Membership Subscription Payments
Jo Hook writes:
Further to the Chairman's email regarding membership, as
from 2015 there will be a four month window for members to pay their membership
fees.
From January 2015 a link to the attached document will go
out with every update. The link explains exactly how to pay if you are
paying by cheque or BACs transfer, it includes the Guild Bank details and a
simple to follow flow chart on how to pay membership online via your bank
account. Late payment has a huge effect on the
working processes of the Guild insofar as the Chairman and Secretary rely on my
input for member addresses to send out updates and the magazine - until they
know who has paid they cannot give the magazine publisher an accurate
figure. We have a budget for the magazine and therefore your prompt
payment means we keep within that budget (i.e. we send magazines out to those
members who have paid their membership fees). As such I have tonight (8
July 2014) sent the secretary the finalised list of members who will receive
the Guild Magazine. The Chairman as stated took a "robust"
stance and has agreed with me the plan for payment next year.
Please do take the time to read the flow chart it has all
the information you need in which to pay. As from 1 January 2015 I will
keep the secretary up to date on weekly basis of those members who have paid up
until 1 April 2015. On the April 1 2015 I will close the window, assume
those who haven't paid membership no longer wish to renew their subscriptions
and send the Secretary an updated list of the current members who have paid
their subscriptions.
This year as the new membership secretary hasn't been a
particularly easy year as I have taken over from the outgoing membership
secretary - I thank him for all his input and the information he has provided
me but as the new membership secretary I would like to adopt a different
stance. I am fully aware that the Chairman and Secretary are reliant upon
my input. I would therefore appreciate your assistance by paying your
subscriptions on time in 2015.
New Guild Partner
Secretary writes:
We are pleased to welcome Battle Honours on board as a new
Guild Partner. As members will know Clive and Julian who run the company are
long standing members and supporters of the Guild.
Validation Day, Mytchett - Saturday 30 August
Alison Hine writes:
We have received applications for validations from the
following: Andy Day and Clive Montellier for Assignment 1 and John Pratt and
Andy Crooks for Assignments 5 and 6. There is room for a few more.
We also need Validators and of course an audience. Please note there will be a
small administrative charge for the day which will include lunch.
Please could anyone wishing to attend in whatever capacity
contact Alison Hine alisonhine@btinternet.com
as soon as possible.
Arnhem Weekend
Wybo Boersma writes:
More information about the GBG weekend in October is
attached. Please confirm a.s.a.p before my holidays, your room requirements. We
need more members for the weekend.
If I am slow in answering mails: the holidays are the reason
- w.boersma@wxs.nl
List of member GBG who have interest in attending the GBG
Arnhem weekend as at 5 July 2014.
Brid, Steve
K.
Single room?
Please confirm
Chambers,
Steve
Single or double room?
Please confirm
Greene
John.
Single room
Is confirmed
Griffiths,
Charmain
No room?
Two persons for all activities? Please confirm
Jenner, Hugh and Elke
Double room.
Is confirmed
Neagle,
Kathleen
Single room.
Is confirmed
Oldfield,
Paul
Single room?
Please confirm
Scott, Anthony
Single room
Is confirmed
We need about 15 members to get the discount price for the
hotel. I have an option for 7 single and 7 double rooms. Last date to confirm
rooms is during the first week of August.
If you like to attend only a part of the weekend please let
me know.
Normandy Recce 12th - 17th September
Secretary writes:
As you may be aware there is a Guild recce event organised
for the 12th – 17th September which will examine the British and Canadian
sectors of the 1944 Normandy Battlefields.
The group will leave on Friday 12th via Portsmouth and
return on the 17th. Discounted ferry fares are available (Brittany Ferries) and
the cost of accommodation in Bayeux is being kept to a minimum.
There are still some places available and if you would like
to join the group please drop me a line asap. The recce will be extremely
useful for those members interested in guiding the Normandy beach area as well
as being a great social occasion which will give you a chance to meet and
exchange information with other members with similar
interests.
Belgium in the Second World War - New Book
Jean-Michel Veranneman writes:
Members may be interested to note that my new book on
Belgium in the Second World War is published in September. Details and advance orders
can be found at - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belgium-Second-World-Jean-Michel-Veranneman/dp/1783376074/
Ypres Congestion
Steve Williams writes:
Have just returned from the first of 13 scheduled
trips to Flanders between now and October 30th.......
Can you alert all guides as to the huge increase in
attendees to the Menin Gate ceremony. the levels have increased from an average
of 4 coaches per day to about 40......to avoid disappointing groups who wish to
attend and observe the act of remembrance , they will need to be
"position" at 19:00hrs.
I heard a rumour circulating , that they may try to hold two
ceremonies each day.. one at 18:00hrs, and the second at the usual time
20:00hrs, but could not verify.
Beaumont Hamel is likewise very busy, and would suggest
visiting this site as early as possible in the morning, if the intention is to
have a day on the Somme.
Welsh Memorial In Flanders
Ian McLeod writes:
For those members, who are interested, the Welsh Memorial in
Flanders Campaign took a leap ahead earlier this week. The Dragon, left its
native Wales last weekend and arrived on Monday 7th July at the Pilkem Ridge
site (Hagebos/Iron Cross) where it was successfully attached to the stone
Cromlech (Dolmen) that has been in place for some time. This leaves our Belgian
colleagues to landscape the park around it ready for the Unveiling Ceremony on
Saturday 16th August 2014. The memorial will remain covered during the
intervening period, so that the completed structure will be seen for the first
time at the Ceremony. More details are available on the Campaign website.
The Campaign, in co-operation with the War Research Society,
has produced a souvenir booklet, 'The Welsh at Wipers', to commemorate
the occasion of the erection of the Welsh Memorial on the Pilkem Ridge in
Flanders in 2014, the 100th Anniversary of the start of WW1. It is a 72-page,
A4 size publication printed on high quality photographic paper giving a brief
outline of the progress of the War in the Ypres Salient and details of the
operations there of the Welsh infantry battalions. It also includes
a ’Roll of Honour’ of officers and men chosen from each of these units, year by
year, to represent their fallen comrades. Other names are also included of
Welshmen who served in other regiments and in Dominion forces. The names listed
also represent all parts of Wales. A chapter is included on the 38th Welsh
Division’s capture of Pilkem Ridge on 31st July 1917; the first day of the
Battle of Passchendaele.
It includes 47 coloured photographs of the present day Ypres
battlefield, depicting sites of significance to the service and sacrifice of
Welsh soldiers, and 20 black-and-white historical photographs of Welsh soldiers
taken during the war.
Copies are available for £10, plus £2 p&p; all proceeds
go to the Campaign. To order your copy, please send a cheque or Postal
Order for £12, made out to ‘The Welsh Memorial in Flanders Campaign’ to Ian
Mcleod, 2 Paveley Drive, London SW11 3TP
Help Wanted
Nicky Bird writes:
I have a group of 21 people I am guiding around the Salient
the weekend of 30/31 August. Too many for two 9-seaters, which is all that is
available for hire at Lille Europe station. Does anyone know of a good,
reliable local coach company who might provide a medium-sized coach with,
presumably, driver?
Which Magazine
Secretary writes:
Members may be interested to note that the Guild is
significantly mentioned in the latest issue of Which Magazine which is running
a piece on battlefield touring. The journalist who wrote the piece consulted
extensively with the Chairman when putting it together. It is interesting to
note that the Guild is increasingly being consulted on matters battlefield
touring.
Best Regards
Tony Smith
Guild Secretary
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