ninc teams. Sgt McKee and CoH Stewart compiled the ques-
The WOs’ and NCOS’ Mess
tions and hosted the quiz with great expertise, and the prizes were well earned ! After a very busy ceremonial season WOII (SCM) Lanahan and SCpl (SQMC) Coleman organised a stupendous Summer Ball Which took the Mess out to Battersea Park, the theme being Caribbean and the weather complimented the evening. The planning and the organisation did the two organisers proud and at 2:30 am the Mess returned to Knightsbridge for a Champagne
he perpetual motion that is the Warrant Officers and NCO’s Mess stuttered briefly, to wish everyone a Happy New Year, before continuing the busi— ness of entertaining, dining - out and welcoming all manner of visitors, old and new. On 17th January the New Years Dinner, “State of the Nation” address, reviewed and previewed the events in the regimental calendar and was the Mess’s first formal event, as opposed to the informality of the Single Living in Members (SLIM’s) lunch on
Breakfast.
attended with over 30
the 29th. The Mess’s first visit night out was by a group ofboxing enthusiasts led by RCM Manning, who attended a charity evening at the Duke of York’s in Chelsea. Boxing was not the only activ— ity that required a “weigh in” during the month. On 24th the long awaited “Fat Boys” lunch took place. SCpl Hunter and Vic, our kitchen “Meister”, chose a menu with enough calories and choles— terol to immobilise a small village. The lunch was originally planned for the “Les Miserables” participating in the
sponsored diet which had been running for the previous 6 weeks, but attendance snowballed when many members saw the prospect of a good afternoons enter— tainment. On Saturday 21 March, the organisational ability and know how of the Entertainments Committee, led by SCpl Harris, reached a peak. The Fathers and Sons night saw 90 “Couples” enjoying one of the most successful evenings ever held at Hyde Park Barracks. The
some marvellous prizes and of course the much sought after money tree. On the 17th the Mess “Hung the Brick” and as expected, it was one of , the most successful and overindulgent days of the year. The ; occasion was very well ’
A
The Major General en/oyrng a QUlel moment ln the Mess
evening began with a group photograph, a mammoth task in itself, and was followed by a superb marching dis— play by The Band of the Blues and Roy» als. A fine 8 course meal was washed down with copious amounts of wines and port. With our appetites satisfied, we were further entertained by Colonel P S W F Falkner LG, Commander Household Cavalry whose after dinner speech would rival that of any profes— sional orator. In April The Life Guard Squadron took over as Entertainment’s Committee. A trip to Wimbledon Greyhound Track was the first function on the 15th and included an excellent four course meal and was followed by a feast of rac— ing and lost money!!! CoH Miller is to be congratulated for the work he put into organising the evening. April also
saw a “Bavarian” evening, with traditional menu and Bavarian Steins aplenty! The music and entertainment were provided by a superb OOMPAH Band. The dancing carried on to the early hours. With the busiest weekend of the year upon us, Saturday 9 May saw a very well attended RHG/D Association Dinner, expertly put together by WOII (SCM) Maxwell and the Mess Manager, CoH Halfhide. Cavalry Sunday followed on the 10th and with a warm sunny day was very well attended by many past and present cavalrymen and their fami— lies. Thanks go to SCpl (SQMC) Coles and CoH Heaton for running the bars so smoothly. A WO’s lunch was held on Tuesday 12th to say farewell to RAOWO O’Daly. The Quiz Night on the 13th saw a fiercely fought battle between Eyes left and nght , New Year D/nner 98.
ROM and PMC checkrng the seating plan . New Year D/nner 98
all,. m l m __ 4 ll
The Mess met Summer Camp with a full forecast of events arranged by WOII Pringle the President ofthe Mess Committee and SCpl Coleman President of the Entertainment’s Committee for the duration of camp. Once again the Quiz Night was an excellent brain teaser run by Sgt McKee (REME). The fun games afternoon, with a team from each Squadron and one from the Officers Mess gave full participation. The honours this year went to HQ Squadron. A Greek night organised by SSgt Baxter for the WOs and SNCOs was a resounding success doing much for the china industry. After the annual Officer’s Mess lunch, the Officers threw down the gauntlet for a game of softball only to regret almost immediately their challenge. Our apologies go out to Captain J B Poole. The mess also lunched out the old Adjutant, Capt G W Howson LG. At the beginning of September, The Mess dined out WOI (RCM) R P Manning after his term in the Chair. WOII (RQMC) Atkinson, SCPL (SQMC) Harris and the RHG/D Squadron Entertainments Committee organised an excellent dinner held in the gymnasium followed by drinks and a disco in the Mess. The Mess welcomes the new Regimental Corporal Major W01 V P Maher and hopes he enjoys his term in the
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guests, including Colonel P S W F Falkner LG who very kindly agreed to Hang the Brick. Thanks go to W02 (SCM) Lana- 'B han for organising a very auspicious occa— ‘
J
sion. Finally, we sang i “Auld Lang Sang”, wished each other Commander Household Cavalry many happy returns for toasting the BHCK the season and climbed back on the roller coaster to start what we know will be anoth~ er successful year in the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment WOs and NCOs Mess.
Chair. To record the coming and going of our many and varied guests, a book was commissioned by W01 (RCM) V P Maher RHG/D. It wasn’t long into the month of October when its first signato— ry “booked—in”. This was the Rt Hon Betty Boothroyd MP, the Speaker ofthe House of Commons. She was delighted to be presented with a Sefton print on behalf of the mess by the RCM. WOII (SCM) Hayward, who is commissioned as Officer Commanding HCTW, began phase one of a three phase dining—out operation. This started on 30th October when he was dined out by the entire mess and was followed by a WOs and SCpls lunch on 6th November. The mission was completed on the 11th by Headquarters Squadron and once again we would like to take the opportunity to congratulate him on his completion of 22 years service and on his new career as a commissioned officer. Remembrance Sunday was on 8th November and the Mess hosted the Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association to a buffet and drinks after laying wreaths at both the Cavalry Memorial and the Hyde Park Bombing Memorial.
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SCpl Coles LG organised and stage managed his Sqn lunch on 10th November which The Blues and Royals Sqn mirrored on the 18th, this time steered by CoH Overton. The later was to say “au revoir” to four members ofthe Sqn.
Fax: 01908 371023
www.horseshoes.co.uk December is always a busy time for the Mess. On the Sth the Wives Club Dinner was staffed by the husbands who waited on hand and foot. The Christmas Draw was a roaring success with
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Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment
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