ARMED FORCES WEEKEND - WEYMOUTH

Following the success of our Armed Forces Day event in 2025 we tried something a bit different this year. RMA Poole & District Branch deployed to Weymouth for the weekend to take part in their Armed Forces Weekend. A bit of logistical planning was needed to get our team and equipment down to the seafront and set up before the holiday makers swarmed onto the Esplanade. Unwittingly we nudged the RNLI gazebo to one side and set up next to the main stage which ensured we had the best foot-fall during the day.

Sharky One was our point-man in BBM and seemed to attract lots of visitors to our stand. The team shook out in true "bootneck" professionalism. Sid Stubbs must have been a TQ in the Corps and managed the delivery of “gizits” to the display table with keen consideration for keeping some back for the second day. Dave Harvey went on recce patrols with his collection pot picking off tourists before they could think of an excuse to escape donating. Simon kept an eye on other Gazebos and came up with suggestions to increase the range of “gizits” on offer - hand held flags, windmills and colouring sheets for kids are all great ideas. Mick and Jane Weatherly were a welcome addition to the team as was my oppo Pete Holder. Finally, our new Chairman John Meeds kept an overall check on proceedings.

With a fantastic team we engaged with the public with loads of laughter, banter and good will. Given it was a veterans weekend there was a spectrum of visitors including; Para’s, Guardsmen, Engineers, Navy, RAF to name but a few – they all got stick!!! A great day was had by all before we packed up and returned to Poole.

That was just Day One!! Early Sunday we were back on the Seafront for more fun in the sun, and it was a scorcher! We welcomed Janet Sibley who joined the team for the day. Today was also the Veterans Parade. Dave Harvey and me donned our BBM and made our way to the start line by the war memorial. There were a lot of veterans on parade – I would estimate 300! Following a service there was a fly-past by a Spitfire which did THREE passes over the parade and really set the atmosphere alight. The 1.5Km march was good exercise and started to the tunes of “Heart of Oak” and “Life on the Ocean Wave.” Hundreds of spectators clapped and cheered us along the route and a very impressive convoy of military vehicles followed on behind.

Once back at the gazebo Dave and I re-joined the team and the business of collecting. That said Sid had managed the impossible and had got rid of the RM Jigsaw for £20!!! The old cyclist cap with a flash of Corps Colours on eventually went but only for £1.

The card reader was a specialist skill and over the weekend Sid acquired the skills as a basic user. Awarded Card Reader 3’s status he went on to issue a receipt and qualify as a Card Reader 2’s rate. The 1’s award was a step too far and may have to be attempted in the future.

As the afternoon wore on and the temperature increased I treated the team to ice cream to try and promote a final push on collecting. We pulled pole around 3pm and left Weymouth for Poole with a bounty of £570 for the Royal Marines Charity. Not a bad haul and due completely to a fantastic effort by everyone on the team. A team who gelled from the very start and were a total credit to our RMA Branch and gave up their weekend to volunteer for us – Thank you all for your support.

PS: We are out again this coming weekend at the Shake & Stir Armed Forces weekend in Southborne. It will be great if you can visit us at our gazebo or even if you can give us an hour of your time to help engage with the public.

Paul Jobling - RMA Poole