Mess Dinner reaffirms the strong relationship between The Royal Welsh Regiment and Christ College
02 Apr 2012
At the kind invitation of Col (Retd.) Peter Gooderson, Regimental Secretary of The Royal Welsh, a group of staff and cadets from Christ College were hosted to a formal Mess Dinner at the Regimental HQ of the Royal Welsh Regiment on Thursday (26th Jan) night.
Christ College’s School Staff Instructor WO2 Mark Bevan said: “The Christ College Combined Cadet Force (CCF) contingent is proud to wear the cap-badge of the Royal Welsh Regiment, and the invitation was in recognition of the lasting warm relationship between Christ College and the Royal Welsh.”
The invitation was extended to a number of the school’s other CCF Senior Officers including Major Ian Owen, Lt. Cathy Morrell, 2Lt. Rhion Johnston and Flt.Lt. Jonathan Cooper. Also joining the officers and cadets from the school’s CCF were the Head of Christ College, Mrs Emma Taylor and Mr Stephen Maggs, the school’s Development Director.
The dinner was generously hosted by Brigadier Philip Napier, Colonel of the The Royal Welsh Regiment. Brigadier Napier is also the Commander of 160 Brigade (Wales) and head of the army in Wales.
The staff and pupils were joined by officers from the Royal Welsh Regiment, including Old Breconians Lt. David Morrell, Capt. Adam Libbey and former Head of School (2006/7) 2Lt. Matt Barnes who later this year will begin his 48 week officer training course at Sandhurst. It was also a delight to see Capt. Adrian Kent of the 1st Btn Royal Welsh based in Chester at the dinner, whose son is a pupil at the school and whose daughter is an Old Breconian.
The meal was accompanied by a band from the Regimental Band of The Royal Welsh, the last surviving brass band in the British Army. Notwithstanding the formality and sense of occasion the meal was a convivial occasion, with the officers mixing amiably with the Christ College pupils, and impressing with their demeanour and tales of the active service they’ve seen already in their army careers.
At the end of the evening, and following the National Anthem and loyal toasts, Brigadier Napier spoke enthusiastically of the relationship and rapport between the Royal Welsh Regiment and Christ College. In response, the Head thanked the Brigadier for the Regiment’s hospitality and continuing friendship towards Christ College.
We look forward to hosting Brigadier Napier and his team at the Christ College Sevens on Sunday February 19th which is is kindly sponsored by The Royal Welsh Regimen