WELCOME TO THE ARMY DOG UNIT N.I. (RAVC) ASSOCIATION
AGM & Reunion 2021:
Planning for the 2021 AGM & Reunion at Melton Mowbray has also taken place, this venue has been chosen as it will be the reformed Associations 10th Anniversary. The dates are Saturday 1st May-Sunday 2nd May 2021. Locations are being looked at for the AGM and Reunion, and a suitable location for the Memorial Service – all to be confirmed. As it is an anniversary, the committee are looking towards more of a formal regimental style dinner, with the option of dressing down for the evening’s entertainment, at the moment, it is an option, but the committee will engage with the membership at the next AGM to thrash out the finer details, so that we can confirm and book everything that is required for the 2021 AGM. Trish has now received details and will brief all members at the AGM.
You may of seen the post going around from the NIVETS regarding the cancellation of this years Annual Parade
Here is the official letter
Dear Comrades,
Due to the present Covid19 crisis and the rules in place about social distancing, the Northern Ireland Veterans’ Association regrets to inform you that our annual Op Banner service of remembrance scheduled for 12th September at the National Memorial Arboretum is cancelled.
If the NMA is open to visitors in September, a small number of NIVA members with our standard will hold a short reading at the Ulster Ash Grove Memorial stones. A salute and wreath laying on behalf of all Op Banner veterans and Crown services will also take place.
When all restrictions are lifted, a date will be chosen when our service can resume and all Associations will be informed in plenty of time.
We at NIVA urge all veterans to keep safe during this present crisis and look forward to greeting you all when things return to normality.
AGM & REUNION 2020:
The AGM will be Saturday 26th September and will be held at the RBL Alrewas at 3-30 pm. This is due to the conference room at the hotel being used for storage. They have offered us the breakfast area, however, we do not want to discuss Association business in front of other hotel guests. The Memorial Service will be Sunday 27th September (timings TBC) at the NMA. The numbers are now final and JT has spoken to Alrewas RBL and they are happy to accommodate us, as they have measures in place.
All planning is complete, we still require a small number of auction items. The agendas will be sent to all within the guidelines of the Constitution and Rules. Once this is done, any queries that members want to put forward to the committee can then be done.
On a final note, AGM etiquette will be implemented this year, all will be explained at the beginning of the AGM, so there is no free for all, and a measure of discipline is upheld. Hopefully, all members that had booked accommodation for the reunion have now rescheduled or cancelled with the minimum of fuss, although we know some members had difficulties with getting through, price changes etc. This should all now be sorted. JT has rebooked the RBL, NMA and buglers.
There are a number of those attending that are still required to pay for their tickets, JT will collect this money prior to the AGM. The NMA require the association to pay upfront parking for all vehicles attending on the 27th, to that end< JT will also collect £4 per car at the AGM. The standard will have the funeral drapes on for the whole weekend to commemorate those that have passed in the last 12 months.
CENOTAPH 2020
At this moment in time, the RBL have sent out registration forms for all Associations wanting to attend this years parade. JT has registered the Association and has applied for 40 tickets. The RBL will keep all Associations updated regarding the current situation and all changes that will impact this years parade. From August, the RBL will allow the registration of members wanting to apply for tickets, JT will add these accordingly. He may require additional information from members, as there is a strict criteria that he must adhere to in order to register participants. As at 30th August, the RBL have still not issued guidance for the parade. We know it will be downscaled, as soon as i have information, i will inform the membership.
If members are planning to stay in London over this period, you must keep an eye on the situation as it unfolds.
