In January, the veterans were back into the Civic Hall for their get together and it was great to see everyone again, writes Glenn Gibson.
However, our thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery must go out to a couple of our regular attendee veterans who were unable to make it due to ill health. We all hope to see them back into the fold very soon.
Obviously, what Santa brought them all at Christmas soon turned into the stories of where and what they did while deployed or stationed during the festive period all those years ago. Our armed forces from all services really know how to enjoy themselves and play pranks on each other, listening to those stories.
The fliers circulated to Regimental and Corps groups and associations seemed to work as we had visitors from two local ones, who really seemed to enjoy themselves and said they would come back, hopefully with some of their other members.
They are now spreading the Veterans Hub through their own channels and social media and, after a long discussion, it was felt that the area needs this sort of veterans meeting hub, and the conversation moved onto a possible second meeting each month, being started up in another location working alongside the Shildon one.
This being only in the early stages, the thought behind it was to have the two locations meeting two weeks apart from each other but supporting each other.
It is hoped that one of the associations would run the second meeting if it progresses.
At the next regular get together of the Veterans Hub on 21st February, we will be joined by a gentleman from the North East War Memorial Project who will give either a talk or presentation on the subject and hopefully talk about the recent name addition and dedication service to the memorial outside St John’s Church, Shildon.
This talk or presentation will start around 12 noon, giving time for people to arrive and settle in.
On this occasion, there is an open invite for members of the public or groups who are interested in this subject to attend and mix with the veterans from the Hub.
For the March get together, if Shildon Alive are not too busy, they have agreed to attend and give a talk on the services they provide and how they help the community as a whole.
Negotiations are ongoing about the Veterans Hub moving to a more aesthetic location that overlooks Hackworth Park for the spring and summer months. This would be an ideal location for those with dogs, being able to sit on the veranda looking out onto the flower beds and park.
So, let’s all continue to support this Hub and establish it into a bigger and better group.
As always, I finish with the mandatory thanks to Shildon Town Council and Civic Hall staff for support and use of their buildings, Shildon Alive for their continued donations of food and those Veterans who come and relax, have a good chat and crack a few jokes.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
