Guild Update 18th July 2014

Guild Update

Secretary writes:

Some members did not receive their copy of the Update over the last two weeks. This was because for some reason the Guild appeared on a list of 'spammers'. This issue has now been resolved and normal service has been resumed. Back copies of the Update can be found on the website under Guild News.

Photographs of Guides 'In action'

Secretary writes:

Please keep sending in your pictures of guides in action. These will be used on the website and in future copies of Despatches.

Despatches Summer Edition

Secretary writes:

The latest edition of Despatches is just going through the final proofing stage. It should be with you in the next couple of weeks.

Normandy Recce 12th - 16th September

Secretary writes:

This is a final call for anyone interested in coming on the Normandy Recce in September as we need to get the accommodation sorted. The current list of attendees is:

·         Hugh Jenner

·         John Greene

·         Derek Young

·         Bob Brunsdon

·         Jim and Mrs White

·         Ian Mitchell

·         Tony Smith

·         Glenn Hearnden

·         Robin Burrows-Ellis

Costs will be kept as low as possible with discounted ferry fares and budget accommodation.

If you are interested in coming please let me know by close of play Sunday.

Calvados Roadshow

Mike Peters writes:

Members may be interested in the following:

The Calvados Tourist Board and its partners will be coming to the UK for a workshop roadshow from Tuesday, 7th to Thursday, 9th October 2014.

This will be your chance to come and talk to the tourist offices of Caen, Lisieux, Trouville, Deauville, Bayeux Bessin, Honfleur and Cabourg, the Père Magloire Distillery, Graindorge Cheese Factory plus the Normandy Tourist Board and Brittany Ferries.

We would be delighted to meet up with you during one of the three following workshops:

-          Tuesday, 7th October in the Bristol area (venue tbc)

-          Wednesday, 8th October in the Birmingham area (venue tbc)

-          Thursday, 9th October in the Gatwick area (venue tbc)

Please save the date now for this unique opportunity to find out everything Normandy has to offer for your future programmes and clients!

A final invitation with all the details will be sent out in early September.

We look forward to seeing you this autumn.

Western Front 100

Mike Peters Writes:

The Suffolk Branch of The Western Front Association are proud to present a six-year-long centenary event comprising six inter-connected annual seminars with excellent guest speakers.

·         25 October 2014: The men who went to war

·         3 October 2015: Trial and error

·         13 February 2016: Taking the initiative

·         22 April 2017: Becoming the senior partner

·         11 August 2018: The winning formula

·         29 June 2019: Coping with the aftermath

Booking is now available for the first event:

25 October 2014: The men who went to war

·         Charles Messenger: The regular British Army and its performance in the first months of the war

·         Jack Sheldon: The German Army from Mons to Ypres

·         Richard van Emden: ‘Tickled to Death to Go’: The story of 8292 Trooper Ben Clouting, 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards

Jack Sheldon, Charles Messenger and Richard van Emden will all take part in a Forum to discuss questions on 1914.

Venue: The Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Ipswich

Tickets: £25 to include a buffet lunch, morning coffee and afternoon tea. The centre also has a bar. Time: 10am - 5pm

Please inform us of any special dietary needs. There will also be an evening meal at the venue for those who wish to stay on, at a further cost of £25. Please indicate if you wish to stay for the meal and send the additional £25. Menu choices will be sent to those staying for the evening. Places for the evening are limited so please book early.

Tickets can be purchased online NOW through PayPal at:

www.suffolkwfa.org/western-front-100.html

or by cheque, payable to ‘WFA Suffolk Branch’, posted with SAE:

Western Front 100, 137 Angel Street.

Hadleigh. Suffolk. IP7 5BY

Ypres Road Issues

Tony Coutts-Britton writes:

Just back from a Wipers trip and any guides heading that way need a heads up on the route. On Saturday 12 July, road works began at the border on the Steenvoorde to Poperinge road. We had to dodge around to the south. Coming back on Monday, I went from Pop to the motorway at Junction 13 via Abele only to find that the work involves a narrow section just about the width of the coach. We got through with a couple of centimetres to spare but the sides are big concrete blocks, so any small mistake will damage a coach. If going to Lijsennthoek, guides are advised to use junction 14 and take the D roads towards Pop.

Wargame

Chris Scott writes:

Any member fancy playing a wargame over the summer at my house in Swindon, just off the M4?  I have figures and terrain for most pre-20thC actions so you don’t need to bring anything except your good humour and tolerance of my rules.  Could follow up game by a trip to local and the quaffing of real ale to discuss historical military tactics.  We can make it small a group event as I can host up to 10 people - the table’s pretty big.  If we get a few players I’ll circulate dates and co-ordinate a day or evening.

Any takers? Drop me a line christopher.scott80@ntlworld.com

Alternatively if you’re passing Swindon any Thursday evening why not arrange to visit my usual regular mates’ game.  The Swindon Irregulars are a friendly crew and I am sure that even if it’s a continuation game we can find you a role in the mayhem and butchery. 

“This week I am mainly butchering Brits for the Mhadi.” – Jesse.

Guide Wanted

Secretary writes:

I have received the following - if anyone can help please can they let me know asap.

As we are making an itinerary for a short WW1 tour, I am wondering where I can find a guide based in either Belgium or France that can guide a 2-3 tour for a Philippino student group (high School)?

They speak English well so it would be in English, but they would have an extension to Paris, which is why I am only looking for a guide on the spot. Possibly even 1 in Belgium and another in France.

Would you happen to have local contacts with battlefield guides?

I hope you could help me out with this request quite urgently, with many thanks in advance!

Highway to the Reich: Operation Market Garden and the Battle for the Low Countries 1944: Seventy Years On

Mike Peters writes:

After seventy years it is time to re-evaluate the importance, impact and outcome of Market Garden, alongside a wider reappraisal of the fighting in the Low Countries in the autumn of 1944.

·         Why did Market Garden take place?

·         Why did it fail?

·         What were the consequences of the operation?

·         How did it impact on the experience of war in the Low Countries in 1944?

·         How and why has it been depicted, studies and commemorated in the years since 1944?

Such questions and issues form the basis of this major international conference to be held at the University of Wolverhampton in September 2014, hosted by the University’s Department of History, Politics and War Studies.

Full details can be found in the attached flyer.

Willys Jeep for Sale

Ryan Geering writes:

I have just been advised about a 1945 Willys Jeep that is looking for a new home. Shipped to Norway it was returned and never used so the new owner will be the first registered keeper at zero miles in the UK. Needs a fuel tank and a little tlc. Currently located in London in dry store and surplus to requirements it needs to be moved asap. For more details and contact number please drop me a line - ryan@tommiesguides.co.uk

GBG Badged Guides Dinner London Friday 8th August

Last call for the Badged Guides Dinner – Bids to Graeme

All details next week:

Location, Cost, Timings etc

This is Black Tie with Badges

The following are attending.

·         Mike Peters

·         Bob Darby

·         John Cotterill

·         Chris Scott

·         Wade Russell

·         Tony Smith

·         Tim Stoneman

·         Tom Dormer

·         Alan Wood

·         Jo Hook

·         Tony Scott

·         Paul Oldfield

·         Mike Sheil

·         Mike Scott

·         Terry Webb

·         Bob Brunsdon

·         Tim Saunders

·         Graeme Cooper

Best Regards

Tony Smith

Guild Secretary

Guild Update 11th July 2014

Membership Subscription Payments

Jo Hook writes:

Further to the Chairman's email regarding membership, as from 2015 there will be a four month window for members to pay their membership fees. 

From January 2015 a link to the attached document will go out with every update.  The link explains exactly how to pay if you are paying by cheque or BACs transfer, it includes the Guild Bank details and a simple to follow flow chart on how to pay membership online via your bank

account.   Late payment has a huge effect on the working processes of the Guild insofar as the Chairman and Secretary rely on my input for member addresses to send out updates and the magazine - until they know who has paid they cannot give the magazine publisher an accurate figure.  We have a budget for the magazine and therefore your prompt payment means we keep within that budget (i.e. we send magazines out to those members who have paid their membership fees).  As such I have tonight (8 July 2014) sent the secretary the finalised list of members who will receive the Guild Magazine.  The Chairman as stated took a "robust" stance and has agreed with me the plan for payment next year.

Please do take the time to read the flow chart it has all the information you need in which to pay.  As from 1 January 2015 I will keep the secretary up to date on weekly basis of those members who have paid up until 1 April 2015.  On the April 1 2015 I will close the window, assume those who haven't paid membership no longer wish to renew their subscriptions and send the Secretary an updated list of the current members who have paid their subscriptions.

This year as the new membership secretary hasn't been a particularly easy year as I have taken over from the outgoing membership secretary - I thank him for all his input and the information he has provided me but as the new membership secretary I would like to adopt a different stance.  I am fully aware that the Chairman and Secretary are reliant upon my input. I would therefore appreciate your assistance by paying your subscriptions on time in 2015.

New Guild Partner

Secretary writes:

We are pleased to welcome Battle Honours on board as a new Guild Partner. As members will know Clive and Julian who run the company are long standing members and supporters of the Guild.

Validation Day, Mytchett - Saturday 30 August

Alison Hine writes:

We have received applications for validations from the following: Andy Day and Clive Montellier for Assignment 1 and John Pratt and Andy Crooks for Assignments 5 and 6.  There is room for a few more.  We also need Validators and of course an audience. Please note there will be a small administrative charge for the day which will include lunch.

Please could anyone wishing to attend in whatever capacity contact Alison Hine alisonhine@btinternet.com as soon as possible.

Arnhem Weekend

Wybo Boersma writes:

More information about the GBG weekend in October is attached. Please confirm a.s.a.p before my holidays, your room requirements. We need more members for the weekend.

If I am slow in answering mails: the holidays are the reason - w.boersma@wxs.nl

List of member GBG who have interest in attending the GBG Arnhem weekend as at 5 July 2014.

Brid, Steve K.                                     Single room?                                      Please confirm

Chambers, Steve                             Single or double room?                 Please confirm

Greene John.                                    Single room                                        Is  confirmed

Griffiths, Charmain                          No room?                                            Two persons for all activities? Please confirm

Jenner, Hugh and  Elke                 Double room.                                    Is confirmed

Neagle, Kathleen                             Single room.                                       Is confirmed

Oldfield, Paul                                     Single room?                                      Please confirm

Scott, Anthony                                  Single room                                        Is confirmed

We need about 15 members to get the discount price for the hotel. I have an option for 7 single and 7 double rooms. Last date to confirm rooms is during the first week of August.

If you like to attend only a part of the weekend please let me know.

Normandy Recce 12th - 17th September

Secretary writes:

As you may be aware there is a Guild recce event organised for the 12th – 17th September which will examine the British and Canadian sectors of the 1944 Normandy Battlefields.

The group will leave on Friday 12th via Portsmouth and return on the 17th. Discounted ferry fares are available (Brittany Ferries) and the cost of accommodation in Bayeux is being kept to a minimum.

There are still some places available and if you would like to join the group please drop me a line asap. The recce will be extremely useful for those members interested in guiding the Normandy beach area as well as being a great social occasion which will give you a chance to meet and exchange information with other members with similar interests.      

Belgium in the Second World War - New Book

Jean-Michel Veranneman writes:

Members may be interested to note that my new book on Belgium in the Second World War is published in September. Details and advance orders can be found at - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belgium-Second-World-Jean-Michel-Veranneman/dp/1783376074/

Ypres Congestion

Steve Williams writes:

Have just returned from the first of  13 scheduled trips to Flanders between now and October 30th.......

Can you alert all guides as to the huge increase in attendees to the Menin Gate ceremony. the levels have increased from an average of 4 coaches per day to about 40......to avoid disappointing groups who wish to attend and observe the act of remembrance , they will need to be "position" at 19:00hrs.

I heard a rumour circulating , that they may try to hold two ceremonies each day.. one at 18:00hrs, and the second at the usual time 20:00hrs, but could not verify.

Beaumont Hamel is likewise very busy, and would suggest visiting this site as early as possible in the morning, if the intention is to have a day on the Somme.

Welsh Memorial In Flanders

Ian McLeod writes:

For those members, who are interested, the Welsh Memorial in Flanders Campaign took a leap ahead earlier this week. The Dragon, left its native Wales last weekend and arrived on Monday 7th July at the Pilkem Ridge site  (Hagebos/Iron Cross) where it was successfully attached to the stone Cromlech (Dolmen) that has been in place for some time. This leaves our Belgian colleagues to landscape the park around it ready for the Unveiling Ceremony on Saturday 16th August 2014. The memorial will remain covered during the intervening period, so that the completed structure will be seen for the first time at the Ceremony. More details are available on the Campaign website.

The Campaign, in co-operation with the War Research Society, has produced a souvenir booklet, 'The Welsh at Wipers',  to commemorate the occasion of the erection of the Welsh Memorial on the Pilkem Ridge in Flanders in 2014, the 100th Anniversary of the start of WW1. It is a 72-page, A4 size publication printed on high quality photographic paper giving a brief outline of the progress of the War in the Ypres Salient and details of the operations  there of the Welsh infantry battalions.  It also includes a ’Roll of Honour’ of officers and men chosen from each of these units, year by year, to represent their fallen comrades. Other names are also included of Welshmen who served in other regiments and in Dominion forces. The names listed also represent all parts of Wales. A chapter is included on the 38th Welsh Division’s capture of Pilkem Ridge on 31st July 1917; the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele.

It includes 47 coloured photographs of the present day Ypres battlefield, depicting sites of significance to the service and sacrifice of Welsh soldiers, and 20 black-and-white historical photographs of Welsh soldiers taken during the war. 

Copies are available for £10, plus £2 p&p; all proceeds go to the Campaign.  To order your copy, please send a cheque or Postal Order for £12, made out to ‘The Welsh Memorial in Flanders Campaign’ to Ian Mcleod, 2 Paveley Drive, London SW11 3TP

http://www.welshmemorialflanders.co.uk/

Help Wanted

Nicky Bird writes:

I have a group of 21 people I am guiding around the Salient the weekend of 30/31 August. Too many for two 9-seaters, which is all that is available for hire at Lille Europe station. Does anyone know of a good, reliable local coach company who might provide a medium-sized coach with, presumably, driver?

Which Magazine

Secretary writes:

Members may be interested to note that the Guild is significantly mentioned in the latest issue of Which Magazine which is running a piece on battlefield touring. The journalist who wrote the piece consulted extensively with the Chairman when putting it together. It is interesting to note that the Guild is increasingly being consulted on matters battlefield touring.

  

Best Regards

Tony Smith

Guild Secretary