OUR June meeting opened with loud clanging on the Group Quiz bell, the trophy won by our victorious quiz team.

Our president thanked all those members who had contributed to the success of the May Auction and our stall at the Village Hall May Fayre.

Our speaker was Lt Col Gerald Lesinski, Master of the Lord Leycester Hospital, who gave a very amusing and instructive talk on the Household Division in which he had been a serving officer.

His talk was about their ceremonial duties, although he began by pointing out that all those men taking part are fully trained serving soldiers, and all take part in general military operations.

His talk included telling us how to recognise a Regiment of Guards by the arrangement of the buttons on their tunics, and the difficulties and the ‘tricks of the trade’ involved in wearing a bearskin. He also peppered his account with many amusing but always very polite stories of his encounters with The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, which had occurred whilst on duty at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

The competition, ‘An item of Royal Memorabilia’ was won by Janet Partridge, with Carole Duce second and June Lloyd third.

Date of next Meeting. July 9, 7.30pm Littletons Village Hall. Speaker Mr. Ray Sturdy. Subject ‘The 1960’s’.

The competition, ‘Bring what you want as long as it has ‘60’ in it.

CAROLE DUCE