Sunday 29 November 2015

Guild Update 28th November 2015



New Members

Jo Hook writes:

We welcome the following new member into the Guild:

·         Gareth Davies from Wiltshire joins. His interests are WW1 and WW2

Last Call for the Guild AGM Weekend

Secretary writes:

The Guild AGM weekend will be held at Highgate House Northampton between the 29th and 31st January 2016. All members and associate members are invited. An application form to book your accommodation requirements is attached.

The Guild AGM will be held on the afternoon of Saturday 30th and formal notification of this will follow.

The final details of the programme for the weekend are in the process of being prepared and will be put up on the website in due course. However one element will be a Naseby battlefield walk which will be held on the afternoon of Friday 29th. It would be useful if members interested in participating in this would indicate that on the application form at this stage.

Payment for the weekend can be made by cheque (made payable to the Guild of Battlefield Guides) or bank transfer (if using this method please let me know when you have paid and reference the payment so that I can identify it). Payment must be made before 31st December 201

Places are virtually filled up and there are now very few rooms left. If you want to attend please let me know asap.

To date the members attending are as follows:

Graeme Cooper
R Barnes
Chris Finn
Anthony Rich
John Pratt
Carlo Larosa
Vivienne Whelpton
Paul Oldfield
Terry Webb
Ian Langworthy
Allan Wood
Gary Edwards
Mike Mizen
David Harvey
John Cotterill
Tony Smith
Mike Peters
Simon Worrall
Emma White
Mike Scott
Brian Shaw
Dudley Giles
Tim Stoneman
Tony Coutts Britton
Lord Faulkner
Wybo Boersma
Willem Kleijn
Duncan Barnes
Chris Preston
Andrew Thomson
Duncan Cook
Julian Whippy
Clive Harris
Kathleen Neagle
Ian Gumm
Glenn Hearnden
Bert Eikelenboom
Joel Stoppels
Julian Humphries
Dennis Weatherall
John Hamill
Rob Deere
Edwin Popkin
Jip Meijer
Paul Kersey
Jo Hook
Mike Shiel
Bob Darby
John Greenacre
Anthony Scott
Tim Saunders
Tom Dormer
Gary Weight
Michael Jackson
Chris Scott
Pamela Golding
Andy Johnson
James Porter
Jim White
Roger Lye
Phillipe Maree
Belgian Tourist board
Belgian Tourist board
Stuart Kinloch
Vern Littley
Bruce Littley
Gordon Hill
Bob Brunsdon
Alison Hine
Simon Bendry
Francois Wicart
Margaret Pearson
Rob Webb
Robert Hina

Validation at the Annual General Meeting

Tim Stoneman writes:

Guild members wishing to be validated for Assignments 1, 5 and/or 6 at the AGM should email me (valsec@gbg-international.com) by 29 December in order for the validation sessions to be arranged and fitted into the weekend's programme.
Members wishing to submit written assignments prior to the AGM are reminded that the Validation manual states: "Candidates must allow at least a clear month between submission of assignments to the ValSec and the Friday before the Guild AGM if they are anticipating the award of the Badge at that AGM. There will be no assessment of written assignments at the AGM."  Thus the deadline for submission of written assignments by those hoping to be awarded the Badge at the AGM is also 29 December.

Guild Christmas Lunch Friday December 4th UJC London

Mike Scott writes:

There is still time (and room) for those who have space in their social calendar for December to attend the guild Christmas lunch.

We have 25 booked for the lunch and this number is likely to rise as members (and friends of the guild) suddenly realise that they are both free and that they can combine a splendid lunch with a Christmas shopping raid on the capital.

Cost £35 – for the full Christmas fare PLUS port. Great value, great company and an excellent way to end the season.

Please contact Mike Scott (mike.r.scott@btinternet.com) to book a place. Last reservations will be taken on Friday 20 November ie next week.

Payment is by cheque to Tony Smith payable to Guild of Battlefield Guides Ltd or by Bank Transfer to the Guild Account:

Account name                   Guild of Battlefield Guides Ltd
Sort code:                           40 19 30
Account number:             91657135

For reference please use your membership number with the prefix LL.

Guild Merchandise

Secretary writes:

We are in the process of revamping the range and look of the Guild merchandise range. If you have any ideas of items that we might add to the range please let me know.

Will Townend Award

Secretary writes:

The award honours the memory of the late Will Townend, in particular his willingness to share his extensive technical knowledge of Artillery and his wider knowledge of battlefields in general with his fellow Battlefield Guides.

It is also intended that those nominated for the award will be recognised as selfless members of the GBG who freely and unselfishly share their knowledge with their peers.

To date I have not had many nominations. I would be grateful if members could put some thought into considering who they might like to nominate and let me know. Voting is restricted to members and associate members of the Guild only.

Somme Commemorations 2016

Bob Podesa writes:

Apologies if you already have this information, latest info on travel restrictions on The Somme for 2016 may be found here;

New Book

Secretary writes:


Latest Travel Situation

Secretary writes:

The following travel update has been received from ETOA:

Belgium

In Brussels the government is continuing with its “level four” terrorism threat actions. This, in effect, means restrictions on major public events and a high level of police and military presence. This presence will be mainly apparent on public transport, rail stations and shopping areas. Schools in Brussels remain closed today (Tuesday), but will re-open from tomorrow. The Brussels metro will also be re-opened on Wednesday: other public transport (on trams and buses) are still operating.
In the rest of Belgium (which is under a lower level of “threat”), all services and attractions are running normally, albeit with an increased security presence.
Belgium have announced no formal border checks.

France

In Paris, all public services and all museums and all attractions are now open normally. Tours were restarted at the Stade de France last Saturday.
The only restriction in place is on the movement of French School groups. This does not apply to foreign groups, though some countries have followed the French lead and advised such trips to be temporarily stopped. We expect this restriction to be lifted next Sunday, 29th of November.
The French borders remain open, with some checks taking place. We understand that these are being carried out with discretion and are not causing any severe disruption. Schengen visas, irrespective of their country of issuance, are being accepted.




Best Regards

Tony Smith
Guild Secretary

Friday 20 November 2015

Guild Update 20th November 2015



Guild AGM Weekend

Secretary writes:

The Guild AGM weekend will be held at Highgate House Northampton between the 29th and 31st January 2016. All members and associate members are invited. An application form to book your accommodation requirements is attached.

The Guild AGM will be held on the afternoon of Saturday 30th and formal notification of this will follow.

The final details of the programme for the weekend are in the process of being prepared and will be put up on the website in due course. However one element will be a Naseby battlefield walk which will be held on the afternoon of Friday 29th. It would be useful if members interested in participating in this would indicate that on the application form at this stage.

Payment for the weekend can be made by cheque (made payable to the Guild of Battlefield Guides) or bank transfer (if using this method please let me know when you have paid and reference the payment so that I can identify it). Payment must be made before 31st December 201

Places are filling up (we've now allocated our initial requirements and have asked for some more rooms). To date the members attending are as follows:

Graeme Cooper
R Barnes
Chris Finn
Anthony Rich
John Pratt
Carlo Larosa
Vivienne Whelpton
Paul Oldfield
Terry Webb
Ian Langworthy
Allan Wood
Gary Edwards
Mike Mizen
David Harvey
John Cotterill
Tony Smith
Mike Peters
Simon Worrall
Mike Scott
Brian Shaw
Dudley Giles
Tim Stoneman
Tony Coutts Britton
Lord Faulkner
Wybo Boersma
Willem Kleijn
Duncan Barnes
Chris Preston
Andrew Thomson
Duncan Cook
Julian Whippy
Clive Harris
Kathleen Neagle
Ian Gumm
Glenn Hearnden
Bert Eikelenboom
Joel Stoppels
Julian Humphries
Dennis Weatherall
John Hamill
Rob Deere
Edwin Popkin
Jip Meijer
Paul Kersey
Jo Hook
Mike Shiel
Bob Darby
John Greenacre
Anthony Scott
Tim Saunders
Tom Dormer
Gary Weight
Michael Jackson
Chris Scott
Pamela Golding
Andy Johnson
James Porter
Jim White
Roger Lye
Stuart Kinloch
               
Validation at the Annual General Meeting

Tim Stoneman writes:

Guild members wishing to be validated for Assignments 1, 5 and/or 6 at the AGM should email me (valsec@gbg-international.com) by 29 December in order for the validation sessions to be arranged and fitted into the weekend's programme.
Members wishing to submit written assignments prior to the AGM are reminded that the Validation manual states: "Candidates must allow at least a clear month between submission of assignments to the ValSec and the Friday before the Guild AGM if they are anticipating the award of the Badge at that AGM. There will be no assessment of written assignments at the AGM."  Thus the deadline for submission of written assignments by those hoping to be awarded the Badge at the AGM is also 29 December.

Guild Christmas Lunch Friday December 4th UJC London

Mike Scott writes:

There is still time (and room) for those who have space in their social calendar for December to attend the guild Christmas lunch.

We have 25 booked for the lunch and this number is likely to rise as members (and friends of the guild) suddenly realise that they are both free and that they can combine a splendid lunch with a Christmas shopping raid on the capital.

Cost £35 – for the full Christmas fare PLUS port. Great value, great company and an excellent way to end the season.

Please contact Mike Scott (mike.r.scott@btinternet.com) to book a place. Last reservations will be taken on Friday 20 November ie next week.

Payment is by cheque to Tony Smith payable to Guild of Battlefield Guides Ltd or by Bank Transfer to the Guild Account:

Account name                   Guild of Battlefield Guides Ltd
Sort code:                           40 19 30
Account number:             91657135

For reference please use your membership number with the prefix LL.

Security Situation in France/Belgium

ETOA writes:

France

The situation in Paris remains in flux, but our understanding is that nearly all of the main attractions are now open, and that there are no abnormal restrictions on coach access within the city. Further information can be found here: http://pro.visitparisregion.com/en/Destination-guide/Places-opened
As the French Government has ordered trips conducted by French schoolchildren to be cancelled until next week (22nd of November), a number of other countries are following their lead.
The US State Department has issued no specific travel advisories following on from these attacks, beyond re-emphasising the “Worldwide Caution” it issued on 29th July concerning ISIL threats. Further information specifically concerning the situation in Paris is posted on the website of the US Embassy in Paris on http://france.usembassy.gov/service.html

Border checks are no in force for all travellers arriving in France, but beyond the checks taking place, we have had no reports of any further restrictions on visitors.

Belgium

The Flanders Tourism Office has asked us to send out this communiqué:
“Following the attacks in Paris and subsequent police investigations in Belgium, a number of countries ask their citizens to be extra vigilant when travelling to Europe and Belgium.
Apart from extra police presence in Brussels, all tourist events and activities in Belgium take place as normal: attractions and museums are open and all transportation services, both national and international, are running as normal. The airports and public buildings are open and all tourist events will go ahead as planned.

Wallonie-Bruxelles Tourisme, Visit Brussels and VISITFLANDERS monitor the situation closely. We have complete confidence in Belgian security services and are convinced that the authorities will do everything in their power to safeguard the security of all visitors.
Contact your local authorities for the latest updates on travel advice."

If you have any further questions, please contact info@visitflanders.com, info@wbtourisme.be, info@visit.brussels or jl.vandewiele@visit.brussels (for MICE operators).

Somme Commemoration

Glenn Hearnden writes:

Glenn Hearnden writes:
Two important press releases have been issued today regarding the Somme and the 141 Days.  The first is a joint Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) and Royal British Legion statement, see the below link.  The other statement attached is from the UK Government Department for Culture Media Sport on Somme commemorations in the UK


Hotel Royal Picardie in Albert

Secretary writes:

The owner of the Hotel Royal Picardie in Albert is interested in putting on a seminar for guides and others interested in the Somme on the 28th /29th January 2016 and has asked if I might gauge member interest in such an event. to offer a 'playing field' for a weekend where anyone with an interest in the Somme region can come along and rub shoulders with other like-minded individuals from whatever angle of interest in the Great War. The proposed agenda is:

Friday 28th of January

Arrival at 4 pm with coffee, a presentation of each participant

At 5 pm, a speaker of 'Somme Tourisme' will comment the program 2016 till 2018 in the Somme ; events, news, highlights, works planned and so on.

At 7 pm Dinner

After dinner a conference of an English Specialist, a reference for you..... ?...

Then relax in the bar where everyone can talk.

Saturday 29th of January

Breakfast all together.

Conference (45-60 mn) of Professor Mr Gahon about

* Alan Seeger or
* Mata Hari or
* The Red Baron.

Coffee all together before leaving at 11 am

The potential cost for this event would be €110 for one person or €145 per couple to include a room for one night, a three course dinner (excluding wine) and breakfast. 

Please could you let me know if you would be interested in attending.

Best Regards

Tony Smith
Guild Secretary