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 Saturday
We left Stretton around 10am with everybody showing up on time.
Arriving at the St Giles hotel around 14.30 we made good time
stopping only once to enjoy our included packed lunch. Most people
went for a walk finding the local pub to watch the FA Cup Final.
Evening meal was served in the hotels restaurant with as usual
excellent service.
The evening was a social evening at Windsor Branch Social Club for
most, but we did have a small group who went to the Windsor Theatre
to watch a Quatermines Terms.
We all returned back to the hotel around 23.45 (that was after a
sing song on the way back)
Sunday
After a leisurely breakfast we went
into London for around midday. Most people went their own way for
the next few hours mingling with crowds up at Buckingham Palace or
going to the Sergeant's Mess at Wellington Barracks.
15.00Hrs the Black Sunday Remembrance service startedin the Guards
Chapel with the Duke of Edinburgh taking the reading and laying a
wreath in the Memorial Cloister in memory of those Grenadiers who
have given their lives in the service of their country. After this
our very smart and very proud members formed up for the first time
with serving Grenadiers, as this march is usual personnel who have
left the army life behind.
They all marched down Birdcage Walk to Horse Guards Parade, where
the Last post was played and a wreath laid at the Guards Memorial .
The weather was nice and sunny and after the march back the men
deserved a pint or two.
We returned back to the hotel in time for our evening meal and the
rest of the evening at leisure.
Monday
After a good hearty breakfast we left our hotel and made our way to
the National Memorial Arboretum near Stafford. We arrived in time
for lunch and met up with Dennis Ward who is also an association
member. Dennis makes regular visits to the Arboretum and was kind
enough to show us around pointing out the Guard Memorial garden and
Shot at Dawn.
Our Chairman Alan Price laid a wreath on behalf of the Branch at the
Grenadier Guards plot which I believe is due a face lift.
The Arboretum is made up of some many gardens and places of
remembrance not just the armed forces it was truly an eye opener and
a beautiful place to visit.
Arriving back at Stretton we made our farewells to Wigan and St
Helens members and to our new friends from Manchester Branch and
Stretford Household Division.
In total we had 42 passengers who I believe had a wonderful weekend
and were already asking about next year.
 
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