Roll the cursor over the Image for Text

77th. St. George's Stag Dinner Early Saturday morning 19th April 2008 and the members of the committee were at the Marton Hotel & Country Club, setting up the tables in the ballroom for our Annual St. George's Stag Dinner and I can tell you everything has to be precise. Table's straight, table clothes the right length, runners in line, nothing is missed, and even the girls placing the cutlery and crockery know what to do. Name cards in place, menu's positioned, memorabilia and candelabra added and the final touch the blue red blue table napkins tucked in the wine glasses and the tables look a treat. Meanwhile in the centre, former Drummer Don Castelow is busy with the Brasso/Silvo and dusters laying out our brilliant centre piece, mostly made up of Don's collection of memorabilia, drums, cartridge shells, silver figurines. The whole place comes to light every year and it is a great pleasure to stand back and look at the creative work we produce. While we were working we were visited by the inspection party, none other than the Battalion Quartermaster Major Hall and his lady wife, I was asked if I had signed requisition forms when he saw the bearskins on the centre table, he was informed all legal and paid for Sir!. Newcastle Secretary Bob (only looking for tips) Ferguson popped in and also the Ashington Secretary John Mark, all were staying at the hotel. Evening arrived and with a Regimental music being quietly played in the background,I stood at the entrance door to welcome and guide everyone. Our more senior guests were taken to the reception area where they were greeted by our President, Major Mark Chetwynd Talbot. Promptly at 19.25hrs. The call came to welcome our guests and I led them in to the Hall to the music, 'Milanollo'. C/Sgt. R Plews, Sgt. D Waters, Mr. Dec Donaghy, Lt. Colonel TW Gray, Mr. President, Major D P Hall, Capt J S Beattie MBE MSM, WOI (RSM) D Waller, V/President Mr. D J C Gajda, Major (Rtrd) D Smith, and our guest speaker Mr. John Welch, were our honoured guests. After saying Grace and we sat down to an excellent four course meal, swiftly served by the hotel waitresses, and marshaled by duty manageress Rita. With the coffee cups cleared it was time for the Chairman John Ferguson to call upon our President to propose the Loyal Toast, but before doing so to read a telegram received from Buckingham Palace from Her Majesty. he then called for us to stand and Toast 'The Queen'. He then went on the welcome all our guests which included members of the 1st Battalion and No 7 Company, also representatives from Sunderland, Newcastle, Ashington and York branches of the Association. The President also mentioned a young man who makes a regular attendance at this dinner SAC Jamie Rose, I am going to see if he will re-badge. Our next speaker was Lt. Colonel Toby Gray, the Commanding Officer elect of the1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, who was called upon to toast England and St. George, and did so in his own impeccable way. Following on, a man who is renowned world wide for his after dinner speeches Mr. John Welch, a Coldstreamer having served as a Sgt. in the 3rd Battalion, who was called upon to propose The Regiment and the Association. His stories, gags and humour had us all in stitches. John remarked that it was unusual in this day and age to attend a stag dinner and especially a Coldstream Regimental Dinner, where he was among fellow Coldstreamers and friends. When he closed with the toast to The Regiment he received a standing ovation. Finally it was left to Major David Hall to respond and in his own inimitable way updated us on the situation regarding the Battalion, who were returning from a seven month tour of Afghanistan, it would be the end of the month before everyone was safely back home from a brilliant tour. Unfortunately not without some injuries, one Guardsman losing a lower limb, but who I am pleased to say will parade with the Battalion in a wheelchair on the homecoming parade in Windsor. Before closing with updates on No 7 Company, the Regimental Band, Regimental Headquarters and Recruiting. His speech was delivered with style and panache, which is the trademark of a brilliant orator, but also with passion and strength which highlighted his honour to have served with his Guardsmen in such difficult circumstances. With the night rapidly coming to an end it was time to make a few presentations, The President made a presentation to Lt. Colonel Gray of a print showing the Guard leaving Windsor Castle, to commemorate his promotion to Commanding Officer. To both Major Hall and Mr. John Welch a presentation of Mother-of Pearl, Coldstream cuff-links. So another St. George's Dinner was concluded, my thanks to Chairman, John Ferguson and Vice President, Malcolm Finkill. Branch members Don Castelow, Norman Wise and Manny Mercer for their assistance in setting up the room. Our most grateful thanks to two of our Committee men, Billy Spence and Davy Booth, they cajoled the company to part with a royal sum for our donated Raffle. We apologise for their threats and intimidation but it was in a very good cause. The Management and Staff of the Marton Hotel for their or cooperation and excellent service for which we are greatly appreciative. It was a very tired but satisfied Secretary who retired later that night/early morning. Eighty members and guests had gathered to celebrate our 77th St. George's Dinner, to celebrate our Patron Saint and it turned out to be one of the most memorable occasions. Here's to next year, and if you want to attend in 2009 make sure that you book early. Mannie Cook. Hon Secretary

YORK RACES OCTOBER MEETING 2007

It was an overcast but humid morning on Saturday 13th October when a party of 21 members and guests left the Marton Hotel & Country club for the journey to the Knavesmire the home of York Racecourse. Another large contingent travelling by car to watch a days racing including the Coldstream Guards Association Stakes. To ensure everything is in place for the day, Brigadier R J S Wardle OBE, Captain R W C Matthews and myself, representing the Association members, attend the course early in the year for a meeting with the Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, William Derby. Also present is the Head of Marketing and Sponsorship, James Brennan. I also ensure that the flags and rail side banner are at the course, in order to be in their place for the day. This year once again we were privileged to have the Regimental Band on parade to play throughout the day. The presentation of the Coldstream Cup to the winning owner would be made by Brigadier Richard Haywood OBE DL accompanied by his lovely wife Mary. Also on duty the Coldstream Guards Recruiting team, two of the team assisting on the day were, L/Cpl M J Price and L/Cpl T Barnes resplendent in tunic order. They stood Guard outside the Sportsman's Bar, which was exclusive to Coldstream Guards members only. Sgt N Smith from Doncaster, Recruiting office and Sgt S Thompson from Sheffield Recruiting office also resplendent in tunic order, had the enviable task to lead in the winning horse of the Coldstream Cup and I was standing by to make sure they sure they get the right horse. These lads are in big demand throughout the afternoon with young ladies wanting their photographs taken with them and they never refuse. We also had from Regimental Headquarters as well as Captain Matthews, RQMS D Roffey and three other members of staff. The Sportsman's Bar as usual was the meeting place and earlier in the afternoon, we had the service of the course tipster to give us some information. I think he was edging his bets when he told us it was going to be hard to pick a winner and in my case he was spot on. It was nice to see Brigadier Wardle pay a visit to the Sportsman's Bar, (No! Not to get a round in) and later Brigadier Haywood and his wife Mary accompanied by Capt Matthews to have a chat with the members. I met up with an old service mate 'Tonto' Long as well as John 'Axe' Anderson and RQMS Dave Roffey. It was nice to see the presence of Tony Ormeston, Secretary of Liverpool branch, Alan Mason and his wife Brenda from Sunderland Branch and four service personnel from the Middlesbrough Recruiting office. The room was full all afternoon which with the weather being humid made it a little bit warm. Eventually came the moment for the running of the Coldstream Guards Association Stakes, the last race on the card, a race run over One Mile and Six Furlongs and the big favourite was Market Forces. I did not see the race but listening to the commentator, the favourite came out of the pack in the straight to the front, to win easily. Sgt's Smith and Thompson met the winning horse and paraded it back to the winners spot. I later thanked the members of the Recruiting team for their dress and commitment, they must have been glad to get out of their tunics. Four trumpeters from the Regimental band played a fanfare and Brigadier Haywood and his wife Mary presented the Cup to the representative of the winning owner, Mr K Abdulla. Second was Casual Affair and Third was Trapain. To complete the day the Regimental Band played their usual farewell tunes, closing another fine Coldstream day. After collecting the flags and banners, it was a not quite broke Secretary from Middlesbrough who returned to the coach for the journey home. We had enjoyed a good day in good company. See you next year. Not in October, due to York Racecourse deciding to improve the drainage on the course in 2008, there will be no October meeting. They have offered the Association, Saturday 31st May 2008, which co-insides with the Troop first rehearsal. This means Regimental Band will not be available, but I am sure it will be another good day. Mannie Cook The Bookies Friend

Annual Dinner Dance
September 2007

Thursday evening at the Marton Hotel & Country Club, saw Chairman, John Ferguson and the duty manager Rita making a start to the preparation for our Annual Dinner Dance. Late as Friday evening saw John dashing back to the hotel to accommodate a couple of late comers. Saturday evening arrived and although slightly down on numbers due to various reasons, our member's with friends and guests started to arrive. Arriving early and staying at the hotel was Mick and Myrna Lewis over from Ireland, and it is always a great pleasure to welcome them both back, also attending and staying at the hotel was his friends Pat and Mary Cassells. All four joining Peter Hellings and his wife Barbara and I must mention my lodger for the night, also in their company, from York, Manny Mercer. With everyone in their place, Chairman John Ferguson called upon yours truly to say Grace, we then all sat to enjoy an excellent meal, with duty manager Rita and her four waitresses looking after us. While dining our resident DJ and former Coldstreamer Tony Bernistone had one of his assistants playing some enjoyable records. At the end of the meal, the Chairman called for everyone to stand and gave the Loyal Toast. He then proceeded to welcome our visitors Mick and Myrna and Pat and Mary, Mick and Pat are members of Liverpool branch of the Association. Also our ever present York Branch member Manny Mercer (I promised his lovely wife Pat that I would look after him). We were delighted to welcome Geoff Dakin, committee member of the Sheffield Branch, who was in the company of Paul Knox. John finished by thanking the remainder of our company for their attendance, without them we would not have a Social evening. John and my daughter Suzanne had been around selling raffle tickets and it was decided to get the draw out of the way so our guests could enjoy the dancing. There were shouts of fix when my table won a couple of prizes, and I thought at one time Treasurer Ian Camp's table were going to walk away with all the prizes. Now it was was time to dance the night away, with the DJ playing an assortment of sequence modern and disc dancing. Members and guests soon picked up the tempo and by the end of the evening the floor was very full. Manny (Old Twinkle Toes) Mercer and John (Strut my Stuff) Ferguson along with Norman (Give it all) Wise could be seen enjoying themselves, everyone had a go at something. With last orders being shouted, I stopped the music for a short while, to thank everyone for their attendance, John and Suzanne for doing the raffle, Rita and the staff of the Marton Hotel and Country Club and not forgetting our DJ's. In closing I commented that I hoped everyone had enjoyed themselves and if they had my name was Manny Cook and if not, it was Manny Mercer. Norman Wise followed me to ask everyone to give a big hand to the two people who had spent a lot of time organising the evening John and myself, thank you Norman it was greatly appreciated. My carriage awaited and it was a very tired but pleased Secretary who returned home. Here's looking to 2008 and I know it will be a fight for tickets next year, so don't forget to get yours early. Manny Cook Hon. Secretary Hon Secretary

Black Week End May 2007

Victoria Barracks Windsor, the home of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards was where a party of fourteen Boro members headed for by mini coach, unfortunately one member was unwell and unable to travel, and a further member travelled by car in order to visit his family after the weekend. Arriving a the barracks we were allocated our rooms and given chance to settle in. The sergeant’s mess was closed in order to prepare the huge marquee for the evening farewell dinner to RSM Peter Carr and to welcome the new RSM Andy Johnson. Smartly dressed in best bib and tucker nine members made their way over to the Sgt’s Mess for pre drinks, before making their way into the marquee for dinner. The meal was excellent and with the wine flowing the chill night air was soon forgotten, mind the ladies dressed in their evening gowns must have been chilled to the bone. The Corps of drums entered the marquee to play and medley of tunes, before RSM Carr was presented with farewell gifts form the Sgt’s Mess. We then retired back in to the Mess to meet up with old friends of the Boro branch, Captain Pete Dale, CSM (Sniper) Dave Waller, Sgt Gary Howe, Sgt Lee Westerman. It was nice to meet up with the Hoggarth family, senior was Chelsea Pensioner Bob, and his sons Julian who is serving with the Life Guards and Andy, who is a member of the 1st Battalion, also our good friend John (Axe) Anderson. As per custom it was last man standing as the Boro lads closed the Mess. Saturday morning and a few bleary eyed members turned up for breakfast before walking in to Windsor to watch guard mount, the Welsh guards taking over from the Scots. In the afternoon some members attended the Sgt’s P & P meeting, while others rested in preparation for yet another late night in the Mess. After an excellent evening meal we retired to the Mess to meet up with more friends from Ashington and Sunderland Branches, and a further Boro lad, Peter Hellings who arrived with his lovely wife Barbara. Our battalion contact CSM Andy Jones joined the company with his wife Sue to learn just what makes the Boro Branch tick. As the night wore on Captain Pete Dale came over to us muttering, he had set his stall out to be last man standing but couldn’t stand the pace, maybe one day Sir, one day, like hell you will. Sunday morning and a few thick heads arrived for an early breakfast before boarding the bus to Wellington Barracks and while the Secretary attended the Secretaries conference the lads were invited into the Welsh Guards mess. The rain was causing havoc with the parade while the Church service went on, it was on, it was off. no one seemed to know what was happening. Eventually the brave ventured forward and with the Regimental band leading the parade marched round to Horse Guards where the Colonel laid the wreath and then returned back to Barracks for the salute. We then climbed aboard the coach back to Windsor, and so yet another excellent weekend spent in great company had come to an end, as we boarded our Mini Coach for the drive back to Middlesbrough. I must pay tribute to our driver Vice President Mac Finkill, who was at the wheel for both the outward and inward journeys, but the return journey was horrendous with torrential rain following us all the way home. It was fourteen tired but contented members who arrived back safe and sound. Finally a vote of thanks to WOI (RSM) Andy Johnson and the Sgt’s Mess members for giving up their weekend’s leave in order to entertain us. Thank you gentlemen it has been an excellent time spent in excellent company. We wish you all a safe and successful tour of Afghanistan. Mannie Cook Hon Secretary

HOME