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The pictures above (17) are courtesy of Paul Budge.
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June 2018 Germany reunion
Our June reunion in Germany has now taken place (5/6/7 June) and a fine event it was. A full report will feature in a future newsletter. Meanwhile, your web-master counted approximately 70 ex BFES/SCEA/SCE and SCE teachers enjoying sunshine and a packed programme based in Gutersloh. The day-time programme began with presentations on life in the army from officers and gunners of 26 Reg Royal Artillery, which has been based on Mansergh Barracks for many years. We were then privileged to be allowed to examine the AS90 heavy guns before enjoying a school lunch at Kings. Over the two days, smaller groups also visited the primary schools at Haig and Bielefeld, the first schools in Paderborn (Bishopspark and Attenborough) and John Buchan Middle School. Our association chairman - Ken Jones OBE - provided much of the drive, enthusiasm and 'joining up' for this event and it simply would not have taken place without his efforts. Members expressed their appreciation to Ken and Brenda (Mrs Jones) at the end of the Mansergh Mess Dinner, Ken in turn thanked the many others in Germany who enabled us to immerse ourselves in military life again and German civilian hospitality. A particular late bonus was a reception on the Thursday evening hosted by Gutersloh's mayor. You can enjoy Ken's 'report' a little further down, just after the link below .... which takes you to a photograph of the group that remained for the Civic Reception: https://www.guetsel.de/content/guetersloh/17898/erinnerungsreise-in-die-alte-heimat.html |
Reunion Visit to Gutersloh by retired Service School teachers 5th to 7th June 2018 - by Ken Jones, OBE
With the imminent drawdown of the Army from Germany and the closure of the remaining 6 Service Schools in 2019, a total of 70 former teachers and Headteachers decided to undertake a reunion visit to Gutersloh so as to enjoy a trip down memory lane. The group contained individuals whose careers ranged from the 1960’s through to 2016 with one celebrating his 96th birthday during the course of the visit.
Working in Services schools in Germany gave all teachers a truly unique experience compared with working in the UK. A very special part of this experience was the close association with the Army and in a few cases with the RAF. Not only that, but the experience of living in a German community also created yet a further dimension to our lives.
For these reasons, as part of this reunion all participants were very keen to include a link up with the Army during the course of the visit. To achieve this the CO of 26 Regiment Royal Artillery, based in Mansergh Barracks was approached in early July 2017 to seek their agreement to host both a visit to the regiment and a Dinner Night in the Officers’ Mess. Agreement was readily forthcoming from the then CO, Lt Colonel Karl Harris, now Colonel Harris, and his successor as CO Lt Colonel Kieran Sheldon readily honoured this agreement.
The outcome of this agreement led to the whole group being given an opportunity to make a morning visit to the regiment on Wednesday 6th June and concluding the day with a magnificent Dinner Night in the Officers’ Mess.
The morning visit commenced with us being greeted by Lt Jack Reed who had been designated as the Hosting Officer, what might be viewed as drawing the short straw!! He was joined by Capt Yuldasheva and both gave us an excellent background presentation which included an historical background to the regiment, its changing role and an outline of their careers up to that point. These presentations highlighted the remarkable variety of experience the Army gives their young officers very early on.
Following a coffee break we were given a guided tour of the regiment with interesting presentations by different soldiers both about their careers and why they chose to join the Army. We were also given an insight into the different pieces of equipment and allowed to climb inside the large AS90 gun carriers. The manner in which the levels of physical fitness of all serving personnel is measured was also somewhat sobering given the average age of all of us in the group.
This visit made us realise that the level of dedication expected of all serving personnel is very high, still involving many months of separation from their families.
The Dinner Night in the Officers’ Mess, with which we finished this day, was simply magnificent and we were delighted to be joined by Lt Colonel Sheldon and his wife Naomi as well as by Capt Yuldasheva and Lt Jack Reed all as our guests. The dining room looked superb with the tables adorned with regimental silver and the dinner which was served was outstanding. It was an occasion which brought back so many memories for all of us and made us realise what we now miss having returned to our lives back in the UK. We also realised there would never be another opportunity to have such a truly memorable dining experience. The Mess Manager Mr Robert Campbell could not have done more to ensure that it was so fantastic an evening. For the 96 year old it meant he had perhaps his best ever birthday party!
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Past Reunions
2017's AGM, reunion and lunch, took place in the magnificent surroundings of The Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, on 14th October.
Re-unions have been held in the RAF Club, House of Commons and the House of Lords, as well as various hotels and clubs both in the North and South of the country. Some of the more recent re-unions are:-
Annual Reunion, East India Club, London, October 2013;
Oake Manor Reunion and AGM, Somerset. Saturday 23rd March 2013, 2014 & 2015
Christ College, Cambridge April 2014 & 2015
Ilminster Re-union March 2014 & March 2015
Curry Lunch held at the Gurkha Museum, Peninsular Barracks, Winchester
Reunion luncheon at Beachlands Hotel, Weston-Super-Mare, May 2016
Please let the Association know of any other re-unions taking place around the country.
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Christ’s College Cambridge
Saturday April 11th 2015
For the past two years we have decided to hold our East Anglia event at the University of Cambridge. Christ’s College provided an historic environment with a suitably iconic dining room named after Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Last year was in effect a trial run and we were only able to accommodate 21 people, but ended up with a waiting list. This year, Saturday April 11th 2015, we will held the Lunch again, but in a larger room.
Some members were also able to stay at the College and enjoy a Refectory breakfast!!!
Delicious food, good company and superb weather combined to make this a truly memorable occasion.
Cambridge has a wealth of historic buildings, many belonging to Colleges of the University, many of which can be seen as you take a punt up the River Cam. Even a weekend is hardly enough time to enjoy all its pleasures.
Saturday April 11th 2015
For the past two years we have decided to hold our East Anglia event at the University of Cambridge. Christ’s College provided an historic environment with a suitably iconic dining room named after Earl Mountbatten of Burma. Last year was in effect a trial run and we were only able to accommodate 21 people, but ended up with a waiting list. This year, Saturday April 11th 2015, we will held the Lunch again, but in a larger room.
Some members were also able to stay at the College and enjoy a Refectory breakfast!!!
Delicious food, good company and superb weather combined to make this a truly memorable occasion.
Cambridge has a wealth of historic buildings, many belonging to Colleges of the University, many of which can be seen as you take a punt up the River Cam. Even a weekend is hardly enough time to enjoy all its pleasures.
Photographs from 2015 Luncheon at Christ's College. Centre picture - David Hopkins, Peter & Rosemary Segebarth
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Guests at the Association's Reunion Luncheon, Christ's College, Cambridge, April 2015.
More photographs added to our Gallery pages.
More photographs added to our Gallery pages.
Janet & John Allison, Peter Williams and John Ireland
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Anne Payne, Brian & Marilyn Trust, James & Nolan Clamp
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