So, with the President — Lord Norman— ton, accompanied by Miss Rosalind Nott and the Chairman Mr Ray Peck accompanied by Mrs Paula Peck, a top table of twenty-two persons prepared to celebrate and dine and we thank them all for attending.
The photographer returned with the photos taken earlier, all developed and mounted so members could retrieve them before they left the hotel. Come midnight and the majority of the top table had left to return with the Present by coach to his house. Meanwhile the Committee in the form ofTrevor Collett, Bill Stephenson and Fred Kemp were
Apologies in absence from the founding President - Maj Gen Lord Michael Fitzalan—Howard CVO, CB, CBE, MC, DL and Lady Fitzalan—Howard and Maj Gen Sir Roy Redgrave KBE, MC and Lady Redgrave, Maj Gen Sir Desmond Langley KCVO, MBE, and Lady Lang—
ley, Col Simon Faulkner OBE and Mrs Faulkner, Col Hamon Massey and Mrs Massey and Col James Hamilton-Russell
MBE and Mrs Hamilton—Russell. While diners awaited the call to dinner, there was the opportunity to be pho— tographed with two Dutymen, Troopers Gorman and Ellis from HCMR, both looking superb and in good order — just the part ofa mounted Household Cavalryman! Come 7:20pm and the Gentlemen Trum»
peters, our very own four trumpeters, sounded off warning for dinner and din— ers moved from the ground floor level down thirty—two steps into the Ambassa— dor Suite ready to proceed into dinner. While diners descended, the top table guests were being marshalled by Brian Murray, Committee member, and Ray Peck, into photographic position for the now obligatory top table photograph. The Gentlemen Trumpeters then sounded dinner call and diners made their way to table and seated themselves. The Sec— retary then read the Rules of Engagement as to the conduct of the dinner and the overall evening activities for information and to fill the time while the photogra— phy took place. Meanwhile the Pipe Major Dixie Ingram, of The Band of the Scots Guards Association, puffed up his bagpipes ready for the now traditional procession of the top table guests into dinner. Being a special year, the Associa— tion Banner was dismounted and readied
for parade by Committee member Dudley Feltham. Come the moment, the Pipe Major, followed by the Dutymen and then the Banner were lead in to dinner by the President. The diners responded to the skirl of pipes and the slow handclap as the procession advanced. All were assembled at table and a sharp but poignant reminder of our good fortune was expressed through Grace by Lt Col (Retd.) Mick Harding. All diners
seated themselves and the attention was drawn to the break in etiquette and the
introduction to the Gentlemen Trumpeters. On all other Annual Dinners we
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News from the Associations
still at it — this time selling raffle tickets
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1,2...
The Top Table Back Row (L to R): Capt (Herd) George Fox. Co/ Paddy Tabor MVO, Ma] Gen Sir Simon Cooper GCVO. Brig Andrew Parker—Boyv/es OBE. Co/ Jeremy SIn/{h-B/ngnaln. Lord Norma/tron, Maj (Herd) Paddy Hart/gen, Mr Ray Peck. Br/g Toby Browne LVO. Lt Co/ (Held) Shamus O/rvier, Lt Gen S/r R/cnard VICKSTS KCB LVO OBE Lt Col (Reid) Den/s Da/y. Front Row (L to R): Mrs Gran/a Tabor. Lady Jul/er Cooper, Mrs Va/er/e Fox, Mrss Rosa/Ind Nott,
Mrs Pat/la Peck. Mrs Serena Browne, Mrs Prr'scr/(a Srnr'tneB/‘ngnam. Mrs Sa//yeAnne Olly/er, Lady Gare Vickers, Mrs Caro/me Da/y have enjoyed our Gentlemen Trum~ peters play but many people had only heard them or not seen them perform. So, being the 25th dinner, and — as you know, when you are 25 you could do anything, the Gentlemen Trumpeters sounded a Call to Battle fanfare that all in the room could see and focus upon. What a splendid spectacle ~ our own men, in white dinner jackets, gloves, and trumpets with our banners thereon, blow the most fantastic of calls. All, including the staff, very well received this display of real musical excellence!
cluded by proposing a toast to The Household Cavalry and diners replied with gusto. Lord Normanton then me sented Col Tabor with an Association plaque and Mrs Tabor with a bouquet of flowers. A slight Hamlet cigar moment while the Committee members gathered around the top table then the Chairman rose and thanked the staffand Committee for all their hard work not just on the weekend and night but in the planning ofthe event over the years. He then announced that each previous guest speaker on the top table would receive a framed Association badge to mark the occasion as a token of our thanks and the Committee then presented them en mass much to the guests surprise.
Then it was to the business of the day 7 the tasty hot vegetable soup and crou» tons, pan- fried escallops of pork in a cranberry and thyme sauce followed by a good lemon torte. Cheese and coffee and of course all washed down with the Committee chosen wines, the Cuvee De Richard red and white wines and port. While dinner was progressing there was again the sound ofpipes and with drums as The Band of the Scots Guards Associ— ation marched on to the middle of the dance floor and proceeded to provide the spectacle of piped music and marching. A truly hair on the neck raising event and achieving all that the Committee had hoped for — a memorable show within the dinner itself. All too quickly it was March Off after a ‘wee dram Pipe Major’ and the presentation of an Association plaque.
cate ofthanks and appreciation from the
Time to charge the port glass as the Chairman introduced the President who read the letter of Loyal Greeting to Her Majesty The Queen and Her Majesty’s reply e then the Loyal Toast. Chairman then introduced Col Tabor who then enthralled all with where we were, what we had been doing and the way ahead — all for the Household Cavalry. He con—
Association for all their hard work and musical excellence over the last five years. The members are Bruce Worthy, George Hayne, Lez Bullock and Sid Dodson. Dressed in their white dinner jackets and regimental bow ties and handkerchiefs, they really did look the business and reminded diners of just how lucky we are to have these gentle— men with us.
Also a specific presentation was made to George Dugdale as the founding Chairman and also to Chris Birkett, the Gener~ a1 Manager of the Savoy Hotel, for all his assistance over the last 11 years. Chris was accompanied by his wife Margaret and Ray wished them, from all members of the Association, good luck with their pending French venture next year. The Committee felt that the Gentlemen Trumpeters should be ‘named and identified’ so they were asked to attend to top table and each received a framed certifi-
The Trumpeters. (L to R), Bruce Worthy George Hayne, Lez Bullock and Sid Dodson. Presentations nearly at an end, the President was kind enough to present Barry Idle with the £150 prize as the Balloon Race winner of 2006 and this was received to much applause as Barry was the Association Secretary for many
for the Association sponsored charity in 2006 — East Holton Driving Centre at Holton Lee. Thanks go to Trevor Col— lett, Bill Steel who donated some truly superb prizes - and an anonymous but smashing box of chocolates!! Eleven prizes in all went through the raffle and the total take on the evening netted £1300 — a great effort from all the diners, thank you.
Finally, the Chairman rose and announced the Association’s thanks to our President and asked that he receive from all members the centrepiece of the dinner table, a cuirasse and two swords. Lord Normanton was visibly surprised and was kind enough to reply which was very well received by all present.
As midnight came — so did two hundred balloons tumble down; the hotel had strung up in a net for us red white and blue balloons and table ten seemed to vanish under the latex invasion for a moment! Balloons, streamers and party poppers, it really was a good party with Disco Andy playing the right music all the way through and having diners on the floor. Around the room there was space to move and talk and for those needing somewhere quieter there was always the sea front!
At last the dinner was over and the Committee dispersed across the room, hearing bags of party poppers, noisemakers and blowouts to get the dance party on the road so to speak. The curtains on the stage opened and the ITIS Disco Road Show kicked off the music. Members liked what they heard and soon the dance floor was covered by couples dancing, streamers and torpedo balloons!
All too quickly it was lam and carriages in the form of the double—decker buses arrived to ferry diners back to the Savoy Hotel. Back at the Savoy, the bar had opened at 11:30 pm to cater for those returning earlier on the shuttle buses and trade was brisk as the main body of people returned. Chef had kindly pro— vided trays of sandwiches and this was most welcomed by all returning rev—
years.
ellers. All danced out but still lively conversation throughout the bar and Imperial Ballroom of the Savoy as peo— ple dribbled their way to bed and at 4:10am the Secretary and Treasurer closed the bar and by Sam, not a peep could be heard in West Hill Road, Bournemouth. So, did it work to Committee’s plan? Yes! But most importantly — did members enjoy themselves and celebrate a silver anniversary — well, it certainly looked like it! The following weekend saw members assemble at the Tank Museum at Bovington for the Service of Remembrance, always a moment to remember fallen comrades and count our blessings. Rounding off the year, members gathered again at the Savoy Hotel for the Christmas Lunch and the 25th Anniver« sary Draw. Lunch was suitably lunched and George Dugdale was invited to draw the third prize ticket resulting in John (Albert) Finnie winning £150. The second prize of £250 was drawn by Mrs Rachael Barlow and the grandson of member Mrs Silva Gooch was the lucky winner. Come the moment, and the first prize of £350, always useful but even more so just prior to Christmas. Bruce Worthy was asked to execute the draw and he drew a ticket purchased by mem— ber Bill Gladman. All winners were telephone, and cheques posted. And so the 25th anniversary year came to a close with a strong membership, vigorous and willing to associate and enjoy each other’s company while remembering on occasion those not with us now and the disadvantaged. And we’re all getting ready for the 50th anniversary now!
Blues and Royals Band Association - Update 2007
ith the Association still in its infancy, we enjoyed our second autumn function in the WOs’ and NCO’s Mess at Knightsbridge in Septem— ber. Some new faces from the past appeared, and numbers continue to grow as the word of the newly formed Association spreads. April 28th 2007 will see the realisation of our third annual event at the Apollo Hotel in Basingstoke where any new members will be very welcome to come along and join us.
Please Contact CoH Kent at The Band of The Blues and Royals for further details. Contact Tel No: 020 7414 2525
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