 Sandhurst Foundation Newsletter
|
||||||
|
||||||
Well here we are already into Week 3 and the Juniors are out on Barossa on Ex VIRGIN SOLDIER - and as it is pouring with rain here I am sure they are having a real baptism of fire! The Regimental Selection Boards are also taking place where the Regiments and Corps decide on which OCdts they would like to have within their officer band when commissioned. The majority of OCdts will be interviewed by two boards and then wait nervously to see who they have acceptances from. On the shorter courses, the Late Entry Officers Course are into their third week of a four week course and there is also a TA commissioning course in - so a busy part of the term. I actually present to all the short courses as well as the main commissioning course on the Foundation and find in particular that we have a very good uptake from the TA.
Don't forget that Lord Hurd will be coming to speak to us on Tues 18 Nov - he will be speaking on 'Politicians and Defence Spending' - he is a fantastic speaker and is sure to give us a real insight into the Government. There are only 20 seats left so please book in ASAP. For those who have booked in and not yet paid - please have your cheques with us by 31 October.
For those of you who didn't manage to make Music on Fire this year - it was an incredible event. The fireworks and music against the backdrop of Old College made for a memorable evening - and of course we were so lucky with the weather.
|
Old College lit up at Music on Fire |
Leadership Encounter Evening and AGM - Tues 18 Nov
We are delighted that Lord Douglas Hurd is coming to talk to us about 'Politicians and Defence Spending' on Tues 18 November. Only 90 are able to attend this event so please book up early - 70 seats have already gone!. The evening will start with reception drinks and canapes in the Indian Army Memorial Room at 1800. This will be followed with the talk in the Model Room at 1845. After the lecture a sit down three course meal will be served in the Indian Army Memorial Room with wine. The cost of the evening will be £40 per head (payment will be asked for prior to the event) All members and their guests are very welcome - please book early to avoid disappointment. Please click >>here to sign up and click >>here to read about Lord Hurd.
The Foundation AGM will also take place on this day starting at 1700hrs - please do try and attend - your views and ideas are always most welcome. If you have already signed up for the talk please can you let us know if you will be attending the AGM - so we can order the right amount of tea and coffee!!
Leadership Encounter Evening - Wed 10 Sep
Another amazing talk by David Williams on the Crimean War - his ability to do an hour's talk with no notes and not one 'um' or 'er' is astounding!! I only wish he had been my history teacher - I might have remembered more!
....'thank you for a marvellous and highly productive evening, and thank you also for allowing me to bring along a few of my pupils. The evening was perfect and David gave the pupils everything they needed as well as improving our understanding and knowledge' - Major Giles Watson, Head of History Bearwood College
...'This was an excellent talk ' - Derek Sibley
Commissioning Course (CC) Speakers for Winter Term
Please click >>here to see the Winter Term list of CC Speakers
If you would like to attend any of the Speaker nights please email Jules on jules.mccoll@sandhurstfoundation.org. All Speaker nights start at 1815hrs and are held in Churchill Hall. You are welcome to bring along family or friends but please ensure that we have all the details of those attending and they bring photographic ID with them.
Tim Hearne - makes it to RMAS - please click >>here to read a wonderful article sent to us by a member published in the Suffolk Free Press.
EVENTS AT RMAS
Commandant's Parade
The Commandant's Parade will take place on Wed 10 December starting at 1045 and finishing at 1230hrs. If you and your guests would like to attend please click >>here. Please note several layers and a thick coat are a requirement!!
Academy Choir Christmas Concert - Sat 14 December
All our members and their guests are very welcome to attend the Academy Choir Christmas concert on Sat 14 December. The concert starts at 1900hrs. If you would like to attend please click >>here. There is no charge.
EVENTS
Pegasus Bridge Show! - Thurs 20 November
The Pegasus Bridge Show! is a theatrical production specially written and narrated by Michael Bawtree for Project 65. He tells the story of the daring coup-de-main operation, when a small party of men of the 6th British Airborne Division, led by Major John Howard, crash-landed into France in their gliders and seized the famous Pegasus and Horsa bridges in Normandy, in the opening minutes of D-Day, which occurred on 6th June 1944.
Come and see the show on Thursday 20 November at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Michael Bawtree, an early collaborator and school friend of the legendary Peter Cook, lives in Canada where he is a celebrated playwright, director, educator, actor, TV host and producer. Michael served in The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry whose soldiers captured these first objectives in June 1944. Drawing on regimental histories and war records, his entertaining production benefits from his personal knowledge of those who were involved in the operation, as he brings the story alive with words, images and music.
Project 65 aims to raise a total of £500,000 to mark the 65th anniversary of D-Day which falls next year. Part of this sum will be used to erect a memorial in Normandy bearing the name of every man in the coup-de-main force. The greater part of the money raised however, will be divided equally between the following major charities to help them continue their work in support of the disabled men and women who have served in today's Armed Forces
The Royal British Legion, Army Benevolent Fund, RAF Benevolent Fund, BLESMA, St Dunstan's and Help for Heroes.
For full details of venues and ticket prices go to: www.Seetickets.com
For those of you who have already ordered tickets - you will need to go onto the above website to order your tickets - I will email out to all those who have put their names down as a reminder.
If you cannot attend but would still like to make a donation please send cheques to the Foundation made payable to 'Project 65' which a note that you are happy that your donation is treated as Gift Aid.
Project 65 is a registered charity No: 1123149
The Battle of Rorke's Drift
Richard Anderson is organizing a talk by Rob Caskie at Reading University on Saturday 11 October on the Battle of Rorke’s Drift. [The film Zulu] He has always had a passion for the Zulu wars and two years ago the greatest speaker , David Rattray, did them the honor of giving the lecture on the Battle of Isandhlwana. He promised to return and finish the story with the battle of Rorke’s Drift but was tragically murdered at his ranch in South Africa just a few months later.
David’s wife Nicky, has been amazing throughout all of this and has agreed that the senior guide at the ranch should come and finish the story. Richard has heard Rob speak and he has picked up many of David’s mannerisms. He is very good and will give a great performance.
If you go to www.rattraymemoriallecture.org.uk you will find a booking form and how to pay. If you post this to Richard he will return your tickets. They have 400 seats to fill and have currently sold 200 so far. They hope to have a sell out so do not delay!
The doors open at 1900 for a glass of wine and some canapés and the talk starts at 2000. So get down to Reading University for a great night on the 11 October . They are supporting two very good charities on the night so your bit really does help.
Richard is looking forward to seeing you on the night and has asked you to bring some friends! If there is any information you cannot find on the web site please call Richard Anderson on 01189 303943.
West Point to Boston 'Remembrance March'
Major Stephen Cain MBE, the honorary Vice Chairman of the British Army Benevolent Fund America(BABFA) in the New York area, will commence a march on 3rd October from USMA West Point to Boston. The March will be conducted on subsequent weekends with three aims:
1. Raise national awareness of BABFA within USA
2. Raise funds for BABFA within the USA by sponsorship of The March
3. To stress the traditional and unbreakable special relationship between US and UK forces, beginning over a century ago, and currently tested in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Stephen is a retired officer in the British Army having served in the Royal Fusiliers and the Parachute Brigade. He has lived in the US, with his American wife Donna, since 1990s. He loves America and the UK(where his children and grandchildren live) and is fiercely proud of the special relationship between the two.
If you would like to read more about this event and /or sponsor Stephen please click on the following link: http://www.babfa.org/wp_march.html
Help for Heroes Mountain Marathon
James Berry, one of our members, has asked that we publicise an event that his friend Lee will be undertaking which is two back-to-back mountain marathons to support Help for Heroes. Lee has just swum Loch Ness to raise money for the same charity and would love to have your support. Help for Heroes is a charity close to James's heart having been injured himself in Sangin in 2006. If you would like to help please click >>here.
Corunna 200th Anniversary
In Janurary 2009 the Spanish Government and the city of Corunna, in association with the British Embassy and MOD are organising a commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the battle of Corunna 16th January 1809. The commemoration will be marked by events between the 14th January and the 16th January.
As part of this event Chris Shaw is leading a group of civilians and serving soldiers on a 300 mile sponsored walk retracing Sir John Moores retreat from Sahagun to Corunna. The civilians are re-enactors from the 95th Rifles www.95thrifles.com and will be wearing period uniform, whilst the soldiers from The Rifles will be in modern combat clothing.
Numerous groups are looking to attend this event and support this walk and Chris's group are acting as co-ordinators for those who arrive in Corunna and want to attend the various events.
For mor information please contact:
Chris Shaw, Chairman, Shorncliffe Redoubt Preservation Society
ADVERTS
UK Brewery Commissions 'Red Rat' Beer
A Suffolk based brewery called the 'Red Rat Craft Brewery' owned by an ex Royal Anglian Soldier and also Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet, have recently created a special beer for the soldiers of 7th Armoured Brigade (the famous Desert Rats). The brewery are running a campaign called 'Beer for the Boys' to let the public know that they can go on to the website(www.redratcraftbrewery.co.uk) or telephone (+44 ( 0 )1359 269742) the brewery to buy bottles of beer for soldiers in the Brigade in order to thank them for all their hard work on operations this year. A donation of 50p from every bottle sold will be donated to a charity of the Brigade Commander's choice. Supporters of the campaign can also include a short message of thanks which will be printed on the back of the bottle. The beer will be delivered to the units in Fallingbostel, Hohne and Celle ready for the soldiers' home coming celebrations from Iraq and Afghanistan later this year.
David Owen - Charity Parachute Jump
David Owen, one of our members, will be making a charity parachute jump, on or around the 7 October, to raise money for buying a house near Selly Oak Hospital which has a dedicated military ward - please click on the following link to read more about his jump and to sponsor him
https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/davidsparajump
Military Pocket Diary
Ready to buy some early Christmas presents? By invitation only we have been asked if our members would like to purchase the 2009 Military Pocket Diary. This is a high quality Mlilitary interest pocket Diary printed and bound for Howman Books by Charles Letts Ltd. It features daily battles and historical events, Great Military Leader Sketches, Classic Weapons, Military quotations, War Poetry and Poets, Defence Expenditure plus much more. It is in a 'week to view' Diary format. We sold the 2008 diary and it proved to be very popular. Perfect for anyone with an interest in Military Affairs. We have managed to negotiate a preferential deal for our members for £8.50 (last year they were £9.95) this includes p&p. If you would like to purchase a diary please click >>here to order. If you would like to order more than one simply add your name as many times as you need to.
Address Book - Howman Books have now offered us another great deal - if you wish to purchase a matching Address Book with your diary - the address book will be only £4.00. Please let Sam know on sambossi@sandhurstfoundation.org
Territorials - A Century of Service by Ian Beckett
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the TA. To mark the event a detailed historical account of the organisation's role, both past and present, has been published as a tribute to the thousands of men and women who have served in its ranks.
Written by renowned military historian Prof Ian Bekcett, Territorials is packed with hundreds of photographs and other illustrations, and is full of facts and figures about the organisation, its people and their achievements.
RRP £30 - available to serving TA personnel , veterans and cadets at £25 including P&P from DRA Publishing , 14 Mary Seacole Road, Plymouth, PL1 3JY(cheques payable to DRA Books). For credit card payments tel: 01752 312061
Reunions
The following Reunions have now been set up:
Rhine 41 - 4 Oct 2008
Intake 22 - 10 Dec 2008
Intake 2 - 10 Dec 2008
SMC 34 - 7 Apr 2009
SMC 19 - 7 Apr 2009
CC933 - 5 Aug 2009
Intake 3 - 5 Aug 2009
Intake 23 - 5 Aug 2009
Intake 10 - 5 Aug 2009
SMC 20 - 8 Aug 2009
Intake 50 - 25 Sept 2009
Intake 4 - 9 Dec 2009
Intake 24 - 9 Dec 2009
CC942 - 10 Apr 2010
Intake 25 - 11 Aug 2010
Intake 26 - 17 - 18 Sep 2010
Please click >>here to see further details and to add your name to the lists. If you click on the actual title of the reunion (left hand side of page) you will be able to view who is coming. Please also pass the word around to friends who might not be members but would like to attend.
If you would like to have your Reunion organised please email the Foundation and we can get to work on it for you - sandra.ross@sandhurstfoundation.org
2008/2009 Foundation Programme - please click >>here to view the programme for 2008/2009 - this is constantly updated with new events.
The Sandhurst Shop - Please click >>here to see what is on sale in our shop.
Special Christmas Foundation Shop Deals!! (p&p will be added to these prices)
2 x Sandhurst Tradition of Leadership Books for £35 - Save £5
1 x Leadership Book + 1 x RMAS Guide book for £22 - Save £2
1 x 'Serve to Lead' Boxer Shorts + 1 x Foundation Tie for £30 - Save £5
1 x Foundation Pen + 1 x Notelets for £3 - Save £1.50
1 x Studen At Arms Book for £5 - Save £2.50
Jules McColl
Sandhurst Foundation Secretary
A Leadership Thought: 'Don't be afraid to take a big step when one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small steps' - David LLoyd George
