Reaching Out
- By Steve Rowlands
- •
- 26 Feb, 2021
- •
Dear Members,
Now the Government has laid out the roadmap to returning to some sense of normality out of lockdown, after the Covid 19 pandemic, myself and the committee would like to check in with you all. We held our first virtual committee meeting last night and there was a general discussion into 'do we know how everyone is doing?' On behalf of the committee and myself, we agreed we probably should have contacted you all earlier in the crisis and for that, please accept our apologies. Just like everyone else we hunkered down and tried to keep our families safe and secure.
Myself and the committee understand the essential purpose of the association today is to facilitate the need for social connections and gathering with our ‘Field Gun Family’. We obviously have not been able to fulfil that remit in 2020 and 21 to date but it is our intention to restore as much of the social programme as soon as restrictions have been lifted later this year. Full details of the future programme will be placed on the website in the next few days.
The main aim of this email is to ‘reach out’ to all of the membership. As a ‘Field Gun Family’ we do not know who has been affected financially, physical and dare I say it mentally. It is important to recognise that people will be experiencing the impact of this challenging period in different ways.
If any member wishes to be connected with others or pointed in the right direction for help, the committee would like to offer support and assistance. We are by no means experts but may be able to offer advice and guidance on who to communicate with and contact details. Hopefully this communication finds you all physically and mentally well and not experiencing too much hardship. If that is not the case however, please do not remain isolated and reach out to fellow members of the association or the committee. Committee members contact emails are available on the website.
Useful sites:
SSAFA website https://www.ssafa.org.uk/
Citizens Advice website https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
MIND website https://www.mind.org.uk/
PFGA online https://www.pfga.online/
Stay in touch, let us know how you are doing and I hope to see you at a social event very soon.
RADD
Tom
Now the Government has laid out the roadmap to returning to some sense of normality out of lockdown, after the Covid 19 pandemic, myself and the committee would like to check in with you all. We held our first virtual committee meeting last night and there was a general discussion into 'do we know how everyone is doing?' On behalf of the committee and myself, we agreed we probably should have contacted you all earlier in the crisis and for that, please accept our apologies. Just like everyone else we hunkered down and tried to keep our families safe and secure.
Myself and the committee understand the essential purpose of the association today is to facilitate the need for social connections and gathering with our ‘Field Gun Family’. We obviously have not been able to fulfil that remit in 2020 and 21 to date but it is our intention to restore as much of the social programme as soon as restrictions have been lifted later this year. Full details of the future programme will be placed on the website in the next few days.
The main aim of this email is to ‘reach out’ to all of the membership. As a ‘Field Gun Family’ we do not know who has been affected financially, physical and dare I say it mentally. It is important to recognise that people will be experiencing the impact of this challenging period in different ways.
If any member wishes to be connected with others or pointed in the right direction for help, the committee would like to offer support and assistance. We are by no means experts but may be able to offer advice and guidance on who to communicate with and contact details. Hopefully this communication finds you all physically and mentally well and not experiencing too much hardship. If that is not the case however, please do not remain isolated and reach out to fellow members of the association or the committee. Committee members contact emails are available on the website.
Useful sites:
SSAFA website https://www.ssafa.org.uk/
Citizens Advice website https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
MIND website https://www.mind.org.uk/
PFGA online https://www.pfga.online/
Stay in touch, let us know how you are doing and I hope to see you at a social event very soon.
RADD
Tom
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.
To Include a visit to:
The National Memorial Arboretum, a get together whilst watching the final day of the six nations play out whilst discussing Guns Over, Runs Back and why Number 15 has the easiest job on the track.
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
A sample menu can be found @ https://www.thetrooperwall.co.uk/
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.
During the day pies & pasties will be available from the club, and during the period between the last two game the association will be providing a curry.
The reasonably priced bar will be open all day.
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.
Watch this space for updates please hold off booking the Hotel until we have negotiated the rate.
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.
From Terry Crossley:
WANTED! More ex- Portsmouth Field Gun Crew Member who have not yet ordered their ''Portsmouth Field Gun Crew Lifetime Medal''
WANTED! More ex- Portsmouth Field Gun Crew Member who have not yet ordered their ''Portsmouth Field Gun Crew Lifetime Medal''
I have extended the closing date
for orders to allow those that have not ordered or have just found out about the medal, time to order.
The Navy News will be doing an article about this unique medal in their October edition.
Contact Terry terry@greatscottishevents.net
0131 336 3620 - 07981779301
Friday 15 - Breakfast
PFGA Reunion Breakfast 0830 on Friday 15 Jul in Mardin Cafe, Copnor Road PO3 5EG
Friday 15 - Field Gun Dinner
PFGA Reunion Breakfast 0830 on Friday 15 Jul in Mardin Cafe, Copnor Road PO3 5EG
Friday 15 - Field Gun Dinner
PFGA Reunion Dinner @ The Queens Hotel Fri 15 Jul - Timings
1800: Meet at Dukes Bar/Garden - Pre dinner drinks
1830: Crew Photograph
1900: Sit down
2359: Bar closes
Rig: Blazer/Shirt/Tie/Lounge Suit
Friday 15 - Partners Run Ashore
Sat 16 Jul - Reunion Day Programme:Friday 15 - Partners Run Ashore
1800-1900: Dukes Bar/Garden - Queens Hotel
1915 - 2030: Sherlocks Bar
2030 - 2300: Sant Yago
2300: Kingsleys (see you in there!)
So that we have an idea on numbers anyone attending:
RSVP: Rachel Parry 07759 776155 (I believe the book is now closed)
HMS EXCELLENT (you will require photo ID for access)
1100 - 1200 GI’s Open -Tea/Coffee/Absent Friends
1200 - 1300 AGM - Last minutes/Agenda/Treasurer Report
O/C Tot Time/Bar open/Sandwiches
1315 - 1330 Photo - Rose Garden
1330 - 1500 Museum visits and drinks in the GI’s. Shuttle bus runs to town commences
1515 - Last shuttle bus departs Whale Island
1500 - 1800 Free time
1800 onwards - Bridge Tavern
1900 – Association Photo outside Bridge Tavern
1930 – Curry/Spaghetti Bolognese
Late – Carriages or Kingsley’s!!
"D'ya hear there. The Mad Bish will be throwing a Birthday Bish Bash. Any and all Field Gunners who happen to be in the area, 20 Aug 2022 are more than welcome to attend. Details as per the invitation. That's all..."
Just a quick heads up regarding the Members Dinner which is to be held at the Queens Hotel, Southsea on the evening of 15 July, Reunion/AGM Weekend. Details of which have been previously promulgated.
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.
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.
A wreath will be laid, 18 May 1130 at the Field Gun Statue in Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard in remembrance of Portsmouth Field Gunners, LPT Gary Nelson - HMS ARDENT and LCK Sam Sambles - HMS GLAMORGAN. We will remember the ultimate price that they paid in service of our Queen and country in this 40th Year Anniversary of the Falklands Conflict.
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.
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.
Read the Spring Newsletter here:
https://www.pfga.online/Portsmouth-Field-Gun-Newsletters
https://www.pfga.online/Portsmouth-Field-Gun-Newsletters