Good afternoon all.

Firstly I would like to thank everyone that attended the AGM today at Pawlett RBL. I also would to thank you for your support for the previous year plus the year to come. Approximately 18 of us in attendance, so well done to you all. I hope to see you at the Imjin Lunch on the 13th of April at the Taunton Rugby Club. Here are some photos from the AGM.

Thank you

Klaus

Chairman.

The Stroud Branch will be meeting at the Old Nelson Brewers Fayre, Stratford Road, Stroud GL5 4AF on Tuesday 4 March at 12noon. Next meeting dates are Tuesday 3rd June, 2nd September and 2nd December which is our Christmas lunch.

The venue may change but details will be published.

Mr David Smith has stood down as Chairman of the Reading Branch of the Association.  At the Branch meeting on 30 April 2024, Mr Peter Richens was unanimously elected as the new Chairman

David Smith has given over half a century of service to the Association and Regiment.  His military service began as a Sea Cadet in Reading which also saw the start of his career in military music as he became their 'Silver Bugler'.  In 2009 he joined the Reading Scottish Pipe Band and spent 5 years as their Drum Major until forced to step down through ill health.  He joined the Army in July 1962 the day before his 18th birthday and trained at Honiton, Devon prior to joining 1 DERR in Tidworth.  Thereafter he served in Malta, Cyprus, West Germany and Catterick before he finally left the Drums Platoon in 1971.  In 1973 he was a founding member of the Reading Branch of the Regimental Association.  Following his regular service, he served for 5 years with 63 (SAS) Signal Squadron (V) and then joined the Berkshire Army Cadet Force where for 8 years he was the East Berkshire Company Sgt Maj Instructor.  As he approaches his 80th birthday, David continues to be an active member of the Reading Branch and has surely earned our heartfelt thanks for his tremendous and continuing service.

Peter Richens also completed his recruit training at Honiton, joining the Army in August 1962.  He was posted to 1 DERR in Malta in February 1963, joining 6 Platoon, B Company with whom he completed 2 Battalion exercises in Libya.  In 1964 he served with the 1st Bn during its operational tour countering EOKA terrorists in Cyprus.  A notable athlete, Peter won the Middle East Army Cross Country Championship, the Malta Inter Services Cross Country Championship and the 1 and 3 mile races and the Steeplechase at the Malta Army Athletic Championship.  He then went on to win the Army (Cyprus) Cross Country Championship and completed the Bn Junior NCO's Cadre in 1965.  Later that year, he transferred to The Parachute Regiment where he served for a further 20 years, retiring in 1985 as a Warrant Officer Class 2.  In addition to taking over as Branch Chairman, Peter has been the driving force behind the annual Maiwand Reunion and Gathering for a number of years

CHAIRMAN

Let me firstly introduce myself, if you don’t already know who I am, my name is Andy Spalding (Ex WO2 RGJ), I am the property Manager for all Regt property throughout the Regt, but I’m also the Estate Manager for Green Jacket Close here in Winchester, which I want to talk about.

A lot of people within the Regt or antecedent Regiments, don’t or haven’t even heard about Green Jacket Close and I’m hoping that you will pass this information down to your association and anyone else that you feel will benefit from knowing about it, and letting them to apply to live there if they wish.

There is a waiting list for Green Jacket Close and is prioritized by the needs of the person that are on the list. The list is controlled by me, but the Regt trustee make the final decision who would get the property once it becomes available.

Here is a bit of information about Green Jacket Close

1. Green Jacket Close consists of 21 units off Stanmore Lane, Winchester. Details are:

a. 3 x semi-detached 2-bedroom houses, built in 1904

b. 10 x 1-bedroom flats, built in 1904 and converted in the 1960s

c. 2 x 1-bedroom flats, 2 x 2-bedroom flats, and 4 x maisonettes, built in 1966

2. Application

a. It is quite acceptable to apply to be put on the waiting list before the age of 60 is reached. Applicants should apply to the Rifles Secretary Finance, RHQ the Rifles, Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8TS.

b. Applicants should bear in mind that the homes are covered by a Trust Deed, regulated by The Charity Commissioners. As such, the Rifles Benevolent Trust is required to allocate vacancies to those in need of assistance.

3. Charges

Applicants should be aware that all properties are unfurnished, and residents pay their own Council Tax, water rates and utility bills and a maintenance charge of approximately for the properties are as follows:

a. 3 x semi-detached 2-bedroom houses = £353.08 per month

d. 13 x 1-bedroom flats = £278.94 per month

e. 2 x 2-bedroom flats, and 4 x maisonettes = £319.15 per month

I have attached an application form and the eligibility form for anyone that served in the Rifles or one of its forming or antecedent Regiments if they wish to apply to come and live in Green Jacket Close.

If anyone has any questions or knows of anyone in need, please pass my details on to that person and I will see what I can do.

Thank you all in advance.

Regards 

Andy Spalding

Andy Spalding I Estate/Property Manager I RHQ RIFLES, Peninsula Barracks, Romsey Road, WINCHESTER, SO23 8TS I Mil: 94271 5135, Civ: 01962 828535, Mobile 07543 221733 I Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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