WELLING EVENING TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD

Commander John Mankerty gave an extremely humorous and interesting insight into "The Royal Tournament" at the guilds November meeting. He had joined the Royal navy in 1952, achieved promotion and retired after 36 years service as Commander. Her had been in charge of the Royal Tournament as Naval Commander for three years before it ceased in 1999 because the Defence Secretary at that time said it was too expensive.

The first military tattoo was held in the Agricultural Hall, Islington in 1880 but in 1884 was renamed The Royal Tournament as Queen Victoria became the patron.

For three weeks every year he had organised the Field Gun competition comprising 150 naval personnel, the young Royal Navy ushers who did a wonderful job for recruitment, a 40 strong Marine band and the Royal Marine Display Team.

He felt everyone had enjoyed taking part and watching the Tournament and it had been a wonderful display of fit men taking part in mock battles, dismantling field guns etc., it was a shame it had been scrapped and a hit at old tradition as the service charities had benefited from the money raised.

We thanked Commander Mankery for retelling his funny stories of behind the scenes at Earl's Court including his meetings with royalty. The outings secretary informed us that much is being planned for Spring and Summer next year.

The next meeting of the guild in Friday, December 3 at 7.30pm at Welling Pop-in-Parlour in Bellegrove Road, Welling (at the corner of Churchfield Road near Welling Library) when our Christmas Social will be held with food, drink and music.

New members/visitors can be sure of a warm welcome, why not come along and give us a try?