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2023 05 13 Army / Navy Rugby

2023 06 24 Tank Fest FUP

Everyone is invited to The Tank Fest FUP
The Tank Fest FUP is an informal get together. This is not a stag function, all wives / partners are very welcome.
Date: Saturday 24th June 2023
Time: 1900
Dress: Optional- Blazers, Smart / casual.
Buffet: Curry and a vegetarian choice.
Location:
British Legion Club,
Legion House,
Tudor Road,
Broadstone,
Dorset,
BH18 8AW

Broadstone RBL

If you are attending the Tank Fest or if you are in the area why not come along for a beer🍺 and a blether. Share new stories, embellish old stories or make new ones up. 😂
The Bovington Branch of the Royal Tank Regiment Association are hosting The Tank Fest FUP which is on the Saturday of the Bovington Tank Museum Tank Fest weekend.

Tankfest 2023

When was the last time you were in the Castle Lulworth, the Smugglers Osmington, Lulworth Cove Hotel, had a pub crawl along Poole Quay? Why not combine a trip down memory lane and a visit to the Tank Fest with a wee get together. If you intend to visit the Tank Fest please let Rab Spurway know in advance.

If you require accommodation, be aware that it is at a premium at this time of year so it is advisable to book as early as possible.

There is a Premiere Inn and a Travelodge 5 minutes’ drive from the Legion and 30 minutes from the tank museum:

Premier Inn Poole-North

Poole Travelodge-North

Airbnb is most likely to be cheaper.

Air BnB’s Poole

There is a campsite in Wool:

Wool caravan sites

There is a holiday park:

Rockley Park

If you intend to come to the Tank Fest FUP please let Rab Spurway know by
email: rabmaat@outlook.com
Tel: 07368291496
Please let Rab know ASAP and no later than Monday 12 June 2023, principally so that we know how many people to cater for.
The cost is £10.00 per person and cheques should be made payable to the Bovington Branch RTR Association and sent to the branch treasurer:
Rab Spurway,
5 Priests Way,
Swanage,
Dorset,
BH19 2RS

Alternatively, transfer to account:
Name: Bovington Branch RTR Association
Sort code: 54-30-03
Account No: 32640811

The buffet will be a curry and a vegetarian choice.

2022 we had representatives from the Regiment, 1 RTR, 2 RTR, 4 RTR, 5 RTR, 15/19 KRH, REME, and WRAC.

Everyone is welcome, all MIB past and present and all of our attached families i.e. REME, Pay Corps, Catering Corps, RAPTC and RAMC.

It is always a good craic and it would be great if you can come along.

2023 08 08 Upton gig

2023 (Date TBC) Norwich tank museum and visit to East Anglia branch

2023 10 28 Scottish branch reunion

2023 11 19 RTR Cenotaph Parade

2023 11 (Date TBC) RTR Cambrai Lunch

2023 12 09 Christmas party

Related events for this branch

Our Media

Sunday 20th March 2022 – Church Sunday and Curry Lunch – Bovington

Members of the Bovington Branch RTRA attended the Annual Church Sunday and Curry Lunch held in Bovington this year.

FUNERAL OF DEREK BOWER

Representatives of RTRA presented Standards at the funeral of Derek Bower, a soldier and subsequent Civil Servant who served for 2 decades at Bovington.

2020 02 01 our last meeting prior to lockdown

2019 Regimental Secretary’s visit

2019 Col Minty shares his albums

2019 D-Day Celebrations

VE Day

Remembrance Sunday Tank Museum

Below is a photograph of one of the many Remembrance Church Sundays.  In the photograph is our Secretary / Standard Bearer, Paul Rogers and his wife Denise.

Paul and Denise have attended every Church Sunday since our branch was formed.  Thank you both for your effort and for representing our branch so conscientiously.

Gatherings

The branch has supported a Southern gathering most years, since 2007. This has been predominantly, but not exclusively organised for the Northern troops and it is organised the weekend of the Bovington Tankfest. It is also to provide a get together for those in the South who may not be able to travel North. The idea was to provide some form of social event which those who were visiting the Bovington Tankfest, could attend.

The weekend commenced on the Saturday morning with a visit to the Bovington Tank Museum, arranged by Tom Gulliver, where members were allowed access to the museum workshops. Keith Glenn gave the opening health & safety instructions, a former soldier in the Fourth. The group were shown many working armoured vehicles from around the world. We climbed over them with interest and some of us could still get through the hatches. Whilst the men were engrossed with their toys the wives visited Monkey World and later reported that their visit had been very interesting and instructive. The Saturday evening commenced at 19.30hrs at the British Legion Swanage and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with old friends, have a dram or two and to partake of the excellent buffet provided by Joe Clark and his hard-working staff. Over seventy members & their wives attended. There was strong representation from the Scottish and the Northeast of England branches. During the evening, a cheque was presented to the RTR Association, from the Fife branch, the proceeds of a sponsored walk across the Forth Bridge. Well done The Scottish branch.

The feedback was very positive, and everyone appeared to have a very good time and some already have enquired about next year.

Fund raising

2012 09 24 – Offa’s Dyke Walk

This was a rather damp affair but raised £1400 for the RTR Association.

2010 Brighton Marathon

In 2010 Rab, John and his son Adam ran the Brighton marathon and raised £1500 for Help for Heroes.

2009 Cambrai Ball Bovington SGTs mess

In 2009, the cost to repeat the 2008 ball at the Bovington tank museum became prohibitive. The sergeants mess in Bovington camp provided another excellent venue for 2009.

2008 Cambrai Ball Bovington Tank Museum

The branch organised the first ever function held in amongst the tanks in the Tank Museum. This was a major coupe and was achieved through hard work by the branch but principally by Joe Clark and Stephen Oliver (Ollie).

Our First Cambrai Ball took place in the Bovington Tank Museum on the 29th 11 2008 there were over one hundred guests. I liaised with the manager Mr Roy Hicks, Nicky Croom the corporate events organiser and with the support of the museum staff a successful event evolved. Many thanks to the Museum team. Thanks also to the Clark clan for the support and help with the preparation.

On arrival, the committee guided Guests through the trench experience and photos of couples/groups which were taken and subsequently emailed to them.

The Newcastle Branch turned out in force, Peter Payne (Branch Secretary) brought RTR flags and presented the Association with a very handsome Guest Book. Their Standard was on parade with the Bovington Standard which had been presented to us by Vince Rogers (chairman).

There was also a terrific attendance from The Scarborough branch who have kindly given us a reciprocal invite to their annual function.

I would like to thank the GSM WO1 Andy Newman for his help and support.

It was my great pleasure to welcome our Regimental Colonel and his wife Penny and our Guest of Honour Colonel David Squirrell OBE, who served with 3RTR.

The Dale Fender band were particularly good as was the buffet, the Pipers, Cpl Dave Kelly 1 RTR and Jocky Johnson were excellent.

I would like to thank the Committee for all their hard work and also the support of our President Col Mike Rose.

Joe Clark

Cambrai Lunch Bovington

The branch has been represented at almost all Cambrai lunches over the years.

The 2018 lunch was particularly memorable as this was the first stag disco for us all.

Overseas

The branch has been well represented in previous overseas trips and the branch standard has accompanied us. Well done to our standard bearer Paul Rogers.

2017 Cambrai 100

2012 Cambrai

United Kingdom

The branch has also played their part in the main events occurring in the United Kingdom.

A once in a lifetime opportunity to attend the Presentation of Standards  25 June 2008 Buckingham Palace.

2018 Standards Presentation

Bathgate 2010 and 2019

2011 Armed Forces Day Edinburgh

2009 Armed Forces Day Swanage

Armed Forces Day Stirling

ARRAS – 21st May 2013

On Arras Day 21 May 2013 the Fourth’s 1985 Standard was laid up in the Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh to recognise the close identity the Fourth had with Scotland.

The branch despatched a couple of members to attend

RTR Cenotaphs

The Branch is always represented at the RTR cenotaph parade. The Branch standard has been present, and we have had a representative at the AGM for the last 14 years. A huge well done once again to our secretary and standard bearer Paul Rogers.

Regimental / Scottish breakfast

The Regimental / Scottish Breakfast event normally occurs the morning after the night before and has stimulated a full recovery from even the most resolute and committed celebration.

During Lockdown

Lockdown delayed the cross laying for some time however eventually the mission was accomplished.

Andy Sandra Tanky Presents

During the lockdown Andy and Sandra started the very considerate gesture of marking everyone’s birthday with a cheesecake which then developed into a regimental style birthday present.  The following are a flavour (excuse the pun) of some of those presents:  Cheesecakes, Cakes, egg cups, Polo shirts, Door plaques, Regimental Snoods.

2021 06 13

The branch was pleased to host a wee visit from an old friend John Bonar.  It was the most enjoyable afternoon, and we were able to celebrate John’s wife Mary’s birthday.   Due to the continuing Covid restrictions, we could only meet outside.  This was a terrific opportunity to have a garden party.  The timing was fortuitous, and we were able to celebrate the birthdays of Joe and Denise.

A synchronised get together at the beautiful Cobbs’ Quay

During one of the lulls in restrictions, the Branch managed to organise an indoor Meeting at the White Horse Stourpaine. Despite being restricted to six members a wonderful time was had.  The Whitehorse has a significant military collection which was appreciated by all.

2021 06 05 The Greyhound

The restrictions meant that we could meet however only outside.  The Greyhound were very accommodating, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed our meeting.

2021 04 27 Walk to Winspit Quarry 

This was a very enjoyable venture out, within the restrictions, into the open space. Particularly appreciated by Ralph the dog.

2021 04 21 The Castleman Trailway

This walk was interesting mix of rural and urban. As you can see by the dog, this walk got the pulse flying. Thankfully, there was a suitable resting place at our end point.  The Willet Arms 🍺

Miscellaneous.

The branch did not sit on their hands during lockdown. Andy turned his hand to Batch cooking and has enough prepared meals to last until England win the World Cup again. 😁😁

Phil is doing an excellent job juggling with Chairman of Lytchett RBL and his duties as welfare officer in the Bovington branch.  Phil has successfully been taking precautions to ensure that he does not catch anything. This has extended to his occasional fishing trips.

On one occasion two of the branch delivered a present to our president Col Minty.  Only to find that he was not at home but was in the air flying a Gypsy Moth.

Day two of lockdown it was clear there was enormous potential for overindulgence.  John purchased a projector, a TV box and set it up in the treadmill room. This meant he could watch the football on the treadmill and has lost four stone.

Rab has continued to churn the miles out during the lockdown and has completed about 1800 miles, including several marathons and half marathons.

Below is a photo of Rab just prior to finishing the virtual London Marathon. Rab completed the virtual London Marathon in the hills of Swanage, not for the fainthearted. Well done Rab!

Virtual Meetings

Throughout Lockdown the branch held at least one virtual meeting a month.  Each meeting had a theme, which were mostly quizzes. However, on one occasion we had a virtual race meeting and another a virtual Burns celebration. Those who were unable to participate were contacted by phone, once a fortnight to keep them in the loop.

Burns night

During lockdown, the branch celebrated a virtual Burns Night.

2021 10 14 Visit to Joe Clark

Joe was unable to join our meetings for a while for assorted reasons. The branch is not meeting in November because the rest of the branch are going to Bathgate or the RTR Cenotaph or both.  So, we went to the Conservative club in Swanage and had lunch with him.  It was great to see he him and everyone agreed he was on good form😂.  Below is a group photo and a wee presentation of Scottish square sausage and black pudding

Other notable events

In 2016 our then chairman Joe Clark, secured a place at the Royal Hospital Chelsea we were all sad to see him go but were please for Joe for the potential adventure on which he was embarking. Unfortunately, the Chelsea pensioner life was not for Joe at that point, and he returned. On his return however he did not reinstate himself as chairman. There are strong rumours that that was his objective😁.

2021 05 07 Funeral Upton                                                                             

In May 2021 branch representatives had the sad but privileged undertaking to join the significant numbers to say farewell to one of our own, Tommy Cormack. 1^st RTR.  Due to the Covid restrictions, we were not able to attend the service. However, we were able to line the street to see him off. The family reported subsequently that they were overwhelmed by the numbers who had attended.

Joe and Col Minty hit eighty-three

In 2021 the branch had the pleasure of celebrating the 83^rd birthdays of our two elder statesmen. Many congratulations to you both and we look forward to celebrating your 84^th next year.