Friday 19 February 2016

Guild Update 19th February 2016



Verdun Commemorations

Mike Sheil writes:

The French government will be starting its official commemoration of the battle of Verdun at 1215 on Wednesday 24th February with the opening of my exhibition Verdun 1916-2016 - Un siecle pour la paix. It will be in the Champs Elysées between the Metro Station Ch. Elysées Clemenceau and the Rond-Pont Marcel Dassault until 31 March and will then be re-opening in Verdun for the month of May. Just like the previous exhibition in St James’s Park in 2014 this is an outdoor exhibition of the battlefields of Verdun and the Meuse department as they are today and it will be open 24/7 and free to view.

I am also delighted that for the first time I will be staging an exhibition in Germany where it will open on March 8th in Berlin.

The City of London has also requested that I create a Somme exhibition and this is booked to open in London on 1 June.

Guild Overseas Weekend 16th - 18th September - Dyle to the Escault

John Cotterill writes:

Details of the accommodation and costs for the weekend are attached. They are also on the website.

Naseby Battlefield Facilities

Anthony Rich writes:

The Naseby Battlefield Project, who supported our AGM Battlefield tour, are pressing forward with their plans to develop better facilities at Naseby and in particular to fund and build a better Visitor Centre. There is a survey, link below, that they have asked be filled in by as many people as possible. Please can I invite all those involved with the Guild, especially those who joined Chris & myself there, to  be kind enough to complete the very short 1 page survey through the link below? I expect they would be especially interested in the thoughts of guides from outside the UK, as well as UK opinion.

The link to the survey is https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7HMXWMH

Guild Public Liability Insurance

Secretary writes:

The Guild Public Liability policy will be renewed shortly. If you are interested in taking advantage of the very good rates that we get, let me have an estimate of your guiding turnover for the coming year and I will get a premium for you. 

It is worth noting that this policy will not give you cover if driving clients in your own vehicle - that involves a whole different set of regulations and insurances. For futher details on what you need to do if you want to drive clients about see  http://www.driver-guides.org.uk/legal-requirements.html

Verdun 1916 - Union Jack Club (UJC) Thursday 25th February 2016

Bob Darby writes:

A  talk by Guild member Mike Sheil. Mike will be talking to members of the Union Jack Club, Waterloo using some of his stunning photographs of  the battlefield which he will be showing  in Paris as part of the French 100th anniversary commemorations the previous day. The talk will start at 1830hrs for approx 1 hour. The cost to members will be £10.00 which includes a glass of wine. if you wish to attend and are not a UJC member please book in through Bob Darby at bobdarby@btinternet.com or call 07957 361434

Royal Picardy Hotel - Somme Event 1st - 2nd April 2016

Secretary writes:

I have received the attached from the Royal Picrady Hotel which wants to organise a Somme event on the 1st - 2nd April for interested guides. This was origianly proposed for January but clashes with otr AGM. If anyone is interested in attending please let me know.  

The Battle of Kut, Launch of a new 'Virtual' Military Museum and a Somme Football Match

Peter Caddick-Adams writes:

Attached is information about:

·         A new book by Patrick Cowley about the battle for Kut in 1916
·         Details of the launch of a new virtual military museum for the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, the ‘Tigers’
·         Details of a Somme commemoration football match to be played at Guildford on the 1st July 2016

Weekly Update

Secretary writes:

The Update will be a couple of days late next week as I will be on tour.

Best Regards

Tony Smith
Guild Secretary