Friday 18 March 2016

Guild Update 11th March 2016



New Members

Jo Hook writes:

We welcome the following new members into the Guild:

  • Nigel Stevens from France joins. His interests are Guided Driving Tours 1914 – 1918 and Normandy Landings
  • Marc Yates from Jersey joins. His interests are Jersey Military History covering from 13th to 20th Century
  • Andrea Barbato from Italy joins. His interests are Spanish Civil War on Malaga Mountains Malaga Front WW2 Italian Campaigns
  • Stuart Robertson from North Yorkshire joins. His interests are NW Europe 44-45 specifically D-Day

Annual Subscriptions

Jo Hook writes:

Last call for membership renewal. The window for membership renewal this year was from 1st January 2016 to 1 March 2016.  The payment remains the same at £75.00 per year.  There are various methods of payment you can use.  We are urging people more and more to pay their subscription electronically by BACs or standing order – it is faster, can be tracked by us and more efficient from an administrative perspective.  However, we also realise that the “good old fashioned” cheque is still the preferred way for some and will accept these but we will be increasingly moving towards electronic payment for the future.  Guild bank account details can be found on the website along with a step by step guide on how to pay electronically.  Cheques should be made payable to the Guild of Battlefield Guides Ltd.  Details can be found at http://www.gbg-international.com/bank_account.html                                                                   

If paying by BACs please ensure you use your name and membership number as a reference so we can identify your payment and please don’t forget to email the Membership Secretary at mbr.sec@gbg-international.com to confirm payment has been made. If paying by company cheque please can you ensure that your name is on the back as we cannot always connect a company with an individual!!

If you do not wish to renew your membership please inform the membership secretary so that she can carry out the necessary administrative process. After 1 April members who haven't paid and haven't informed us will be considered as no longer wishing to renew

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 - which incidentally will be the same as last year, 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 further details on what you need to do if you want to drive clients about see  http://www.driver-guides.org.uk/legal-requirements.html

Operation Sealion weekend 1- 3rd April 2016

John Cotterill writes:

An Operation Sealion weekend will be held in Rye 1st - 3rd April 2016. Full details are attached as well as details of the 'cut off' dates. There will be validation opportunities over the weekend.

The Chairman notes - We hope that as many members as possible will attend this weekend. A lot of work has been put into developing a series of events for members in response to demands for more events. So come along and support John and of course learn about a very interesting piece of World War II history! 

Lochnagar Commemorations

Bob Podesta writes:


Please find here the latest info about accessing the ceremony at Lochnagar, as you will read security will be intense.

Battlefield Trust Event at Mortimer’s Cross

Anthony Rich writes:

Members may be interested in attending a battlefield walk at the site of Mortimers Cross on Saturday April 16th . See the attached flyer for full details.

Belgium Tourist Office Trip

Secretary writes:

Phillipe Maree is planning to take members out again on what is fast becoming our annual trip to Belgium to see some of the battlefield sites that do not normally feature on the regular itineraries. The proposed dates are the 25th - 29th August. If you are interested in putting your name on the list of participants please let me know.

Help wanted

Secretary writes:

We have been contacted by Hugh Williams who is looking for photographs to publish in a forthcoming history reference book. He is looking in particular for photographs of:

  • Dunkirk
  • Pearl Harbour
  • El Alamein
  • D Day

If you might be able to help him, please contact him at hugh@hwbts.co.uk to dicuss further.

The Guns of Contalmaison

Rhydian Vaughan writes:

On a recent visit to the Green Howard's museum I found a connection to my family I wasn't expecting! Members may be interested to read about it - see http://greenhowards.org.uk/surprise-connection/



Best Regards

Tony Smith
Guild Secretary