COLDSTREAM GUARDS ASSOCIATION
              (Yeovil & Taunton Branch No.34)
                         (Founded 1968)                                                   
                 

      Newsletter 2010 & Diary Dates 2010        

Sadly December ended with the loss of a long serving Vice President Major G. Lamb (G.G.). January began also with the loss of one our most loyal and respected Branch members Mr J. Short. Both will be long remembered and sorely missed.

A.G.M.

Inclement weather caused this to be postponed until February 10th 2010 when it was a successful A.G.M. It saw the re-election of our Branch President, all Vice Presidents and principal officers.

Pleasingly we also welcomed two new members, Ken Hearn and David Bulgin, plus three additional Vice Presidents: Major General Sir Christopher Airy KCVO CBE, Lt. Gen. Barney White-Spunner and Major I.J.G. Cunningham.

Skittles Evening with The Somerset Light Infantry February 2010

As always this was a most enjoyable occasion where we maintained our usual position of being second. The icing on the cake was £40.00 from the raffle (£80.00 was divided between both teams) the amounts to go to Regimental Welfare support.

Support The Coldstream Guards In Afghanistan Wrist Band Appeal

The support for this has been excellent with Mr B. Penney, Mr K. Penney and Mr E. Fogg achieving splendid results. Good fayre and wines at our Branch Christmas Luncheon led to substantial donations and our Branch has so far sent a remitted approx £700.00 to 1st Bn. Welfare Officer.

Click the above Web Link for details of how to show your support for The Coldstream Guards in Afghanistan

Annual Lunch - Sunday 18th April 2010

Always a special occasion this year it will be Sunday 18th April 2010 at 12.00hrs for 12.30hrs at The Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster. The cost will be £16.75pp with a £10 subsidy for members.

Our guest speaker will be Major General Sir Robert Corbett (I.G.) who has had a long and distinguished career in many parts of the world.

Please try to join a splendid opportunity to renew past friendships and make new ones. I have sent out menus but if you haven't received yours please give me a call and I will post another.

November monthly meeting Guest Speaker

In November each year the Branch has a guest speaker. This year I believe it will be Captain R.W.C. Matthews (C.G.) to update us on the activities within the Household Division with special reference to our own Regiment.

A chance to ask questions of personal interest is accompanied by a buffet to complete the evening. Again please could I urge you to make the effort to attend.

Annual Subscription

Our Branch has been able to keep these to a modest £4 for a long time and if you are among those who have overlooked your subscription for 2010 or indeed for the past couple of years please make a remittance to our treasurer.

With the increase in postage, paper and printing etc. it now costs in excess of 45p to send Newsletters and routine correspondence. It is only due to much larger contributions from a few members that our Branch "Keeps our head above water".

Branch Christmas Luncheon 5th December 2010

Sunday 5th December 2010 at 12.00pm The Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster, Somerset.

There could not be a better way to start your Festive Season. Excellent menus, massive draws and the very best of company. Try to find a past Brigade colleague who has lost touch "with the good life" bring them along so that they again enjoy the value of being " Once a Guardsman Always a Guardsman".

Remember, we meet every second Wednesday in the month (except December) at 19.30hrs for 20.00hrs at The Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster, Somerset. Any variations to the start time are agreed and notified at the previous monthly meeting. We have and want to maintain a good attendance so please come along.

Once again we are pleased to welcome the new members who have joined us and remember with fondness those "we have lost".

To conclude I wish you all a happy and healthy year ahead and assure you, that if needed help is only a call away.  
 

                                                   Once & Always

                                                   Derek w. Notley Hon. Secretary

DIARY DATES 2010

Easter Choral Concert Guards Chapel Wednesday 31st March 2010 19.15hrs

Branch Annual Lunch Sunday 18th April 2010, The Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster, Somerset TA19 9AR

Memorial Weekend Wellington Barracks Sunday 23rd May 2010

Trooping the Colour 2010

Major General's Review: Trooping the Colour Saturday 29th May 2010

Colonel's Review: Trooping the Colour Saturday 5th June 2010

Queens Birthday Parade: Trooping the Colour Saturday 12th June 2010

(The Escort Trooping The Colour 2010 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards)
 

Click the above Web Link and learn more about Trooping the Colour and how to apply for tickets

Beating Retreat Horse Guards Parade Massed Bands 21.00hrs Wednesday 9th & Thursday 10th June 2010

Founder's Day Royal Hospital Chelsea Thursday 10th June 2010

Association Day Chatsworth Saturday 26th June 2010

Coldstream Guards Association Cup: York races Saturday 9th October 2010

Branch Meeting Wednesday 10th November 2010 19.00hrs for 19.30hrs Regimental Speaker

Remembrance Sunday 14th November: Branch Luncheon, Parade, Service Shrubbery Hotel 12.00hrs for 12.30hrs. Parade March Assembles at 14.00hrs.

Branch Christmas Luncheon Sunday 5th December 12.00hrs for 12.30hrs.

Please contact the Branch for further details, also with subjects that may have an interest for the next publication of the Newsletter, Website and Coldstream Guards Gazette.

Email: GenGMonck1650@yahoo.co.uk