Special visitors to Oakham breakfast club
The monthly Oakham Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club had a Chelsea Pensioner pop in as they marked the end of a successful year.
The monthly club has gone from strength to strength, growing in popularity, since it started in August.
Hosted at the Grainstore Brewery in Oakham it has given veterans and their families, along with serving forces personnel, a platform to meet socially over breakfast while forging new friendships with like-minded folk across all three services.
The last few breakfast clubs have seen good turnouts, especially with the centenary of the First World War and the Armistice Parade which the club took part in.
Mark and Tracey Taylor, who founded the club in Oakham, were invited to the Royal Hospital in Chelsea back in September to join the Chelsea Pensioners and the Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson as a thank you for supporting the initiative.
During the visit Mark and Tracey were hosted by Brian Cummings and returned the favour by inviting him to the Oakham club - an offer he took up in December.
He has previously visited Uppingham in an official capacity and relished the opportunity to return to Rutland once more clad in his distinct scarlet uniform.
During his visit to the county, Brian also unveiled the Tommy memorial, visited Cottesmore Academy and paid a visit to Kendrew Barracks. He also helped with the Christmas prize draw at the breakfast club, which helped raise funds towards a new sensory room at Cottesmore Academy.
Mark said: “The weekend was an absolute success which saw Brian thoroughly enjoy his stay in Oakham. He parted thanking us all for an amazing time and stated that he would love to come back next year and visit more of Rutland.”
Brian also donated a prize of a dinner for two at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, which will be auctioned in the new year.
Mark thanked the Lord Lieutenant of Rutland Dr Sarah Furness, Rutland County Council and The Grainstore for supporting the club.
It will continue on the first Saturday of the month in the new year. E-mail oakhamafvbc@gmail.com to find out more.
