Some of you may remember we held a Big Brew Up event in aid of SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) in the Town Hall in Cullompton a couple of years ago.  Well this year we are holding the event at our new premises at Military House to give you a good excuse to visit us whilst helping this worthwhile charity.

Our Big Brew Up event will be held on Saturday the 11th October 2008 between 10am and 4pm. We will be selling raffle tickets and you could win a wonderful Christmas hamper, well stocked with preserves, sweets, chocolates, wines and of course Christmas cake and pud! Tickets cost just £1 and all monies will go to SSAFA Forces Help so please feel free to pop in and buy a ticket. The draw will take place at 4pm on the 11th.

Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be available in return for a donation to SSAFA Forces Help. 

If you are unavailable on the day, please call in anytime leading up to the 11th if you would like to make a donation or buy a raffle ticket.  Your contribution will make a difference to those servicemen  and women, past and present and their families who are now in need of help.

We have just about recovered from the Military Odyssey show in Detling, Kent last weekend but it was certainly an experience not to be repeated because of the weather.  Whilst some parts of the Kent County Showground appeared to be calm the end of the field where we were was extremely windy.  The traders two stands down from us lost their tent to high winds at about 8am on the Sunday morning.  Fortunately they were not sleeping in it at the time but it left their stock of militaria open to the elements. A couple of hours later it rained very heavily.  We were forced to close until it passed but at least we still had a tent to retreat into. 

Unfortunately the weather was not the only element to put a dampener on the show.  At least one trader was the victim of a premeditated theft and we were warned by the organisers that forged notes were being received by the traders with indoor pitches.  Fortunately we didn't fall prey to either but that was no doubt just the luck of the draw.

Whilst people attending the show seemed to be enjoying it, despite the price tag for getting in which was just over £40 for two adults and two children on a one day family ticket, I can't say that we did.  We met some nice people and caught up with a few old friends which is always nice, but I don't think we will be making the trip again next year unless the weather promises to be much kinder.

 

 

I was lucky enough to be invited to the Royal Marines School of Music open day which took place yesterday in Portsmouth's beautiful Guildhall.  Taking the form of a concert and prize giving in front of VIPs including the Mayor with presentations made by the First Sea Lord, I felt very emotional and proud and I didn't even know any of the musicians!  It was a wonderful experience to see and hear the results of three years training as these Bandsmen and women accepted their graduation certificates and we were told which Royal Marines bands they were to join.

After the concert we were treated to a Beating Retreat Ceremony outside the Civic Centre. I sat on the steps of the Guildhall and watched proudly, welling up (as usual) when the band played 'Hearts of Oak'!

I think you have to go some way to beat the sight and sound of a military band!

We are looking forward to meeting everyone going to the Light Infantry Reunion in Shrewsbury on Saturday 14th June 2008.  We will be bringing Light Infantry products, including the Light Infantry Northern Ireland Veteran pin badges.  If you would like to order specific items for collection on the day please get in touch.

 

 

After a very unpromising start because of bad weather (well it was a Bank Holiday weekend in Britain after all) Support Our Paras turned out to be a great show.  By the afternoon it was actually hot - hard to believe that less than 24hrs earlier we had been battling to put up our stand tent in a howling gale! 

Highlights of the day have to include the Red Devils parachute display team and the Spitfire display.  Seeing two Spitfires flying together was really something.  As always we enjoyed meeting customers old and new at the show.  No doubt the weather put a lot of people off but the Dunkirk spirit was alive and well in all who attended.  We were not able to show our products as we would have liked because the displays would probably have blown down but had to compromise on an improvised "boot sale" approach.  No-one seemed to mind, so thank you for that.

 

 

 

We look forward to meeting you at the Support Our Paras event this Sunday (25th May) at Old Sarum, nr Salisbury.  It promises to be a great family day out.  You can find out more at www.vision-stream.co.uk/sopara/index.htm.