Saturday 29 August 2015

Guild Update 29th August 2015



Validation Events September/October/November 2015

Validation Day Bosworth 12th September

Chris Finn writes:

We will be running a Validation Day at the Bosworth Visitors' Centre on Saturday 12 September.
Currently all the slots are filled, but if anyone wants to be a reserve please let me know.
There is only one Assignment 1 planned,  for after lunch, so anyone who wishes to watch that is most welcome, again please let me know if you plan to attend at cval@gbg-international.com

Tim Saunders writes:

Validation Days 14/15th November & 28th/29th November

Following on from the Cranwell weekend in September the Dieppe Validation weekend will take place over the weekend 28/29 November 2015.  Primarily aimed at those candidates on the Near Continent it will be open to all other candidates, as time in the programme permits. As Dieppe is within striking distance, halfway (ish) between Normandy and the Somme we hope to see plenty of members coming forward for validation from those locations.

There will, however, be a one day Validation event in SE England over the weekend 14/15 November in order to fill the void left by the move of the AGM and its associated validation opportunity to February 1916.

Details of both events to follow but expressions of interest to cval@gbg-international.com

Even though the focus of the Dieppe weekend is very much validation it is intended to run a low key battlefield tour on the Sunday in such time as is available before dashing to the ferry.

Despatches Magazine

Secretary writes:

We have had copies fo Despatches returned for:

·         Raymond Heron
·         Tony Clodd

Please can you confirm your postal addresses to Jo Hook the Membership Secretary at mbr.sec@gbg-international.com

Despatches Magazine Photographs

Secretary writes:

We will be putting together the next edition of Despatches soon. Please send any guiding photos that you would like included to me.

Belgium Trip

Secretary writes:

Philippe Maree and his colleagues from the Belgium Tourist Office are this weekend showing a number of our members some of the key Belgium military sites. Our thanks are due to Phillippe for arranging this again this year and also to member Malcolm Davies who has put in a lot of time and effort to coordinate and deliver the logistics.    

Somme Centenary

Stephen & Susan Cox write:

We attended the Department for Culture Media and Sport workshop yesterday. We thought that members might find a summary of the main points helpful:

The major events planned for 1 July 2016 are:

·         Lochnagar Crater at 7.30
·         Thiepval 12.00
·         Ulster Tower 14.30
·         Beaumont Hamel 16.30
·         Fricourt German Cemetery 17.30

The major international event will be Thiepval - 2,000 VVIPs, VIPs and 8000 tickets available via a public ballot to residents of the UK and Ireland. The ballot opens on 28 Sept and closes 18 Nov. Details are available at www.some2016.org . The ceremony will be an hour, but this will essentially be a whole day commitment, with pick up from the park and ride from 9.00 and return by 16.00. Lunch will be provided. Only the person named on the ticket will be allowed access.

There will be a "ring of steel" around the whole area of the events- its perimeter should be announced by December. Access to and from this area will be only by shuttle buses from the designated park and rides. The sites of park and rides are yet to be determined.

The Thiepval ceremony will be relayed on large screens- probably in Arras, Peronne, Amiens and Albert.

There will also be a programme of events over the designated 141 day duration of the battle. There will be a daily event at Thiepval during this period.

Other events are:

·         10 July Delville Wood
·         23 July Pozieres
·         15 September Longueval- New Zealand event
·         18 November-dusk service Thiepval

There will be other events organised by a variety of organisations and the CWGC will coordinate information on these.

Access to the Thiepval Memorial will be restricted as follows:

·         19- 26 June limited access
·         26 June- 2 July full closure
·         2- 9 July- limited access. Access will be allowed with prior notice
·         9 July- site fully open

The new museum at Thiepval will be open by June 2016- www.historial.org

A lot of detail has yet to be determined, but should be available by the end of the year.

Useful websites:

·         www.somme2016.org
·         www.cwgc.org
·         http://centenaire.org
·         www.centenaire-somme.com
·         www.somme14-18.com
·         www.somme-battlefields.com

Villers-Bretonneux Centenary 2018

Graeme Archer writes:

I have received some initial information regarding the activities being proposed for the Villers-Bretonneux Centenary in 2018 which I share below. I will add further information as it is released. Members should note that the event is some 2.5 years away so details may well change.

“Planning for the conduct of this service is well underway, however, there is some clarification on some aspects of the planned service required before we are able to make public announcements on the process we will use to manage attendance by the public. It is unlikely the process for managing attendance will include a ballot as used for the Centenary of Gallipoli service. It is possible that a registration system would be established which would allow members of the public to register their commitment to attend the service and to be issued with an access pass. This registration system would be based on a first in basis and likely to have the ability for tour companies to bulk register their clients on their behalf.

Aspects of the planning for the 2018 service includes consideration of strategies that can be undertaken to increase the safe site capacity at the Australian National Memorial so that as many people as can be safely accommodated at the site are able to participate in the service. If public interest indicates the numbers wishing to attend the service exceed the safe site capacity we may consider establishing overflow site in the vicinity of the ANM where people would be able to watch the service on large video screens.“

Loos 2015

Secretary writes:

Members may be interested to note the publication of a Battle of Loos handbook by the Lens Tourist Office. See http://loos1915.pagesperso-orange.fr/pageanglaise.htm 

Napoleonic Events

Suzanne Brunt writes:

More Napoleonic Events in September and October please keep sending me anything in your area, and check the last list for previously included events.   
  
21 Sept.  starting at 1800
Open the above attachments for full details on an evening hosted by Jeremy Paxman 'WATERLOO UNCOVERED LECTURE' at Bonhams, 101 New Bond St, London W1S 1SR A champagne reception, followed by discussions with Dr Tony Pollard, Mark Evans, Andrew Field and Barney White-Spunner on the archaeological work at Hougoumont. with a suggested donation of £50 to aid future work. Book on rsvp@waterloouncovered.com 07834 221 149

Here is a link to the lecture page on the website - http://www.waterloouncovered.com/2015-lecture   
    
Ongoing events linked to the National Army Museum

·         Until 28 Nov at the Gordon Highlanders Museum, St Lukes, Viewfield Rd, Aberdeen AB15 7XH - Waterloo Exhibition www.gordonhighlanders.com
·         Until 28 Nov Guards Museum, Birdcage Walk, Hougoumont exhibition.
·         Until 30 Oct Black Watch Museum, Perth. The Black Watch at Waterloo.
·         Until 30 Nov Cardiff Castle, The Welsh at Waterloo.
·         Until 24 Oct Victoria Gallery, Liverpool Relics of Waterloo.
·         Until 24 Oct Museum of Liverpool, Liverpool and the French Connection. until 24 Oct Williamson Art Gallery, Birkenhead
 
11-20 Sept Jane Austen Festival at BATH 01225 463362 look on boxoffice@bathfestivals.org.uk for full programme and booking details.
3 events:

·         12 Sept 1600 Brunswick Room, Guildhall, Bath ''Balls, Belles and Bugles' with Peter Youds £3
·         12 Sept 1900-2400 Jane Austen Grand Regency Ball . £85   Assembly Rooms, Bennett St, Bath BA1 2QH www.farthingalecostumes.com
·         15 Sept 1400 Mission Theatre, Corn St, Bath BA1 1UF actor Richard Heffer who played Cavalie Mercer in the 1970 film Waterloo, talks on his experiences on filming , and his iconic character. book as above, and theatre number is 01225 428600  
    
September Heritage Open Days - check your local press   
    
·         12-13 Sept 1100-1700 Heritage Open Day and Living History Weekend - Norman Cross Prisoner of War Camp, Peterborough PE7 3TB contact@normancrossgallery.com 01733 245189   
·         18 Sept 1000-1830 St Marys Parish Church, Battle, Sussex A celebration of 900 years from Henry 1st to Elizabeth 2nd. free during the day, charge for evening of music. Waterloo soldier Lt Henry Webster is buried here and the displays include his sword worn during the battle. stmarys900.co.uk   
·         27 Sept 1330-1630 Goodwood House, Chichester PO18 0PX - 'Dancing into Battle' dancing in the Duchess of Richmond’s' ballroom. Hampshire Regency Dancers http://www.hrd.org.uk/   
    
27 Sept FREE POP-UP CINEMA ''WATERLOO'' from 1970. The Vaults, Waterloo Station, London. info@nam.ac.uk

·         1400-1600 for families.
·         1930-2230 full screening.

Tickets from ballot system, register by 1800 on August 27th www.nam.ac.uk 020 7730 0717   
    
10 Oct 10.30 N W Branch of Waterloo Association Symposium. Fulwood Barracks, Preston. £25 including lunch and afternoon tea.
'Eccentrics, Rogues and Heroes:some of Wellingtons' Men'   with Carole Divall and John Downham. Contact djbromley@derventio.fsnet.co.uk   
    
14&15 Oct Friends of the British Cemetery, Elvas, Portugal Autumn Symposium at The Bull Hotel, Long Melford, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 9JG (hotel 01787 378494)]. Two days of wonderful speakers, lunch, dinner and refreshments. contact Major Nick Hallidie, 10 Ballingdon St, Sudbury, CO10 2BT 01787 880445, nickah3559@gmail.com ALL WELCOME.   
  
20 Oct to be confirmed, a day at Apsley House for members of The Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras. join at mark.s.thompson@me.com £20 per annum.

Also tbc 02 Nov lecture at the Cavalry and Guards Club with Lord Decies. 
  

Best Regards

Tony Smith
Guild Secretary

Monday 24 August 2015

Guild Update 22nd August 2015



Member Change of Addresses

Jo Hook writes:

If members have changed their personal details i.e. home address or email address can they please send an email directly to the Membership Secretary (mbr.sec@gbg-international.com) and not via the Secretary.

Despatches Magazine

Mike Peters writes:

We have had Despatches returned from

·         Rod Bedford

Please could you send your latest address to the membership secretary.

Battle of Northampton Appeal

Secretary writes:

Members will have received a note from Anthony Rich earlier this week about plans to develop the Northampton battlefield into a golf club car park. You may be interested to read the BBC cover on the story - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-34019117

If members have not already lodged an objection but still wish to, you have until August 28th. For further information please contact Anthony at anthonyrich@virginmedia.com

Validation Day Bosworth 12th September

Chris Finn writes:

We will be running a Validation Day at the Bosworth Visitors' Centre on Saturday 12 September.
Currently all the slots are filled, but if anyone wants to be a reserve please let me know.
There is only one Assignment 1 planned,  for after lunch, so anyone who wishes to watch that is most welcome, again please let me know if you plan to attend at cval@gbg-international.com

Guild 6th Annual Golf Championships Friday 21st August

Graeme Cooper writes:

Any Member wishing to take part in the Guild’s Annual Golf Championship for the Ashhurst Trophy and Putter at the John O'Gaunt Golf Club, Sutton Park, Sandy, Bedford SG19 2LY please e-mail Graeme Cooper info@corporatebattlefields.com with their Guests names and Handicaps. Details and cost will be forwarded in due course.

BBC News

Other BBC stories that may be of interest to members are:

·         Widow traced by husband's WW2 US graffiti - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-33645605
·         Liverpool 'bombed out church' views sought by council - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-34021849
·         Burma POW's diary reveals suffering and starvation - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-34005331
·         Search to uncover Grimsby trawler WW1 shipwrecks - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-33993465
·         Spitfires take to skies in Battle of Britain memorial flight - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-33910587
·         'Forgotten' Chilcompton WW2 captain added to memorial - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-33933886
·         Olive Edis: WW1 photographer's work brought together in archive - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-33864292
·         MI5 files show farm couple's support for Nazis in WW2 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34015832
·         Wokingham residents evacuated after WW2 bomb find - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-34019733
·         Memorial to Spitfire pilot shot down over Bournemouth - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-33933010
·         In pictures: Flypast remembering Battle of Britain - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33980189
·         Battle of Britain: Flypast for 75th anniversary of 'Hardest Day' - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-33966632
·         Fallen WW1 soldier's cross donated to Manx Museum - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-33960443
 
Remember also to look at the Guild Twitter and Facebook feeds on a daily basis – there is lots of useful battlefield related information being put up.

Best Regards

Tony Smith
Guild Secretary