Validation Opportunities
Alison Hine writes:
The Swindon event is full for Assignment One attempts but
there are still vacancies if anyone would like to attempt Assignments 5 or
6. Please let the Validation Secretary know asp. The next
Validation opportunities will be Wednesday 20 May in Stevenage and Saturday 12
September at Cranwell. If there is sufficient interest it may be possible
to arrange a further event in November to replace what would have been the AGM
weekend. Anyone wishing to attempt validation at these events is requested
to inform the Validation Secretary: valsec@gbg-international.com
Membership Subscriptions
Jo Hook writes
I would like to remind members of the following:
1. The payment window for membership fees
is now open and will close on 1 April 2015. We are now halfway through the
payment window for membership fees.
2. MEMBERS SHOULD - Email confirmation of
payment to the membership secretary at mbr.sec@gbg-international.com
if payment is made by Bank Transfer.
3. A guide on how to pay can be found at http://www.gbg-international.com/bank_account.html
4. Members who have not paid by 1 April
will not be chased and it will be assumed that they no longer wish to renew
membership.
Thanks
Thiepval Security
situation
Secretary writes:
Last week I advised you that bags etc. were not being
allowed in the Thiepval Centre. This edict has now been relaxed! However I was
reminded by Gary Wear that if bags are left in coaches it is advisable to
ensure that the driver remains on board – thefts from unmanned coaches are on
the increase.
American Civil War Round
Table
Peter Gasgoyne-Lockwood writes:
The next meeting of the American Civil War Round Table, UK
is on the 28 February 2015. Time 13.00 for 13.30 Location the Civil
Service Club.
Derek Young "A day of lost opportunities"
Gettysburg 1 July 1863
Greg Bayne "The slow death of the 24th Michigan"
For further information please contact Peter
Gasgoyne-Lockwood oldcount@aol.com
The Forgotten Front Recce
Simon Worrall writes:
Can I take this opportunity to thank you for placing your
confidence in my organising the Recce trip. It was the largest Recce for some
time & as I mentioned numerous times the response to the idea quite
surprised me. I have had a few emails already and the kindness of them has
touched me very much indeed. I can only hope that everyone who attended felt
that they took some substantial benefits away, that made their time and their
financial investment worthwhile.
Free Waterloo Medal
Dan Mills writes:
Members may be interested in the following free medal offer:
http://www.200waterloo.co.uk/?utm_source=emailNNA&utm_medium=intela35overemail&utm_campaign=92008526
(You have to keep clicking through the expensive ones before
you get to the free one!! – Secretary)
Access to Hill 60
Steve Cocks writes:
Members may be interested to know what is going on at Hill
60. The bridge is completed and has a very wide footway for pedestrians. The
vehicle access is narrow and one way. There is still a weight limit sign at
either end of the road.
There are major works around the hill. A new coach park is
being constructed for the hill, with a new access. Footpaths are also being
constructed which will guide visitors along a predetermined route- sounds a bit
like Newfoundland Park.
Similarly a new access is being constructed to the
Caterpillar. A pathway is also being constructed around the crater.
The whole area is a building site and the Caterpillar in
particular is thick in mud and access from the road over the bridge is over the
construction area. There is another access from the Palinbeek area through the
wood.
Gallipoli Tours
Tonie and Valmai Holt write:
We are writing an article for Family Tree Magazine about
visiting Gallipoli. We have done several of these articles and what they
are looking for after an historical background is practical advice as to how to
visit the area.
Of course their readership consists mainly of people
researching their family history so we wish to recommend tour guides who can
help them to find and visit ancestors’ graves or memorials and to walk in their
footsteps – in other words, the personal touch.
Could any Guild Members who will be leading this type of
tour gives us details of dates, prices, contact etc. – ASAP we fear!
If you can help please contact Tonie and Valmai at battlefields@guide-books.co.uk
The Oldest Known Cannon
Ball
Anthony Rich writes:
GBG members may be interested to know that the oldest known
canon ball to have been fired in anger in England has recently been
rediscovered and authenticated.
The ball was very probably fired by Yorkist artillery at the
Battle of Northampton (1461). The location supports more modern interpretations
of the battle that place the Lancastrian camp on the modern golf course rather
than more traditional reconstructions of events that (it now appears
erroneously) place the Lancastrian camp close to or backing on to the main
river.
The site of the Battle of Northampton is a battlefield
under threat. Though the registered battlefield is largely owned by Northampton
Borough Council and used for recreation, the Golf Club (who have a lease of a
large part) recently attempted to clear a car park (without, it seems, planning
permission or landlord permission) causing significant damage before they were
stopped. There is also a further threat in that there is an attempt to flatten
a further portion of the field to turn it into football pitches and associated
clubhouses etc. Sadly the local council is not renowned for its
preservation efforts: their Leader was recently awarded the Private Eye’s
Rotten Borough’s “Philistine of the Year” award for his role in failing to protect
heritage when the town museum sold of an extremely significant museum exhibit,
resulting in the Council ceasing to be able to access heritage grants.
Best Regards
Tony Smith
Guild Secretary
International Guild
of Battlefield Guides
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