ANNOUNCEMENTS
Association of Harrogate Apprentices
At the 2019 Annual General Meeting the fact that The Association would no longer have a Secretary after 2020 was discussed and debated.
I had intended to hand over to the Shadow Secretary after the 2019 AGM and fully transfer by January 2020, however the Shadow secretary stood down and there was no one willing to take on the role.
I have agreed to hold post for the time being but would be resigning at the next AGM.
During the AGM and after long discussion and debate, it was agreed by the members attending that the Association of Harrogate Apprentices should close at the next Reunion/AGM.
The 2020 Reunion/AGM would then be the FINAL Reunion of the Association of Harrogate Apprentices, being held in October 2020, a date to be confirmed.
It was also agreed that we would freeze the membership as of the AGM 2019. Members would be asked to register in the usual manner i.e. by completing and submitting the “Provisional Booking Form” that would be issued with the FINAL copy of the Journal.
We therefor ask current members to instruct your Bank/Building Society to cancel any Direct Debit or Standing Order that you have set up in relation to the Association.
One other item from the AGM was the dissolution of the Army Apprentices National Memorial Trust (AANMT).
All four Apprentice School/Colleges instrumental in forming the AANMT had been consulted and asked to agree to the dissolution of the Trust and the formation of an Associate body to replace it and thus uphold the Annual service for the Army Apprentices.
This new body to be called the “Army Apprentices National Association” and be open to All Army Apprentices.
The final formation and any constitution is currently being set up and I will endeavour to keep you posted.
The annual reunion weekend, Gala Dinner and Drumhead Service will take place on the weekend of Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2020
All Ex-Apprentices are being asked to support. Please let Steve Joyce or Collin Weir know a.s.a.p. (As requested)
The Army Apprentices National Memorial Trust:
2020
Reunion of Apprentices
The Annual Reunion Weekend of the Army Apprentices National Memorial Trust will take place on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2020. All ex-apprentices are very welcome to attend all or part of this weekend which is being held at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire.
The weekend will start with the Annual General Meeting of the Army Apprentices National Memorial Trust which will be held in the Poppy Room at the National Memorial Arboretum at 13:00hrs on Saturday 2nd May. This will be followed in the evening by a Gala Dinner and after-dinner entertainment at the Hallmark Mickleover Court Hotel, Mickleover, Derby. This is a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and colleagues – and swap the inevitable war stories! The bar opens at 18:30hrs and dinner will be served at 19:30hrs..
The Annual Drumhead Memorial Service will be held at 12:00hrs on Sunday 3rd May at the Army Apprentices Memorial in the National Memorial Arboretum. The service will be led by Rev Gary Kelly (Carlisle 67C) and will include music provided by the Army Apprentices Pipe Band, who will also be playing at the REME memorial prior to the Drumhead Service. In addition to the Standards of the Old Boys Associations of all 4 Apprentice Colleges the Standards of other Associations may be on parade.
The Hallmark Mickleover Court Hotel is offering the same special rates for the weekend as last year, with a Double Room for £138 per night and a Single Room for £100 per night. These prices include bed, breakfast and the Gala Dinner/evening meal. For those not wishing to stay at the hotel the cost for the Gala Dinner alone is £28 per head. Bookings can be made direct with the hotel, quoting “Army Apprentices Reunion”, by telephone 01332 521234 or by e-mail at mickleover.sales@hallmarkhotels.co.uk, the hotel’s website is www.hallmarkhotels.co.uk
If you have any queries please contact either:
Colin Weir (Chepstow 55A) 01704 875653 or col.chep@btinternet.com
Steve Joyce (Carlisle 63B) 01634 252982 or steve.joyce332@gmail.com