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ANGLO-ZULU WAR EVENT: 16-17 JUNE 2012, Brecon
Bill Cainan 3


Joined: 19 Feb 2011
Posts: 105
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ANGLO-ZULU WAR THEMED WEEKEND - Brecon

Another date for your diary � 16-17 June 2012, Brecon

The weekend theme will be done on two levels. The first level will be for the public generally, on both the Saturday and Sunday (9am to 5pm)with the 1879 Group demonstrating their admirable skills � with displays of drill; the surgeon�s work; and with many in full uniform discussing aspects of the AZW with the public. We are working on ideas to involve the children � a mini-drill event ? The standard �4 entry fee will cover everything (children come in free). We will have a stand selling teas & coffees for which there will be a small additional charge.

The second level will be for those with a deeper interest in the AZW. This will take much the same format as last year�s successful event � a couple of talks in the Barracks Study Centre on the Saturday afternoon and also on the Sunday Morning. I have yet to draw up an agenda � any volunteers to give talks ? It is likely we will make a small charge for this � say �5 to cover both days.

The weekend is being used to launch a fund raising appeal for the Museum, and in conjunction with this, Ian Knight will give a keynote talk on the battle of Rorke�s Drift in Brecon Cathedral in the early evening. Probably a charge of �20 (which will include some light refreshment.

At the moment we are in the very early stages of planning. More detail in due course.

Watch this space

Bill
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ANGLO-ZULU WAR EVENT: 16-17 JUNE 2012, Brecon
Dewi Evans


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 177
Location: Chwilog, North Wales
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Hi Bill,

Great news, looking forward to it Very Happy

Dewi.

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peterw


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 865
Location: UK
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Sadly, I can't make this one but I hope that everyone has a great day.

In respect of the Die Hards, are there any "survivors" from the Isandlwana reenactment? That must have been some event.
http://www.cwideprods.co.uk/zulu-blood-mountain/

Peter
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Mark Hobson


Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 106
Location: Halifax
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Fingers crossed, I should be able to make it this year. Myself and Martin Croft will travel there together but we just need to fine-tune our arrangements.

However, as it falls during the European Championship I might keep popping out to follow the scores!
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Peter Ewart


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 1797
Location: Near Canterbury, Kent, England.
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I also certainly hope to be there. (No England games in the Euros that weekend & only a pyjama game v. the Windies at the Rose Bowl on the Sat - so fewer distractions than on the recent AZW Sat at the NAM!)

P.
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Mel


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 345
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Unfortunately, it doesn't look as if I can make this one. Crying or Very sad

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SIR BCP


Joined: 04 Mar 2010
Posts: 22
Location: Chudleigh. Devon
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Hi Bill
Will be there for 16/17 June.
Even managed to book overnight accomodation in Brecon - but rooms going fast !
When do you anticipate opening up advanced ticket booking re the days events and Ian Knight's early evening talk in the Cathedral ?

Brian
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Bill Cainan 3


Joined: 19 Feb 2011
Posts: 105
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Hi Everyone

The AZW weekend in Brecon is now taking shape. The basic aim of the weekend is to raise funds for the Museum and to use the weekend as a vehicle to launch a major Appeal.

The arrangements made so far:

SATURDAY 16th June and SUNDAY 17th June 2012

On both the Saturday and Sunday, the Museum will be open slightly longer - from 9.30am to 5pm - entrance fee �4 (children free). The 1879 Group will be there in force and in uniform. There will be the surgeon's tent with "Slasher" Morgan explaining to the awestruck public how field surgery was carried out. A Corporal will be demonstrating the drill of 1879. Throughout the Museum there will be 24th uniformed soldiers explaining various aspects of the AZW. For the children there will be an opportunity to learn drill (in uniform and with sun helmets), competitions to see how long they can hold a Martini-Henry at arms length, how fast they can complete a jigsaw of Isandlwana - for both there will be certificates and small prizes. And of course, it will give everyone an opportunity to see what we have done the AZW room, and to explain what further developments we intend. Drinks and refreshments will be available in the Museum.

Running in parallel with this will be 4 specialist talks on the AZW in the Barracks Study Centre. We are still firming up two talks for the Saturday afternoon, though one will be on the making of the Rattray book based on the WW Lloyd sketches. On the Sunday morning there will be two talks: Neil Aspinshaw will be giving a talk on "The breechloader - a surefire guarantee of success ?", followed by Mike McCabe on "Isandlwana - another look at the Zulu attack". There will be a small extra charge for these talks - �5. This one charge will cover both days.

On the Saturday evening, at 7pm, Ian Knight will give a keynote talk on the battle of Rorke's Drift in Brecon CATHEDRAL. This will be used as the vehicle to launch the Museum's appeal. Tickets are �20 and can be obtained on the day (or in advance) from the Museum (01874 613310) - the price will include drinks and canapes.

I would appreciate if rdvc members can let me know in advance if they are attending, and if there's anything special they would like to see (within reason !).

Accommodation in Brecon is getting booked up already - so don't delay if you are proposing to stay overnight. If you are stuck, try the Brecon Tourist Information Office - their number is 01874 622485.

More updates will be posted as things develop.

Bill

Bill Cainan
Curator
The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh
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Bill Cainan 3


Joined: 19 Feb 2011
Posts: 105
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A quick PS

The aim of the weekend is to raise funds for the Museum - eg to replace old display cabinets to better display the Regiment's collection of artefacts. The weekend will also be used as a vehicle to launch a major Appeal for funds with a view towards undertaking a major refurbishment.

To that end, ALL of the Specialist Talk speakers are giving their time for free. The �5 entry fee will go into the Museum funds. Similarly the �20 fees for Ian Knight's talk in the Cathedral will be going into the Appeal Fund.

Bill
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Julian whybra


Joined: 03 Sep 2005
Posts: 437
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I'm running a weekend residential course that weekend - pity - I would have liked to help you out with a talk for the children.
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Bill Cainan 3


Joined: 19 Feb 2011
Posts: 105
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Hi

A shame Julian as that would have been most useful.

I still have one lecture slot to fill on the Saturday afternoon - anyone like to volunteer ? This could be your opportunity to put forward your theories before an audience of your peers !

Bill
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Bill Cainan 3


Joined: 19 Feb 2011
Posts: 105
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Hi Everyone

The Specialist Talks have now all been confirmed as follows:

SPECIALIST TALKS ON THE ANGLO-ZULU WAR
The Brigade Study Centre, The Barracks, Brecon (Access through Museum)
�5 � one fee will cover all talks on both days

Saturday 16th June 2012:

1400-1500 �A Tour of the Anglo-Zulu War Battlefields�
An illustrated talk
by Brian Portch
1515-1615 �The making of �A Soldier-Artist in Zululand: WW Lloyd�
An illustrated talk
by Martin Everett

Sunday 17th June 2012:

1000-1100 �The Breechloader � a surefire guarantee of success ?�
A review of the impact of the Martini-Henry rifle
by Neil Aspinshaw
1115-1215 �Isandlwana � another look at the Zulu Attack�
An illustrated talk
by Mike McCabe

If you require any other information, please ring the Museum.

Tickets available on the day at the Museum.

Bill
Bill Cainan
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Mark Hobson


Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 106
Location: Halifax
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Alas, fate has intervened again much to my bitter disappointment! A clash of dates once more means no trip to sunny Brecon this year either.

It's very disappointing, but I had to choose between the AZW Weekend or a week's holiday in Magaluf with me mates - a tough decision indeed.

Oh well... there's allways next year.
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ANDY LEE


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Bournville,West Midlands, UK
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Mark

Magaluf - have you ever seen the place Smile your honestly better off at Brecon, believe me Smile

Andy

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Peter Ewart


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 1797
Location: Near Canterbury, Kent, England.
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Back home by 8.30 pm tonight after a 12 hour round trip (admittedly with a weekend in between). But Brecon really is such a long way from East Kent! And it's certainly true that it doesn't always rain in Wales, as we did eventually have a few hours of dry weather this morning ...

This was another really good event, superbly organised by Bill and his brilliant, cheerful helpers. Well done Bill. (Bill is technically hors de combat with a broken ankle, but with a plastered foot and trusty crutch, he made a passable impression of Corporal Schiess all weekend). In addition to the talks in the Museum by Brian Portch, Martin Everett, Neil Aspinshaw and Mike McCabe, 8 or 9 of us also took advantage of an impromptu gathering after Mike's talk when he invited us around the table to view and consider colour facsimiles of the relevant KCAL & Chatham maps which gave rise to Peter's & Ron's M5H paper, going through the salient points at the same time. Thanks for that opportunity, Mike.

The Saturday night was a great success, the Cathedral being the perfect venue for Ian's talk - which he delivered from the pulpit, only yards away from the famous 24th/SWB Colours (including, of course, THAT Colour) in the Harvard chapel. The whole event showed the determination of the Museum's supporters to promote their �1 million Appeal to the utmost. And of course, the evening would not have been complete without a nice curry to finish things off. John Keighley (aka Wm Seymour) also made it to Brecon from this corner, and perhaps we travelled the furthest, I don't know. But it was also really good to see "locals" like Dewi and, this morning, Alan too.

The many improvements in the AZW displays in the museum, as well the large number of visitors on both days, reflect well on Bill, so let's hope the Appeal continues to do well.

Peter
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ANGLO-ZULU WAR EVENT: 16-17 JUNE 2012, Brecon
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