The 2nd SMVG Military Swap meet was held in the Institute Hall, Bridge of Earn on Sunday the 28th March. It proved to be another busy event with the hall once again filled to capacity with stallholders and the number of visitors up 50% on last year. The Club NAAFI proved to be particularaly popular with the ladies run off their feet for most of the day.
During the event we took the opportunity to hand over monies we raised during 2009 to Kinross-shire Help for Heroes representative George Aitken B.E.M. Alan Barnes presented him with a cheque for £875.
Thanks goes out to all the stallholders who supported us and came in from far and wide, this gives us the confidence to plan another at a later date. Special thanks to all those who contributed time and resources, from the supply of vehicles and items for display to the PA system. We are all especially indebted to all the ladies who worked tirelessly in the NAAFI and saved us all from starvation!
Alan Barnes presenting George Aitken of Help for Heroes with our cheque for £875
SMVG NAAFI...
Support for H4H Event, 2nd June 2010
I have received a request for our help from George Aitken B.E.M.
George is the county of Kinross-shire Co-ordinator for Help for Heroes.
George has been a great help in the club's efforts to collect for this
worthy charity and will receive our club cheque for the £830
raised in the 2009 season on behalf of H4H, at this years Swap Meet.
There is a cycle challenge for H4H from John O Groats to Lands
End. One of the stopovers is in the Kinross area and Rhoderick
Moncreiff, owner of Tullibole Castle is kindly helping out with
accomodation for the cyclists. He has also offered to put on a
fundraising BBQ for hopefully 100 local people, proceeds for the night
going to H4H.
George has asked if any of our members would like to come along on the evening with our military vehicles.
The 2nd of June is a Wednesday evening which, may put some
off, but it would be great if we could support both George who,
continues to work hard for this cause, but also this worthy charity.
This is all the info I have at present, but will find out more before finalising details.
If you can come along, please phone on the usual number (01577 863138) or email me at www.alfibarnes@btinternet.com.
Alan Barnes
ALO Central
Wanted!
Any information regarding Land Army and
Timber Corps in Scotland. Have you or did you have a relative who served in
either organisation ? Do you know of anyone in your area who could assist ? Do
you know of any locally published books on either subject ? If you can help in
any way please contact Audrey Webster by telephone on [01655] 760215 or by
e-mailing audreywebster@btopenworld.com
CALLING ALL EX - LAND GIRLS AND LUMBER JILLS - a
badge to commemorate service in the Women's Land Army and Women's Timber Corps
has been instituted by the government. It is available for surviving
members of both organisations from World War 1 and 2 who were alive on 6
December 2007. It is not available to families or next of kin of deceased
members, except where the member died after 6 December
2007.
Members who wish to apply will need to complete an
application form which can be found on the Defra web
site. This can then be filled out online or printed off and sent by
post to : Defra, 5E Millbank, c/o 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR
I know several women have already received
their badges, but I also know there are a lot of women who either do
not know how to apply or feel that after such a long time, this is a very small
gesture. I am therefore appealing to all club members to pass the word
on and let as many people know about the badges as possible.
These girls did a wonderful job and they deserve
full recognition of their service.
Audrey Webster
Expedition Saharan Saunter 2010
SMVG Member Major Garry Wallace is planning an ambitious expedition across the Sahara Desert for 2010. Billed as being the ultimate living history experience, the group plan to follow in the sand tracks of the legendary Long Range Desert Group, taking a route from Cairo to El Alamein whilst taking time to stop off at places of historical note such as Barce and Tobruk along the way. If you have a spare pair of desert boots, a suitable military vehicle of the era along with plenty of sun tan lotion, you may even want to take part in this epic journey !
Regretfully, due to lack of interest / borrowing, this facility has now been withdrawn.
SMVG Takes on Everest !
Club member Graham Phillp was proudly flying the flag for the Scottish Military Vehicle Group whilst on expedition up Mount Everest in November.
We are still awaiting the promised photo of his Series One Landie parked on the summit !
Well done Graham !
New Delivery of Pennants
The new pennants have arrived ! The previous ones we had were found to be of inferior quality and were not durable enough for our demanding requirements, so this time we have gone for a more expensive high quality product which should last for years. Made from a heavy duty flag quality woven fabric stitched at the edges, they come complete with integral aerial sleeve and ties for easy attachment. The pennants are priced at £17 each. Contact Alan Barnes for further details. You know you want one ! ( Mount Everest even has one now )