge of Normandy fortifications. If
anyone is in a position to assist, I would be grateful if they could e-mail me
at rcgshepherd@aol.com.
Somme Bike Tour - Space
Available
Ian Hodkinson writes:
I am conducting my annual Tour during the subject dates -
based at Dupres House in the village of Hardecourt aux Bois. I have had a
"fall down" and, as such, have a space available. This is a
private, not too technical tour based around the battle for the woods - High
Wood, Bernafay Wood, Trones wood. Day one is travelling with Day Two
predominately High Wood and involves an all-day cycle ride from accommodation
to start point - Dantzig Alley CWGC. Day Three will b a long walk to take
in Bernafay and Trones wood and Day Four return to UK. ALL costs are
shared - transport, fuel, ferry, accommodation, food (accommodation is
self-catering and all to source own food to save disputes re cooking) and of
course BEER!!
As stated, I have one place available on a first come first
served basis. Any member who may be interested in joining us please could they
contact me at captpugwash1967@yahoo.co.uk.
All welcome but, as stated, this is a low level tour aimed at introduction to
aspects of the Somme offensive. The usual visits to Thiepval, Ulster
Tower and Newfoundland Park will b included - on Day One en route to
accommodation on the Sunday. A reasonable/good level of fitness is required
and, of course, the ability to ride a bike and read a map !!
New Member Discount
Secretary writes:
I have received the offer of a discount for Guild members
from Samantha Wheeler of Rohan clothing:
We are aware of the Guild and the work you do, and are
delighted to offer you a 15% discount off all Rohan branded Products, valid for
a 12 month period from now, this discount will then be reviewed depending on
popularity with your members
I have agreed with Sharon Hill, our Customer Services
Manager that all Members of the Guild can obtain the discount when ordering by
telephone, all your members need do is contact our customer services dept. on
0800 840 1412 stating that they are a Member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides
and place their order, unfortunately we are unable to offer the discount in
store or online.
I hope you and your members will enjoy taking full advantage
of this offer. For details of the range see http://www.rohan.co.uk/
Guide Request
I have received the following request for a guide. Can you
let me know if you are interested:
I am organising a Classic Car Tour to Normandy next year and
want an expert WW2 guide for a day. We are looking ideally for a French based
expert.
New CWGC Resource
Mike Peters writes:
Members may be interested to note that The Commonwealth War
Graves Commission (CWGC) has announced the launch of an exciting new education
resource to help teachers engage students in the Centenary of the First World
War.
Virtual Cemetery at www.cwgc-virtual-cemetery.org
is an online, interactive tool for the classroom, and is packed with
thought-provoking activities and lesson plans for Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils
studying Citizenship, History and Religious Studies. Designed for use on an
interactive whiteboard, the resource is also accessible through PCs and
laptops.
The Unveiling of the Welsh
Memorial in Flanders
Ian Gumm writes:
At 3:00 pm on Saturday 16th August 2014 the new Welsh
Memorial in Flanders will be unveiled on the Pilckem Ridge near Langemark in
Belgium. If you intend to be at the ceremony and will be arriving by
coach please complete the attached proforma and email it to p.carterjay@gmail.com and erwin.ureel@gmail.com so that the
details can be recorded for use by our Belgium team. This will greatly
aid the organisers with the traffic plan and assist with the provision of
parking
Explosion in Ypres
We have received the following message from Simon Louagie at
the Peace Village:
Just wanted to give you a head’s-up on the explosion of WW1 ammunition
this afternoon (19th March at 1:20 am local time roughly). Builders were
putting a new floor in a factory building in Ypres when a shell went off,
killing two workers and badly wounding at least two others. The explosion took
place in Oostkaai which is one km from Essex Farm and less than one km from
Yorkshire Trench which are both frequented with school groups. The area has
been sealed off and bomb disposal is on its way. We know if at least one tour
bus that has been diverted from the area. There should be no more immediate
danger. It does not appear to have been a gas shell. We just wanted to keep you
posted on this as I’m sure many teachers will be worried at the moment. We’ve
already got a phone call from one concerned teacher who heard it from a few
locals. So once again, no immediate danger anymore but some worried teachers.
We just got word that the husband of one of our neighbours might be involved.
Here’s the first photo: http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws/regio/westvlaanderen/1.1914561
The clearing of the gas shells discovered last month at
Passchendaele (some 400 we hear) is still underway. The area between Moorslede
and Passchendaele is likely to be sealed off for another few weeks.
And finally, may we stress that you pass on the information
on the Iron Harvest to all your groups. Not a week goes by when a teacher walks
through the door carrying a live shell, boasting about it to our staff.
People carrying live ammunition are likely to get fined. We
have in the past refuse entry to a group leader on this account. And I’m now
not mentioning the dangers it involves for the pupils of course. Accidents
happen on a yearly basis.
We as locals are still afraid of the stuff so we recommend
all groups not to buy any souvenirs of the kind from shops or farmers and
certainly not to pick up any lying around on the fields or on the side of
roads. Even the experts don’t recognize all the different types of bombs and
shells used during the war. The Belgian bomb disposal, with whom we have very
good relations, are always happy to come and give a (child friendly) lecture on
the subject at the hostel for resident groups.
Menin Gate Evening
Closures and coach parking arrangements
Brian Fawcett writes:
Members may be interested to read about the new Menin Gate
road closure procedures and additional coach parking information - see http://www.lastpost.be/en/x/11224
Battlefields Trust Annual
Conference at The Royal Armouries in Leeds, 4th to 6th April
James Dinsdale writes:
Members of the Guild are invited to attend the Battlefields
Trust Conference at The Royal Armouries in Leeds on the weekend 4th to 6th
April. The fee for non-Trust members attending is be waived for Guild Members.
The weekend has many prestigious speakers and quite a few Battlefield walks.
The booking sheet and conference programme can be found at http://www.battlefieldstrust.com/event.asp?EventID=551
Saturday 29th March. First
validation no 1 in Dutch
Wybo Boersma writes:
Candidate: Joël Stoffels
Place: Airborne Museum Hartenstein in Oosterbeek.
Time: 13.30 hours
All members welcome.
The language is Dutch!
Best Regards
Tony Smith
Guild Secretary
Posts
