AGM/Reunion
- By Steve Rowlands
- •
- 27 Jun, 2019
- •
AGM/Reunion Day/Weekend Adgenda:
The weekend starts with breakfast, Fri 19 Jul 0830 at the Mardin Cafe, Copnor Rd, PO3 5EG.
There is a welcoming party for any travellers arriving on Fri 19 for reunion. We will be meet in the Ship Anson on the Hard from 1930 onwards - all welcome.
The AGM is at the GI’s, Whale Island. The PFGA Museum will be open on completion of the AGM and the curator and his assistant (Gabby & Dennis) will be giving guided tours and talks - all welcome. There will be an opportunity for a reunion picture prior to the museum visit.
A shuttle bus will be provided from the GI’s to ferry members down to the town, stopping at the Ship Castle (which still displays Field Gun memorabilia), Rubys and on to the Hard. Guests can disembark the bus at any of those venues.
Later in the day members are requested to reconvene at the Ships Anson public house on the Hard for more dits and beverages.
Finally, on completion of the watering stop at the Anson, all members are invited to attend the event at Spice Island public house, Old Portsmouth which has been booked for the evening social.
There will be a crew photo at 1930 so don’t be adrift!
Reunion day programme:
1100 - 1200 GI’s Open
1200 - 1300 AGM
1315 - 1330 Photo
1330 - 1500 Museum visits and drinks in the GI’s. Shuttle bus runs to town commences.
1515 - Last shuttle bus depar ts whale Island
1500 - 1800 Free time
1800 - 1815 Muster Ships Anson
1845 - 1900 Proceed to Spice Island public house in Old Portsmouth.
1930 - Photo outside Spice Island
1900 - 2300Drinks and food, usual social activities Spice Island public house.
As part of the reunion is ‘behind the wire’ the committee need to be informed at the very earliest opportunity if individuals plan to attend. We have to provide a list of members who are planning to enter HMS Excellent as we have to comply with the obvious security arrangements at the gate. Turning up and claiming “I am Joe Bodkin, Flying Angel” is not unfortunately going to get you access.
If you are already a member and attending your name will be on the Association list which will be on the main gate. If you are not a member (if not - why not?) and intend coming we will require names for the gate staff.
(add-on, if you are not a member you have no business being at the AGM... unless you are going to while you're there of course... just saying! - SR)
What's Happening...
FRIDAY 7 July 2023
Golf (All Day Event) Game & Prizes £35.
China Fleet Country Club Saltash. Book via the Shop on the Association website Meet 0900 - Group Photo 1000 - 1st Group Tee Off at 1016
Evening Get Together after Golf and arriving in town for weekend
Keyham Vaults Pub (Opposite, near, Albert Gate)
222 Albert Rd. Devonport, Plymouth, PL2 1AW
SATURDAY 8 July 2023
AGMs Pompey 1200 & Guz 1400 The New Continental Hotel, Millbay Rd., PL1 3LD followed by Tot Time with Pasties social gathering
Evening Dinner 1930 Sit Down - The New Continental Hotel
Millbay Road, Plymouth, PL1 3LD
The cost for Evening Dinner (Saturday) is £36 per person
Booking and payment for the dinner is via the shop on the Association website.
Accommodation:
Best Western Lichfield City Centre - The George Hotel, Bird St, Lichfield WS13 6PR.
When booking a room at The George, mention Portsmouth Field Gun for a discounted price.
It is proposed that we book a semi informal dinner at The Trooper on Friday the 17th March 2023, the Bar/Restaurant is 3 miles from the Gorge Hotel (10 minute cab ride)
Those wishing to attend the dinner at the Trooper on Friday 17/03/2023 please confirm by text to Sparky Coombes on 07810883565
For those wishing to visit the national Arboretum it is situated Approx. 7 miles 16 minutes from the George Hotel.
The committee have planned to visit the Field gun bench at the Arboretum after breakfast returning to Lichfield in time for the Commencement of the Six nations festivities.
Six Nations Game at The Squash Club
The 18th of March is the climax of the Six nations which sees
Scotland Host Italy at 12.30.
France Host Wales at 14.45
And finally Ireland host England at 17.00
It is proposed to set off for Sutton Coldfield at 1200 where we have booked a room in a Squash club to watch all three games.
Closer to the time when we have an idea of numbers we will arrange the requisite number of mini buses to get everyone to and from the venue.
The reasonably priced bar will be open all day.
Sunday BBQ
Numbers dependant, Nick Dymond has offered to show off his BBQ skills to any of the association that aren’t completely ditted out or have been locked up for fighting with any 15's (one in particular) that took offence during previous dit spinning sessions.
AvN 13th May 2023.
OUR ALLOCATION OF MATCH TICKETS HAVE SOLD OUT - You can still purchase your own from RFU.
Wrist Bands to allow entry to the Command Field Gunners Bar can be ordered here (in the shop). Two per member.
We have included a non-member option. If you are not a member of the association, you must email us your years at PFGC to be considered: pfga@yahoo.com
PFGA members WILL come first.
WANTED! More ex- Portsmouth Field Gun Crew Member who have not yet ordered their ''Portsmouth Field Gun Crew Lifetime Medal''
PFGA Reunion Breakfast 0830 on Friday 15 Jul in Mardin Cafe, Copnor Road PO3 5EG
Friday 15 - Field Gun Dinner
Friday 15 - Partners Run Ashore
In order for us to stay ahead of the curve organisation wise, we would like you to get on and buy your ticket, so enabling us to confirm numbers etc with the venue. Tickets are £60 and purchased via the shop www.pfga.online/shop.
I can see from the list to date that some members are already forming 'Crew Year Tables' to celebrate their own mini reunions within the grand scheme. This is a great idea. For us to be able to make all of this possible we ask for early bookings and remove the risk of latecomers 'cocking' the whole thing up.
We have removed the stipulation that you have to be a member to attend the Dinner. Obviously if you are reading this email then you are an existing member, you may however know Field Gunners who for some 30 year old political reason have no desire to be a part of the association. If you do, we ask you to reach out and invite them to come along. We hope that they will see the amount of work that the committee put in on behalf of everyone and then join up. What challenged us in the past changed us forever. We all share the same bond and every year, sadly our numbers decrease.
It has been a long time since we all attended a Dinner such as this and sadly many have now crossed the bar. Don't miss this opportunity to reunite, spin some dits, remember those who have crossed and make one or two more memories.
There is no charge to enter this part of the dockyard. Gun numbers will be asked not to scare any kids and keep their grunts to a minimum whilst Swing and Slat numbers will have to undergo a security handbag check.
Rig: As you see fit, Blazer/Tie, Polo, Sports Rig with Sweat Bag, White Fronts/Track Boots/Gaters, Nicks and Flip Flops...
Drinks in the Ship ANSON on completion.
https://www.pfga.online/Portsmouth-Field-Gun-Newsletters