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29th July 2010
Mr Paul Brown appointed as the OCA President.
It gives me the greatest pleasure to announce that with immediate effect Paul (Dogz) Brown has been appointed by the executive OCA committee as OCA President. Paul has served with XI Sphinx Bty for many years and completed numerous operational tours with the bty. Paul has attended every reunion since start up and is looking forward to continue and foster relationships with members in his role as President.
We look forward to supporting Paul and wish him all the success in this new role.
Mal Roberts & Exec committee
CEO
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Reunion 2010 will be held at a new venue after much
searching to reduce the costs and encourage the return of many of you
who have not been for a few years now.
It will also be 1 week
earlier (Sept 18th) due to Newport being the host city for the Ryder
Cup and accomodation already being booked.
We have secured the possibility of 29 rooms starting at £35 with the Travel Lodge
from £29 20 paces across the road.
Drinks are at pub prices and not at hotel prices
which also makes it easier on the pocket.
Mal
CEO
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The Boys Were Back In Town. Reunion 2009.
In spite of the credit crunch a great time was had by all.
Jimmy Dowding had to leave early due to a call from Simon Cowel
on X-Factor as a place became vacant for bootcamp..
It is always great to see new faces, this year was no exception with
Vinney (Scouse)(Give me a Handkerchief) Morrey, and Slug Evans, making their debut along with a visitor from 42 Bty who served with the Regt in 1972. We were also very pleased to see young Chris Wood who has just returned from Afghanistan.
The President was otherwise disposed but the BK and Sgt.Robbo Reynolds turned up to represent the Bty.
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The following notice is copied from a Forum Post by
Maj Clive Hunt RA, BC 11 ( Sphinx ) Battery RA,
dated July 09.
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 From the Association President.
Well not long now until the much-anticipated reunion for 2008.
I know that it will be well supported and a great event.
The committee have turned both the financial and administrative sides of the association round. The association is now a well run, well managed and professional organisation. I would just like to say to them all in advance well done it is greatly appreciated.
I am soon to take over the mantle of BC 11 Bty (1st Sep 08) and I will endeavour to get the serving Bty fully involved with the association. I know that Arthur Giles is doing a sterling job as the liaison and I hope to give him the fullest of support.
It just leaves me to say I look forward to meeting up with old friends and, having a great night and telling stories to the wee small hours.
Maj Clive Hunt RA – President.
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From the CEO
I hope this newsletter finds you all in good health and enjoying life whether serving or retired. Yet again, the Battery has been extremely busy and I’m sure we will be hearing more news about their activity both from the President and our Liaison officer Arthur Giles, suffice to say our prayers are with them, always wishing a safe and speedy return to blighty whenever they have to leave our shores.
On behalf of the association members, I would like to convey a sincere welcome to all new members who have in the last year joined our growing numbers and are helping to keep the Sphinx association alive. We still need volunteers to assist with the running of the reunion so don’t be shy and make yourself known.
Finally your support is critical to the success of this association and a prompt response to the treasurer will enable more accurate costing for buffet, tea and wads etc…..
So get your replies in early. See you all soon
Dr Mal Roberts – CEO
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From Mr Money Man.
Well, the country may be heading towards a recession, but the Sphinx OCA principle is that we have our contingency fund under the mattress ready for any emergency (like running out of beer at the next function and we have to import some). I am proud to confirm that our accounts are officially in the black, and very happy to say that something has gone down in price, as the subscriptions are now only £5. “Sorry to say”, but these subscriptions are needed to help pay for the running cost incurred in the Association, so please download/fill in the subscription form from the forum,and post it as soon as possible.
Thanking you for your continued support, helping the Association to grow bigger and better.
I look forward to seeing both old and new faces.
Ashley Cox – Treasurer
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The World of the Wibbly Wobbly Web.
Our Website & Forum have proved to be a valuable asset to the Association again this year.
The Main Site consists of 8 pages that include, Battery History, Photo page, News updates and Reunion info.
The Forum is accessed by registered users only, so is only viewable to Association Members. The Forum allows members to access the email addresses of other members and is used by members to post or reply to a variety of issues ranging from sport chat to ‘come to my Barbie’ & find lost friends to Association news updates. Photos of all our past Reunion functions can also be viewed here.
We have 122 registered Forum members as at 17 July 08.
We are aware that not all of our members have Internet access and hope that those who do, will keep those that don’t, up to date with what is happening within the Association via mail or telephone.
Through our server statistics programme we have been able to analyse who visits our site & from where. Here are some interesting statistics for our Main Website
Total hits to the Main Website as at 17 July 08 was 13793.
Selective Data for the Month of June 08.
During June we had 1688 visits and 2986 pages were viewed. Our busiest day was Sat 14 June, when 319 pages were viewed. On Sat 28 June, 42 people visited our site. We do expect to get visits from our members outside the UK, but it was interesting to note that our website was also viewed from the following locations; Hong Kong x7, France, Australia, Pakistan x2, Spain, Canada, Germany x14, Belgium, China, Japan, Hungary, Greece, USA, Singapore, Italy, Brazil & Holland. We also have the facility to note which ISPs connect visitors to our Website and noted that our pages were also viewed via a US Federal Government Agency site as well as a US Military Provider.
During July we tried to contact all users of our Forum, to confirm email addresses, if yours has changed, please let us know. We aim to improve our site over the next 12 months, but can only do it with your help; we can’t invent content, so your support is needed. Please help us to provide you with a better service.
Pete Phillips – WebGuy.
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 Representing the Association.
Having been the liaison representative for the
11 Battery Association for some time now,
it’s a duty I thoroughly enjoy.
On Remembrance Day 2007, I attended the Painted Hall Chapel in Greenwich old Royal Navy building to represent the Sphinx OCA. Then on the 27 June 2008, I again represented the Sphinx OCA by attending the first veterans’ day held in Trafalgar Square London, and to my disappointment I was in fact the only ex gunner to attend this very special occasion, however I did manage to have my photo taken with a high ranking Artillery Officer
 On the 5 July 2008 my wife and I attended a veterans’ day held at the historic dockyard, Chatham in Kent to represent the Sphinx OCA, and there were lots of things to both see and do throughout the day; this included us attending a church service for veterans of all three armed services and also included in the evening was a Beating of the Retreat and ceremonial sunset which was fantastic. I also took part in a march past taken by the Admiral of the Royal Navy, which made me very proud to represent the Association.
Arthur Giles – Liaison Rep’.
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If you did not get a newsletter this year, it may have been because we do not have your up to date address ! Have you recently moved?
Please contact Mal Roberts asap if your address has changed.
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For the Grand Auction at our 2007 Reunion, Steve Clarke kindly donated the prize of a ‘Driving experience’ at the Thruxton Race Circuit .
Carol Delmonte successfully bid for this prize and will be taking up her place on the starting grid at Thruxton on 7 June, behind the wheel of a race trimmed Porche ,to enhance her driving skills. ( You have all been warned)
Carol is already probably a better driver than her Husband Paul, who happens to be a Professional Trucker! ( Yes I did spell it right!)
Click HERE to see what the Thruxton Race Circuit has to offer.
Carol went to the Thruxton Race Circuit today
(Sat 7 June), and by all accounts, had the time of her life!
Here is an abridged version of the update that Carol posted on the Association forum.
Who needs drugs?
Give a ‘race day’ a whirl, god it’s FANTASTIC!
I first went for a drive in a Porsche Cayman for 3 laps with an instructor, no I didn’t kill him, then I went in a Porsche 997 turbo, Oh my god! I so loved it, I was buzzing so much and yes I DID try to kill the instructor.
I forgot to use my breaks, eek! I wont say what he said but sure you can imagine “tee hee”.
Then if that wasn’t enough, get this now folks, I drove a Martini Formula Renault.
(Admin note . Carol then mentions something about a need to change her underwear)
They let me play with it all on my own, totally solo. Nope, still no one was hurt.
Then to top it all off, my darling hubby surprised me with an “extra”.
A ride in a Mazda 3MPS. Zero to 60MPH in 5.9 seconds. Top speed 150 mph,
2.3ltr engine, 256bhp. (Wow, Carol even remembered the tech specs)
A professional driver drove me round the circuit. Now that was really fantastic.
Not many woman drivers were there today, but hey who cares. I was thrilled to be awarded 70 out of 100 for my days driving ability.
Steve Clarke, who donated the prize, was also there, which was nice.
The staff at the circuit were amazing, They went through everything step by step with everyone, nope not just be ‘cos I'm a woman.
We happened to go on the sunniest day they have had so far this year. Obviously we took our weather with us.
This is a ‘must do in your lifetime’ thing, well worth the 4 hour drive to get there.
Can,t say thank you enough ...
If this prize ever comes up in our auction again, I’ll be there bidding, it was fantastic.
Carol.
(Admin note.We are not sure what Del was doing while Carol was having the time of her life but we can guess that he wasnt in the bar for a change)
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For many of us this came after passing a course, gaining each promotion or getting the job that we worked really hard for.
On many occasions we are jointly proud to be part of what our Unit or an individual has achieved.
Those of us who no longer serve, still feel that pride in the achievements of our younger former comrades in arms..
For a Gunner to return to his former Battery, as a Battery Commander, is an exceptional achievement and a well deserved honour !
Major Clive Hunt RA took command of 11 (Sphinx) HQ Battery RA
on 1st September 2008.
The many mates who served along side him, and the subordinate soldiers under his command as he rose through the ranks, know that he has achieved what we all expected of him
On behalf of all past serving members of 11 (Sphinx) Air Defence Battery RA,
we send you our congratulations on your new appointment.You make us Proud.
It gives me great pleasure to announce that Major Clive Hunt RA. has accepted the post of association President.
As a long serving member of 11 (Sphinx) Battery Royal Artillery Maj Clive Hunt is committing to actively contribute in some way to the association. Major Hunt is now working at the Headquarters of the newly formed Joint Ground Based Air Defence organisation and will have regular dealings with 16 Regiment and 11 Battery.
Major Hunt says "I will endeavour to serve the association to the best of my abilities".
"I feel that organisations that allow ex-members and serving members to get together and share stories over a pint are invaluable. The 11 (Sphinx) Battery Association is more than just a drinking club, it is a brotherhood of people from an outstanding and successful organisation, ‘Sphinx!’.
I'm sure you will all join me in welcoming Clive on board.
Dr Mal Roberts CEO
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 250th Anniversary Celibrations.
On the 8th of June 2005,
11(Sphinx) Battery Royal Artillery celebrated its 250th Anniversary.
This was done in true military style by 11 (Sphinx) HQ Bty,
16 Regt RA, at Woolwich.
Various events were laid on throughout the day by all ranks of the Bty, and I am sure everyone had a great time.
Then in the evening, an all ranks dinner evening was held in the Warrant Officers & Sgts Mess
of 16 Regiment RA.
I was the guest of honour at this great occasion, and I sat at the head table, with a former BC, Major Matt Smith.
Also seated on the head table, were the BSM and Officers of 11(Sphinx) HQ Bty RA.
The evening meal was fantastic I can assure you.
Lots of speeches and lots of laughter, a fantastic evening all round!
I was given a standing ovation.
I felt very proud and honoured just to be there on this special occasion.
At the finish in the WOs and Sgts Mess function, it was off to the Jnr NCOs Mess for Drinks.
I honestly tried to buy drinks in the Mess, but was not allowed to do so, drinks were bought for me by these fantastic people.
I eventually left at 2am, although the bar went on much later!
I felt privileged to attend this Great Occasion, of the 250th Anniversary of
11 (Sphinx) Battery RA, as our Association Liaison Rep.
A very big thank you to all ranks of 11(Sphinx) HQ BTY RA.
Arthur Giles.
Association Liaison Rep.
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All Photo's from your time served in SPHINX greatfuly accepted !
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A Montage of our
Main Equipment
over recent years.
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