Poll - on behalf of Jungle1810

[5haron]

Dear Forum Members

In view of the last attempt to let individual members attend the re-union evening meal, and getting a negative result from Wrexham for this request because the meal and buffet are subsidised. But it contradicts itself by letting every one attend the buffet.So would the ladies and independant members consider attending the meal.

In view of the last verdict in refusing entry to the ladies et al would a sense of personal affront discourage a re think of going to the meal.

If any person or even couple are in doubt or even dogmatic that they will not attend can they provide a view on why they will not attend

I would welcome all views on this subject either for or against and any explicit reasons for not going at this stage.

I am (And the exec committee) are expected to try and resolve this situation if possible.

On a personal note I would like to see them at the meal.

Ref all members - Thanks for your help and your vote. It is a difficult position to try and resolve.

Jungle 1810.


If you or your circle of friends male or female have any special questions not listed in my e mail please be free to speak your mind. I will need answers by December the 1st.

[jase hill]

Seriously, women and non members of the Regiment should please not attend any Regimental function whatever it may be.

[Baconwallah]

I served, but not in the Royal Welch. I am only one of the unofficial regimental historians. As such, I would not dream of attending any function unless specifically invited by the organising committee or a very senior member of the Regt. I think that, not being 'one of the boys', it's no more than reasonable.

John

[Gerrycc943]

I fear that a poll on the forum could prove futile in as much as not all forum members are RWFCA members and therefore not eligible to vote on Annual Reunion activities.

Matters such as wives/partners/guests attending the evening dinner are subject to AGM discussion (held in Sep) and proposals ratified by those Association members present. I believe that we should put sexist matters behind us - we now have women in the services involved in life threatening activities and should be treated equal. That said, it's only a matter of time before we have female Association applicants.

When I was Chief Clerk with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, my counterpart, a NRPS female Chief Clerk, badged RRF (Not WRAC) applied for and was granted membership of the RRF Comrades Association - she is currently a member of the local Birmingham Branch and quite active in promoting female activity in both Association and RBL/Poppy Appeal matters.. The point I'm trying to make here, is, it's only a matter of time before the RWFCA/RWCA will be expected to accept female members.

That said, the Annual Reunion for our Branch members is a pilgrimage - there are those who live in the closet for 11 months of the year who have the opportunity to let their hair down, re-live past experiences and be painfully reminded by their mates of embarrassing war stories and activities and I doubt they would wish their spouses/partners to be in earshot of such revelations!. No matter how good your mates are, when the alcohol is in, the common sense is out. Could be quite uncomfortable!!

When this subject came up at the last dinner, one or two members identified their reluctance to attend the dinner should ladies be allowed.

It's only a suggestion, but the Memorial Hall has a dual function facilty - An annex for those who wish to be accompanied by partners, and a hall for those who wish to be stud!

Age Consideration.

There was a positive absence of the upper age members this year as a result of the non availability of the barracks. These members are creatures of habit and not used to being denied accommodation "Back Home" in the Keep, "A session in the Mess" and the early morning reminiscing. Indeed, those senior members of the Association who, as I have previously stated are Creatures of Habit, made it quite clear to me that the Association had lost it's way with regard to their welfare. As pensioners they had been denied the Keep and had to compete for Accommodation at Hotels and B & B within Wrexham Town Centre - they certainly didn't relish evening activity at the Wynstay etc and wouldn't be attending next year.

Sad really when we are so desparately trying to recruit new members but don't have any answers to the questions posed by our senior members such as "Why can't we use the Barracks"?

For Hingey and Jungle 1810.

I know this is a splintered thread totally divorced from the thread you generated regarding future Annual Reunions. I will, however, merge them accordingly.

[Paul Hinge]

Just a quick note in responce to Jase. We cannot exclude women from the RWFCA as we have women who have served with both the 1st and 3rd Battalions who wore the flash and hackle and therefore have every right to attend RWFCA events in their own right and Gerry has hilighted this in the above thread.
The whole reason for looking at thr reunion is that yes we do have considerable and diverse needs to cater for within the Association. The elder statesmen need to have their needs catered for as do the younger element this is why there is a need to have as wide a discussion as possible so we can cater for the broadest church of fellow comrades needs during our Annual reunion.

Hingey

[jase hill]

Thank you Paul, but may I say I have no objection to females attending such functions if they have served. No problem at all. My comment was aimed at women and men with no right to attend such events. We should be represented by serving or ex serving members only.

[Vic Hughes 53]

All,

Please excuse my ignorance if it appears obvious in my query with regards to this thread. I was under the impression rightly or wrongly that the R WELSH comrades had been formed this year with clear direction from the Col Of the Regt that this new associtaion was to be developed for the benefit of all, whether from the antecedent regiments or from the R WELSH.

If this is the case I am slighlty confused as to what direction the comrades are currently heading (are we discussing RWF or R WELSH or infact both). I would be most grateful for a brief appraisal on the future direction or constitution of the comrades association of both the RWF / R WELSH in order that I and undoubtedly with others, that are still serving can form an honest and blanced opinion for the future.

Paul, as a matter of interest, only attached Officers (ie not ORs') wear the flash alongside all R WELSH badged personnel and this, I believe is at the behest of the Commanding Officer.

Regards

Vic 53

[Dai 55]

Vic hi Dai 55 here,
can you tell me a bit more on only attached officers were the flash,just interested to find out a bit more,

Many thanks
dai 55

[jungle1810]

Hello All,
A most interesting bag of answers to my post. I welcome them all this is what we all fought for. I may have been a little ambiguous in my e mail re the ladies going to the evening meal. My view was that many individual members either go or do not attend the evening meal. They of course know what is best for their needs.but their wives and partners are precluded from going to the evening meal.the situation mentioned by Gerry is quite correct In regards to the distaff side of a regimental dinner in as much as technically they should have served in a regiment and been badged in that regiment.I am as a matter of fact against changing our constitution in any way shape or form. It is a matter for the AGM as stated by Gerry. In answer to 53's query for years we have voted to remain RWFC comrades.and as such the RWFCA branches are autonomous and run them selves but naturally come under the umbrella of Wrexham. The $64,000 question is of course what are the intentions of soldiers leaving the service do they go for the couple of amalgamated branches ie those that have merged under the same terms of the two active service battalions or join the RWFCA branches? In point of fact according to present rules any one who has not served in the Royal Welch are unable to hold any of the offices on any branch.
Regards RBD

[Paul Hinge]

Vic,
You pose an interesting cunundrum. Yes we as the RWFCA did vote to have a formalised closer relationship with the newly formed RWRA to help facilitate those members who are now serving under the new Regimental construct to have a home to come to when leaving the regiment. What we did not vote for was for the RWFCA to be subsumed into the RWRA. We envisage this will happen over the years as the RWFCA members pass on to that great parade ground above but as you can see from this forum's threads etc the RWFCA is alive and kicking.
As you probably know, the newly formed RWRA has an Executive Committee that has equal numbers of former RRW(Welch,SWB) and RWF on its Board so there will be a formalised structure that will see the new RWRA grow and flourish for our newer comrades to take advantage of and enjoy the comaraderie we hold so dear.

Hingey

[Vic Hughes 53]

Paul,

Thank you for your curt and detailed answer. As a serving member with no allegiance to any specific branch (although I will always have an affinity to the Shotton & Deeside Branch after the way they and Benny Ball looked after me in my tenure as PSI A Coy 3 R WELSH in Queensferry) it is easy to sit on the fence and to await the outcome of any proposals or ammendments to the constitution that effect both the RWFCA and RWRA.

The way in which you, Jungle and Gerry are canvassing members for prosposals / suggestions for the future well being of the RWFCA can only be a good thing and hopefully along the way a raft of other pertinant issues will be discussed and where required ammeneded and taken forwards.

I totally agree with your sentiments in regards to a recognised association for the newer members of the R WELSH. This year will see the first intake of soldiers who enlisted into the R WELSH leave after completion of 4 years' colour service. Some of those individuals' will have served in both battalions during that time. As a matter of general interest I, personally, since March 2006 have served in all 3 Battalions of the R WELSH and am currently RQMS(M) 2 R WELSH in Tidworth. The current RQMS(T) 1 R WELSH (majority of his career with 1RRW) has also served in all 3 Battalions since the merger took place.

Regards

Vic 53

[BennytheBall]

Hi Vic and All
I am an elected member of the newly formed Royal Welsh Regimental Association Executive Committee and also an elected member of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades' Association Committee.
Firstly, The RWRA is holding its 1st Executive Committee Meeting in Cardiff on the 18th Oct 2010 and the Consitution of the RWRA is on the agenda and I believe will be the talking point at this 1st meeting.
Secondly, The RWFCA executive committee meeting will not sit until March 2011 and probably the RWFCA Annual Reunion in Wrexham will be talked about in great detail.
Thirdly
Supporting Paul Hinge's corner, he was asked by the President RWFCA Gen Brian Plummer to collect feedback on this last Reunion in Wrexham and collate it by the 1st Dec 2010 ready to take to the RWFCA Executive Committee Meeting in March 2011.
Paul and Jungle10 have been putting their "feelers" out this matter so I for one will and have given my views to both. So those members' who have served in all 3 Regiments are spoilt for choice when comes to reunions.

As for future Reunions, The RWFCA will hold theirs in Sept every year, The RRW will hold theirs and Capt Des Williams is looking for a suitable location for the Royal Welsh to hold theirs.

Will keep you all posted on the outcome of these meetings as and when.

Best Regards
Benny Ball
Hon Branch Secretary
Shotton and Deeside RWFCA

[bennyball2]

I hope you are inviting me down for a pint on the 18th Bruv??

[Vic Hughes 53]

Benny,

Thank you for clarifying a few points in your thread. I have no doubt you will keep all of us updated and it is good to see you in key positions within both RAs'.

Best Wishes as always

Vic 53

[Gerrycc943]

Hi Vic and All
I am an elected member of the newly formed Royal Welsh Regimental Association Executive Committee and also an elected member of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades' Association Committee.
Firstly, The RWRA is holding its 1st Executive Committee Meeting in Cardiff on the 18th Oct 2010 and the Consitution of the RWRA is on the agenda and I believe will be the talking point at this 1st meeting.
Secondly, The RWFCA executive committee meeting will not sit until March 2011 and probably the RWFCA Annual Reunion in Wrexham will be talked about in great detail.
Thirdly
Supporting Paul Hinge's corner, he was asked by the President RWFCA Gen Brian Plummer to collect feedback on this last Reunion in Wrexham and collate it by the 1st Dec 2010 ready to take to the RWFCA Executive Committee Meeting in March 2011.
Paul and Jungle10 have been putting their "feelers" out this matter so I for one will and have given my views to both. So those members' who have served in all 3 Regiments are spoilt for choice when comes to reunions.

As for future Reunions, The RWFCA will hold theirs in Sept every year, The RRW will hold theirs and Capt Des Williams is looking for a suitable location for the Royal Welsh to hold theirs.

Will keep you all posted on the outcome of these meetings as and when.

Best Regards
Benny Ball
Hon Branch Secretary
Shotton and Deeside RWFCA

Hi Benny,

Your statement ref Executive Committee Member responsibilities is noted and respected by us members of the Association. Indeed, as the result of an impending resignation from the Executive Committee I have put my name forward, thru Des, as a replacement candidate.

What I don't understand, is why the President of the RWFCA is tasking a member of the Executive Committee to identify the best way ahead for future re-unions and opinions have been sought from forum members who are non association members.

I believe the way ahead should be for RHQ to canvas opinions and feedback from Branch members through their Chairmen/Secretaries in readiness for the next Executive meeting - they are after all the ones who attend the re-unions. I also believe this to be a better method of feedack - not all association members are on the forum. Having said that, there are those association members who do attend the weekend but not the dinner. This isn't something new and has been going on for years. Indeed, now that we have more splinter re-unions; Sigs Pl, Drums Pl, Band, A Coy, Sp Coy, MT Pl etc, and on the increase, some occurring on the same weekend and encouraging spouse/partner attendance, plus the denial of the use of the Barracks, is it any wonder that dinner attendance is decreasing?

Please Note. Comments/suggestions made throughout this thread are not entirley mine and compiled from various conversatiions/discussions held during and since the re-union.

[Paul Hinge]

Gerry
Thanks for this posting I will keep these comments to put with the increasing number I've already received.
As you've so correctly pointed out I have been askednot tasked by Gen Plummer to carry out this exercise as we as an Executive....your reps on the Association Board had already identified last year that there were falling numbers and when we were informed of the RWFCA inability to use |Hightown barracks as the fulcrum of our Comrades weekend and the need to utilise the Memorial Hall we felt that we would see how this move went before investigating further.
As the reunion is about us, the comrades and my willingness to undertake the task as I do have professional experience in Public Relations, Gen Plummer asked me to prepare a short briefing on thoughts,opinions and indeed options for the future. To make any changes or indeed carry on with the same format, we need to have the backing of the whole comrades community that is why I have contacted Branch Secretaries, used the RWF Forum as a sounding board and asked RHQ to send out letters to individual members so we can have the thoughts and opinions and hopefully suggestions from the membership. After all, even as elected reps on the Executive, who are we to dictate what we want it needs to come from the membership as a whole.
Hope this sets out the reasoning behind this exercise?

Best wishes

Hingey

[ap1]

Hi Paul, good luck with this mate. I suspect it will be a thankless task. Having not attended the weekend for the last 3 years due to work commitments, I can't comment on the changes that occurred this year. My only request is that the Individual Membership Scheme is updated to reflect the use of the internet etc and the vast spread of members who have individual membership within the RWFCA. Most importantly that it becomes a "Paid" membership scheme, with the funds used solely to assist the RWFCA, its members and interests. I really don't understand why its not already happened. Its a potential revenue stream that appears to be ignored. Or is it the perceived view that the RWFCA should be allowed to wither and die on the vine? i.e branches fold = end of RWFCA?

[BRIANM]

I fully agree and support this proposal,and any motion in regard to the wellbeing of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades Association.

BRIANM.

[Braz]

I Put this to the Denbigh and District Branch Members on Friday 24th Feb 12 and they all voted against letting Wives/Girlfriends attend. It was also brought to my attention that this was also voted on at the AGM in Wrexham last Sept and was voted against at that too. So they wanted to know why RHQ is sending it out after it was shot down??? Braz

[chow]

Braz.

Was there a ballot of branch members on this please.

[BennytheBall]

Hi All
I seem to be sent a bit off track on this thread slightly, to the fact Have I missed the boat on this thread, what do we want to ballot branches on?
Is it the motion set to invite wives/girlfriends to attend the Annual Reunion Dinner, if so my branch member's are against the motion having put it to them on our last monthly meeting. Or is it the motion about the Annual Secretaries meeting in April if the fact that it can't be held due to the resignation of our Association Chairman?

[Paul Davies 701]

I'm sorry but I've always believed that the RWF was known as a "family" Regiment and I cannot understand why some people would want to exclude women/wives from the Reunion function. My wife was the daughter of a member of the RWF who served 22 years. She was born into the RWF "family", I always tell people she did longer in the Regiment than me and she's proud to associate herself with that fact. Surely with numbers at the Reunion Dinner dwindling the way forward would be wives/women at the Dinner, this would attract more of our members to the Dinner as we see more and more wives/women attending the weekend, the majority of whom see it as a way of meeting up with old friends themselves. Certain members need to understand that if we're to survive then we need to change with the times, it is after all the 21st Century.

[Braz]

According to my Members who were there in Numbers it was Voted on and Shot Down Chow. Braz

[jungle1810]

Hello all,
The main reason for peoples views is that we are not being treated with respect from our hierarchy. I have been sacked as an executive member and I still do not know why. I have served the full course of 3 former Regimental Secretaries, these include Captain Peter Shinn, Major "Monty" Robinson, and Major Arthur Ellingham,up to the present incumbent which covers many years of honest endeavour and devotion, and I feel I can provide much experience to the executive committee. I am of the opinion that I asked too many pertinent questions and spoke my mind.Also I was precluded from attending the latest executive meeting, and I MAY even have been found guilty by the members of an executive committee none of which has been voted into office, but have been co-opted.In point of fact I was also denied the right to defend my corner and even make a plea in mitigation or have an officer of the regiment to support my case,when it was heard in our ancestral home Wrexham and which is the norm in these cases plus of course I have been refused the right of appeal or even had the details of if and how I can claim expenses for an appeal or had the rules on the statute of limitations explained to me, and the letter sacking me was not sent by recorded delivery.The right of appeal is some thing that every recidivist can claim but is "Verboten" to me. I am sick and tired of attending meetings held under "Star Chamber rules and Sub Rosa" conditions, and an unending situation of bullying and threats.We have had a surfeit of ambiguity and hesitancy for over 6 years now. And this is longer than it took to win two World wars despite an assurance that more transparency will emerge from Major General Porter. I Have never been afraid of man or beast in my chequered career but what has happened to me to day,can happen to my detractors tomorrow. I would like to quote two famous American presidents.First President Franklin Delano Roosevelt who also served for four terms of office " We have nothing to fear except fear itself", the other quote comes from President Abraham Lincoln who famously remarked " You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time" the whole matter of my dismissal is the worst case of ineptitude I have ever witnessed please forgive me for another famous quote from Lord Acton " Power tends to corrupt absolute power does corrupt I rest my case M'lud.( Also Ladies and Gentlemen)
RBD

[Rog Ball 01]

The proposal was put out to Branches, but I as an individual member was never asked. As far as contributions go, I do not contribute any cash to the RWFCA, but I am quite willing to do so, as I do for the L of F.

Who is running the RWFCA at the present, is it Cardiff or Wrexham? I am a "ROYAL WELCHMAN" and have been since 1963. Therefore if I upset people by saying that we need to get things sorted about who we are, I dont care. There is to much back biting going on, whether it is up front or behind peoples back, and how many of RWFCA are not true members and will move to RWCA without even blinking an eye.

[Rog Ball 01]

Gerry
Thanks for this posting I will keep these comments to put with the increasing number I've already received.
As you've so correctly pointed out I have been askednot tasked by Gen Plummer to carry out this exercise as we as an Executive....your reps on the Association Board had already identified last year that there were falling numbers and when we were informed of the RWFCA inability to use |Hightown barracks as the fulcrum of our Comrades weekend and the need to utilise the Memorial Hall we felt that we would see how this move went before investigating further.
As the reunion is about us, the comrades and my willingness to undertake the task as I do have professional experience in Public Relations, Gen Plummer asked me to prepare a short briefing on thoughts,opinions and indeed options for the future. To make any changes or indeed carry on with the same format, we need to have the backing of the whole comrades community that is why I have contacted Branch Secretaries, used the RWF Forum as a sounding board and asked RHQ to send out letters to individual members so we can have the thoughts and opinions and hopefully suggestions from the membership. After all, even as elected reps on the Executive, who are we to dictate what we want it needs to come from the membership as a whole.
Hope this sets out the reasoning behind this exercise?

Best wishes

Hingey

Hingey, Why cant the RWFCA use Hightown Barracks
?

Roger

[Paul Hinge]

I'm not going to get into a slanging match with Brian Donavan on this Forum but I resent the assertion that I was not voted onto the Executive....Brian for your information I was voted on.I suggest Brian if you feel you have some dirty washing to air please don't use this Forum as a vehicle for your point of view or you could find yourself in deep trouble legally......and as a friend, that's a bit of friendly advise mate!
There will be, I hope, in the not too distant future, some regulation to the operational matters of the RWFCA following resignations etc.

However, we still have the same 3 trustees of the funds and they have done a fantastic job during difficult times.

The rules of how the Association is to be run were laid down in 1924 and they are very explicit on membership rules you have no vote unless you are a bonefide BRANCH MEMBER.

Finally, like 01 my wife (Shirley) and kids all served with me in the RWF. Justin (my eldest) also went on to serve in our illustrious Regiment they were all part of the Regimental family and when the men were away on deployment they kept the home fires burning as do those serving now do!

On a last note. I for one think that if we are to encourage participation in our Association then in 21st century Britain we should allow them to attend our dinner there's nothing that happens at that event that would or should preclude them being there except perhaps some short-sightedness!

Hingey

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Whilst not wishing to stir up political argument which seems to be rife over this matter, I have to say that it seems clear that it is a simple choice for members to make - do they want spouses to attend or not.

More and more I hear individuals talk of moving into the 21st Century and moving with the times. With due respect to those views, where does that leave time honoured traditions. Do we pick what is to remain tradition when it suits and then change others at a whim and no thought of what has gone before and upheld by those who have participated. It reminds me somewhat of individuals who wanted wives and girlfriends to be given access to the Red Dragon Club the only bastion for the single man in the Barracks. (when we didn't have company clubs).

Does the survival of the Dinner and indeed the reunion itself depend on spouses attending, who knows. If it is the case, I would suggest that it (the dinner), is doomed anyway and is it not better to die a natural death than to later point the finger of blame at those who institute change, regardless of their good and "selfless" intentions. There is also a distinction between females who have served and those who have not, as is borne out at Regmental dinners where serving female members attend what was a male only event. (Mixed dinners excepted)

Hingey you either have a poor memory or a very selective one. You may recall that you yourself used this forum to accuse a member this forum (not a million miles away from this keyboard) directly of using rheotoric (and not just "in your opinion") on another medium (fb) to make a point. You did this knowing that members had no access to confirm your finger pointing. My point is, legal threats - are they really necessary.

[BennytheBall]

Hi All

I've been reading this thread with some trepidation, in the fact that these comments have all be said before and it keeps come back on the Forum and "Biting us in the A--e", time and time again.

To all, as like Paul Hinge, I too are an ELECTED member of the RWFCA Executive Committee and was at the "table" back in 2006 when the Royal Welsh formed (I was serving in the Royal Welsh on that day abiet in the TA.) The President at the time said that the RWFCA would go it alone for as long as it was viable, Well, I believe that things "move on" and the RWFCA should now move with the times. The Association I feel cannot go backwards but forward, if we are to be sustainable, as I keep repeating myself nothing changes at branch level and no one is asking branches to do that. I believe its all down to putting the RWFCA "funds" into one pot. I know a lot of RWF Comrades' don't like change, (This my personal opinion, if we don't accept change, then we will wither) As for females attending the Reunion dinner not a problem, we have ex serving female members that attend already. (I am not contradicting my branch members vote on this).

I have now stood down off my soap box

Best Regards
BennytheBall

[mikedonnelly]

I like the majority of people who keep an eye on the goings on of all matters RWF through this forum dont often comment however of one thing I am sure if i was a young lad thinking of joining the RFCA after reading some of the ramblings and sniping going on I wouldnt go within a 100 miles of it, its seems to me as i come up to 36 years service with 4 to go before retirement at 60 that nothing has changed in all that time to me the basic fact is that the vast majority of soldiers and ex soldiers just want to get together with their mates and have a drink when they can and talk about the old times they dont give a damn about who is on what committee or what they talk about.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

I think you are right Mike, what the boys want is to get together have a good drink and talk about the good times. They have managed to do it for many years in our ancestral home of Wrexham without any concerns or worries about the future of their reunion. Recent events have changed things somewhat though, the fact that the Barracks is no longer available for use, losing some accomodation but more importantly the use of the other facilties namely the bar. Even the debacle of the Wynnstay last year caused mayhem and even now is a concern for this coming reunion in September.

I have heard a number of views on what will happen in the future for reunions namely one South the next North but it is still not clear to me if that is to happen or still a future plan. The only way that I can find out anything is if the information is passed down from those who are or at least should be in the loop ie the Branch members/Committees. Unless the information is clear and communicated, all people can do is turn up and hope for the best. In the past that has been enough because it never changed, it was always well orginised and more importantly it worked. With that in mind I believe most soldiers serving or Ex like to be as well informed as is possible. Afterall if you are not interested in what committees say or do, why have them and if you do have them, they cannot be beyond reproach and must answerable to those who elected them.

[mikedonnelly]

Gwyn I agree with every thing you say and as always you put your point over clearly and concisely however I can’t see it getting any better, perhaps we need to make it simpler we are never going to get back into the Barracks and there are very few locations that can accommodate and entertain the numbers we attract for the reunion weekend so why not somewhere like Butlins Minehead it has all the accommodation function rooms and facilities in one location and would be simple to organise. Most of our Mess functions are now outside in hotels because we can no longer pay the TA to come and set up cook and wait on so we go out where it is all done for us. As far as committees are concerned I understand that it can be a thankless job.

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Mike, I think that you are bang on money there mate. What a brilliant idea and although I know the some of the smaller groups are already doing that, I never considered that the main reunion could follow that lead due to the numbers involved. A single site that could accommodate the whole package would be ideal and I'm sure very attractive to many comrades especially some of our number who find it harder to get around. Food for thought, nice one!

[Rog Ball 01]

Mike/Gwyn.

I agree with what you are saying regarding going outside to somewhere, like a Butlins. What is needed is for someone from the Exec to look at this possibility and to report back to the RWFCA. It does not have to be Butlins, it could also be Haven or Pontins, or even in one of the TA Centres that are used by the RWF elements of 3RW.

[bennyball2]

Absolutely brill idea, they have entertainment in the evenings, sure they could accommodate a place for the meal as well, it is quite a cheap weekend as well, it has my vote

[Braz]

Outstanding idea if we can get most Members to agree. As is stated, there's no need to worry about food or entertainment and I'm sure they'd give us a Good Deal. Braz

[BennytheBall]

Mike/Gwyn
Very good idea, but I might be a bit nieve/blinked on this, but I thought Wrexham was the ancesteral home of the RWF, I think that Des Williams and his team are doing an excellent job in keeping the RWFCA Annual Reunion in Wrexham, now that we've lost the resources of Hightown Barracks, a little "glinch" last year with the Wynstay Hotel being closed, but reading on the forum it looks like it will be up and running again for this year's reunion (why try and re-invent the wheel) my opinion only, (don't want to throw the "hand Grenade into the ammo dump" on this one). I believe that this poll was original for the ladies attendance at our Annual Reunion Dinner or was for the sacking of Jungle1810 (its old age you get confused)LOL!

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Benny,
As you will will see from my previous post, I alluded to the point, that the reunion in Wrexham has always been well organised and dependable year on year and it is so very easy to plan for or indeed just arrive on spec and enjoy. That we all recognise and appreciate, is down to the dedication of individuals who perhaps do not get enough credit for their efforts. Unfortunately when something works as well, we do take it for granted. I'm sure nobody would want to see that change at any time.

I think Mike's idea is a very good plan "B" should difficulties arise in the future such as an accommodation shortage and facilities availability, which could come about if there were to be a large increase in numbers attending due to spouses/partners attending for the dinner (unlikely but possible if it was agreed). I totally agree that Wrexham is our ancestal home and so it should remain but the choice of venue perhaps could/should be secondary to the success and continuation of the RWFCA reunion itself - as a plan "B".

Incidentally, that is only my opinion and not a proposition or indeed my "hand grenade" going onto the pile.:winkicon:

[Glyn Hughes 17]

I have followed this thread with much interest and many wise word has been written, however I am a firm believer that the arrangements for the RWFCA annual reunion centred around the Memorial Hall at Wrexham can work and will work, with the support of all comrades, some fin tuning is needed and possibly reintroducing the “Beating Retreat ” would add a military flavour before attending the annual dinner. Wrexham has been the Home of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, since 1877 and please remember the Regiment has its War Memorial’s in Wrexham and its Regimental Chapel in St Giles Church. As RWFCA we need to come home annually to Wrexham.

[Rog Ball 01]

I like what you are saying Glyn. I lived in Wrexham when my Dad was at the RPO, and I used to visit the barracks when on leave. Why is it that we cant use the TA Centre in Hightown Barracks for our annual reunion? Hightown Barracks has always been the home of the Royal Welch, and although the Barracks have been taken over by 101 (TA) Engr Regt, surely something can be sorted that we can use the Barracks for no more than 3 days per year, and as you say Glyn, have a 'Beating of Retreat' before dinner on the Barrack Square. I find it strange that we can't use Hightown Barracks, even though we have part occupancy, but the Royal Welsh can use Derring Lines, even though it is a barracks that is owned by the Infantry Battle School.

[Vic Hughes 53]

Rog,

I am not totally sure what the issue with 101 Bn REME and Hightown is, although I do not think for one moment that it is 101 Bn driven. I can only presume the costing for accommodation and the increased security that would need to be in place pay a small part. TA units do not have the budget to cover these costs and 101 Bn would look at someone to cover this. IBS on the other hand can absorb some of the costs into the normal day to day running of this regular army establishment.

I get where you are comming from with regards to Hightown Bks being the ancestral home for the RWF, unfortunately it is now the home of 101 Bn and they will manage their real estate and resources as they see fit. I know my response is not postive but hopefully gives a plausible reason as to perhaps why the RWFCA could not utilise Hightown Bks.

Regards

Vic 53