 Sandhurst Foundation Newsletter
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The Academy is gearing up for Bonfire Night tonight which always concludes with a fantastic firework display and much effort is going into making the bonfire enormous - it will be seen for miles!
At the moment the Inters are at Sennybridge on their culminating exercise for the term which involves both rural and urban operations and the Seniors are just back from Pembrokeshire where they were taking part in Field Firing exercises. We also currently have a Potential Officers visit on where teenagers from between 15 - 18yrs old come and experience a 2 day package involving fitness, Skill at Arms and the Communications Wing to see if they would like to try for a commission.
There are now only 10 tickets left for the Lord Hurd talk on Tues 18 November. 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. For those who have booked in and not yet paid - please have your cheques with us by the end of this week.
Day of Prayer - The Armed Forces' Chaplaincies and the Military Christian Organisations would like to invite you to join them at a Day of Prayer for the Armed Forces on Thursday 6 November 2009 at St Clements Danes, Strand, London WC2R 1DH. There can be few people in the country who are unaware of the pressures that the Armed Forces are under. In past times of conflict, the nation was called upon to pray for sailor, soldiers and airmen and they now ask you to do the same. The afternoon will consist of prayer, worship and topical briefings between 1245 and 1600, and a light lunch wil be served from 1200. For more information and a prayer sheet for those unable to join them in London: www.pray4ourforces.org.uk or email: forcesprayerday@yahoo.co.uk
Please note also that the Sandhurst Christmas cards are now on sale.
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Ex BAYONET POINT - Seniors in Pembrokeshire |
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 10 seats are now left! 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!!
Commissioning Course (CC) Speakers for Winter Term
There is now only one Winter Term speaker left to talk and this will take place on Mon 24 November when DRAC will be discussing 'Do the Tools do the Job?'.
If you would like to attend on this night please email Jules on jules.mccoll@sandhurstfoundation.org. The talk starts at 1815hrs and is 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.
One of our members, Tony Merrifield, attended the talk by Sir Ronnie Flannagan given to the Senior Division and gave this short account:
'The talk was, in my view, brilliant and gave the cadets plenty to think about. He is an excellent speaker, speaking fluently (no umms and errs!) in a soft Ulster accent for about 45 minutes without notes. He started his career as a constable in the RUC in 1970 and served in the frontline at the height of the Troubles. A sobering thought that the cadets were not even born then!'
Tony has asked if it would be possible to invite Sir Ronnie to speak at a Leadership Encounter evening as, bearing in mind that he would be talking to a more mature(!) audience, many of which would have served in Northern Ireland in the 1970's and 1980's, his reflections on the Troubles and the political realities which followed would make a fascinating talk - and I will be looking into this for 2009/2010.
Sandhurst Defence Forum Winter Programme
If you would like to attend either of the talks below please either call on 01276 412000 or email Jules on jules.mccoll@sandhurstfoundation.org
Tuesday 11 Nov 1100 - 1230 Room 229 Faraday Hall
'A Resurgent Russia - Challenges for European and International Security' - Professor Richard Sakwa (University of Kent)
Friday 21 Nov 1100 - 1230 Narrien Library Faraday Hall
'Why Neo-Conservatism is necessary: The case for continuity in American Foreign Policy' - Mr Douglas Murray (Centre for Social Cohesion)
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 - Sun 14 December
All our members and their guests are very welcome to attend the Academy Choir Christmas concert on Sun 14 December. The concert starts at 1930hrs. 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
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 Moral Component of Fighting Power
Looking at Contemporary Issues from Christian Perspective
The 2008 Winder Lecture will be given by Major General Tim Cross (Retired). It will take place at 1830 on Sun 9 Nov at St Michael the Archangel, Warfield, Berkshire, RG42 6EG.
All are very welcome.
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
Press Release - Drop Zone Burma - Adventures in Allied Air-Supply 1943 - 45 by Roger Annett (Price £19.99, Illustrated ISBN: 978 1844157504 Hardback, 214 pages)
Air-dropped supplies were a vital factor in the success of the Allied Campaign in Burma during World War II. Transportation of munitions, food and medical supplies was undertaken in the most extreme conditions, both on land and in the air. Drop Zone Burma is based upon the memories of twelve veterans on the campaign. The story demonstrates the brave determination of the transport squadrons' air and ground crews, and the soldiers, who fought one of the longest, most remote and demanding battles of the war.
For further information please contact Katie Eaton at Pen & Sword Books on Tel: 01226 734241 or email at psmarketing@pen-and-sword.co.uk
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 Beckett, 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
Sandhurst Christmas Cards
The Sandhurst Christmas cards are now on sale. There are 10 cards per pack with gold embossed envelopes. Each pack is £7.50 plus p&p. The designs will be on the website next week. If you would like to order some plese contact Sam Bossi on 01276 412000 or email her on sam.bossi@sandhurstfoundation.org
Reunions
The following Reunions have now been set up:
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
Intake 28 - 23 Jan 2010
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 £40 - 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: 'When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.' - Arthur Conan Doyle
