Wales & West

Branch News

Wales & West - Dec 2021
Mick Leather - Secretary

A few photos from our Branch meeting at the Victory pub in Hereford

Wales & West - Dec 2020
Gus Hales - Chairman

Dear All, as a branch we were two meetings into our twelve month set up period, before the 'LOCKDOWN' arrived. We were discussing the option of a formal branch launch venue and launch date.

Our first meeting was a get together, to explore the viabilities of a branch in this area.

Our second meeting was held at the Welsh Club in Hereford, just before the 'LOCKDOWN.' At that point we had no official members. Due to that meeting we went from zero, to twenty six signed up members.

As the branch was still in its exploritory stage and we hadn't officially launched, it was thought best to suspend proceedings until the Covid situation becomes clearer. There have been a couple of occassions where it looked like we could start up again, but alas Covid restrictions made large group gatherings, too difficult to be viable.

Considering the size of the branch area and the distances some members may have to travel to attend our Saturday branch meetings, we really had no choice other than to suspend formal branch activity until further notice. However, some members are keeping in touch via zoom and other smaller gatherings. In addition we had a few Wales and the West branch members attend Freddie Kemps funeral, so contact is being maintained. Lets all hope we get back to normal soon and we can continue to develop the branch

Stay safe, From all at Wales and the West

Gus Hales cycled a 95 mile round trip to attend Freddie Kemp's final farewell

Wales & West - Jan 2020
Gus Hales - Chairman

Saturday the 25th of January saw the second exploratory meeting of the new Wales and the West branch of the Airborne Engineers Association at Hereford's Welsh Club. From an initial meet up of about twelve last October 2019, numbers rocketed to about forty attendees. A great turn out, well done one and all.

In all respects we are now an up and running branch, but we have decided to spend the first twelve months exploring ideas for vibrant meetings with events of interest and variety, while growing the membership. The aim is to have an official launch in the next few months which will hopefully project us into a lasting future. More news about that when we have further information and confirmation regarding the launch venue.

We have received much interest and enquiries, not just from the branch area but around the country. We feel confident that the branch will be well supported with many interesting ideas. Our next meeting will once again be at the Hereford Welsh Club on Saturday 25th April 2pm. If you are interested in this branch all welcome.

Many thanks for the support so far.
Lt Col Clive Lee, Branch President, Gerry Bonner, Branch Secretary, Gus Hales, Branch Chairman, Mick Leather, Branch Treasurer

Wales & West - Dec 2019
Mick Leather - Treasurer

The 1st Meeting of the welsh contingent of the AEA was organised on Saturday 26th October at the Seven Stars Public House, in Clehonger, just outside Hereford. We had a delay because of severe flooding but it was a credit to all that braved the weather to be there and formalise the future of this new branch. There were 13 attendees in all with John Lee having to make tracks to other commitments and therefore couldn’t stay following the delayed start.

This motley crew have basically decid­ed to meet formally 4 times a year to start and expand on that with a view to keep the meetings short and social. The agreed dates will be Jan, April and July 25th which will be Saturdays at 1400 hrs. There will be one in September to coincide with Double Hills. The one in January will be at The Welsh Club in Hereford.

So that is the first thing to put in your diaries if you want to join and get involved in the Branch

We have nominated Clive Lee as President, Gus Hales as Chairman, Gerry Bonner as Secretary and myself, Mick Leather as Treasurer. These posts will all become available at the July Meeting.

We do intend moving it around the area as we fully understand that geographically, we are spread out to the four corners of the area. We have identified at least 60 in the Herefordshire and South Wales area. The thing is you don’t have to attend them all but by becoming a member you will get that contact that the other branches have done so successfully without having to wait every year for the AGM to come around.

We will be writing to all those members that we have knowledge of to formally invite them to join but if you cannot wait please feel free to contact Gus, Gerry or me for details. My contact details are mleather350@gmail.com

Wales & West Branch - Inaugural Meeting Oct 2019

Angus Morrison, Gus Hayles, Carl Rhodes, Gary Tickener, Pat Neal, Mick Leather, Arthur Askey, Gerry Bonner, George Firth, Sandy Reid, Clive Lee and Bert Tate

The inaugural meeting of the new branch of the Wales and West Airborne Engineers Association took place on Saturday the 26th of October 2019.

Twelve interested fellow Airborne Engineers made the journey amid torrential rain and flooding. The meeting started late as transport detours around the floods delayed the proceedings.

The idea to start a new branch had been muted for sometime, but finally took birth from the AGM weekend held in Banbury early October. It was decided to instigate a twelve month form up period to see just what interest is in the area. It has all the makings of a vibrant, well attended branch.

All the office positions are temporary and it was decided on the day not to hold elections until we have a clearer support base. A dozen guys attended some from as far afield as West Wales, Leicester and Shropshire.

We decided on a name 'THE WALES AND WEST BRANCH' and to hold four meetings a year at rotational locations and further special event functions.

The meeting went well, the formal part didn't drag on and we soon found ourselves, should we say socialising in the bar.

The next meeting will be Saturday the 25th January at 2pm in Hereford somewhere, location will be announced nearer the time. If you wish to attend this branch all welcome and please look out for further posts

Gus Hales
Temporary Chairman
Wales and West Airborne Engineers Association.