We are currently watching Trooping the Colour 2010 on the television but last week we were pleased to be there. Yes, I said last week, because Trooping the Colour takes place not once but three times each year. The televised parade is the Queen's Birthday Parade, on which the salute is taken by the Her Majesty The Queen. Last week was the Colonel's Review and, as the Colour being trooped this year is that of the Grenadier Guards the Duke of Edinburgh took the salute as Colonel of the Regiment.  The previous week was the the Major General's Review.

The 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards has not long since returned from their second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

There is no commentary to the parade, so if you want to be aware of the significance of the parade as it happens either do your homework or watch in on the television. If you want to experience a fantastic spectacle and watch military custom in action there is absolutely no substitute for being there.  Tickets for the Major General's Review are free and although payment is required for both the Colonel's Review and the Queen's Birthday Parade the price is very reasonable. Of course if you want to soak up the atmosphere and proudly watch the troops without sitting in the stands erected on Horse Guards there are always great vantage points to be found along The Mall, near the Victoria Memorial or, for a good view of the Life Guards and Blues and Royals in particular, behind the Guards Memorial.

After the parade, our hearts swelled with pride, we walked through St James' Park to Wellington Barracks, as did the Guards stretcher bearers and the route liners. Although we have done this before on Troop day it is still a little odd to have to move aside at the sound of marching soldiers approaching from behind!

Former Army officer David Carter will attempt to walk 68 miles in just 28 hours to raise money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Mr Carter served for 22 years in the Army, spending seven in Northern Ireland and undertaking tours of Kosovo, Zaire, Cyprus, Berlin, Sierra Leone and Iraq. Now employed as a driver and maintenance officer for the Bishop of Exeter, he is also vice-chair and standard bearer of the Paignton Branch of the British Legion. On Friday, June 18 and the following day he will take part in a sponsored march around British Legion locations and war memorials, laying 17 wreaths.

You can read more of this article by visiting the website of the Express and Echo newspaper.

Have you heard about the Forces Festival which is taking place at Bulford, Wiltshire on 31st May 2010?  It will be a fantastic outdoor festival featuring fun fair rides, giant inflatables, aerial displays by the BBMF and RAF Hawks, military skills displays and much much more. The Forces Festival finishes with a huge concert all to raise funds for military charity Project 65.

Click here to find out more about The Forces Festival.

Click here to find out more about Project 65.

FORCES CHARITIES GOLF DAY

13TH MAY 2010

PADBROOK PARK GOLF CLUB, CULLOMPTON, DEVON. EX15 1RU

RAISING FUNDS FOR

SOLDERS, SAILORS, AIRMEN AND FAMILIES ASSOCIATION (SSAFA) FORCES HELP

AND

THE ROYAL MARINES CHARITABLE TRUST

The Venue

Padbrook Park Golf Course is an 18 hole, par 72 course of 6,500 yards set in 170 acres of beautiful Devon countryside.  It has a fine mix of birdie and bogey holes and features extensive water and woodland hazards.  The view from the 6^th is stunning but every hole is a challenge!

The Event

0900 – 1030: Registration, coffee and bacon bap, allocation of tee times. Visit the Pro shop or plan your game.

From 1030: 18 holes of golf in teams of three (with the highest two scores counting) including competitions for nearest the pin and longest drive. Putting competition with Stuart Disney PGA Advanced Professional. Have your swing recorded on the first tee for playback and analysis later. Refreshment buggy available on course.

From 1730: Enjoy a relaxing two course dinner, plus coffee, bid in the charity auction, analyse your swing with the course professional, chat and chill. Prize giving.

The Charities

Last year alone the professional staff and trained volunteers of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help provided a reliable, caring and trusted service to more than 50,000 people, helping to make a real difference to many lives.

The Royal Marines Charitable Trust is the principal fund utilised to undertake benevolence work, construct and maintain war memorials, support reunions of veterans and provide support to Royal Marines deployed overseas on operations as well as their families at home.

The Sponsor

This event is being sponsored by Debra Raymond Military Figures & Gifts, providers of short run giftware to the military, businesses and clubs, based at Military House, Cullompton, Devon EX15 1NX. Website: www.militaryfigures.co.uk

The Organiser

Bridget Hill, c/o Military House, Honiton Road, Cullompton, Devon. EX15 1NX

All bookings will be confirmed by e-mail. I look forward to seeing you on the day!

Enquiries: Tel. 01884 34835 or email Midge@militaryfigures.co.uk

Booking Form Golf Day.doc (26.50 kb)

Golf Day flyer BH.doc (114.00 kb)

Former Royal Marines who previously served with 40 Commando Royal Marines can now join a new association that has been formed.  Further information and membership forms can be found on the 40 Commando Association RM website.

The first reunion of the association is to take place over the weekend of 19 March to 22 March 2010 at the Britannia Country House Hotel, Palatine Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 9WS.  The reunion is open to all those who have served on the strength of 40 Commando Royal Marines. Reunion booking forms can be found by using the link to the 40 Commando Association RM website above.

Members are travelling from as far a field as Australia and Italy and free transfers are available from Mancester airport for anyone coming to the reunion from outside of the UK.

Debra Raymond Military Figures and Gifts has a great range of 40 Commando Royal Marines items, which can be viewed using this link. 

This weekend we attended the Dartmoor Military Heritage Weekend at Okehampton Battle Camp, North Dartmoor. The weather was glorious - maybe a little windy but then it is pretty high up there!  Visitors were able to meet soldiers and learn about the armed forces, have a go on the fitness trail, laser rifle range and climbing walls, view and find about a range of military vehicles, both past and present, find out about military modelling and of course, purchase from various trade stands, including Debra Raymond Military Figures & Gifts. 

On the Sunday afternoon the Royal British Legion held their rally which takes places every two years.  The music was provided by The Rifles Salamanca Band - well done guys!  The standards and service were as moving as ever and the whole two day event was most enjoyable.

We are busy getting ready for our first Military House Fun Day which is taking place this Saturday - 15th August 2009 from 10 until 4.

The event is taking place in conjunction with Cullompton and Tiverton Cadets who will be demonstrating their skills on a climbing wall, and inviting any potential new recruits to have a go.  Those of us without a head for heights can enjoy the offerings of a local book dealer and a very talented local military artist, learn more about our military history with WW1 and WW2 militaria displays including a British military vehicle or just enjoy a nice cuppa at Military House, Honiton Road, Cullompton.  Our full range of products will also be available for sale on the day.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday!

Ex-soldiers from the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment paraded through Exeter today in commemoration of the formation of the regiment on 17th May 1958.  Fortunately the bad weather which had been forecast did not appear during the parade. The men marched from the Civic Centre to the Corn Exchange led by the band of The Rifles, the route lined with well-wishers.   After a religious service the men and their ladies enjoyed a reunion over lunch and just a few pints.  It was a great occasion and we were delighted to be able to attend. 

Click here to see our range of products for the Devonshire & Dorset Regiment.

Click here to see our range of products for the Devonshire Regiment.

Click here to see our range of products for the Dorset Regiment.

The Massed Bands of the Royal Marines will perform their world-renowned Beating Retreat ceremony on London's Horse Guards Parade in celebration of the 88th birthday of their Captain General, the Duke of Edinburgh, over three evenings in June.

The spectable is only performed one every three years. RM Bands from Portsmouth, Plymouth, Scotland and CTCRM Lympstone will all be taking part in this summer's event, 200 musicians in total.  Proceeds fromt he three days of pageantry (June 9, 10 - Prince Phillip's birthday - and 11) will go to the Service charities including Help for Heroes, Seafarers UK and the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity.  The ceremony of military music and precision drill and colour traces its roots back to the 16th century.

Tickets are available from Ticketmaster; call 0844 8472504 or visit www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Royal-Marines-Beating-Retreat-2009-tickets/artrist/983800.  Prices are £12 each or £40 for a family ticket (two adults and three children).

For more details about the performances and the RM Band Service go to www.royalmarinesbands.co.uk/BR09.

(From Navy News April 2009)

Click here to see our range of Royal Marines products.