Reunion issues

[BennytheBall]

"I will be attending the AGM as there is a lot of angry members of the RWFCA who wan to be heard regarding the plans of the RWCA changing the reunion and starting to dictate to branches about how they go on parade. As the secretary of the Welshpool Branch I will be there taking notesto be past on to my members and Major Monty Robinson will be addressing the meeting. Will be in touch" Brian Dando

Hi Brian
As I have never been a member of the RWF Signal Platoon, I think you should have a reunion of sort, as suggested by past platoon members' bi-annual would be good.

I just want to clear up a point on the RWFCA Reunions in Wrexham, I think people are being miss led on this issue that the RWFCA reunions in future will be one in the North one in the South, as an elected member of both executive committee's, this has never been agreed on, the RWFCA is still retaining their own identity and will continue to hold their own Annual reunion in Wrexham every year,until such time as the support doesn't warrant it (as put by some one hence, the " Ball is in our Court" and the RWFCA Reunon is our own destiny wether we want it or not)? The RWRA will hold their own reunion's one in the South, then one in the North in the future years. ( it is only this year that they have "bolted" onto the RWFCA reunion).

I feel that there is a lot of rumours and mislead information going around at this present time about reunions and Regimental Events.

I can assure you that the RWFCA traditions will continue for a many a year, it wont if ex RWF members' continue to be a bit dispondent and angry about it, come let us give our support and carry on with the RWF traditions for years to come.

As I have said before " It's your Association, Support it"

Best Regards
Benny Ball

[ap1]

Hi Benny,

Given your position on the RWFCA Ex Committee, I have moved your post above from the Sigs Reunion thread, so that it can be viewed and responded to separately to the Sigs Platoon business. I have included Brian Dando's comment that initiated your response.

Thanks
Al

[BennytheBall]

Many Thanks Al.
Just replying to Brian's qoute. didn't want it to overcast the thread on the Signals Platoon reunion thread, that wasn't my intention, sorry lads.

BennytheBall

[Gwyn Nicholas]

Thanks for the explanation Ian. It makes things a little clearer for me. It is unfortunate that RWF have lost the use of the Barracks but it has happened. It is the beginning of change for the comrades as we have known it for years and we have to accept it. Whether it is Signals, drums, Band or the upcoming Support company function which has kindly been opened for all Ex-RWF, he lads will continue to meet up. You may have to accept that those who live in the South will now look to staying in the South and maintain their identity as Royal Welch Fusliers rather than join in with the new association idea of North and South alternate which I personally believe (in time) will be a South only affair anyway. (more than happy to be wrong but time alone will tell)

[Brian Robert Dexter Dando]

Hi Benny,

Thanks for your reply to my thread but it is not as simple as you make it out to be I'm afraid. All my members and other branches members think that the RWCA is trying to take over the RWFCA and there is a lot going on in the background that a lot of members do not know about. Major Monty Robinson is a trustee of the RWFCA and he will be speaking at the meeting regarding the things that are going on that are not as they should be. The committee you mentioned is exactly that and they represent all our members and the president/chairman cannot sack members of that committee willy nilly thats not how committee's work any major changes have to go forward to an EGM or the AGM, remember you represent us not yourselfs. We will be going on parade with our own Standard and not buying the new RWCA standard as we were instructed we were to do on the Secretarys meeting. We regard ourselfs as RWFCA not RWCA if members want to join both they are welcome but the only time we become the RWCA is when there is no members of the old regiment left..

Brian

[Bricoates]

Brian

Well said Brian, all Comrades who have the future of The Royal Welch Fusiliers at heart should be encouraged to attend this years AGM at Wrexham, I appriciate and have the upmost respect for Comrades and Families who year on year make the long treck to Wrexham from all corners of Wales, some from Holland and Germany and Dilwyn 15, all the way from Canada, Paul Davies in his wheelchair (By car of course) and many more who have to rush home on Sunday ready for work the following day, you are the true Royal Welch Family and long may it contunue, Let us give our support at the AGM to carry on with the RWF traditions for years to come.

Brian

[BennytheBall]

Hi Both Brians

Many Thanks for your comments on my input to this debate, but really guys in regard to the RWFCA nothing has to change at branch level at all, branches remain as RWFCA abviously with keeping a tie with the Regular/TA Bn's of the Royal Welsh, remember there is still a lot of ex RWF guys serving in all 3 Bn's, so I believe we must not cast them aside and keep them interested in the "Espirit de Corps" of the RWFCA with a view of hopefully they will join our RWFCA branches in years to come, as I said before the RWFCA will only survive if the support is there.

As you may know I am a Branch Secretary and I always make it clear to my branch members that nothing has changed as RWFCA as long as they keep supporting it, otherwise the "branches of the RWFCA tree will wilt and finally die" I personally beleve that coming under the RWRA umbrella (There is no true Royal Welch Fusilier than myself I hope) (I mean under the umbrella only not being fully intergrated into it will keep the RWFCA tree alive)

As for attendance to the AGM and Reunion dinner, it has somewhat dwindled over the years, yes I agree there are alot of RWF ties in Wrexham over the reunion, but can you honestly say how many really support the AGM and the dinner? the true Royal Welchman?

As mentioned before, branch members should not feel dispondent in anyway, as long as they keep supporting their branches and thinking all things RWFCA then the RWFCA will keep on striving.

Just as a matter of interest, our counter parts in other regimental associations are having the same issues.

Long Live the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades' Association!

Please I am not trying to "preach the Gospel", but these are my views alone.

Remember its good to talk?

Best Regards
BennytheBall

PS
As regard to the elected members of the executive committees, we do fight our branches corners and are NOT in it for ourselves.

Also as regard to the RWRA branch standards only 7 branches have elected to have one and I can assure my branch is not one, we will continue to proudly parade with our RWFCA standard.

Remember those great words " Its your Association, Support it"

[ap1]

Some very good posts guys. Benny your post is very valid, because you clearly represent a part of the RWFCA that have accepted the new situation, as a non branch member, its not fair that I comment on branch arrangements. However as an Individual Member of the RWFCA, I would like to highlight some areas pertinent to my membership category.

Benny you rightly highlighted the former RWF now serving in the new regiment(I believe you wore both badges?). Surely they will have close affinity to both associations, so much of this is discussion is academic to them at this stage in their life. This is an issue that clearly strikes at those ex RWF who whilst supporting the guys in the new regiment, possibly feel little affiliation to it. I think that's a fair place to be, bearing in mind the previous 300 odd years of unbroken RWF lineage. Some members of the RWFCA want to retain all of the traditions, dress and accroutements. I for one support that view. I really don't understand why that can't prevail. Or are their worries unfounded and this is due to a lack of communication?

Benny mentioned the Individual Members based around the UK and further a field. I do wonder about all of those 1000's of Ex RWF who have never been part of any branch(like myself). Would this now not be the time to re-look at the Individual Membership category. Offer them paid membership of the RWFCA via the Internet. Potential members could sign up and pay via a website(certainly the RWF Forum could do this). The on-line membership would receive an emailed newsletter every quarter. Paid membership would cover admin costs and go towards the funds of the RWFCA. Those members would be drawn firmly into the RWFCA, enjoying the same espirit as the branches. Online members could also chose affiliation to a branch if they so wished.

Eventually the branches will reduce down, but that doesn't mean to say the RWFCA needs to finish within our generation. If the nettle was grasped firmly by the current RWFCA membership and its committee, they could modernise, strengthen their membership, increase their revenue stream and move forward positively. This could potentially make a massive difference, you only need to look at the ex RWF guys we pull in every week into this site to know this could work. Additionally Facebook is swimming with former members of the regiment, who would probably appreciate having a stake in their old regiment via the RWFCA. It would clearly send out a polite message to onlookers that the association is still open for business.

Certainly the RWF Forum could assist the RWFCA in the practicalities of setting up a an on-line membership point and payment portal.

As an Individual Member, mainly living outside of the UK, I would appreciate the opportunity to make a small financial contribution to the RWFCA every year and to be made to feel a valued part of the association.

Just a thought.

[jungle1810]

Hello Al,
As a like minded RWFCA fan, I will try and expedite the matter of upgrading the RWFCA to become more I T.friendly with both Bob and your help, and your idea of a news letter is most commendable.The news letter could let all the RWFCA branches know of the events we attend. two of these are as follow, Swansea branch have been going to the continent for some 18 years,I do not think these trips are widely known to take place. And on most of these trips Swansea have managed to incorporate Swansea, Bridgend, Carmarthen, Wrexham and London branch members.And we are going again this year in October. We usually visit the Menin Gate and are always to be seen laying wreaths on the Evrecy monument to the 1st battalion who fought in and around Caen, with a great loss of life. The other trip was a fantastic trip to Jamaica in February 1993 when some 58 former comrades and their wives held a memorial service in the Jamaican Defence Force garrison church to remember the loss of young lives lost in the air trooper accident in February 1953, when all aboard were lost with out a trace off Newfoundland. I have also placed on this years agenda to see if a feasibility study can be arranged for a memorial plaque to be placed in Saint Giles church as this accident is not widely known about and I feel a plaque in our RWF church is a must. We also managed to have some relaxation on various trips Dun's River Falls and many others. Let us all remember "United we stand divided we fall" Of course the south Wales branches are always hosting several branches on social evenings. In conclusion we will have the help of Bob Bacon and Al Poole plus the wonderful vehicle of the forum to generate more interest in the advancement of the branches and the RWFCA in general.I am writing a book on the RWF and book 3 incorporates the visit to Jamaica with a proliferation of photos both black and coloured.
Regards RBD aka jungle1810

[BennytheBall]

Hi AlSome very good salient points there on membership of the RWFCA. I Feel Des Williams DCM should be contacted over this and it then can be brought up on the AGM in September.All what I was trying to say is I for one is very angry of some of the negativeness of some of the Branches of the RWFCA, ( I think,that they think the RWFCA is being "sold down the lin?" and its not as long as the support and positive attitude is taken).I'll now get of my "soap Box" and leave other people cast their opinions/views, I am for one a big supporter of the RWFCA and have attended many reunions.Once again Al thank you for your comments.Best RegardsBennytheBall