Comrades Association

[Smokeyjoe]

Well done Clive not many people would travell that far, I have been a member of the Colwyn Bay Branch since 1981 and this topic rears its head every so often and in general no real answer has emerged to this proplem of recruiting for want of a better word.
Well done to Paul and his Bargoed & Blackwood Branch members who may have hit on something, maybe it needs some young blood to enliven the Association, the old and bold can sometimes hinder progress and tend to live too much in the past, they dont mean to I might add and I am possibly too set in some of my ways and need a kick up the Khyper Pass.
Regards to all,
Joe.

[DP43]

Just to add another dimension to this discussion, in this age of 'globalisation' there is a whole community of Royal Welshmen who either live overseas or work overseas. Berlin, Canada, France, Iraq, etc. Take alook at Facebook and see how many friends are ex or serving Royal Welch.

Maybe its time to have a virtual Commrades Branch where we can log on and web cam with each other. I see no reason why at the annual reunion there can't be a web cam or some other interactive system where the rest of the world's commrades can join the events in Wrexham.

Talk about change is all well and good but actions speak louder than words. Lets get something done to include ALL Commrades, the life blood of any organisation is it's youth. Diversity ensures that we don't die on the vine, if an inititive fails, try another one.

Run a raffle to fly an injured Commrade and his family to a Comramrade oversea's who will put them up for a while or show them around, or just recommend a placewhere they can have some peace and quiet.

When Wales play overseas and Commrades are travelling to support, facilitate a meeting.

I''m sure there are many idea's out there, why not convert ideas in to reality?

Dave

[Thom15]

Well done Clive, a great "Thread" and some excellent input. I too am an individual member and proud to be so. Down the road I hope to attend a reunion but until that time I like some of Dave43's ideas, webcam set up at the Wrexham function etc. etc. It's discussions like this that get things done. Long live the RWFCA.
Dilwyn

[Braz]

We have an ex RWF Member who travels down to the monthly Meetings of the Denbigh Branch and home again the same night from LEEDS. Gerry also posts Condolonces for the Denbigh Branch when there are Bereavements on Site. That's what I call dedicated. Braz

[jungle1810]

Hello All,
I have just come home from an executive meeting, we are holding the combined branches meeting this week. I will put forward the idea of a web cam in Wrexham to the Chairman etcetera. A good idea many thanks.
Regards RBD

[Lyn 61]

Re-Clive Rees Visit Mt-Ash Branch

On behalf of the Branch we would like to thank you for visiting the branch last month of march after travelling some distance.
As you observed we are only a small branch that as been for some time but we did pick up a little and i think that goes for all branch of the RWLCAssoc
trying to get new members as been trying to get water out a stone we have
advertised in the local paper but the reponce as been nil i think a lot to do
with joining is work and other activities. We do try to visit other branches
to pick up ideas how they work and we do put them to use but we have only
gained a few members but on behalf of the we would like thank you for putting the branch on the map and putting your views foreward to try to keep
the name of the (ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS COMRADES Assoc)going.

yours sincerly Lyn 61 Mountain Ash Branch

[keith Jones 14]

Well done Clive always a Royal Welch Man.

Caernarfon branch have 40 members with about 20 members attending (10 members being Ex 1st Battalion the rest Ex TA) our monthly meeting held at the Ex Service Club 1st Wednesday of every month commencing at 1945. The dress for the evening is casual with the bar open as usual.

Last November members visited Ypres (photos to be updated soon) which was organised by myself with invatations to other branches to join us to fill the coach etc this was nil return infact branches did not even reply to our invertation.

22 members attended our Christmas function at a local hotel.

40 attended our St David's Day Ball with the cadet corps of drums involved with the leek eating (phots to be updated soon).

Around 10 members attend the reunion at Wrexham. What annoys me is the attendance on the church parade on the sunday 80% of those who attend the reunion are watching the parade from pubs and the side of the road instead of getting on parade.

My plans as branch Secretary for August next year is I am arrainging a 3 day trip to visit the Edinburugh Tatoo.

As to new members the Battalion should inform RHQ Wrexham who is leaving the battalion, they in turn inform branch Secretaries who get in touch with the individuals.

[Bricoates]

I remember the time in Caernarfon we had about a hundred members, mostly Ex WW2,TA.s and National Service members, Sadly most have died, not to be replaced, Each week we advertise in the local paper for members. There is no excuse for having to get up for work the day after the meeting which lasts about Two hours, some have cars and dont drink, others like myself look forward to having a natter and a few pints, we save the "real" drinking for our Social nights, i.e. St Davids Day, I can tell you that when there's a Premier league match on Sky (Man.U., Liverpool etc.) in mid-week down the local a lot of drinking takes place and no one seems to worry about getting up the next day. Its the same at the Ex-Service and the British Legion clubs
closing down through lack of support, I,m affraid it the "day and age" syndrome, good on you Clive.

Brian