Membership Renewals
Jo Hook writes:
Please could all members remember to inform the Membership
Secretary if they have paid by BACs for their annual membership. If
you have not received a receipt for your membership to date it means you have
not let the Membership Secretary know you have paid and there is a danger
that your membership will be discontinued.
War Heritage Committee
Mike Scott writes:
I recently attended a meeting of the War Heritage Committee
at the Houses of Parliament in London. A report of the proceedings is attached.
Operation 'Market Garden'
Guild Recce dates notice
Ian Mitchell writes:
After listening to feedback from members it has been decided
that the theme for the Guild recce will be Operation Market
Garden. A 5 day Guild recce will thus take place in the
autumn which will primarily focus on the actions of the US 82nd and
101st Airborne Divisions and the British 30 Corps during Operation Market
Garden. This event will however also devote time to visiting selected stands
associated with the 1st Airborne Division battle at Arnhem. The recce
will include stands on the Polish Airborne Brigade and actions of the 43rd
Wessex Division.
There are two proposed dates for the event
·
Option 1 - 30 September – 5 October 2016 (+
Optional extension to 6th October)
·
Option 2 - 14th -18th October 2016 (+ Optional
extension to 19th October)
Tony and I would like all those members interested in
attending (including those who have already expressed an interest) to clarify
which of these 2 options they would most prefer. We will also now start to
carry out more detailed planning and expect to produce an overview of the Guild
recce within the next 3-4 weeks and a detailed schedule by the end of April.
Finally both Ian and Tony would very much like to encourage
those Guild members who live in Holland and Belgium to be involved in this
recce even if this is just for one of the days. They are both aware that many
Dutch members have a significant local knowledge on Operation Market Garden and
thus would welcome their input and advice during the initial planning
phase. As part of the recce Ian and Tony hope to have a social event
which would enable those attending and those who live locally to meet each
other
Somme Centenary Exclusion
Zone
Steve Cox writes:
The map of the Somme Centenary exclusion zone can be found
here - http://somme2016.org/en/about/visiting-thiepval/.
I also understand that the Sheffield Memorial Park will be ticket only.
Glenn Hearnden also adds:
For the latest updated information regarding the security
cordon, access and the 141 Days of the Somme and the Thiepval Memorial
please see the below links.
Community Group Support
Glenn Hearnden writes:
Big Ideas Company are recruiting six part time Area Managers
across the UK to support community groups to participate in the Commonwealth
War Graves Commission's Living Memory project. More information can be found at
http://www.bigideascompany.org/index.php/2016/03/14/join-the-living-memory-team/
or email katharine.lane@bigideascompany.org
Whiskey and War Event 14th
- 16th October 2016
Rob Deere writes:
The Whisky & War Guild weekend will take place Friday 14
- Sunday 16 October 2016, with travellers arriving in Inverness on Thursday 13
October. Based in Inverness, it will include battlefield walks of the
battles of Auldearn and Culloden; tasting tours of two different but
outstanding Speyside whisky distilleries; guided tours of Fort George and
Urquhart Castle and a Sunday lunch train ride on the Strathspey railway.
For the discerning battlefield traveller, this should be a great weekend,
looking at two battlefields off the UK beaten track, two impressive and
important historical buildings & museums whilst enjoying some quality
Highland hospitality and some top notch whisky.
The tour will be run by Duncan Cook, John Marr and Rob
Deere. Duncan and John are both local to Inverness, Rob just had the good
fortune to be stationed there for two years.
The intention is for Guild Members who want to come on the
weekend to book their own flights to meet and leave the tour. A tour
hotel will be recommended, individuals will then make the booking
themselves. Transport to and from Inverness Airport will be provided as
will all transport during the tour. Entrance fees etc will be confirmed
once we have an idea as to numbers and negotiations can be completed with the
various institutions. Meals will be paid for out of pocket once on tour, with
the exception of breakfasts which we plan to have included.
At this stage, an understanding of those genuinely
interested would be very helpful. So, if you are interested, please email
me at rob@robdeere.co.uk by31 March
2016. We will then finalise the programme, gather the costings and a second
note will be sent out by 15 April with estimated costs, email links to the
various attractions and advice on flights and the hotel.
Well supported, this has the potential to be a cracking good
weekend.
Best Regards
Tony Smith
Guild Secretary
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