Defeat in the West Tour 25 - 27 February 2011 - Completed!!

Tim Stoneman on the earthworks by the Mole at Dunkirk explaining DYNAMO

Dinner in Ypres on Saturday night!

Tim Stoneman delivering Binyon's Exhortation to the assembled at the Menin Gate on behalf of the Guild Membership

Terry Webb pointing out the counter attack route of the 2nd Cameronians on the Ypres-Comines canal on a very wet Belgian morning!

A moment to reflect at CWGC Communal Cemetery at Hondeghem

Over weekend of 25-27 February 15 Members travelled to France and Belgium and visited a number of stands connected with the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) 1940. By all accounts the tour was regarded as a great success on number of counts. Members practiced their guiding skills under the potentially critical eye of their contemporaries. They learnt a new itinerary for their guiding portfolios and..........they had a great time in the company of their peers!!

On the Friday a base was established in Ypres at the Poppies Hotel known to many of our guiding fraternity. At 2000hrs we attended the Last Post ceremony and some of us had the privilege of laying a wreath on behalf of the Guild membership whilst Tim Stoneman recited Binyon's Exhortation to the assembled

Our route followed the withdrawal of the BEF from the Escaut Line at Pecq back to the Dunkirk perimeter. On the way we attended stands at Cassel Le Paradis and Esquelbec. On Sunday morning we drove almost the entire Dunkirk perimeter taking in action by 2 Coldstreams on the Bergues-Furnes canal and 7th Guards Brigade at Furnes or more correctly Veurne.

Special thanks must go to Terry Webb for all his hard work in writing the itinerary and organising the stands. He gave willingly of his time and knowledge to assist travelling Members. Another big thanks to Nora De Bievre from Back Roads Touring who organised our transport through her company and to Jeff Cormack for driving the party.

The individual cost of the trip has yet to be calculated but by commercial standards it was comparatively cheap.

The next CPD trip will be 'Watch on the Rhine' 20 -24 July 2011

CPD Tour 'Beyond The Beaches' Normandy 13 - 16th October 2011

Pegasus Bridge - Benouville

It is proposed to carry out another of the popular 'Beyond The Beaches' tour to Normandy. The first was in October 2010.

'Beyond The Beaches' could link in with the planned GBG event in Calais 7 - 9 October 2011. Although the maximum number travelling is currently12, that may be increased at some future date depending on demand.

(At 5th March 2011). The following Members had requested places.

1.Bob Darby
2.Tony Smith
3.Jo Hook
4.Alison Hine
5.Ian Mitchell
6.Paul Burton
7,Neil Bright

8.Johnny Walker

9.Dudley Giles

CPD/Recce Tour 'Watch on the Rhine' 21-24 July 2011

It is proposed that up to 15 Members will travel to the Ardennes Region of Belgium to look at the battle sites of the German counter-attack operations of Dec 1944. As on previous CPD tours this tour is currently only available to guiding Members who will be expected to research and present to their fellow travellers. We have reduced the time on tour from the original instruction down to 4 days and 3 nights. Frank Baldwin Badge No 8 will be the Team Leader assisted by Bob Darby Badge No 29.

The itinerary is now available for those that wish to attend and will be available for distribution with costs by 31st March 2011. (As at 29th March 2011)

The following Members have requested places

1.Bob Darby

2.Frank Baldwin

3.Dermot Gallagher

4.Ian Mitchell

5.Ray Wilkinson

6.Dudley Giles

7.Philip Hinchy

8.John Greenacre

9.Andy Johnson

10.Joe Hamon

11.Alison Hine

12.Derek Frisby

13.Francois Wicart

14.Margaret Pearson

Places are allocated on first come - first served basis. A reserve list will be held to cater for drop-outs or any increase in numbers able to travel

Defeat in the West Tour 25 - 27 February 2011

We have 17 Members travelling to France and Belgium to visit some of the battle sites on the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force(BEF) in 1940. This was preceded by the German attack on the Low Countries and France. Sometimes referred to as the 'Blitzkrieg'

The tour will depart from the UK on Friday morning 25 Feb 2011 and travel by mini-coach and Eurotunnel to the line of the Escaut in Belgium, one of the British Army's defensive lines on the withdrawal ultimately ending with the mass evacuation of the survivors from the Mole at Dunkirk and the beaches at Malo Les Baines, Bray Dunes and La Panne.

The group will be staying in Ypres over the period. It is proposed we lay a wreath on behalf of the Guild at the Last Post ceremony.

As this is part of a new Guild initiative for Continuous Professional Development (CPD), travelling Members will present at a variety of stands along the route after having carried out the necessary research. It is likely it will help some to obtain the Badge.

The Recce for this tour was recently carried out by Terry Webb Badge No 40 Team Leader. and Bob Darby Badge No 29 Team Administrator.

Below are some of the stands we will be visiting. It is hoped in future other Members will step forward and organise similar events, perhaps for a different historical period. We are after all, a broad church!

If any Member wishes to see our itinerary please email me at bobdarby@btinternet.com

The evacuation beaches at La Panne

The Dunkirk Museum

The Ypres Bridge at Veurne (Furnes) over the Bergues-Furnes canal which formed the outer defensive line on the eastern side of the Dunkirk Perimeter. Defended by 7th Guards Brigade

The cottage on the Bergues-Furnes canal defended by Lt Jimmy Langley 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards. Situated on the 'home' side of the canal

The site of the VC Action by Captain Ervine-Andrews 1st East Lancs

The Gatehouse in the town walls of Bergues

Ypres Cloth Hall
Town of Cassel looking south

Creswell Bunker north of Cassell