Mytchett
Validation 30th August
Alison Hine writes:
The Validation day on August 30th urgently needs more
validators and audience members or there is a chance we will have to cancel it.
If you would like to attend in either capacity please contact Alison as a
matter of urgency at alisonhine@btinternet.com.
This event is important for those who have put their names
down for validation and we really do not want to have to call it off!
Fromelles Visitor Centre
Mike Peters writes:
I was out on an Anzac Tour last week, very pleased to find
that the Visitor Centre is now open for business. There are a few minor
teething issues but overall the centre succeeds in telling the story of the
1916 battle and the subsequent recovery of bodies in an even-handed and
engaging way. The delivery methods used are the now customary mix of classic
artefact displays, digital screens and an individual audio guide. Guides taking
groups should be aware that you cannot arrive and enter on an ad-hoc basis -
pre booking for groups is mandatory. One of the problems encountered was
visibility of the audio guide track numbers for each exhibit, they are
very small and some areas of the museum have low lighting - staff assured me
that larger numbers were being brought in soon. Those who visit Fromelles
regularly will be pleased to hear that the British involvement in the 1916
battle has not been airbrushed out, and there are references to the campaigns
of both 1914 and 1915. On a practical note,the centre has a small shop, vending
machines and toilets for visitors, I would suggest that itineraries should
allow a minimum of an hour for a visit - Australian groups will want longer.
Despatches - Summer
Edition
Mike Peters writes:
The summer edition of Despatches has now been signed off and
has gone to print, members should receive their copies in the next few weeks. A
public thank you to Tony Smith for his hard work collating and editing this our
second issue. We are already pulling together the Winter edition and we would
welcome pictures and articles from members - both should have a guiding theme -
we have no shortage of historical information, the magazine is about
battlefield guiding, and we are always looking for more battlefields related
material.
New Badged Guide Cards
Secretary writes:
These have now been produced and will be handed out to those
members at the dinner tonight. The others have been posted out.
Badged Guides Dinner
taking place today
Secretary writes:
The Badged Guides dinner takes place in London tonight.
Membership Email List on
Website
Secretary writes:
The membership e-mail address list is now on the website in
the members only section. The full name, address and telephone list is not
being published for Data Protection reasons. If a member wants to telephone
another member it is suggested that they drop that member an e-mail asking for
their contact details.
Guild Arnhem Weekend
October 2014
Wybo Boersma writes:
Unfortunately, for the GBG weekend Arnhem from 9 to 12
October 2014, are only 7 members attending: five British, one Belgian and one
American Guild member. That is not enough for this weekend. The weekend Arnhem
in 2014 will not continue.
Probably there are too many activities in 2014 in France,
Belgium and Netherlands: 70 year anniversary of D-Day, Waterloo, beginning 1st
World War in France and Belgium, 70 year Market Garden and in September a
recce tour Normandy.
We now plan to hold the GBG Arnhem weekend in 2015
from Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th October. Don’t miss it! Put this now firmly on
your agenda.
Wybo Boersma.
Guild Members trip to
Belgium
Secretary writes:
Around a dozen Guild members were the guests of the Belgium
Tourist Board last weekend. We were treated like royalty on the tour which
included visits to Liege, Mons, ‘Plugstreet’ and the Ardennes. Thanks are due
to Philippe Maree and his team for the organisation of the event. Some of the
photos from the event can be seen on the Guild Facebook page
Guild AGM Bromsgrove 21st
- 23rd November
Secretary writes:
As members will be aware the Guild AGM is taking place at
Bromsgrove between the 21st and the 23rd November. The agenda is being put
together now and will shortly be available. In the meantime the application
form will be put on the website by next week so that members can start booking
their places.
New MA Course
Secretary writes:
Our President, Professor Gary Sheffield, is launching a new
part-time MA in the History of Britain and the First World War at the
University of Wolverhampton this October and several Guild members have already
signed up. The main commitment is to be in the University on 9 Saturdays in
year 1, and 7 in year two. If you lack formal qualifications in history
that is is not necessarily a show stopper - for a chat contact Gary at g.sheffield@wlv.ac.uk, and please copy
in Dr Spencer Jones (Spencer.Jones@wlv.ac.uk).
Course details can be found at http://courses.wlv.ac.uk/course.asp?code=HS006P31UVD
Help for Heroes Big
Battlefield Ride 2015
Paul Oldfield writes:
The Guild team to support next year’s Big Battlefield Bike
Ride will be John Cotterill, Andy Johnson, Terry Webb and Paul Oldfield. Thank
you to the non-Badged ones who volunteered, but all places have now been
filled. The ride starts in Paris and the overall theme will be the Normandy campaign
1944. It finishes at Windsor.
Work of the CWGC
Glenn Hearnden writes:
I am often asked numerous questions about the work of the
CWGC around the world. Our recent tour to Wallonia saw many examples. The
below news feature for ITV Tyne Tees is a wonderful short film about our
work and staff around the world and I am sure it will be of real interest to
members.
Inventory of Soldiers Kit
from 1066 - 2014
Vern Littley writes:
Members may find this article on soldiers kit through the
ages interesting - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/11006139/Inventories-of-war-soldiers-kit-from-1066-to-2014.html?frame=2994148
The Martlesham Heath
Aviation Society Monthly Meeting Friday 5th September
Secretary writes:
We have received the following which may be of interest to
members locally:
The Main Hall, Martlesham Heath Community Centre, Old
Felixstowe Road (behind Tesco), Martlesham Heath IP12 4PB at 19.30
"Time will not dim the glory of their deeds".
By Arthur Brookes, Cambridge American Cemetary, Madingley
An illustrated talk, telling the story of this moving
Cemetary to American War dead, the story of the Americans in Britain, and a
selection of individual stories of those remembered.
Admission £2 members, £3 non-members
Website: www.mhas.org.uk
For more information call: H.King 01473 274300
BBC News
·
In pictures: World War One battlefields 100
years on - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-28461026
·
WW1 war horse from Leicestershire remembered - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-28657815
·
World War One: The unprotected Protector - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-28543231
·
Bomber Command memorial: Spire approved by
council - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-28667013
·
In pictures: World War One anniversary - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28636232
·
WW1: Surviving 'hell on earth' at Mametz Wood - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28664386
·
The Solomon Islanders who saved JFK - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28644830
·
Birmingham 'aliens' sent to WW1 internment camps
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-28438591
·
World War One: Death of a Boy's Own hero - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-26117120
·
How schools inspired World War One recruitment -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-28403293
Best Regards
Tony Smith
Guild Secretary
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