I have been twice to the Coldstream Guards Association Annual Lunch at the Racecourse. In 2005, I went as a Town Councillor deputising for the Mayor and last year as well but this year, I am attending in my own right as Mayor. Edwina and I met Major John Cole in the car park who was talking to General the Lord Alvingham, whom I had met at previous lunches. John Cole is one of the veteran Coldstreamers and incidentally was once the Chairman of Newbury District Council. He was also closely involved in the management of Fairclose Day Centre.
In the Restaurant we met Barrie Padwick, the honorary Secretary and his wife who were responsible for the organisation of the event and have been doing so for many years. I was introduced to General Alvingham who was acting as the Association President in the absence of Major David Powell who had been given a special birthday gift from his family, a day at the Races. I was also introduced to General Sir Michael Rose, the Colonel of the Regiment.
The lunch was excellent and then General Alvingham proposed the toasts to the Queen, The Regiment and Association. General Rose spoke then about the deployment of the Coldstreams wold-wide and had some strong comment on how some parts of the Regiments had been split up into small packets without the usual leadership from the Regimental officers.
The lunch concluded by presentations and a raffle. Edwina was presented with a wonderful bouquet and I was given a Regimental Tankard, which I shall cherish. It was a splendid lunch and my thanks and best wishes go to the Coldstreamers and the Association.
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