Join The Garrison

How to Join

General Group Information:
The Garrison, in all its forms is always delighted to accept new members If you have an interest in history, especially the World War II era, and is able to give up some of your weekends and would like to make new friends, why not join us? The lads can choose between Ack Ack and Field Artillery as there primary role, all thought we tend to swap around from event to event and with the 93rd SL Regt RA we have a real roll for the ladies. Although it’s difficult to fit in young ones on the Field Gun side, as Ack Ack home front we can make family groups very welcome.

The group asks prospective members to become a member for a 6 month trial period so you can assess us and us you. There is more information on this on the club Rules Page. Once you've you have registered as a prospective member you can start re-enacting with the group. You can attend any of the events we do, as well as receive the group newsletter.

Some frequently asked questions and answers that may help:
What will it cost? It can be an expensive hobby when you first start buying your kit, but once you have it, it should last a life time. We don't expect you purchase any of your own uniform or equipment until you have become a full member. Even after this we will still help until set up by lending out group or other member’s equipment. The membership fee is £10 per head per year; this part of the hobby is cheap.

How old do I have to be to join? The minimum age for an individual member is 16 however special arrangements can be made there are no limits for family groups. There is also no maximum age as the Ack Ack group has a small home guard detachment but do take into account that you can be climbing in and out of vehicles and walking a fair bit.

What will my first event be like? If you've never done re-enactment before, it can seem quite daunting taking that first step and attending your first event, but we are a small friendly group and every attempt is made to make new members feel welcome. We will readily give any help and advice on any part of this hobby from authenticity to where to get the best reproduction.

What will be expected from me? For the first 6 months very little, we would like you to come to at least one main event or training weekend and to follow the club rules. By the end of the first year we would, although we are very flexible on this, like you to have the basic kit as laid out in the personal equipment table. In a group like ours you only get out what you put in so the more events you do the more fun you have.

If after reading all this we have not put you off please contact us Gunners both Field and Ack Ack email jcatton @thurrock.gov.uk or keith.brigstock @tiscali.co.uk please copy this in to your email and delete the space and ATS email atsrecruit @hotmail.com again copy this in to your email and delete the space.

Click here for the Membership Application Form.

Group Constitution

The aims of The Garrison as described in our constitution:
"To promote and provide an educational resource through living
history interpretation displays and re-enactments of historic
periods of our British Military Service’s to the benefit of all peoples."

Prospective members will be allowed a trial period before the full membership decide on the continuation into full membership on the following criteria;

A trial period of 6 months, in this time prospective members will attend training sessions or main events of the group.
Full members will monitor behaviour, standard of equipment and drill, health & safety awareness, knowledge and team work of prospective members.
During the trial period prospective members will pay the standard annual membership fee, to cover administration, newsletter and insurance. This will be reimbursed in full if the prospective member is not successful in achieving full membership status.
Prospective members will be informed after 6 months or at the AGM, if they have achieved full membership of "The Garrison". This will be the decision of the committee is final and with no re-dress.

All prospective members will supply the following to the Membership Officer;

Supply two passport size photographs,
Supply a permanent home address,
Copies of all firearms, shotguns, black powder acquire / keep / use licences.
Full members will keep the membership Officer informed of all changes to the above requirements

All members will carry the following documentation at any training or main event;

All relevant licences and certificates relating to firearms, shotguns, explosive handling or store.
"The Garrison" current membership card.

All members will also;

Use only blank ammunition and black powder charges supplied by or through The Garrison members, licensed or approved to do so, unless otherwise authorised, for use in training or public events.

At each event the following officers will have with them the following documentation;

Events Officers will have copies of any relevant Contract, Display specification.
Safety Officer will have First Aid, Fire equipment, Risk Assessments & Operations Manual.
Membership Officer, details of all members.

Members will be careful with all equipment but the following rules are emphasised;

Artillery,
Small Arms,
(Bayonets, Army knives will be kept sheathed)
Fires & Cookers

During public display, unless part of a static display area, where risk assessment has been carried out and appropriate safety features such as barriers and safe distances for public viewing, with appropriate supervision, until these are in place to the satisfaction of the Safety Officer, the above items will not be handled by the public and will be kept safe from tampering.

Members will behave and act when on public display in presentable uniforms, language and bearing to the service and period portrayed. The Accuracy Officer will be happy to help out with all historical data. Members falling short of this will be reminded of standards in training events but will be removed from public events, or asked to leave the display area in the interests of ‘The Garrison’ aims and standards.
Members will have to accept all other rules and regulations, relating to the re-enactment activities, including;

English Heritage site & re-enactment rules.
Health & Safety Executive rules and advice for re-enactment.
Event organiser’s rules.

Re-enactment can be dangerous, if you see a risk of injury to anybody, remember the key word;

"STAND FAST" everybody will stop what they are doing and the person calling out the alarm word can communicate the problem to the event or display co-ordinator.
When resolved, "GO ON" will allow activities to be continued.

Consultation on events, detailed planning, maintenance, training will be attempted through sub group meetings and via the newsletter, any problems or concerns can be made directly to a committee member or Chair for discussion informally or formally. Jonathan Catton, Chair can be contacted on 01375 850484 or by e-mail on jcatton@tiscali.co.uk
Infringements of any of the above rules will result in members being dismissed from training or main events as they occur and consideration of membership of "The Garrison" being revoked.

"We are pleased to aim and aim to please."

‘The Garrison’ — Constitution — Agreed: 25/11/1997

THE ORGANISATION

The organisation shall be known as "The Garrison"

THE AIMS OF THE ORGANISATION

The aims of the organisation are:-

To promote and provide an educational resource through living history interpretation displays and re-enactments of historic periods of our British Military Service’s to the benefit of all peoples.

OBJECTIVES

The ’Objectives‘ of ‘The Garrison’ are:-

To encourage a high standard of living history presentation, through research, collection of original and replica uniforms, equipment, ephemera by ‘The Garrison’ and its members.
To co-ordinate displays to private organisations, schools, colleges and other educational facilities, Museum’s, English Heritage sites, military establishments and other heritage sites.

MEMBERSHIP

The membership is open to anybody willing to participate in aspects of living history through re- enactment and satisfies the membership criteria, excepting the probation period to ascertain suitability and agree to the rules of ‘The Garrison’ in force at the time of joining and any subsequent additions to the rules.

MEMBERSHIP FEES

An annual membership fee is payable on the 1st January of each year.
The fee will be set at the A.G.M. for the forthcoming year and will cover expected administration costs, insurance, licences and other agreed costs to be met in successfully running "The Garrison".

MANAGEMENT

The management shall be by a Committee elected by the members at the A.G.M.
The officers of the committee shall be; Chairman, Events Officer, Publicity / Newsletter Officer, Treasurer, Safety Officer, Accuracy Officer, Quarter Master, Membership Officer. Some of these positions can be held by more than one person, other than the Chairman.
The committee can co-opt other Officer to fill vacancies and where a need to have special skills on the committee.
The Committee shall have plenary powers to undertake all they deem necessary to achieve the aims and best interests of ’The Garrison’ and or its members.
No member of ‘The Garrison’ will be paid for services, however the committee will decide on the level of reimbursement of agreed core administration, event costs and expenses to allow the objectives of ’The Garrison‘ to be reached.
The rules of the garrison will be reviewed and up-dated by the committee as they see fit. Any disciplinary matters in relation to the rules will be dealt with by the committee through investigation and action as deemed necessary to such events, the decision of which will be final.

FINANCE

The Treasurer shall keep accounts of all transactions and maintain a financial record. An account will be opened at an approved financial institution in the name of "The Garrison."
All cheques shall require two signatures, being the treasurer and one other approved committee member.
The treasurer and Quarter Master Officer will maintain an asset register detailing the assets and the place at which they are normally kept.
The committee will appoint an honorary auditor who shall verify the accounts.
The financial accounts will end on the last day of December each year.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Officers to the Committee shall cause an Annual General meeting to be held in January of each year. At least three weeks notice in writing must be given to members of the date, time and place of the A.G.M. and a framework Agenda. Nomination forms for the Committee posts will be sent at the same time to the last known address recorded in the membership files.
The Agenda shall include reports from the chairman, Treasurer and any other reports as appropriate to keep members up to date with the programme of events and aims of ’The Garrison‘.
Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) many be called by the Committee, or when requested by 10 members. Not less than 31 days notice in writing must be given to the Chairman of the item to be considered. Not less than 14 days written notice shall be given to the members of the date, time, place and agenda. The proposals should also be detailed in the notice with a response and recommendation by the committee. No other business shall be transacted at an EGM.

DISSOLUTION OF "The Garrison"

"The Garrison" can only be dissolved by a two thirds majority vote at an E.G.M. where this is the only item on the Agenda.
Upon a successful dissolution vote, the committee shall have the power to distribute the assets of ‘The Garrison’ to any organisation or individual as it deems appropriate, having paid for any debts owed by the organisation.

ALTERATION TO THE CONSTITUTION

The constitution can only be altered by a majority vote at an AGM or EGM at least 14 days notice in writing must be given to members of the date, time and place of the meeting and the nature of the proposed amendment.