Major (Rtd) B W Lane Minst LM

"Rhootti"

10 Fortrose Close, College Town,

Sandhurst, Berkshire.

GV47 0XF

Tele: - 01344 778255

25^TH May 2005

All Regimental Association Secretaries

The Guards Division

Following a reunion of former drummers of the Grenadier Guards which was well supported also by the Honourable Artillery Drummers Association many requests were received by the organisers from former drummers for more frequent Musical meetings to take place with eventually an Association of former drummers of the Guards Division being formed.

To this end from November 2004 a meeting has taken place approximately every six weeks with a view to attracting enough members to form a playing Corps. We now have a regular attendance of thirty former drummers from the Grenadier, Coldstream and Welsh Guards as well as the Honourable Artillery Company Drummers Association.

The major general Commanding the Household Division has now given permission for us to assume the official title of ‘The Guards Division Corps of Drums Association’ and to go ahead with our plans to enlarge membership and to organise ourselves as a proper Association branch albeit restricted to former qualified drummers and with meetings being of a Musical nature whereby we can use our musical skills not only for our own enjoyment but also to be of assistance in preserving the history of the Corps of Drums within our Regiments and helping also with the Battalions if they request it, with tuition of new drummers.

I would be most grateful if through Regimental Magazines and Association newsletters you could help us to publicise the existence of our organisation in the hope of attracting more members to join us. I would emphasise at this stage we are not in a position to accept anyone who was not a fully qualified Flute player or Side drummer. Would you also please consider putting an entry on your Regimental Association Web Site? We are building up a database of former drummers at present.

Title: The Guards Division of Drums Association.

Meeting Place: The Grenadier Guards Association Club, Windsor.

Meeting date: As Notified (Normally every six weeks)

Meeting Day/Time: Sunday morning.

Assemble: 11.15hrs Disperse: 15.15hrs

A Ploughman’s Lunch is available on payment

All meetings are Musically orientated consisting of three musical sessions. Some instruments are available. If you have your own all the better. The Flutes are high pitch as opposed to low pitch. An extensive music library is available.

At present playing Corps of approximately thirty players have three engagements at present, HAC Bisley Camp 4/5 June. Grenadier Day, Windsor, 3 July. Windsor Grenadier Guards Dinner, 9 July.

Contacts for the Association are as follows:

Major B Lane as above.

Mr P Taylor, Hon secretary, ‘Lynton’, Drone path, Winnersh, Wokingham, Berkshire. RG41 5HB.

All Regimental Adjutants of the Foot Guards have been notified of this project by Headquarters Household Division and hopefully as we progress drummers who are leaving the Army, will be informed of the Association and its aims with a view to them contacting us should they wish.

May I take this opportunity of thanking you in anticipation of your assistance in giving us some publicity through your Regimental Association.

Yours Sincerely

B W Lane