Thursday. February 22nd 2024
- Meeting at the Carpenters Arms, Bransgore.
"Undercover Agent" a talk by Hazel Wilson - "Described as the Mrs Slocombe of Beales, - with amusing & interesting stories."

Thursday. January 25th 2024 at 12:00
In the Orangery at the Dudsbury Golf Club Hotel & Spa.The Wessex Group enjoyed a :-

"New Year Burns Lunch."

The address to the Haggis was given by Ted  then Supper was served which included Haggis an 'Neeps.  Tea and Coffee was served at the end to round off a very enjoyable meal.

Thursday. October 19th 2023
- Meeting at the Carpenters Arms, Bransgore.
A talk was given by "James Porter" on the "The Channel isles occupation during the war". James Porter is a retired army Lieutenant Colonel who originally lived in Guernsey.

May 25th 2023
- A gentle walk and lunch at the "Spyglass and Kettle".
A gentle walk along the Overcliffe viewing the Isla of Wight and Old Harry Rocks,followed by lunch at the "Spyglass and Kettle" pub.

April 21st and 23rd 2023 
-  CAA/NATS RSA/NATS AGM  in Bournemouth.
The RSA gala Weekend took place at The Hallmark "Carlton Hotel in Bournemouth". After the AGM held on Friday there was a reception and Buffet held in the evening. On Saturday there was a visit to the Motor Museum at Beaulieu with a return trip along the coast with views over the Solent and the Needles. The Gala dinner was held on Saturday evening.

February 23rd 2023
- Meeting at the Carpenters Arms, Bransgore.
A very interesting talk was given by Richard Hutley who is a retired Police Inspector with Dorset Police on "Policing past and Future".

January 25th 2023
- Burns Supper at the Carpenters

An'a wee bit o'nonsense! - with a programme of discourse, music an' verse!!
A Warm Welcome frae Phil the chair. followed by an "Address to the Haggis" by Chris o'the Swinn wi' Piper Callum (Suitably rewarded). The Selkirk Grace was led by Jocelyn. Supper including Haggis an 'Neeps, Traditional Ashet pie, & Tipsy lard trifle, was followed by "The Immortal Memory" and a Wee Poem presented by Ted then by a "Toast to the Lassies" fra' Paddy finishing with a "Reply from the Lassies" retort fra' Alison o'Ayrshire and "Auld Lang Syne"! A good time was had by all.

December 13th 2022 - Christmas Drinks get together held at the Tyrrells Ford Hotel. Around 20 people turned up for the Wessex Annual Christmas drinks meeting to catch up with old friends.

November 24th2022
- Skittles & lunch at "The Walkford".
About 28 members enjoyed a game of Skittles followed by an excellent  Christmas lunch.
 - some even managed  3 courses.

Oct 27th 2022
- Meeting at the Carpenters Arms, Bransgore.
Philip Cottrell  who is a Tactical Flight Training Officer for Police Helicopters gave and interesting and amusing talk about the National Police Air Service.

Sep 22nd 2022
- Coach Trip to Ford Abbey. and Lyme Regis.
Forde Abbey and Lyme Regis proved an excellent itinery for the coach trip. Members and guests toured the historic house and gardens at Forde Abbey before leaving for a brief stop at Lyme Regis, with a chance for a look round and/or have refreshments in the Autumn sunshine. The Laguna coach driver was an unexpected bonus as he kept everyone amused with frequent jokes and announcements.

Aug 11th 2022
- "Garden Party." at Romford.
The group met at at 11:00 a.m. in Romford Dorset. The temperature was registering 33 deg C but with the shading of the trees and a gentle wind it was extremely pleasant to sit and chat over a glass of Prosecco with which to toast the Queen, who made a two dimensional visit. There was a competition for the best tiara and the best waistcoat for gentlemen (well done Chris, you were the only gentleman brave enough). There was a jubilee prize draw, a jubilee quiz and the lunch of various delicious sandwiches followed by home made scones strawberries and cream. Tea, coffee and water were on tap and a good time was had by all.

July 21st 2022
- Summer Walk at Stanpit March - lunch at The “Ship In Distress”.
10 members met in the pub car park for a short circular walk at Stanpit with views over the Solent and back towards Christchurch Priory. Other members arrived later at the "Ship in Distress" for the meal and a social gathering.

June 28th 2022
- Cruise  up the River Frome to Wareham.
21 members met on Poole Quay for the 12:30 sailing to Wareham. This is a 3 1/2 hour relaxing cruise along the picturesque River Frome to the historic town of Wareham, with its massive earth ramparts built by King Alfred the Great. When in Wareham there was a 70 minute stopover giving people a chance to have a picnic or wander into town. The weather was fair and a good time was had by all.

April 21st & 24th 2022 
- CAA/NATS RSA AGM in Cambridge -
This RSA gala Weekend took place at  "The Cambridge Belfry" in Cambourne, near Cambridge. After the Thursday AGM,  Saturday saw the party split into 2 groups 1 of which went to Audley End Airfield to visit a restoration hanger and then visited Duxford and the Imperial War Museum. The other group were initially dropped off in Cambridge with use of the 'Hop on Hop off' bus if required. They were then picked up and taken on an unescorted visit to the magnificence  Cathedral at ELY. A superb 'Gala Meal' was then held on return to 'The Belfry'.

March 22nd 2022
- RSA Wessex AGM at the Carpenters
The AGM started at 11:00 after meet and greet coffee. Followed by lunch.

February 22nd 2022
-  Meeting at the Carpenters Arms, Bransgore.
Steve Roberts gave an very interesting talk on the old "Ringwood to Christchurch Railway" which has long since disappeared.

Remnants can still be seen along its old course.

January 27 2022  
- The Annual Wessex Branch New Year Lunch.
Approximately 30 members group met at midday for their annual New Year Lunch at the "Lord Bute" in Christchurch where an excellent meal full 3 course meal was provided and enjoyed by all.

December 14 2021 
- Xmas meet - St Mark's Hall - Wallisdown.
The group met to enjoy a warming glass of punch and some delicious hot food and nibbles provided by Joc and her team. Due to the latest Covid situation it was moved to the large hall to keep social distancing. There was an supper raffle with some excellent festive prizes and a chance to find out who was who from their baby photos. There was also a quiz based on Christmas Carols.

November 23rd 2021
- Skittles and lunch at "The Walkford".
About 23 members enjoyed a game of Skittles
This was followed by an excellent  3 course lunch.

October 26th 2021 
-  Meeting at the Carpenters Arms, Bransgore.
A talk by Kevin Patience on the Air France Disasters in 1950  when two DC4 aircraft crashed into the sea off Bahrain – just two days apart. Both pilots were blamed but subsequent investigations revealed some surprising results ! Afterwards most members stayed for an enjoyable lunch.

September 7th 2021
- Coach to Highclere Castle.
19 members had a great coach trip to Highclere Castle with wonderful weather. The group stopped for coffee at the silk mill in Whitchurch which was a delightful setting by the mill pond and stream. At Highclere the group had entry to the grounds, garden, castle and Egyptian Museum as Lord Caernarfon, the owner of Highclere, was one of the sponsors for the Tutankhamen expedition. Highclere was also used for the filming of the Downton Abbey series.

August 10th 2021
- Annual Garden Party in Dorset.
On a lovely sunny morning the group of 25 members met at 11:00 a.m. for Tea or Coffee. This was followed by sandwiches etc. for lunch and a cream tea. There was the usual raffle & bring and buy stall followed by Ted's auction of unsold items. Our chairman also ran the quiz and there was a Brain Teaser from one of the members.

June 22nd 2021
-  "English Oak Vineyard"
A group visited the Vinyard in Lytchet Matravers.
This is a boutique vineyard, just 10 minutes drive from the centre of Poole, English Oak Vineyard is thriving in Dorset's beautiful countryside. The tour given by husband and wife owners Andrew and Sarah, included a relaxed and informative walk through the vineyard. and later in the visitors centre the story of the creation of the vineyard was told followed by a tasting of its internationally award winning sparkling wines.

May 25th 2021
- Lymington walk followed by a pub lunch at the Chequers Inn.
This was the first event that the group managed to hold since the Covid Lockdown when about 30 group members had an enjoyable walk followed by lunch at the Chequers Inn, Lymington.

February 19th 2020 
- Meeting at the Carpenters Arms, Bransgore.
Unfortunately David Bickerton was unable to give his talk about "Parents at War" at this time and it had to be postponed until a later date. In its place our chairman gave his talk on the "Jewellery of Elizabeth Taylor" - enjoyed by all. 16 people stayed on for lunch.

January 29th 2020
- BURNS Supper
An'a wee bit o'nonsense! - with a programme of discourse, music an' verse!! A Warm Welcome frae Phil the chair. followed by an Address to the Haggis by Ted wi' Piper Callum.The Selkirk Grace was led by Jocelyn. then Supper was served with Soup, Haggis an 'Neeps, Steak & Stilton Pie or Salmon Fillet. It finished with Highland Trifle or Whiskey & Orange Ice Cream, Tea and Coffee.

The meal was followed by "The Immortal Memory", presented in style by Paddy Pollock.  Chris o' the Swinn gave "a toast to the lassies", with a reply from Alison o' Prestwick. A good time was had by all.

December 10th 2019
- Christmas Drinks get together held at the Tyrrells Ford Hotel.
Around 30 people turned up for the Wessex Annual Christmas drinks meeting to catch up with old friends.

November 27th 2019
- Skittles & Lunch at  "Three Legged Cross" Skittle Alley.
Approximately 27 members turns turned out for an enjoyable game of skittles with around 25 staying on for lunch in the "Three Legged Cross". I have no idea why Vintage Inns decided to name it as the "Three Legged Cross" as it is in fact about 1 mile from the centre of the Village.

October 23rd 2019 -
- Visit to Sixpenny Micro Brewery in Cranborne.
This was a visit to the Wayland owned Sixpenny Micro Brewery in Cranborne. We were welcomed by Lyall, the head-brewer, who served tasters of the beers they produce and then took the whole group on a tour of the brewery itself. They then supplied a nice ploughmans with cheeses, nibbles, bread & olives etc.