Your monthly review of What’s Up and What’s Down in the Raider’s World!

Meeting Date Changed to First Wednesday

This is shocking news that will affect at least the 30% of Raiders who actually attend meetings! Because of the Hall being hired out at Siege on Thursday evenings, as from June onwards the meetings shall be held on the first Wednesday of every month at 18h00. Therefore in June the meeting shall be at The Club at 18h00 on Wednesday 3 June. This is of course for the 30%. If the other 70% of Raiders do read this we would like to see you at least once every six months at a meeting!

Raid on Castiglione Shellhole, Bloemfontein

The Raid on Castiglione Shellhole in Bloemfontein shall take place on Saturday 11 July. The luxury12 seater Quontum bus shall be used – the same as being used for East London – and the group departs the Moth Centre at 06h00. The total cost for you? A mere R100 that includes the transport, breakfast at Wimpy, and whatever lunch shall be. All you need money for is refreshments during the day and for fines – that’s all! Seven Raiders have booked and paid so far, so there are four seats left. First come – first served. If YOU do not support outgoing raids, it could spell the demise of the Raiders, so it is up to YOU!! There are 25 Raiders but we see the same few faces at meetings and on raids. Come on guys – it is really a bad show if we raid locally and we cannot fill the bus. Why bother being a Raider?

Medals to be awarded on the Castiglione Raid

The following will receive the Raiders GS Medal on 11 July: John Barrett, Isie Dobson, Melvin Gouws, Nevin Gouws, Bones Geldenhuys, Steve, Marisa, John Sjöblom, Dave Raeburn and Michelle Besselaar. Remember, to get your Gong, you have to be on the Raid.

Martial Arts weekend and Snoek Braai

The weekend of 25/26 April saw the "Gathering of the Clan" at Siege Shellhole, where Masters of Martial Arts, under the guiding hand of our very own Moth and Raider Japie Cilliers, held their annual weekend of training and sharing of information. Raiders did the catering – well done Pat, Bones, Ramon and Steve – and they brought in some R385 to the Raiders’ funds. The Snoek Braai on Sunday 3 May was another success! Thanks to Bones, Pat, Steve, Marisa and Michelle - they brought in another R380. Looking good!! Very Good!!

Subs are due again!

Well, well, it’s that time of year again when subs HAVE to be paid. Well, certainly by end of June anyway. There has been a change and it is now R25 per annum (and R5 per meeting attended). Pay your subs NOW and get NO discount!

Raid to East London – fun coming up

The Raid to east London 24 to 28 September is definitely on and we have 9 members who have paid their deposits – which leaves only three seats to fill. As the invitation has been extended to the Free State Moth it should be a full bus. Please note that we are definitely going and Melvin has booked the Buffalo Volunteers Drill Hall for our overnight accommodation. You will need to bring your own blankies, pillows and sleeping bags. This will be a fun five-day with lots of history, visiting various Shellholes (Raiding!!), day at the beach, going on an harbour tour hopefully, sociallising, eating, being fined, and generally making merry waves in the "Friendly" town.

Bus Funds Getting Close to target

The target of R3250 to pay for the hire of the bus to East London is near, as so far (by 28 May) some R2254 has been raised by the various swindles held over the last nine months. This means less than R1000 to go and it will indeed run very close. Well done and thanks to all those who have donated bottles, sold tickets, bought tickets and some even returned their winnings! Can all Raiders please donate more bottles of wine – we need them to raise funds.

Raid to Cape Town planned for next year

All going well it is hoped to have a Raid to Cape Town next year - by train. The return tickets at this stage out of season cost R410 return, with bedding R40 per night. Meals are good on the train (as are the drinks) and safety is guaranteed. A very relaxing trip which should be a five or six-day excursion including the 36 hours on the train. At this stage your committee is looking for chalet accommodation on the Strand or Gordons Bay, and it is planned to hire a bus/coach in the Mother City for travelling purposes.

Potjiekos Day at Siege on 1 August

Although this day at Siege Shellhole on Saturday 1 August may not be the planned fund-raiser it was hoped, the Raiders shall still have the day for all who wish to partake. It should be a great social day for all concerned and it is hoped that many Moth and Raiders shall enter. There shall be a nominal fee, as all contestants have to provide their own ingredients, pots, etc. The day shall be a practice run for the planned annual Potjiekos contest.

Fines are fun but serious

It is good to remember that when one is fined that the fine money goes direct to worthy causes decided upon from time to time. Pay up with a smile as it is in fun and not to be taken seriously. In these times we need as much humour as possible. Those who argue about their fine can do so, but do it in humour and do pay up. Remember the Three Ideals of the Moth – True Comradeship, Mutual Help and Sound Memory – and try to stick by them at all times. This concerns all Raiders and not just the Moth.