General

Once again I am pleased to report that the Branch has had a very good year. I am also pleased to report that the branch is in a strong financial position due to the concerted efforts by the branch committee and the continued support from the membership. Currently we have 110 members subscribing to the branch newsletter which is posted out twice a year. If you wish to subscribe to the branch newsletter contact any of the committee members listed. At £3.00 per annum we think it is well worth it. We currently issue news letters to our branch widows and the veterans of the old Southern Branch free of charge. If you believe that you are eligible to receive free newsletters please let us know.

New members are always welcome, open to all ranks, and there is no joining fee. All ex members of the SRY, serving members or ex members of the RYR, or if you were, or are attached to either, you are automatically a member by right. We will always be pleased to see you at our monthly meetings, which are held on the third Friday each month at the TA Centre Carlton, by kind permission of the Squadron Leader Major R Marsh. In October we welcomed the new SSM to the TAC (Karl Stone) and we are looking forward to working with him, the senior members of the WOs and SGTs Mess, and of course all other ranks.

Visits and events during 2011

We have had a very busy year starting with, the branch AGM in February, the Regimental Annual dinner in March and the OCA Cavalry Memorial Parade in Hyde Park in May. Again, we were able to take a full coach load to Hyde Park, which included the majority of branch members and a few guests. After the parade we stopped off en route to Nottingham, at the Police Sports and Social Club in Bushey (Herts) where we were provided with a sumptuous buffet at a very reasonable price. The coach was paid for out of profits made on the December 2010 grand prize draw event, at which we managed to realise a profit of £1500 which was shared between the Squadron, the Branch and the Widows fund.

On Saturday June the 4th, we took a coach party to the Tank Museum at Bovington and we joined the few remaining members of the Southern Branch for dinner in Bournemouth. On the Sunday we sailed from Portsmouth to Normandy where we made our usual pilgrimages to Bayeux and several other places of interest. We returned to the UK on June the 8th. In July we attended the grand opening of the new QRL and Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Museum, at Thoresby, Nottinghamshire. Well worth a visit and you can apply to be a “Friend of the Museum” and support what is a fine exhibition of QRL, SRY and SNH memorabilia.

Proposed trips 2012

This year (2012) on the 4th of June we will once again be taking a coach party to the Tank Museum in Bovington; this will be followed by a “Banquet “at the Tower Hotel, in Bournemouth, when hopefully we will be joined by the few remaining members of the Southern branch. In the coming September we have planned a trip to the Somme. If you are interested in any of the trips, contact one of the  committee members below.

The Midlands Branch Committee

Mike Freeman                   Chairman

Chris Woodward                Treasurer                

Donald Brown                    Welfare Visitor

On the Welfare side, if you are aware of anyone who has passed away, is suffering, or in need, please call Donald Brown.  The Midlands Branch has a special interest in the welfare of the Association widows, and we actively support the widow’s fund by way of a share from profits that we make from our Branch functions. Any donations will be greatly appreciated.

For further information about the Branch, membership and future events please contact the Branch Chairman via the contact link on these pages.