Memorial Celebrations

jr · Memorial Celebrations

The Memorial project is now taking shape. I have been corresponding with Ernie over the question of who should be invited to unveil the thing, and what possibilities are open to us (within bounds of feasibility and cost).

Bearing in mind that this is, as far as I know, a unique event, and we only get the one chance to make it a day to remember.

What could we do to celebrate in style?

paul croxson

Having had some experience in organising an event like this (150th celebration of VCs) you won't get any answer re a 'Royal' until 3 months before the event. Prince Philip is very attached to the I Corps and would for me be the obvious choice but unless you can move the event to Chicksands forget it. Forget, at least in my opinion the possibility of any other 'Royal'. Unique it may be but low on the Richter scale of things and it is in Germany which has enormous implications as far as what can and not be done diplomatically.
Having the Burgomeister will bring the event to the fore locally which would be nice but does the Kl Burgomeister operate up in Langeleben or is that a different Kingdom.
If only we had produced someone famous other than Gordon Banks and Stewart Brisley in his little world that would be good but sadly most of us have struggled to reach the heights of mediocracy!
"No one" is not an option in my opinion . The event has to have a centrepiece around which to have the rest of the event. A drive-past of Zimmer Frames may well be on the cards. (perhaps they could sponsor the event).
Personally I think that Peter Baldwin has, over the years, done us proud with him and his Wife loyally attending and taking part in a way which has been outstanding. To me, not offering the opportunity to them would be almost an insult. I say 'them' deliberately. Peter is like all of us getting old and is I expect the oldest member by several years - although I am hastening in my efforts to catch up. WE cannot take it for granted that, in a year's time he will be up to the trip and the task. We should not put too great a burden on him and his Wife.

Guest

The option "None of these" was only put in because I am too idle to enter the names of Uncle Tom Cobbley and All. The names above were the obvious front runners that first came into my head.

Any suggestions members may have can of course be posted here.

Peter Ellis · choice of dignitary to dedicate the memorial.

i am shocked to find that at this time that such a percentage of votes have declared in favour of the burgermeister!!!!!!!!!!!
why if we stand by our values of discipline and loyalty are we not voting
for the man who found Langeleben and started the foundations for a place in the history books of the Y service.!!!!!!!!
Major general Peter Baldwin is the man who should be given the honour
in being chosen to have pride of place in this event.From the time of the
tents in winter and the freezing R wagons not to mention Honey bucket
Joes glorious collection days even up to the final moment when the
"Camp" had become a second Butlins paradiso for troops the credit must
be given to his founding in the early 50's.
For those of us remember the " Glorious Days" of Langeleben each to
their own time do not let this event pass you by but remember with
pride your own small contribution and select a Military man of
distinction who stands by the Association .

paul croxson

I do know what I am talking abouty re a Royal attending our tinpot but very important celebration. There is not a cat's chance in hell of getting ANYONE so ...May I suggest that the Royal choice be deleted and the two votes for them (whoever they thought might attend) be transferred to Peter Baldwin.
Anyone who has attended any of our gatherings over the years will know what a massive contribution he has made. He has not just been a figure-head
Does the system preclude multiple voting by the way? I haven't tested it on the basis that this would fgalsify the returns.
Like Peter Ellis,. frankly I am exceedingly disappointed that there is not total unanimity on this subject

paul croxson

I never in my wildest moments give much credit to the army hierarchy but whoever made the decision, unconscious or otherwise, that we could work in what used to be described as "total shit order" made a wonderful decision which set the tone for the Camp. The odd idiot senior NCO and junior(juvenile) officer would turn up and go all 'regimental' but quickly came to learn the error of his way(s).
I have sent Tom some more 55/56 photos courtesy of Chris Gregory and weren't we a shambolic shower! But, by the heck, couldn't we get the results! That's what Peter and his followers, particularly Jim Prescott, understood so well

Jim Jarman

As I was from a generation before you good people,but a Wartime Operator
Special,I am certainly behind you 100% in your project.
It will be a very special occassion and must be thoroughly planned out well
in advance irrespective of cost.
Over the years as a former RBL County Parade Marshall I have been involved
in many such ceremonies'
You could look for sponsorship to help the costs'
You need backing from the RSA and possibly the Garrets Hay RBL Branch.Plus
Standards
If possible a detachment of members of the 14th.Signal Regiment should be
asked to attend,as they are all that is now currently left of our once famous Y
Service'

Good luck in your endevours

Jim Jarman

Keith Clarke

How about somebody like .... ..... the driver or Fred the storeman, they
are just as much a part of Langeleben as the Royalty or General Baldwin (as
much as I respect him, and it is always nice to see him at the Birgelen
reunion. I personally think it would be better with someone closely
associated with Langeleben. It could be Clive and Marlene not much choice
on the poll, the other should say any suggestions.

Regards Keith Clarke

GerryK · Memorial

I have to agree with Pete Ellis and Paul Croxson on this one. General Peter is my obvious choice. In fact I was the first to record a vote in this poll to that effect. His connection with Langeleben goes back further than anyone else, which you would know if you take the trouble to read the history notes. There I feel better having got that off my chest. !!!

jr

Thanks for the comments, guys, keep them coming.

I feel I must stress that this is only an unofficial straw poll, but it should give the committee some food for thought.

Paul is right when he says that the "event" needs a centrepiece, which was why I broached the subject originally with Ernie. Who we invite to be the Guest of Honour is of the essence. General Peter would, of course, discharge his duty with that combination of dignity and humour that make him such a great President.

"Royalty" was, I admit, put in somewhat tongue in cheek, but as I said to Ernie, we shouldn't sell ourselves too cheaply. We should recognise the uniqueness of the LRB, look what we have achieved in erecting the Memorial: no other unit (to my knowledge) has done this. No other unit has a regular biennial reunion in Germany (to my knowledge). Few units have such an intimate and good relationship with the local population.

Ambassador would be an option if we want the glare of publicity. He was here in Wolfenbüttel last year and was treated like a visiting head of state (TV and press interviews, walkabout in the pedestrian precinct etc.).

If we want to keep things “lower key”, "among friends", then maybe a “double whammy” with the Bürgermeister and General Peter would be the optimal choice.

ken vipond

Just to put my penny worth in for all its worth,yes General Peter may be the obvious choice for the ceremony of Langeleben,but my thinking is that if we involve the Burgermiester of Konigslutter then the monument or what ever is decided to be sited may get a little bit of protection from vandalism,and please don,t say that there is NO vandalism in Germany,just look at what happened to the old camp when it was deserted,we may infact be throwing good money away,while i am on my soap box has any decision been made yet as to what we are going to have constructed Question

best regards from Ken.

Ernie Callaghan

So far I have kept away from offering my opinion on who should dedicate the proposed memorial because I needed to see the mood of the membership, after all we the committee are only here to follow the wishes of the majority. In my opinion I go with John and Ken's idea and also mirror opinion shown by the poll on the forum that it should be a joint excercise involving Peter Baldwin and the Burgermeister Ottomar Lippelt, this will strengthen the ties between us and the locals and will go some way to ensure some protection from vandalism in future.

To answer Ken's query, we have indeed been spending a lot of time and thought on the form and wording of the memorial and with the help and support of stonemason Paul Ellis we will be making a full presentation showing drawings and costings at the Loughborough AGM in May.

ken vipond

Many thanks Ernie for the update,i don,t want to throw a spanner into the works regarding the opinion poll as to who should do the honours,but what about our other member,s who are still messing about with a cats whisker and don,t have a clue to the poll,i think we may have to have a paper vote at our get together at Loughborough,regards from ken.

Tom Neal

Over 300 views and only 20 votes.
I thought the idea of a poll was that a list was produced and anyone voting made a choice.
Perhaps members now reading this topic may think it is not worth casting a vote because if they do not vote for the 'right' person they will be letting the side down so to speak.
Tom

marleneandgypo

Just a thought, why not one or two representative from each decade and very definitely one of Trotsky's offspring?

Ernie Callaghan

We could also have a NAAFI girl, at least we coud all have a decent cuppa and a bacon sarni.
How about making it next year Marlene? we will let you bring along Gypo.

paul croxson

can we not delete:-
Royalty - for the reason already stated.
None of the above - as being totally pointless and certainly not constructive
It's looking very even between the BUrgomeister and Peter Baldwin so following the good old Liberal principle of a single transfereable vote split them equally between the two.
The solution is glaringly obvious but the debate has been interesting.
On a personal basis I am surprised at the support for the Burgomeister being so strong. Can an advocate for him perhaps explain. I know that they have always supported our re-unions. Is this the reason?

ken vipond

Hi Paul,in answer to your previous posting,i must admit i voted for the Burgermiester because i thought it may give the memorial stone a bit of protection from vandalism if local people are involved,and yes we have had splendid support from the people of Konigslutter at all of our reunions,Loughborogh and Konigslutter,but in hind sight maybe we should try and involve both General Peter who has given us fantastic support over the years and the Burgermiester in the unveiling of the memorial stone,regards from Ken. Razz

paul croxson

As I said, Ken, the solution is glaringly obvious and you have stated it. A joint effort sounds excellent and always did to me.
I suppose we can move on to the format of the celebration but I am a bit concerned at the suggestion that we should have sheep shearing as part of the celebration. Sheep never played a big part in Langeleben in my time. We were still hoping to have our way with young ladies (dream on!). I reckon this was a dirty habit introduced when that 225 lot came along to muddy the waters.
I had thought that a brass band would go down well but none of that 'Oom Pah Pah stuff, thank you. Good old British will do me fine. I then thought that perhaps we could provide our own music. We 55/56 have fond memories of Peter Ellis and a trumpet. I have photographic evidence of Gordon on a recorder and I distinctly recall that there was a drummer around too. Well on the way already!

jr

I don't think mucking about with the poll at this stage would achieve much more. (The "None of these" option was for people to stun us with their own choices, by the way).

As I said somewhere above, this is only a straw poll, to get people thinking before decisions are taken in May. The committee have now got some food for thought and should draw the appropriate conclusions.

I now look forward to some constructive suggestions as to what we could do to make the event a huge success. Musically I can only offer a comb and tissue paper.

In my time at Langeleben there were some very able I Corps guitarists, I remember Messrs. Swain, Van Spall and Brock actually giving a rock concert in the now defunct "Amtsgericht". (I personally didn't attend, the decibels didn't agree with me). And of course it was rumoured that there were a lot of fiddles in the QM's department.

paul croxson

I have just dug out my M. Hohner "Super Chromonica" chromatic harmonica, Ok, its really a mouth organ, and I can still manage a hearty but dodgy rendition of 'Rule Britannia'. (By the way.I'm still available for Weddings, Masonics, Bar Mitzvah's and of course, now I know about them, drunken meetings of the Royal Antidiluvian Order of the Buffalos).
This could perhaps follow by Misterbee after changing his mind about hanging up his Glad Rags doing a turn or two.
Our talent, JR, seems limitless

Ernie Callaghan

I know that we have only had a "Straw" poll but as the topic has been viewed by nearly 400 hits I am at a loss why only 23 members have voted, perhaps political apathy, and by no means a quorum.
I am not sure how we should approach the subject at the AGM with Peter Baldwin in attendance, should we ask him to leave the room?
Ideas on a postcard please.

paul croxson

I think Ernie that there are multiple visits by far less people than it first appears.
Again the solution is simple. We can resolve everything before the AGM and present it to Peter as a fait accompli for himto accept in his usual gracious way

marleneandgypo

Cheeky monkey! I hung up my pinny 37 years ago on the NAAFI door at Langeleben. But if I had a Dr Who Tardis I would be back ther in a second.

I am seriously thinking of coming along depending ona few things. Poor old Clive has been poorly lately with his heart and is struggling to get about poor love. I really worry about him. However we have two sons and I know if I go on my own he would be well looked after. I won't go into my list of dependants but if I can make it, I would love to be there with all of you. Hopefully if I can get to Hannover there may be one person who can help me with transport over there as I don't drive. I'll bend Robbie McCallum's arm!

Once last thing, do you have a date yet? I have looked all over the site and can't see it. Thing is June 5th 2009 is my 60th birthday and the family would obviously want to spoil me that day...then again I would rather be over there and not feel my age!

Marlene

paul croxson

I find this response to a very good question, frankly pathetic. It is beyond me that there are members who visit the site and then do damn all about voting.

Tom Neal

Which question was that Paul?
Unless Ernie sends out letters to all our members we cannot resolve this before the AGM as I know a few members who are not on the internet but do attend all of the reunions and they will not even know about this vote.
Tom

paul croxson

The question(s) was/were who was the choice to inveil the memorial as you well know, Tom.
There are also more members who visit the website than will attend the AGM so another question then would be "has the AGM a mandate?"
The point I was making was 'why visit the topic and not register an opinion?' That point is, in my opinion as valid as ever!

Ernie Callaghan

Only about half of our members are on the internet and only 90 of them have access to the forum Tom is quite right we need to get a quorum vote at the AGM. It has been suggested that as Peter Baldwin seems the obvious choice we should approach him before the AGM and tell him that it is our wish that he should be involved in the inauguration ceromony, pehaps in tandem with the Burgermeister. Peter was 81 years old last month and next year could be his last vist with us in Germany, we desperately hope not, but one can never tell.

paul croxson

Ernie
I cannot believe for one moment that anyone who has ever met Peter and seen him at the re-unions would have ANY doubts as to his being the right person. I see no detraction from this in asking the Burgameister to participate actively and is there a question of someone from the Helmstedt council needing to be involved but at a lower level?
I feel that you could safely ask Peter, not forgetting Mrs B also, who always plays a stalwart and supporting role, if they would accept this "HONOUR". I think he would make the effort for this occasion if he is physically up to it but as you say '81 is a ripe old age' even by my standards. Just been talking to Tom who is making stalwart efforts to get the history, now more than 300 pages long ready for the internet. I hope it will bring pleasure to many and be useful as a record of a very interesting period. We were small but perfectly formed!
See you soon. Haven't booked yet as domestics need sorting first!

marleneandgypo

So 27 out of 445 members have voted. We think it is fair to say that this does not represent the members as a whole. No one is saying that Peter should not represent Langeleben, he seems the obvious choice as the main man, THE man, but we feel that alongside him could be a representative of each decade that served. Someone from the 50's/60's/70's/80's and 90's. 5 men and Peter. We made this suggestion earlier but no one commented.

Clive and Marlene

paul croxson

This has been a bit peculiar from the outset.
For the record, I read your idea but like the entire membership, did not comment. Without some idea of the format of the event it seemed premature to do so. Obviously it needs to be choreographed and no doubt the committee will be working to that end, then we will now whether your idea would fit in the grand order of things. For the record - again, I am neutral.

marleneandgypo

Thanks for your response Paul.

paul croxson

i've been thinking, something I reserve for important matters. It sometimes seems to me that we leave too much to our committee who do a damned good job year after year after year and like all of us don't mget any youn ger or (as far as I know richer).
This unveiling next year could be the last time that many of us make the pilgrimage, I'm pretty sure it will be my last time, anyway.
Ernie has suggested that we can make decisions at the AGM but I would like to propose something slightly more radical. We should take the burden of organising the Funfest next year off the backs of the existing committewe and create a ne sub-committee incorporating those on the main committee who wish to be involved PURELY to organise this event. It could be big or it could be a sad affair.
Southsea where I live is not quite Germany and so we should take advantage of JR who is still out there just down the road. He is my no.1 suggestion to get the event on the road. We've got to get the thing ratcheted up quite a lot and time is getting shorter and shorter. The type of people we want all have full diaries. If we go for the R.S band as I would like they probably book themselves a year or more ahead. I'd like to see a real Brit military presence - how about a torchlight tattoo. I want lots of goodies, the Last Post, the Lone Piper, let's have fireworks.
Who can we tap up for money?? Loads of people The I Corps Assocn to which JR and I are connected could be good for a few bob.
This is just wild burblings leading to my point ..... we need a sub-committee and soon. I can only hope that the main committee accept this suggestion in the spirit in which it is intended. We cannot expect them to carry the entire burden of running the Group and this major and final celebration, it's not fair on them and we need to use the talents that we have who may not be on the committee.
By the way, if anyone thinks that I am out of my tiny mind with these absurb ideas, I promise I am not. I've got bigger things than this going with just a few volunteers and good will all round. The Army is DESPERATE for good publicity and what a story we have. This tinpot little field in the back of beyond where we have all stuck together with our memories. Look at the History! The number of compliments that I have had on its uniqueness is amazing. Is there a TV programme in this? I think that possibly there is!
Does anyone out there share my enthusiasm or should I go and have a cold shower?

David Thomas

Hi All, Especially Paul, I think your ideas are brilliant! In particular the one concerning a cold shower! I do hope our committee, who as you say do an excellent job, do not take amiss at your suggestion of a dedicated sub committee, I believe it has a lot to recommend it and I support it. If it gets off the ground, perhaps there could be regular (monthly?) updates on the site. Can I suggest that 1) the committee comment on the suggestion of a sub committee, and 2) assuming they agree, individuals (including main committee members if they feel so inclined) put themselves forward. All the best. Dave T.

paul croxson

Thanks Dave.
I think that JR is definitely with us in this. I gather from him that the Kinderheim carpark is plenty big enough for such an event. When we had the re-uinion at the same time as the schutzenfest I reckon we had one hell of a party. can we combine them again ? Answers to this kind of question demonstrate how useful JR could be if we can, subject to the committee's approval, get him on-side and leading this.

Ernie Callaghan

Paul, I think your Idea has a lot of merit and although it is after the event I can tell you that I have been thinking along similar lines, I believe that the remit for the celebrations and the inaugeration is too far reaching for the existing committee and needs fresh new thinking and to include people with local and perhaps military contacts, it indeed should be a memorible event.
I would suggest that because of the enormous amount of work already put in on the form, wording and manufacture of the proposed monument that the Langeleben reunion committee should carry on the responsibility of the delivery of the memorial to the agreed site and any sub committee should then be responsible for the festivities and funding of same.
I am slightly worried that if outside funding is forthcoming then it should be funding only and that the doners should not have any input or control of any part of the event. Let us have military and local bands, TV and national press coverage, fireworks and beertents, although I think it should be kept apart from the Schutzenfest because I think both events would be minimised and would clash with the Konigslutter council planning.

Of course we cannot make any decisions on the FORUM, a member or group of members must put forward the idea of a sub committee at the AGM in May and after discussion a vote should be taken.

paul croxson

Two points Ernie, if I may.
How far has the design etc of the memorial got? I am concerned on reading your message that it might have gone further than we thought.

There is a feeling amongst one or two others I have broached this subject to that a joint fest with the schutzen lot might be a good idea and that we reduce on the dinner dance type of thing. That certainly would be my feeling. But .... at the end of the day they may not even want us.

Will you put out a call and ask us to volunteer (totally against any Squaddy's natural instincts of course!

Ernie Callaghan

Paul, be concerned no more, as stated in an earlier post Paul Ellis has prepared a design on paper only, wording both in the English and German language has been prepared and can be amended or changed , not a chisel has touched stone, not a penny has been spent and will not be until we have the approval of the membership after the presentation at the Loughborough AGM, we are supposed to live in a democratic society so lets be democratic. I feel embarrassed to say this but nothing has been cast in stone.

As for your suggestion about arranging the whole event to coincide with the whims of the Schutzengild, this could delay things even more. Last year the Schutzenfest was held in September, this year it is to be in August, timings for the 2009 Schutzenfest will not be decided untill Feb or March of the same year and will give us little time to fit our arrangements around it.
The Schutzenfest is not the event that it was six or seven years ago due to local apathy, Jim Husband and wife Erica attended last year and the beer tent was less than half full on the Saturday night. The people who run the beer tents have indicated that as profits where so bad over the last couple of years they are thinking of withdrawing support.

You asked that I put out a call for volunteers, (I assume that you mean for the sub committee) you must realize that forming a sub committee would be a change in the constitution of the rules of the Langeleben reunion branch and would need to be put to, and voted on by a quorum of our members at the AGM and not only made available to the dozen or so members who have input on the website forum.

We still have at least 15 months to go and time is on our side so let us do this properly and democratically..

paul croxson

Thanks Ernie for the reassurances. I am sure that you understood my concern.
That is disappointing news re the Schutzenfest.
Let's not go down the path of changing constitutions for goodness sake!
Call it A STEERING GROUP surely we cannot have a constitution that precludes this. Frankly I have never read the damned thing anyway and, in my experience, if one needs to do so the concept being considered is usually wrong.

jr

Yes, I'd heard that about the Schützenfest, it seems to be a trend. All the more reason, I thought, to speak to the men in charge and tell them what a boost we would be to their profits. The Schützengilde would love to have us, by the way, marching in the procession, drinking their beer etc. The point about using the Schützenfest is that then we don't have to worry about beer tents, barmen, waiters, food or entertainment. If we had to do it ourselves we would have to book them well ahead.

I think it is good and proper that other members are also taking the long view on the Memorial festivities. What was the old adage which was drummed into us on NCOs cadres: Prior Preparation and Planning Precludes P1ss Poor Performance. I am involved in the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the International Police Association here, this is to take place in Summer 2009. At the AGM last week a sub-committee was formed, already the rooms for the Civic Reception at the City Hall in Braunschweig have been reserved, and the Lord Mayor's office informed.
My choir books the Stadthalle in Braunschweig two years in advance for it's annual concert, admittedly that's a bit extreme (as Braunschweig is short of medium-sized concert halls).

I think it is desirable that when the subject is raised at the AGM, that at least one or two members attending have done some homework and are in a position to speak with some authority regarding the events proposed.

I haven't read the constitution, all I can find on this site are a set of rules for the Branch. In other committees where I am involved the Committee usually can appoint additional members for special tasks at the discretion of the Chairman. I don't think we need to change the constitution (whatever it says). A rose by any other name. No-one is proposing sidelining the committee. But we do have a pool of very talented members with immense experience in all sorts of fields who can contribute for the common good. We all know the capabilities of those who served in the Y Services, and I am sure some great and constructive suggestions will emerge in May.

As I am fond of saying, this Forum is a great sounding board, nothing more. It is not representative of the whole membership by any means, but it does give a voice to a certain number of us.

paul croxson

That's extremely good news JR. Iam still very much sold on the concept of joining up with the Schutzenfest, beer tents et al. call me un sophisticated but that's nearer to my recollections of Germany in the 'good old days' . There's a Tea dance on the Pier at Southsea every week and I don't go to that either!
I was bored stiff last time and wandered off to the bar and didn't find myself alone. Sorry but as good a mate as he was once there is no way I am dancing with Stubbings.
I can't take that sort of dancing seriously since seeing Joyce Grenfell singing "stately as a Galleon" pushing an invisible overweight tightly corseted partner around the room.
My neighbour Mrs. Fanshawe is prtly plump ang gay.
She must be over sixty-seven if she is a day.
You might have thought her life was dull
It's one long whirl instead.
I asked her all about it, and this is what she said.

I've joined an Old Thyme Dance Club, the trouble is that there
Are too many Ladies over, and no gentlemen to spare.
It sems a shame, it's not the same,
But still it has to be
Some ladies have to dance together
One of them is ME

Stately as a galleon, I sail across the floor.
Doing the Military Two Step, as in the days of yore.
I dance with Mrs Tiverton, she's light on her fewet, in spite
at turning the scale at fourteen stone and being of medium height.
So - gay the band
So - giddy the sight
Full evening dress is a must.
But the zest goes out of a beautiful waltz
When you dance it bust to bust

There are two morte verses but I hope I've made my point.

paul croxson

Just another thought, Ernie.
If indeed the Schutzenfest is later in the year what is it - if anything- that stops us moving the date of the re-union?
It's not as if we all have full diaries, is it?
Have any of the other committee members any views on the subject, strong or otherwise?

Ernie Callaghan

Paul, just a quickie, if we change our timing to join the Schetzenfest in say September, or as in three years ago October, then we will have
17 months between reunions and then we would either have only 7 months to the next UK reunion or we change the next UK reunion to Sept/Oct to equalise..
As I say we will be subject the the whims and fancies of the Schutzengild.

If it was decided that as a one off we arrange our monument inaugeration to coinside with the 2009 Schutzenfest then I cannot see a problem, and as you say 2009 will probably be your last time to march and to watch other people dance in the beer tent anyway. Have a good day.

paul croxson

That's encouraging Ernie.
As I see it this would be a 'one-off' event so if they could coincide it would make a tremendous celebration and I bet Konigslutter and some others would back it in a big way. It may also resolve itself if the Schutzenfest brought their meeting forward, say, to August. I suppose JR has an inside track to this and could tell us if it is possible.
After 2009 everything could go back to normal. Sadly I think that the memorial might end the pilgrimage for quite a few of us. The grass will have grown over the site and by 2011 God only knows where we will all be! Certainly cheap air fares will be a thing of the past. Alastair Darling could perhaps make a one-off payment available in the next budget for Langeleben survivors but I don't give it too much hope.

Ernie Callaghan

That's the boy Paul, much more cheerful now. Are we the only ones using the forum at the moment, John, yourself and I? let's hear from some of the other grumpy old men who at the moment are conspicuous by their absence. As I said before, this years Schutzenfest is in August so to have it in August 2009 could easily follow, we would have to bear the brunt of August prices for hotels, flights and ferries, plus the pound sinking like a stone against the Euro, but hey, it's only money, right.

When are you going to confirm your attendence at the Loughborough doo?
I cannot imagine the AGM without you.

paul croxson

It's this damned wedding. My wife's son wants us to witness his 2nd marriage that week-end in Franceand I am juggling like m ad to get them to change. I'll be there somehow

paul croxson

I think, Ernie, that the underwhelming response is sufficient a mandate for you to go ahead and sound Peter out as to his willingness to pull the cord ably supported by the Burgomeister. I feel this is better done in advance in case he has to say 'no' for some reason or other.
As far as the lack of response is concerned my idea of a committee is one member and having the casting vote. No one can possibly complainabout not having been consulted - can they?

marleneandgypo

We agree that Paul has a valid point Ernie

Ernie Callaghan

Paul, we have some 350 members who are not privvy to the website forum, the will certainly have reason to complain about not being consulted.

Yes we could sound out General P.B and I am sure that he would be honoured but untill we have concrete dates for the 2009 reunion how can he commit, his wife still works and they both have a very busy social life.

Just as a thought, I was speaking to Peter last week and he informs me that he does access the forum and is very impressed with the history project but is slightly worried about the security aspect and wonders should we have it vetted by GCHQ.

paul croxson

Peter raised the same security issue with me.
For the record, there is nothing in the history which is not already in the public domain. Most is totally irrelevant for today as we go back to the morse days. I checked with JR who is totally happy on the security aspect and frankly when you read of the security leaks and the incompetence of GCHQ they are the last people to consult. I have been researching on this aspect and it is frightening what has gone on there.
Apart from that, it has been up on the Web for several months now so it would be totally pointless.
"Shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted" comes to mind!

If he (Peter) is reading the forum as you say, an unofficial approach would not be unexpected. The points you raise actually re-inforce my suggestion of an informal approach.
Frankly if you leave it to the "silent majority" to show the way forward it will be a long wait! But, that's your decision - since we never hear anything from the rest of the committee on this subject we can only presume that they are 'with you'.
I just express my personal views, partly in the hope of stimulating some debate, sadly I fail.

Ernie Callaghan

Yes the rest of the committee is up to speed on all that has gone on forumwise, Gerry Kane is without his computer at the moment but will be back on line soon, Jim Husband seems to agree with both Gerry and I on the sub committee idea but believes that we should follow the general mood of members at the AGM. The decisions are not mine alone, there are ways of communication other than on the forum.

paul croxson

Thanks Ernie.
I talk to lots of I. Corps who do not attend AGM's, re-unions indeed do not even belong to the Group despite my efforts. In the main they are the old voice ops who feel very much on the fringes.

paul croxson

Ernie
Would it be a fair summary of where we stand if we said that the Committee is generally in favour of a joint Langeleben/Schutzenfest celebration subject to a date that was suitable being agreed and the Schutzenfest organisers being in accord?

GerryK · Memorial

Hi everybody. As Ernie has already indicated I was offline for just over two weeks, so have only just caught up with all the gossip!! I certainly wouldnt have any objection to a sub-commitee being formed to do some organising re the Memorial. I will state quite firmly from the outset that,
as far as Iam concerned the only person in the frame to do the unveiling is Gen Peter, with some help from the K/S town council.
Gerry.

paul croxson

Welcome back Gerry
TOTALLY AGREE

paul croxson

Just a thought.
Not many of us are getting any younger and by next August (subject to discussion and agreement a lot of us will be even older.
Personally I hate flying and have thought of a train trip to Konigslutter rather than driving again with a round trip of 1240 miles.
It has occurred to me that perhaps we could arrange our own Coach trip.
Has the Committee thought of this in the past and what was their view?
It is salutory that even with the current price of diesel it is still cheaper for 2 people to drive. That can't be right!

Ernie Callaghan

Paul, we have gone into the logistics of the coach idea many times and it just isn't feasable, members would be travelling from all over the UK, we would need feeder coaches from all over the shires congregating on the port of Dover. Members will be staying in Germany for variable amounts of time, some two days and some up to ten days or even a fortnight.
Once in Germany people would need transport to travel around, to see the sights, to go to Helmstedt, Braunschweig or the Harz mountains, to see Colditz castle or visit their old girlfriends, the British need their cars!!
National Express coaches go to Braunschweig from Victoria coach station, how about giving that a try!!

paul croxson

I thought that might be the case Ernie. Thanks

Memorial Celebrations

choice of dignitary to dedicate the memorial.

Memorial

Memorial