MARCONIÂ VETERANS’Â ASSOCIATION
Secretary : Veteran Barry Powell
Dear Fellow Veteran
First, let me wish all Veterans a healthy and prosperous 2011.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all new members to the Association and hope to see them at the Annual Reunion, which will be held on Saturday 16th April 2011. This will be the 75th Reunion and the venue will again be the Marconi Athletic and Social Club, Beehive Lane, Chelmsford, where there is parking for those who travel by road.
We are, again, producing a commemorative Coaster and one per person is included in the ticket price. I will also have additional coasters, for sale, plus some coasters from previous years as well as a number of Ties, Scarves and Badges. I will also have a limited number of the New Street Photo CDs but I can make more if we run out.
Our President for 2011 is Lord Prior, one time Chairman of GEC. He will be introduced by our Patron, Veteran Robbie Robertson.
The Guest of Honour will be Lord Petre, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, who will speak about his activities as the Queens representative in Essex. He was also present at the recent opening of Anglian Ruskin University, Marconi Science block.
The proceedings will be timed as follows: –
a) Reunion at 12.00 noon
b) Luncheon at 1.00 p.m.
c) Annual General Meeting as soon as possible after b)
The menu for this year’s luncheon will be as follows: –
Paté
Chicken and Leek Pie with Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables
Apple and Blackcurrant Crumble
Coffee
Cheese and Biscuits
We appreciate that some Veterans may have special dietary requirements and would request that you indicate this on your application. We are able to cater for most requirements.
Regrettably, our caterers have been forced to increase the price for the luncheon and, so, this year, the ticket price will rise by £1 to £22.00. We are, however, holding the Subscription for 2011 at £5.00. Those Veterans who wish to attend are requested to apply to the above address at the earliest possible date in order that I may properly assess the numbers. As usual, we invite donations but I must stress that if only a modest donation can be managed, or even none at all, please do not let this prevent you from attending the Reunion, as all donations will be treated in the strictest confidence. To reduce administration, please combine your ticket price, subscription, etc. onto a single cheque which should be made payable to ‘Marconi Veterans’ Association’.
Please note that it is not acceptable for guests to bring their own drink or food into the Club. Please refrain from this practice as anyone doing so may be asked to leave the Reunion and could be refused a ticket in the future. As last year, cheese & biscuits are included in our menu and additional bottles of wine can be purchased from the bar.
Your assistance is requested with seating arrangements and we ask you to indicate, on your ticket application, with which Company you would prefer to sit (i.e. Comms, Radar, Baddow, Basildon, Marine, MI).
We are, again, inviting entries for the ‘Absent Friends’ book, containing messages from Veterans 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 attached form. Entries will be identified by name but no contact details will be provided unless you include them in your message.
As the Association has a very limited income, and in order to keep our expenses to a minimum, receipts for Subscriptions and/or Donations will not be issued unless requested so we thank you in anticipation.
Your Committee is prepared to receive any nominations, propositions or suggestions for submission to the AGM, providing they reach me in writing by 31st March 2011.
As last year, we have to vacate the main hall as soon as the AGM is completed to enable the Club to prepare for an evening function. We have, again, arranged for the board room to be made available for you to continue the reunion.
We are pleased to announce that a number of people have registered as ‘Friends of the Marconi Veterans’ Association’. All ‘Friends’ receive the newsletter and we will do all we can to keep them in touch with ex-colleagues but they are not eligible to attend the Reunion. The 2011 subscription for Friends is £3.00. If you know of anyone who would like to be included, please urge them to contact me, at the above address, as soon as possible.
I am often not informed when a Veteran 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 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 embarrassment.
We trust that you will accept this letter as a very cordial invitation to attend the Seventy-Fifth Reunion, but if, for any reason, you cannot be with us, your Committee would like to take this opportunity to wish you the very best of luck and good health for the future.
I look forward to seeing you at the Reunion.
With kindest regards
Veteran Barry Powell
Secretary
For those Veterans who wish, the Reunion ticket & subs application form may be downloaded in PDF format ready for printing by clicking here  .