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Location: Kings Hotel NEWPORT
Date: Saturday 27th September 2008
Cost/Daily Rate: Single room £55 - Double room £66 .
You must Quote "SPHINX" at time of booking to obtain these negotiated rates
The contact phone number for the Kings Hotel can be obtained by Clicking on the picture of the Hotel to go to their website.
Rooms are filling up FAST!!! but you still have a chance to book a room if you are going to stay at the Kings Hotel.
Optional assembly get together
Fri Afternoon / Evening.
AGM Mid-dayish ,Saturday.(TBC)
Hangover Debrief/Dispersal , Sunday
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For the Grand Raffle at our 2007 Reunion, Steve Clarke kindly donated the prize of a ‘Driving experience’ at the Thruxton Race Circuit .
Carol Fenney won 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)
We hope to have an update & some photos from Carol/Del, shortly afterwards.
Have FUN girl!
Click HERE to see what the Thruxton Race Circuit has to offer.
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Well the country may be heading towards a recession, but the Sphinx OCA is in a position 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) however subs are now only £5, yes something has gone down in price “but sorry to say " these subs are needed to help pay for the running cost incurred in the association, so please fill in the subscriptions form found in downloads and post ASP to the Treasurer.
Function cost payment forms & Subs renewal applications will shortly be sent to all members with the Annual News Letter.
Signed
Accounts in the black!!
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Members who may have not used our Forum recently, are invited to Log In and possibly help to provide us with some historical information that we have requested. Your memories Matter !
FORGOT Your Password ? Use the Feed Back form to request a Reminder.
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2007 - The Kings Hotel Newport - Reunion Overview.
Well thats another reunion and they just seem to get better and better. Without doubt the choice of venue was as popular as last year with an even better spread of gourmet delights which I had to fend off several hungry visitors as it was being devoured before it was set out. We were attended by yet again new Sphinx faces who have never been before. This year we were graced with the presence of Harry (Ginger) Davies who was in the bty in 1957, Ginger was accompanied by his good lady Shirl and they tell me that they both really enjoyed the company and look forward to next year already.
The auction went really well and Pete (aka Mr Clox) provided yet again another superb selection of Sphinx tickers which along with several other items donated raised a staggering £240 after expenditure. Jimmy Dowding assisted by Mal Roberts and Geoff Hirst made up the auction trio who ensured all sales were promptly delivered and paid for, saving on postage.....
The highlight must have been the Karaoke for which there were no shortage of surprises and budding crooners including Blunt and his dancing partner Stan and of course our own marathon man Andy (Pieman) Wakefield rocked the house with his own rendition of ..........? ( answers on the website ),which went down well .
 To summarise thanks for the support and I hope to see you all again next year along with even more guests, than this time round. I will keep you all updated as information is forthcoming.
CEO
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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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2007 Newsletter.
 AGM/Reunion 2006 - By The Chairman Steve Ellison
Wow! Well what a start to the New Year, with sad news coming from all sides of the Committee, hence the delay in this newsletter being sent out to everyone, hopefully things seem to be settling down now. After a difficult start and a change of committee in early 2006, we consulted a proportion of our members & a new venue was decided upon, which turned out to be a success, which we believe, was primarily down to the fact that being held in Newport South Wales seemed an excellent choice. We had a good turn out and a lot of assurances from
non-attending members that they will be attending the 2007 function. When negotiations started with the hotel, an attendance of 50 persons was quoted, whilst finally we ended up with an attendance of over 80. God only knows what we should quote for 2007! Again a big thank you to all those who gave up their time to help organise a great venue, and a big thank you to those who gave some very interesting and expensive items for auction which yet again was a great success, having said all this, one is eagerly awaiting the AGM / Reunion 2007 with great anticipation.
Details of which will hopefully be finalised by mid June with all information being sent out to Members.
 The Committee Has Decided !
By The General Secretary Mal Roberts.
I'm excited to announce that our newest book is almost, nearly, just about, available.
The complete title is The Committee Survival Guide, How to Successfully Manage an OCA As a New or Part-time executive committee member, (just kidding)
The 11 Sphinx Bty Members & Ex Members Association Constitution.
In it, we (The Executive Committee) share the rules and guidelines which enable the associations elected committee and its members to find definitive answers, and give direction when faced with difficult decisions regarding the association. The rules deal with the duties of elected committee members, the order of business, terminology, membership categories etc! There have been several attempts by other members in the past to complete this difficult task and much of that groundbreaking work (for that we thank you) has been incorporated into the finished article. Close to the reunion 2007 a copy of this completed document will be available on our website for your perusal prior to the AGM ratification.
We look forward to seeing you all, old faces and new at our next reunion.
Take care...
Money Matters. - By The Treasurer, Ashley Cox
 "Honesty is the best policy" After picking up a Lame Duck from my predecessor, a lot of fretting was done on my part as to whether we would finish the 2006 Reunion with our heads above water.
Fortunately the Lame Duck has been transformed into a Phoenix, and it's with great pleasure that I announce that the Sphinx Account is definitely now in the black! This has been achieved by drastically withdrawing all of the running costs clamed by my predecessor, and now results in no expenses being levied to the association for phone calls, internet access, bank charges & fuel costs etc.
Having been a member from the onset, I recall the Chairman at that time aiming towards setting a buffer of £1000 to give us a decent working capital. I am happy to say that this has finally been achieved, and I am very sure that the Committee is already thinking of ways to use some of this money to make the next function even better. We will be looking at options to possibly design & purchase Association Shields and other items of Association stock for sale.
Your suggestions on items for stock sales are most welcome.
Proposals are already being made to halve the annual subscription to £5, which I am sure will be passed at the next AGM .
Website. - By Pete Phillips.
We are very aware that not all of our members have access to the internet!
Our website was created in 2004 using a preset format website builder, with no previous experience needed by the builder. It consists of 8 pages, each covering a topic. The History page still needs to be worked on, do you have any info that we don't have? As well as the link to our association Forum, our links page can be used to access other military related website of interest. Our Pictures page shows photos sent in by members, many of which don't have names/dates or places sent with them, if you can provide any info for these photos then please contact any committee member.
The website has changed little over the years for two reasons,
a) We need news, old soldiers stories, photos etc from members to keep the website up to date.
b) We urgently need more expertise & help from members to work on the website, I have very little knowledge of how these internet thingies work, and I'm too old to want to learn!
If you take a look at other OCA sites you will see what I mean, they look far superior than ours.
This is a plea for help!
Website/Forum Admin (Click for Link to Forum)
By Nick Hollis
We are aware that some of our Members may not normally use a Forum based application, but we do ask you to give ours a try. Through our Forum, members can find & keep in touch with long lost friends we served with, join in topics of association matters, or give us your suggestions about Reunions etc. Many of our members have been able to get in touch with old mates through our 'Where did he go'? topic, not everyone uses Forces Reunited!
As at Feb 2007 we have a Forum Membership of 107 ex members of the Battery, some of who served in the way back in the 1950s.
You can only access our Association Forum once you have been registered to use it. Registration is open to all Ex 11 (SPHINX) Battery members, all you have to do is provide us with some background info when you first register so that we can confirm your ID.
You will be listed as your real name, so others can identify you, or Evans 393 etc for all you Taffs, if needed!
We have 2 levels of access to the FORUM. Member access allows you to read & post messages and has some access to downloadable items. Those who have paid Association Subscriptions have a greater access, i.e. access to all members email
addresses, more forum topics and more viewable Reunion pictures. If you forget your usemame or logon ID (Many do) just email Me, it can be easily reset!
Give it a try!
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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 !
Please contact us through the Feedback
Facility.
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A Montage of our
Main Equipment
over recent years.
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