Page 2 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 56

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Secretary’s Notes (or, when will it all end?)

When I wrote Secretary’s Notes difference to me. Meetings are either conducted
ACC Association
around 6 months ago we were physically where possible and/or with the addition
Executive Council
in the midst of a national of attending remotely depending upon the
Chairman & Council
lockdown, but I recall that circumstances. I also have to check in daily, before
members elected by
the sun was shining and the the membership: 8am Monday to Friday on WhatsApp, letting
weather unusually balmy, Lt Col Nigel Shepherd everyone know that I am ‘safe and well’. At the time
which took away some of Chairman of writing, there is no end in sight to this particular
the pain associated with Major Erik Crichton arrangement. The Forming Corps Secretaries share
the pandemic. By that time, Members’ Representative an open plan office with several serving members
we had cancelled all our usual events including Mr Colin Slade of The RLC and I have to say that the limited desk
Members’ Representative
the All-Ranks Reunion in May, Royal Hospital space has clearly been provided by someone who
Mr Brian Henderson
Chelsea Founder’s Day in June, and Corps Sunday doesn’t actually have to work at one! So, working
Jones
in July. Some other events in late summer and early Members’ Representative from home is ideal for me. The good news is that
autumn were looking doubtful but I wrote, with the construction of the new RLC Museum at
Ex-Officio subsidiary
some optimism, that hopefully things would be Worthy Down has continued apace and will be a
ACC organisation
better in time for Remembrance Weekend. Sadly, members: fantastic facility when it is completed and opens,
this has proved not to be the case as the statistics Maj Mark Harris hopefully in the Spring of 2021. You can read more
associated with COVID-19 were all going in the ACC Officers’ Club about the museum elsewhere in this edition.
wrong direction once again. Representative Although I have not actually counted, I get the
Our usual ticket allocation of around 25 for the Mr Dave Butterill impression that, thankfully, we have seen fewer
ACC & RLC (P&P)
Opening Ceremony of the Field of Remembrance
Sergeants’ Assn
at Westminster Abbey was initially reduced to
Representative 2021 Dates for the Diary
5 and then to just one for the plot representative. Lt Col Tony Monk
I was grateful to Major Harry Lomas MBE BEM ACC Golf Society All dates and events are subject to confirmation
for agreeing to represent the ACC Association on Representative depending upon any prevailing restrictions at the time.
this very much pared down occasion. However, Administrative & ACC Association
just a couple of weeks before the event I received Co-Opted members:
notification that there was to be no veteran rep- Major Wally Vincent TBC April ACC Association Executive
resentation at this ceremony. Similarly, our ticket Association Secretary Council Meeting
allocation for the Cenotaph Parade was reduced Mr Colin MacDonald Sunday 4th July Corps Sunday and Lunch
Web Master, Media &
from the usual 50 to just 8. However, on 15th Thursday 11th November Opening Ceremony of the Field
Communications
October London was elevated into the HIGH of Remembrance
Mr Mike Coyle
tier of COVID-19 restrictions and on the same
167 Catering Support Sunday 14th November Cenotaph Parade and Lunch
day we were informed that no veterans would be Regiment Liaison
permitted to March Past the Cenotaph this year. Representative Sunday 14th November National Memorial Arboretum
Remembrance Ceremony,
On 31st October, the Prime Minister announced
all welcome
a second national lockdown for England so any
hope for a return to normality in the short term ACC & RLC Chefs (P&P) Sergeants’ Association
was dashed. Needless to say, all social events have
Friday 27th August Combined Sergeants’ P&P and
been cancelled and it is proving difficult to plan for
Officers’ Club reception and
when these might resume. Unfortunately, there is
curry supper at the VSC
not very much light at the end of this particular
tunnel at present. ACC Officers’ Club
The move to Worthy Down has been interesting,
Friday 19th March Annual Reunion Dinner and
to say the least. Having departed Deepcut a year
AGM in London
ago now, we moved into new office accommodation
Wednesday 7th July Summer Lunch at Leander Club
in early January. Of course, a couple of months later
Friday 27th August Combined Sergeants’ P&P and
the country went into lockdown and we have all
Officers’ Club reception and
been working from home ever since. I have made
curry supper at the VSC
the occasional journey to Worthy Down and must
request a visit in advance. However, as I work Friday 22nd October Ladies Dinner Night
from home most of the time, this has made little
Front cover: Webmaster Colin MacDonald pictured lowering the ACC Standard at the Ramillies Copse memorial.
Editor: Major (Retd) Wally Vincent | Telephone: 01962 887767 | Email: secretary@accassociation.org | Website: www.accassociation.org
ACC Association, RHQ The RLC, Worthy Down, Winchester, Hants SO21 2RG

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