We’ll Meet Again- Normandy Veterans Reunion 2017

August 10, 2017 Leave a comment

WE’LL MEET AGAIN – NORMANDY VETERANS’ REUNION 2017

Following our previous Autumn get-togethers, plans are taking shape for a Reunion for
Normandy Veterans again this Autumn. This year we are planning the event in Portsmouth
to be held over the weekend Friday 29th September through to Sunday 1st October.

It will commence with a get-together with a light buffet supper in the Engine Room Bar,
Royal Maritime Club, Portsmouth – 1900hrs on the Friday evening 29th September.

On Saturday 30th September from 1000hrs until 1600hrs an event will be held on Castle
Field in Portsmouth, which will include displays, Fiona Harrison singing on stage,
afternoon tea and a parade of veterans’ standards. Transport to and from hotels will be
available all day. In the evening, from 1930hrs there will be a dinner for veterans and
guests at the Royal Maritime Club.On Sunday 1st October the weekend will draw to a close with a commemorative service at
Southsea Cenotaph conducted by Reverend Mandy Reynolds.Hotel accommodation for those wishing to stay for the weekend is available at a
subsidised rate – costs per night- £55 for a double room and £40 for a single,.

Complimentary tickets will be allocated for the Friday supper, Saturday events and Gala
dinner for veterans, wives & widows. For others the cost is £10 each for the Friday evening
supper & afternoon tea and £30 each for the Gala dinner. Please note all these costs are
subsidised and will be funded by donations, sponsorship and fundraising.

**There are limited spaces for the Saturday night dinner, therefore tickets will be issued on
a “first come first served” basis.

Catch up with old friends and comrades. Come and join us! We would love to see
you all again.

For full details and any enquiries:, email: info@spiritofnormandy.org.uk

Tel; 01428 605672

Summary of Itinerary Friday 29th September -Sunday 1st October

Friday Evening: 1900-2300 – Get together in the ‘engine room bar’ at the RMC for
those who wish to join us

Saturday 1000 -1600 – Reunion on Castle Field (Including parade of veterans and
Standards at 1515). Tea will be served in a marquee.
Afternoon Tea
Various displays
Fiona Harrison “A voice in a million” vintage entertainer
Young Historian Prize giving.Plus lots more 

1930 – Veterans Dinner Royal Maritime Club – note limited spaces**
Sunday 1030 – 1130 – Service of commemoration Southsea Cenotaph

All enquiries: info@spiritofnormandy.org.uk

June 6th: NVA at the NMA

June 19, 2017 Leave a comment

On the 6th June the NVA attended a memorial service at NMA Alrewas for the 73rd anniversary of D-Day. During the service Robert Mille, Consul Honoraire de France symbolically presented the Legion d’Honneur medal to 17 veterans. Photos courtesy of Peter Lloyd.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/151562703@N05/Su614K

Colleville Montgomery Service 2017

Leave a comment

The below photos were taken on Sword beach after the service at Coleville Montgomery on the 5th June. There was a very special flag in the photos sourced at an auction and was the first flag to be raised on Sword Beach.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/151562703@N05/vQA9Bf

Southend District Normandy Veterans

June 6, 2017 Leave a comment

This still thriving group of veterans and supporters headed by Don Sheppard Leg d’hon., former National NVA Vice Chairman.  recently held a collection a the Eastgate shopping centre Basildon. This was generously sponsored by Eastgate and Toomey Motors. As a result they kindly donated £500 to the Spirit of Normandy Trust.

The group is now looking forward to their trip to the National Memorial Arboretum to take part in the service on 6th June in the vicinity of the Normandy Veterans Memorial. The service is being organised and funded due to the hard work and fundraising for the event by Peter Lloyd of the Normandy Veterans Alliance.

southend

Bristol Normandy Veterans Pilgrimage to Normandy with Arena Travel

Leave a comment

Ken Turner  the Chairman and Social secretary contacted the SONT to say that they had a very well organised trip, that the coach was exceptionally comfortable and they all marvelled at the skill of the driver manoeuvring the giant 6 wheeler in and out of the tiny Normandy Villages.

Many of the veterans had special places that they wished to revisit and he made special thanks to their guide Major Bob Darby, who with his intimate knowledge of the battlefields and a flexible approach, managed to fulfil all the requests

New friends were made on the pilgrimage, especially Dr. Jonathan Leach who took great care of a couple of the ‘lads’ who developed medical problems along the way.

He added that here was a wonderful atmosphere of camaraderie throughout and they hope they will all be able to meet again next year.

More pictures on – Facebook ‘Bristol Normandy Veterans’