for their hospitality and wine glasses! The main event of the year was the Annual Dinner weekend; we were very honoured to have Maj General Tim and Sulivan CB CBE BSc as our Guest of Honour. The Hotel Celebrity was nearly full on the Friday night of 13th October; just as well we had taken over the complete hotel! The weekend started on Friday evening when we sat down to an a la carte dinner, which was followed by a disco and of course - a raffle. Star turn of the night was Marty Elliott who gave us a rousing Frank Sinatra show and raised £151 for the HCOCF – very well done Marty, and Minnie the Moocher will never be the same again! Saturday was free for shopping in Bournemouth but, as Rear row (L-R): Mr Ray Peck, The Earl of Normanton, Maj Gen Tim Sulivan CB CBE, Alistair Wood LVO MBE opposed to previous years, the Front Row (L-R): Mrs Caroline Wood, Mrs Paula Peck, Mrs Jane Sulivan post-breakfast inter-pier swim Dutymen: Tpr Uatakibav RHG/D and Tpr Lugg LG did attract one taker – well done Susanne Maskell! The January newsletter reminded Our Gentlemen Trumpeters, Messrs, Sid members of the Spring Dinner and Dodson, Bruce Worthy and Steve Hyett The dinner venue had changed this year Dance with the added attraction of Phil announced the dinner to much applause in favour of a more local hotel and so (Sinatra of the Year) Fisk entertaining and satisfaction. Phil Fisk provided a the AGM and Dinner were held at the us in aid of the HCOCF. The Winter superb Elvis impersonation and some Queens Hotel and Spa in Bournemouth, Warmer Draw, (WW12), is now an great singing – and he really looked a mere 100 yards away from the integral part of this event and again the part! £140 was raised by the bucket Celebrity and quite negotiable on hands thanks to the generosity of the hotel’s shake for the HCOCF and all were and knees for the return trip! Saturday we use there was the opportunity to well fed and entertained. As the night evening commenced with the AGM win holiday breaks in Bournemouth was St Patricks Day – a brief but silly and presided over by the President, and support the running costs of the session was enjoyed by all in an Irish Lord Normanton, who welcomed all Annual Dinner at the same time. As style celebration with party poppers, to the meeting and handed over to the with previous year’s the profits from streamers, blow outs and paper hats – Chairman, Ray Peck. This was the five the Winter Warmer Draw, the annual green in colour of course! year turnover of the position of the three Balloon Race and the Annual Draw go to Association officers and as there were no offset the costs of the annual dinner and In May members marched with their nominations, the same bodies continue that allows members to enjoy the event regiments through Hyde Park as part till January 2018! So Peck, Triggs and at a reduced price to the actual costs. of the Combined Cavalry Memorial Triggs continue. Again, photographs Mr Peter and Mrs Allison Hulland were Parade; this preceded the annual act of with the Dutymen were available and it married in January – very best wishes to remembrance at the Hyde Park Bombing was good to see Tpr Lugg LG on parade the happy couple and they have started Memorial in South Carriage Drive – son of member Steve and Cathy their new life together in Portugal. where Mr Barry Woodley again laid the Lugg from Ferndown! ‘Mess Call’ was wreath on behalf of the Association. sounded by the Gentlemen Trumpeters February saw the Vice President George and that set diners off to table. Once Dugdale and his wife, Janet, celebrate Come September the Committee met the top table were welcomed and their 50th Wedding Anniversary and at the Chairman’s house to launch the Grace uttered, and again our very own we extended our congratulations to Annual Balloon Race. This was also the Gentlemen Trumpeters, Messrs Steve them both on this special occasion. Jack annual excuse to test the quality of the Hyett and Bruce Worthy, roused the Clarke MBE (our man in Wiltshire) and proposed wine for the Annual Dinner. appetite with a fanfare ‘Call to Battle’ his wife Jean, celebrates his eightieth The winning balloon was found near to which was, as ever, note perfect and an birthday on the 25th of March this the Ashford in Kent, at a pub car park absolutely splendid performance. year and the young couple have been in Broughton Abbas. The winner of the married sixty years. Well done both! £150 prize was Nigel Browning (call me The President announced the message Ni), from North London – who bought of Loyal Greeting to Her Majesty, and March came in with tidy weather and the ticket ‘from some bloke in Wales!’ read Her Majesty’s gracious reply and 66 members, their ladies and guests – yes – Tony Prynne! The £10 finder’s proposed the Loyal Toast. Being the gathered at the Hotel Celebrity in fee went to Master James Conner of Diamond Jubilee year we celebrated Bournemouth with the Friday night Ashford. Again our sincere thanks to Her Majesty by way of a souvenir ‘Meet n Greet’ dinner and disco. This set Lord Normanton for under-writing the tot glass and a bottle of not half bad the tone for the next night and the main total costs of the event and providing a Port per table! The Chairman then event – the Spring Dinner and Dance. bit of sport; also to Ray and Paula Peck The Top Table for the 31st Annual Dinner and Dance
News from the Associations ■ 107