Dear Fellow Member,
First, let me wish all Veteran and Associate Members a healthy and safe 2024.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all new members to the Association and hope to see you at the Annual Reunion, which will be held on Saturday 20th April, 2024 and will be our 87th Reunion. Once again, Pontlands Park will be hosting the Reunion. As those of you who attended last year will know, the venue is in a pleasant rural setting with ample parking for those who travel by road and a bus service within walking distance.
This year your Management Committee has decided on the theme of Marconi Radar. There will be various displays and the merchandise table will, again, be located in the dining area. There will be plenty of time to enjoy meeting up with other attendees until it is time for the luncheon. This will take place, as usual, at 1.00 p.m. with the Annual General Meeting and the Raffle concluding the proceedings. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to ring me on the above number.
Attendees will be able to make purchases of merchandise by Credit or Debit Card. However, please remember to bring cash for the raffle tickets.
We are, again, producing a commemorative Coaster and one per person is included in the ticket price. There will also be additional coasters, for sale, plus some coasters from previous years as well as a number of Ties and Badges.
Our President for 2024 is Alan (Matty) Matthews.
Our Honoured Guest is David Lowry (Neatishead RAF Air Defence Radar Museum).
This year, we have chosen the following from the caterer’s menu: -
- Smoked ham hock & apple butter terrine, house piccalilli
- Roasted salmon fillet, lemon & poppyseed crust, dill hollandaise
- Vegetarian/Vegan Option - Beetroot and red onion tart tartin
- (All served with Chef’s choice of seasonal vegetables and potatoes)
- Pina colada iced parfait, toasted coconut & Malibu syrup, fresh pineapple
- Coffee and chocolates
We appreciate that some attendees may have special dietary requirements and would request that you indicate this on your application. We are able to cater for most requirements.
As usual, Associate Members are invited to the Reunion. However, they are not permitted to vote at the A.G.M.
We are obliged to increase the costs of the Reunion meal and Subscriptions from last year. Veterans will continue to benefit from a reduced price of £35.00, whereas Associates will be asked to pay £40.00. I am sure you will agree that this is excellent value for a three-course meal with tea/coffee. Subscriptions have been increased to £9.00 per annum (£6.00 for Associates). Although we have had to raise the prices for the 2024 Reunion the Association continues to subsidise the event.
Please fully complete the Subscription and 2024 Reunion application form (link below). Even if you are not attending the Reunion, please ensure you renew your subscription since we have other running costs which need to be covered.
MVA 2024 Subscription and Reunion application
Please complete as soon as possible but not later than Friday 5th April 2024. We regret having to set this early deadline in order to provide final numbers for the venue.
Please note that it is not acceptable for attendees to bring their own drink or food into the venue.
Your assistance is requested with the seating arrangements, and we ask you to indicate, on your application, with which Company you would prefer to sit (i.e. Comms, Mobile, Radar, Baddow, Basildon, Marine, MI).
We are compiling a list of forenames and nicknames in an effort to make the various lists less formal and enable people to distinguish between colleagues with similar initials. With regard to the name tags, this year clip on name tags will be provided which will be at the merchandise table so you can collect your label and ticket as you enter the Reunion area. Please return your name tag on leaving the Reunion. When you order your ticket, please indicate, in the box provided, how you would like your tag to read. If you attended the Reunion in 2023, it will read the same, otherwise, THE DEFAULT WILL BE TO PRINT YOUR NAME AS IT APPEARS ON THE FIRST LINE OF YOUR ADDRESS LABEL.
So, please fully complete the MVA 2024 Subscription and Reunion application
We are, as usual, inviting entries for the ‘Absent Friends’ book, containing messages from Members who were unable to attend. Two copies will be produced and prominently displayed at the Reunion. If you wish to place a message in the book, please use the space provided on the enclosed form. Entries will be identified by name but no contact details will be provided unless you include them within the message area. This facility is also available on the website.
Your Management Committee is prepared to receive any nominations, propositions or suggestions for submission to the Annual General Meeting providing they reach me in writing by 29th March 2024.
We now have about 50 Associate Members of the Marconi Veterans’ Association and would be pleased to welcome more. If you know of anyone who would like to attend the Reunion, or just receive the newsletter, please urge them to contact me, at the above address, as soon as possible. Alternatively, please take one of the information leaflets which will be available at the merchandise desk.
I am often not informed when a Veteran or Associate dies, and in these circumstances, I would like to extend my condolences to members of the families who receive this letter and apologise for any distress or inconvenience caused. Should you be aware of any Veterans or Associates who have passed away recently, I would appreciate it if you would let me know so that I can amend our records and avoid any future embarrassment.
We trust that you will accept this letter as a very cordial invitation to attend the Eighty-Seventh Reunion, but if, for any reason, you cannot be with us, the Management Committee would like to take this opportunity to once again wish you the very best of luck and good health for the future.
I look forward to seeing you at the 87th Reunion on 20th April 2024.
With kindest regards
I am yours sincerely
Veteran Colin Fletcher
MVA Secretary