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Middlesbrough and District Coldstream Guards Association

Founded 1931

Charity No. 1121453

President. Major Mark Chetwynd-Talbot

Reunion Events

Coldstream Cup York Racecourse

THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS ASSOCIATION STAKES
Run at York Racecourse on Saturday 10th October 20090
It was a fine morning as the party of thirty one members and guests from the Middlesbrough Branch boarded the coach bound for the Knavesmire at York Racecourse.
A further twelve member we travelling by car to hopefully enjoy a good days racing and meet up with old friends and colleagues.

On arrival at the course my first task was to make sure that the Recruiting team had arrived and that the Sportsman's

Bar was open.
CSM Mac McWilliams was on parade with his team making sure that only members and guests entered the bar.
A young Guardsman was doing his best in selling the 'Support the Coldstream Guards in Afghanistan' wristbands, and I am pleased to say some people were putting money in the bucket without taking a wristband.
Unfortunately I was unable to take my normal quota of photographs because my camera batteries went flat, but thanks to William Derby Chief Executive at York Racecourse who kindly sent me a copy of the Cup presentation.
The Regimental Band were once again present and played at intervals throughout the day and at the presentation of the Cup.
I t was nice to see some familiar faces again as well as some new, CSM Dave Roffey from Sandhurst.

Former Regimental Sergeant Major Mick Gadja and now retired Major Scrope.

Malcolm & Mrs Winspear picking the winners

Tony Ormiston from Liverpool, Alan Mason, from Sunderland and 'Tonto' Long.
Both Captain Billy Matthews and Brigadier R J S Wardle OBE DL attended the bar to talk to the visitors.
I walked down to the pre-parade ring with Sergeants Wyles from the AFCO Leeds and Donaldson from AFCO Doncaster to await the winner of our race and as usual they became very popular with the ladies wanting to have photographs taken with them.
I was not having a very good day with the gee-gees, as I had not backed a winner so the Coldstream Cup was my last hope.
17.15 hrs and they were off on a race of one mile and four furlongs, I had put my last tenner on Trip The Light and luckily it won the race.

LtoR. Capt. Dave Gardiner, John Keegan & CSM Dave Roffy

The two Sergeants marched smartly in front of the winning horse leading it to the winners enclosure and then they

Brig. Wardle presenting the Coldstream Cup to the winning Owners, The Matthewman Parteners

mounted the presentation rostrum. they were joined by Brigadier Wardle who made the presentation to the winning owners The Matthewman Partnership.

The final race at York had been run for 2009, it had been a very good day and my thanks to the race committee at
York Racecourse
William Derby and James Brennan also to the Coldstream Guards recruiting team who worked hard throughout the day.
As did the Regimental Band who played brilliantly, to the great delight of all the racegoers.

The result of the sweepstakes draw was :-
1st - Trip The Light.
2nd _ Snoqualmie Boy.
3rd - Zaaqya.
4th - Goodwood Starlight
.
Here's looking forward to next year, I hope to see you there.
Saturday October 9th 2010.
Mannie Cook Your Racing Reporter

Branch Visit to Sandhurst

THE ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY SANDHURST
THE COMMANDANT'S PARADE
On Tuesday August 4th, eight Branch members set off from Teesside for the journey to Sandhurst; we had been invited down by CSM Dave Roffey and C/Sgt Lee Westerman to attend the Commandants Parade.
V/President Mac Finkill as usual was our driver and he did a great job in getting us there safely in good time the less I say about the recce team the better.
We were met at the gate by C/Sgt Westerman who instructed us on how to get to the Sgt's Mess as the Academy is a huge place.
On arrival we were handed our room keys and taken to them, with our clothes packed away we made our way to the mess for tea and biscuits,

LtoR. John Ferguson, John Fletcher, Col. Westerman, Billy Spence, C/Sgt. Lee Westerman, Mac Finkill, Pete Hellings, Mannie Cook

and we were welcomed by CSM Roffey.

CSM Dave Roffy, leads the party to the Parade Ground

It was here that we met Association members from Hull and Doncaster, also to attend the next day were members from London and Sussex branches.
Before the evening meal C/Sgt Westerman took us to the Academy chapel and it was breathtaking, every wall and pillar had the names of officers who had lost their lives in battle.
At 19.00hrs spruced up and suited we returned to the mess for our evening meal and then with the bar opened it was time for a few bevies, but no longer will we be having late nights as the Bar closes at 23.00hrs prompt.
Wednesday morning and after break fast we were hoping to have gone to the indoor range but were not allowed by the health and safety executive. So we adjourned to the mess for coffee and it was here that we met with the Academy Sergeant Major, Pete Carr who welcomed us warmly.
The members of the other branches began to arrive and among then were some good friends in John Welsh and John 'Axe' Anderson and the

LtoR. Mr Roffy Senior, CSM Dave Roffey, Mac Finkill

Secretary of Sussex branch Derek Woodlands.
Now it was time to move over to the Parade ground and take our seats for the parade and I can assure you that it was a

The Sandhurst Parade arrive on the Square

very hot day.
The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst marched on Parade by Divisions led by the Sovereign's Platoon to the music of 'The Standard of St George'. 'Soldiers of the Queen' and '79th Farewell to Gibraltar' played brilliantly by the band of the Royal Corps of Signals.
There were over four hundred officer cadets on parade, the Sovereign's Banner and the Colours were marched on parade followed by the arrival of the Commandant who was received with a General Salute, he then inspected the parade.
The inspection over the Sovereign's Platoon marched forward and the Academy Sergeant Major handed the Sovereign's Banner to the Banner

Bearer, the Platoon then trooped the Sovereign's Banner.
With the Troop completed, the Parade then marched past in Slow and Quick time.

Parade formed up awaiting the Commandant.

After advancing in Review Order the Parade was then addressed by the Commandant who praised the cadets for an excellent parade and the band of the Royal Corps of Signals of their excellent music.
The Commandant then presented members of the permanent staff with medals and commendations.
He also rehearsed presenting the Sword of Honour, the Queen's Medal and the Overseas Sword which would go to Junior under Officer E A Hillman, Officer Cadet H R D Liddell and Junior Under Officer D R Jaquith of the USA respectively.

A final Compliment was paid to the Commandant and the Sovereign's Banner.
The Colours and the Senior Division marched off parade up the steps of the Grand Entrance of the Old College followed by the Academy Adjutant on his charger Seamus.
The remainder of the parade then marched off and finally the Commandant and his party mounted the Grand Entrance steps and into the Old College and the doors closed behind them.
It had been a privilege to witness such a grand parade and one I am sure the parents of the young officers would be proud to attend.

The Commandant leaves the Parade via the College Steps

The group of Association members and some wives had a group photograph taken on the Grand entrance steps.

Later in the evening we visited the Old College with C/Sgt Westerman and spoke to a number of his Cadets pledged to the Regiment.
The following morning after breakfast we said our goodbyes and grateful thanks before setting off for home.
Some Information:
The Reviewing Officer was Major General D J Rutherford-Jones

CSM Roffy & C/Sgt. Westerman on College Steps.

The New College Regimental Sergeant Major. WOI L J McNaughton, Irish Guards.
The New College Regimental Sergeant Major. WOI S Jones, Coldstream Guards.
In the Junior Division: CSM of the Somme Company, WO2 (CSM) S Wright, Coldstream Guards.
CSM WO2 (CSM) Dave Roffey, Coldstream Guards.
Ypres Company C/Sgt Lee Westerman, Coldstream Guards.
Manny Cook.... Hon Secretary

Mac Finkill, Mannie Cook, C/Sgt. Westerman, Colin Westerman, Billy Spence

Centre Peter Hellings takes over the detachment.

78th. St. George's Stag Dinner

Saturday morning of the 25th April and Chairman John Ferguson and members of the committee arrived at the Marton Hotel and Country Club
to once again set up the Concert room ready for our Dinner.
Don Castelow could be seen laying out thecentre piece of our dinner, three full tables of memorabilia which takes quite a time to set up and is always admired by our guests.

With the menu's and name cards in place we left the young waitress to put the finishing touches to the tables, the last items being the blue red blue table napkins.
The evening arrived and I stood at the door of the Hotel to welcome our members and guests which included our President Major Mark Chetwynd Talbot and the Regimental Adjutant, Major E M Crofton.
Our main guest were taken to the reception room where they were welcomed by the President, they included V/P Captain David Gardner, V/P David Gajda, WOI RSM Mark Simpson (Royal Engineers)who just happens to be my nephew.
Major David Smith QCDS DL, WOII David Waller ACIO Ashington, WOII Cleeve Langdon I/C Training at Catterick, C/Sgt L Westerman, RMA Sandurst, and Mr J Keegan, Secretary, Household Division , Durham and Teesside.

W01, RSM Simpson , Sapper C. Simpson & Dad Paul former RM.

The music of Milanollo was heard as we stood to welcome our guests and they all marched into the room.

Chairman John Ferguson then called upon me to say grace, this done we sat down to enjoy a traditional dinner.
Consisting of vegetable soup followed by a roast beef and Yorkshire pudding dinner with season vegetables then homemade apple pie with custard and completed with coffee, cheese and biscuits swiftly served by the waitresses.
The meal over it was time for our speakers, the first being our President who proposed the Loyal Toast after reading a letter of congratulations and thanks from our Colonel-in-Chief, Her Majesty The Queen.
He then went on to welcome our guests which included WOI (RSM) M Simpson, Major David Smith QCVS Dl, Mr Franco Gasparotti, Founder and Chairman of Coldstream Kids, Mr Graham Prince MBE of Victoria Prints.
Who's company is a donor to our website for which we are very grateful
The Presidentals also welcomed two young Sappers in our company, Sappers Craig Simpson and Paul Curtis.
We had members of London, Hull, Sunderland and Newcastle branches present.
England and St George was proposed by Vice President, Malcolm Finkill who tried hard with a few tips from one of our guests Mr John Welsh who was enjoying a quiet night.
Next it was the turn of Major Crofton to respond and update us on the battalion, No 7 Company, RHQ and Regimental Headquarters before thanking us for a very enjoyable evening and a brilliant set up.
Our final speaker was Captain David Gardner who I forgot to mention earlier is also President of the Household Division Association Durham and Teesside who proposed The Regiment and The Association in his imitable style.

It was now time to make the presentations to our speakers and as I approached our President with the first gift, Vice President Malcolm Finkill called for order as he asked the Regimental Adjutant to make a presentation.

It was to a member of the Branch who had dedicated his life to its service, with outstanding devotion and loyalty.
He then said 'Our Secretary' Mannie Cook, well! Talk about being gob smacked, I stood there in awe and finally received my award from Major Crofton who thanked me for my excellent work.
Gentlemen; I enjoy doing what I do and I appreciate all the kind words that are spoken of me, but I am only too pleased that I am able to do these things for my branch members and the Association and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this award.
Now I can get back to what I was about to do and that was ask our President to present a print of a Guardsman on guard to the
Regimental Adjutant Major Crofton.
Followed by a presententation to Vice President David Gardner a set of Coldstream cuff links.
So another very successful St George's had dinner come to a close, time from serious drinking and reminiscing.
I was assisted by members of the committee in collecting our memorabilia and Don Castelow his.
In closing I would like to pass on my thanks to two people who came along on both morning set up and evening clear up.
First Don's wife Marita who brought him in the morning and collected him a night and Mr Ron Ambridge an Australian friend of our Chairman John Ferguson, who came along with John on the morning and busied himself helping where he could, thank you both.
Thanks also to Malcolm and John for all your hard work and Norman Wise for assisting with the raffle

Certificate of Merit to Hon, Sec. Mannie Cook

.
Mannie Cook Hon Secretary

Saluting the Heroes
Roll the cursor over the Image for Text

HOMECOMING PARADE

In early April of this year, I was asked via Vice President Malcolm Finkill by Lt Colonel T.W. Gray the Commanding Officer elect of the1st Battalion
if it would be possible to arrange a homecoming parade for serving members of the 1st Battalion from the Middlesbrough area.
Having just returned from a seven month tour of Afghanistan, I had been informed that the Regimental Band would attend if available.
The wheels were put in motion and I contacted the PR Officer Mrs. Diane O'Connell at Middlesbrough Football Club to see if they would agree to the parade being held at the ground.
Agreement given Saturday 3rd May 2008 was the date chosen when Middlesbrough would be at home to Portsmouth.
I contacted the secretary of the Regimental Band to confirm that the band was available on that day and was informed that it was,
I then sought information regarding requirements for the band and was informed that the total band was thirty six bandsmen and four women. Middlesbrough Football Flub did not have changing facilities so it was decided to use our meeting room at the Marton Hotel & Country Club,
who kindly agreed and also provided a room for the women.
I decided to do a recce run from the hotel to the ground to see what time was needed in order to arrive on time and a steady fifteen minutes would be perfect.
I was promised that sixty serving men would travel home on the Friday evening prior to the game, They would then be collected on the Saturday morning and brought to the ground.
I was then informed that the Battalion was interested in parading in the town and started to make inquires regarding the police etc, but when I informed the band that they would be needed early Saturday morning, they informed me that they would have to travel up on Friday and required forty beds.
Not having these facilities available to me it was decided to just have the parade at the ground.
On the Thursday evening I was informed by the officer Mr. Kendall who would be attending the parade that the number of guardsmen attending would be twenty eight.
I had also been informed that one of our branches Vice President's Captain Stuart Beattie MSM MBE who had also recently returned from Afghanistan would be on the parade.
Saturday 3rd May arrived and I met the band at the hotel and took them to the rooms where they would change and have something to eat having arranged a buffet for them. Time was spent making sure their equipment was cleaned, and it brought back memories for me watching them buff white belts and polish boots.
Tunics were donned and a lot of heads turned when they came down to get back on the coach, well it's not often you see the Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards in Middlesbrough.
As the Band dismounted at the ground they were joined by Captain Beattie
The three senior members of the band and I went into the ground to see the set up, Mrs. Diane O'Connell met us and informed the Band the procedure of events.
The band then formed up on the boulevard and started to play.
The detachment officer Mr. Kendall, the Guardsmen and Captain Beattie were on parade dressed in desert combat order. They were joined by the three Recruiting Sergeants for the North East, Sgt's Waters, Bumby and Whiles in combat fatigues.
We were honoured to be joined by Mrs. Lisa Leech, widow of the late Sgt. Carl Leech with their son Tommy.
Lisa and Tommy who we all know is the subject of a big fund raising campaign being assisted by Vice President Malcolm Finkill of the Boro Branch.
The band marched around and into the ground to a huge round of applause and formed up in front of the player's entrance, and continued to entertain the crowd.
At half past two the Guardsmen and members of the Yorkshire Regiment also recently returned from Afghanistan appeared from the player's entrance and walked around the ground in opposite directions and being warmly applauded by the crowd they were accompanied by Lisa and Tommy Leech.
Returning to the front the Battalion was then presented with a framed signed Boro shirt by the Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate, who then received a plaque from the Battalion. The Boys then made their way around the ground to their allocated seats in the East Stand, to watch the Match.
I am please to say it was a good result with the Boro winning 2-0.
The band in turn marched up to the centre circle and turning around split to form up in a 'V'.
The teams then came out onto the pitch and walked through the 'V' and formed up behind the band, they then shook hands with each other and broke away.
At this point the band reformed and marched off being warmly applauded by the supporters of both teams.
The bus then ferried them back to the Marton Hotel & Country Club to get changed, on the coach and set off for the return journey to London.
But not without my grateful thanks.
The organization had been hard work but well worth the effort.
Mannie Cook Hon Secretary Middlesbrough Branch


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