Where does time go..... we are already into week 5 here at the Academy.  The Juniors are just back from Exercise SELF RELIANCE where the aim was to introduce and practise basic military skills, develop basic fieldcraft, practise navigational skills and the all important team building exercises.  The Seniors are into their second week of Exercise BROADSWORD which is based on a peace support operation to facilitate stability and humanitarian assistance to populations at risk in Hampshiranda - and of course experiencing the best of British weather!  Don't forget about Heritage Day on Sunday 15 June - all sorts of events will be taking place including polo matches, marching military bands and a cricket match - so why not bring a picnic and make a day of it - I have booked the sun!!

Leadership Encounter Evening - Tues 29 July 

Stuart Gordon is an academic in the Department of Defence and International Affairs here at the Academy.  He has recently co-authored the UK plan for southern Afghanistan (the 'Helmand Road Map') and the evaluation of the Helmand PRT Quick Impact Project Programme and has just returned from that region.  His talk will be on 'Losing Afghanistan?'.

This will be a fascinating up to date presentation and is sure to be an eye opener on what is really going on out in Afghanistan.  The evening will begin at 1800 - all members and their guests are very welcome to attend.  Please click >>here for more information on Stuart Gordon and click >>here to sign up.

Leadership Encounter Evenings

As with all events over time costs increase - to this end we are having to increase the price of Leadership Encounter evenings to reflect this.  From now members will be charged £15 and non-members will be charged £20 - these prices include 1 drink.  Further drinks will be charged at £1.50 for wine and £1.00 for Orange Juice.  Please also note that numbers for these evenings go to the caterers on the final Monday - anyone cancelling or not attending after this date will unfortunately be charged as we are charged by the caterer.

I hope that this will not deter our members from attending - we are extremely pleased to announce that Lord Douglas Hurd has agreed to speak to us this November whilst Frank Gardner,CGS, Guy Munnoch (CEO of Zurich) and many more big names have agreed to speak in 2009.

Foundation Dinner Night - Review

The Foundation Dinner Night was a great success - 92 attended including guests from as far away as Australia!  The evening began with the reception in the Grand Entrance listening to the delights of the Pipe Major.  The meal was excellent followed by both an amusing and extremely interesting and informative talk by Major General Patrick Cordingley - our thanks again extend to him.  The evening was rounded off by a very successful raffle where over £500 was raised for the Commandant's two charities - Help for Heroes and a local school for physically and mentally handicapped children - our thanks again go to Kevin Cahill for his genorisity in providing so many prizes from the House of Lords and House of Commons.

'what a splendid evening we had. The Foundation's organisation of the Dinner Night was first class...I am looking forward to the next one.'    Keith Rollinson

'Congratulations on a most successful and enjoyable dinner on Saturday.....I have to thank you for a memorable evening...the warm welcome you extended to us ...and the other guests were so friendly and enthusiastic about the Foundation.'  Michael Cox

Please add a long term date for your diary - next year's Foundation Dinner Night will be on Saturday 13 June - let's fill the IAMR to it's capacity of 120!

Commissioning Course (CC) Speakers for Summer Term

If you would like to attend any of the Speaker nights below 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.

Challenges of Civilian Leadership I - Dame Eliza Manningham-Buller DCB  - 9 Jun

Voice of Experience - Brig John Lorimer MBE (Former Commander 12 Mech Bde) - 12 Jun

Challenges of Civilian Leadership II - Maj Mark Overton SO2 TA RMAS, Vice President Strategy and Business Performance, Orange - 24 June

Talk by a CO - Lt Col Andy Barr, CO 22 Engr Regt - 26 Jun

EVENTS AT RMAS

CSPA Charity Polo Day - 11 June - This is a fantastic day at the Academy to watch some great polo teams competing. If you would like to attend or get more information please email Jules on jules.mccoll@sandhurstfoundation.org or call 01276 412838.

Heritage Day - Sun 15 June - This is a great event to bring friends and family to.  Most of the Academy is opened up to the general public with conducted tours, marching bands, military stands and much more.  Entrance is free and you do not need to book in.  Please do come and visit our Sandhurst Foundation stand on the Grand Entrance steps.  Gates open at 1045 and last entry is 1500hrs.

All Arms Pacesticking Competition - 4 July - If drill was your forte - then this is a good day out to see how the 'real' professionals do it!  The competition starts at 1000hrs and there is both food and drink available.I f you would like to attend please email Jules on jules.mccoll@sandhurstfoundation.org or call 01276 412838.

Kermit Roosevelt Lecture - 9 July - will be giving the lecture.  The lecture begins at 1115hrs in Churchill Hall. If you would like to attend please email Jules on jules.mccoll@sandhurstfoundation.org or call 01276 412838.

RMAS Charity Polo Day - 10 July - if you are interested in this event please contact the office for further details.

Exhibition Polo Match - RMAS 'Present' Vs RMAS 'Alumni' - Fri 25 July

If you are interested in taking part in a Polo match or indeed just spectating then please click >>here for further details.

RMAS City Polo Association Tournament - 25 July - if you are interested in this event please contact the office for further details.

Commandant's Parade - Wed 6 August

If you would like to attend the next Commandant's Parade on Wednesday 6 August please contact the Foundation office on 01276 412000.  Tickets are free and members are very welcome to bring along family and friends.  Please feel free to bring a picnic and enjoy the grounds afterwards.

Music on Fire - 18 - 20 September

For those of you who have not experienced this event it is billed as the UK's most stunning outdoor spectacular.  The Army Benevolent Fund presents Music on Fire featuring a 007 James Bond Spectacular, with special guest star Hayley Westenra.  All the proceeds will be going to the ABF's new fund for veterans of current operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Music on Fire is a mixture of live popular and classical music, interspersed with a thrilling firework display and a magical Son et Lumiere.  Celebrating James Bond and the centenary of his creator, former Sandhurst Officer Cadet, Ian Fleming, world class artists perform with a 100-piece orchestra and a 100-voice choir in true 007 style.

Guests would be invited to picnic on the lawn in front of Old College from 4pm - show starts at 7.30pm 

We are hoping to be able to have some sort of Foundation focal point - perhaps a marquee or exclusive bar.  A decision has still not been made on this - but it would only be for the Saturday night if agreed. 

Tickets are £29 Standard and £39 Premium - central area directly in front of stage.  Children under 16yrs old are £21 Standard and £31 Premium.  Army (Regular, Reserve, TA or Cadets) £20(Standard) or £30 (premium) - only bookable by phone - ID available on the night.

Groups of 10+:10% discount  Groups of 40+: 15% discount

Tickets are available from Ticketmaster 0844 847 1657 or book on line at www.musiconfire.com

EVENTS

Charity Ball - Sat 12 July

A charity ball is being run in aid of Help for Heroes on Sat 12 July.  The event venue is the spectacular 5 Star Grange City Hotel just a stonethrow away from the Tower of London with reduced room rates for guests at the ball.  The evening begins with a champagne reception at 7pm followed by a 3 course dinner with wine.  Music and Dancing will follow with a charity auction and raffle.  The dress will be evening wear/black tie.  Ticket price is £95 per person and 10 can be seated at a table.  For further information or to book tickets please click on the following link:  www.acelebrationoflife.moonfruit.com

ADVERTS

Smart Turnout - Season Sale

Head off the last of those april showers with great savings from Smart Turnout - plus brand new products - 20% of all Regimental Sweaters - please use the coupon code SWEAT2008 when placing an order at www.smartturnout.com.  Interested in wholesale for your regiment, school or club? If so please contact wholesale@smartturnout.com

Children's Country Holidays Fund (CCHF) are looking for leaders of whatever age to come and help at their summer camps for disadvantaged city children.  If you think you can spare some of your time please click >>here to read how you can help - or maybe you know somebody else who might be interested.

Articles for The Wishstream - The Journal of the Sandhurst Foundation

We have already had a good response from some of our members but please do read on if you feel you may be able to contribute.......We are now well into the commissioning process for the 2009 edition of the Wishstream and from some of the returned proformas it is clear that many readers would like to hear more about the early conditions at RMAS between 1947 and 1955 - what the drill was like, day to day life of an Officer Cadet etc.  If anybody feels they would like to put some memories down please email them to Jules  - it does not have to be a complete article - we could make up half a page of short memories - any photographs would be excellent.

Reunions

Intake 2 Reunion

A reunion for former cadets of Intake 2 will take place at the RMAS Sandhurst on 10 December 2008.  The event will provide an opportunity to attend the Commandant's Parade that day, followed by a celebratory lunch.

The Reunion is being organised by Byran Tonkinson who organised a private affair for sixty at the School of Infantry on the 50th Anniversary in 1998. General Sir David Mostyn presided and Sir John Keegan was the principle guest on that occasion.

With the passage of time a problem arises in locating those eligible to attend.  Please notify the U/M of anyone you know from Intake 2 with current address and telephone number - Major(Retd) J B Tonkinson MBE DLI  - Tel 01932 253011

The following Reunions have now been set up:

Intake 25 - 26 July 2008

Intake 39 - 27 July 2008

CC923 - 6 Aug 2008

SMC 32 - 6 Aug 2008

Intake 1 - 6 Aug 2008 - please contact the organiser, Charles Potts direct on 01905 620324

Intake 21 - 6 Aug 2008 - please contact the organiser, Malcolm Parry-Davies on 01202 700586

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 24 - 9 Dec 2009

CC942 - 10 Apr 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.

2008 Foundation Programme - please click >>here to view the programme for 2008 - this is constantly updated with new events.

The Sandhurst Shop  -  Please click >>here to see what is on sale in our shop  - we now sell a Foundation biro at £2 each.

Jules McColl
Sandhurst Foundation Secretary