Headquarters Director Royal Artillery

Artillery Centre
Larkhill, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 8QT

Telephone 01980 845928 Military 94322 5928

Switchboard Switchboard 94322
Fax 01980 845928 Fax 94322 5210
E-Mail ArtyCen-Cap-SO2-OD Log or craig.purvis642@mod.uk

Reference: LE & QM Dinner 001

3 Feb 10

THE ROYAL ARTILLERY QUARTERMASTERS’ & LATE ENTRY OFFICERS’ REUNION

DINNER - SATURDAY 5 JUNE 2010

This year’s Late Entry Officers’ Dinner will be held at the Horne Barracks Officers’ Mess1, Larkhill, on
the evening of Saturday 5th June 2010. The Guest of Honour for the evening will be the new DRA,
Brigadier Nick Eeles ADC. The dress for the evening is Black Tie and partners are very welcome.

Dinner will take place in the main dining room and we are fortunate have the RA Band Ensemble to
play through the evening.

The cost of the meal is a very reasonable £25 per head, which includes pre-dinner drinks, table wine
and port. This is to be paid for in advance; cheques for Dinner are to made payable to Central
Bank HQ RA. The cost of the dinner is not refundable for cancellations made after 27th May.

To assist with planning I would ask that you clearly fill in the attached proforma. Returns should be
with me as soon as possible and no later than Monday 5th April 10. Accommodation for 32 (current
available capacity and increasingly subject to higher priority bids) has been provisionally ring-
fenced. Please forward your bids to me as early as possible; it will be allocated on a first come, first
serve basis. Alternatively you may wish to make alternative arrangements with local hotels or B&Bs.

The cost of accommodation is outlined in the attendance proforma and is quoted per person per
night depending on Mess status. All accommodation bills should be settled in advance or, at the
latest, prior to departure from the Mess. Cheques for accommodation are to made payable to
Sodexo Defence Services. This separate cheque will permit the non-use of pre-booked and paid
for accommodation to be fully refunded should a guest cancel at the last minute.

The annual LE get together has evolved over the years, and will continue to do so, therefore this
year’s attendance will be seen as a barometer for size, venue, and format for future reunions.
Should you be unable or not wish to attend this year’s dinner, your feedback on your preferences
regarding the future for the dinner will be most welcome as this will help inform the senior LE cohort,
which has not met for over 2 years, on the way forward should any changes be desirable..

If I can assist in any way please do not hesitate to get in touch by e-mail, phone or good old-
fashioned letter.

Regards,

Craig

1 This is not to be confused with the Packway Mess, or the RA Mess currently undergoing refurbishment. A map indicating the Horne
Barracks Officers’ Mess is attached. The route through camp to the Mess car park will be sign posted.
To: From:
Name:
Maj CA Purvis RA
SO2 O&D Log Address:
Capability Branch
HQ DRA
Artillery Centre
Larkhill
Wiltshire
SP4 8QT
Tel: Email:

CONFIRMATION OF ATTENDANCE/NON ATTENDANCE

1. I will/will not* be attending the Dinner.

2. I will/will not* be accompanied by:_________________________________

3. I would like to request a single/double*1 room from___________ until___________ with my

first meal being _________ and my last meal ___________________

4. Please indicate if you or your guests have any specific dietary requirements/allergies

5. I enclose a cheque for £____________ for the dinner (£25.00 per head).
Cheques payable to Central Bank HQ RA.

6. I enclose a cheque for £____________ for accommodation (see charges below).

Cheques payable to Sodexo Defence Services

Accommodation charges per person per night plus brunch on Sunday are as follows:

Serving Officer – HBOM Mess member - £9.50

Serving Officer – Visiting - £11.50
Entitled Civilian Rates – RO appts HBOM Mess member - £9.50
Entitled Civilian Rates – Visiting - £11.50
Retired Officers - £14

Charges under the contract include the following: tea/coffee facilities in each room, towels, Mess
subs, Mess improvements, laundry, extra messing and the exchequer accommodation charge for
social events.

* Delete as necessary

1 Only one or two double rooms exist in the Mess, therefore couples are likely to be accommodated in two separate single rooms.
 From: Major CA Purvis RA

LE OFFICERS' DINNER CENSUS - PREFERENCES

Circle your choice. Choice (a) is the current format etc.

Dinner Title

a. QM’s & LE Officers’ Dinner

b. QM’s Dinner
c. LE Officers’ Dinner
d. Other……………………………………….

Frequency

a. Yearly
b. Biennially
c. Triennially

Format

a. Black Tie
b. Lounge Suits

Location

a. RA Mess Larkhill (once opened)

b. Conferencing Hotel Location1 e.g. Bournemouth, Blackpool, Brighton, Birmingham…….
c. As above, but on a rotational basis between popular venues.
d. Other……………………………………

Other Comments

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1 3 RHA OCA for example, bulk book a hotel and arrange a dinner/room/breakfast package. This might prove more attractive to partners
who are not particularly fond of Larkhill and/or fancy a weekend by the sea, or provide an alternative venue for golfers.