CHAIRMAN’ LETTER JULY 2026

Hi Everyone,

Just a note to let you know what some of us have been up to recently. As you know we all had an invitation to the Regimental BBQ at 16 Sigs Stafford on 2nd July. Some of us opted to arrive the night before and met up at the Hurricane (premier inn) Stafford.11 of us met up, Bill & Lyn Robinson, June & Chris Skelton, Pete Weedon, Brian & Barbara Peel, Wendy & Davey Brown and myself and Ted. Needless to say we had quite a lively evening. We met up with John & Anne Hodkin and John & Jean Aldridge at the guardroom the following day when we were all checking in. WO2 Ian Harvey welcomed us at the gate and then we set off for a meet and greet with the CO Lt Col Ash Jeyes or Ash as we are allowed to call him. Transport, in the form of mini buses, took us all round camp. Those who have been to Stafford know just how big and spread out the camp is.

We had lunch at WOSM courtsey of the RSM Jenny Blackburn, very nice it was too and then we were taken to watch the annual football match between Senior Ranks and Junior Ranks. They were playing for the Bone of Contention trophy (and it is a bone) and was duly won once gain by the Juniors.

The Regimental BBQ was held after the match and once again we boarded the mini buses to take us to where it was being held.I would say that most of the regiment were there all milling about and it turned out that they were waiting for us to be served first. Such good manners or obeying orders or both.

After we had partaken of a fantastic BBQ those of us that were staying at the Hurricane went back there for a couple of hours and those who were stopping on camp booked into their accommodation.

At 1900hrs transport arrived at the Hurricane to take us back for an evening in the WOSM. We arrived back to be greeted with more food, a curry, very nice. They do love to feed us. Then it was on to the entertainment, a quiz, requested by WO2 Ian Harvey to have a military/veteran vibe. I was wondering how I was going to put that together when my Knight in shining armour, step forward Dave Aldous, came to my rescue and put a quiz together for me. A huge thank you to Dave. It went down a storm but I don’t know how good a quiz master I was.

Then the CO said they had a present for us BUT it hadn’t arrived so he said he would show us something similar. They brought out their flag and it is pretty big and we were to use our imagination as to how it would look. As soon as it arrives Ted will put a photo up on the website. Nothing ever runs to plan.

That reminds me, we got to meet CPL Neema who won the Chris Barlett trophy, lovely lad, and he has just got his promotion to SGT.

The CO and RSM are looking forward to our Gala Dinner in October and I know that all of you will make them very welcome and for those who haven’t met them yet they are good fun to be around. If we do get another invite to the BBQ next year it would be great if more members could attend.

All plans for the reunion are on course thanks to Tom and Dave. Balances need to be paid to Dave asap and we need to get a move on and transfer our balance.

Ted and I are looking forward to seeing everyone in October.

Stay well, stay safe

HAZEL X