BOXING FOR MONEY

Went boxing last night and here you can see me in the red corner fighting for a cash prize for the charity.  Got a black eye and didnt got to work to day.  Noo noo, just kidding it was a black tie I got and I was in the audience!!  It was a boxing match bertween the Stock Exchange and the Army.  That conjures up a roaringly funny image of fund managers being beaten to death by squaddies but that wasnt true either. Placid Gonzales of St James 's Place organised this evening in the Brewery in the City and its purpose is to raise money for charity including ourselves.

GARDEN PACKED

Today I attended the Garden of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. It was a mild morning so there were many people attending the brief ceremony attended by the Duke of Edinburgh and conducted by the Dean of Westminster and Mrs Sarah Jones , widow of H Jones.  I was able to chat to many from the Regiments and Corps whom we help.  All were appreciative of the good work done here.

REMEMBER THIS DAY

To morrow we will all pause for 2 minutes at 11 o clock.  To morrow is also 11 of 11 of 11 of 11 so worth thinking about.  In our hurried life always looking at our e-mails it is a time to reflect and remember those who are no longer with us.  The Cenotaph will be the focus on Sunday when the nation pays homage properly.   It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and replaced Lutyens' identical wood-and-plaster cenotaph erected in 1919 for the Allied Victory Parade, and is a Grade I listed building.It is undecorated save for a carved wreath on each end and the words "The Glorious Dead", chosen by Rudyard Kipling. It was intended to commemorate specifically the victims of the First World War, but is used to commemorate all of the dead in all wars in which British servicemen have fought. The dates of the First World War and the Second World War are inscribed on it in Roman numerals. The design was used in the construction of many other war memorials throughout the British Empire.

POETRY LAUNCH

Here is John Jeffcock (ex Coldstream Guards) who has organised a anthology of poems written by soldiers, sailors and airmen in all conflicts from the second World War to Afghanistan. The other person in the picture is Roger Field (ex Blues and Royals) who was one of the contributors and who was the person who organised the deal with the book on sale in the Regions,"Rogue Male". The photo was taken at the book launch where all the contributors were able to meet each other. I met several soldiers who were either serving or recently retired. Poetry is clearly an emotional escape and many I spoke to made this point. The money made from the book comes to the Charity. Thank you John.

LIGHT CAVALRY TAKE OVER No 10

At least that's what it looks like! In fact The Light Cavalry celebrated their 150th Anniversary. A jolly occasion and the men in blue and silver very much in evidence as they will be for the British Military Tournament in a months time. See www,britishmilitarytournament.com.

MARTINE FACES UP TO BOOK

This is Martine Olds who is from Zimbabwe and lives near South Cerney.  She has volunteered to help us on social media.  In particular she wants us to be more Facebook savvy.  She has been watching Mr Stitch's blog and has even ridden that maniac of a horse, Wogan him who is owned by King Arthur.  What a small world!  Anyway it was great to meet her and soon Mr Stitch will be on facebook! And good heavens who is that beside her?  I am sure I have seen him before, oh yes it is Johnny Fast Car.

APACHE PILOT TELLS ALL

To day we held the annual Gloucestershire Curry Lunch at South Cerney.  It was a good occasion and we were lucky to have James Cambrook, a pilot in 4th Regimnet AAC to tell us of his experiences in Libya.  It was a fascinating talk telling us things we would never have read of in the papers.  He was a very confident young man who told a good story.  Here he is answering questions after his talk.