West Midland Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association

Meet the Marines
2019-02-05 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Royal Marines Reserve Birmingham will be hosting a “Meet The Marines” day on the first Tuesday of every month.
So come along and see the excellent facilities on offer to you as a potential Royal Marines Reservist. It is also a great way to meet serving reservists and also those who are currently undergoing training.
If you are interested in joining the RMR this is a great opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have and to make your first step to achieving the coveted Green Beret.
For more information and to book click here.

Royal Naval Reserve Experience - Birmingham
2019-02-05 19:00 - 21:30 | HMS Forward, Birmingham
Want to keep fit, make new friends and travel the world in your spare time? Get a taste of life as a reservistat our free Royal Naval Reserve Experience on 5 Febraury 2019. Spaces are limited, so make sure you register your interest in plenty of time.
As well as learning about the different branches and specialisms of the Naval Reserve, you’ll get the chance to:
– Handle the latest operational weapons
– Introduction to the communications branch
– Take part in leadership training exercises
– A presentation on the Royal Naval Reserve including a tour of the facilities
The unit bar will be open for a short period after the event. This will be a great opportunity to mingle with both Regular and Reserve members of the Royal Navy and get the inside story on Service life.
To find out more details and register please click here.

Birmingham Theatre Project - Bravo 22 Company
2019-02-02 12:00 - 2019-02-28 12:00
Bravo 22 Company are hosting a new theatre project in conjunction with the Birmingham Hippodrome and The Drive Project.
The project is open wounded injured or sick service personnel, veterans, Reservists and their families to take part from February – June.
Starting with informal ‘drop in sessions’ to meet the team you will then take part in a number of rehearsals. Following this you will then become part of four fantastic performances at the Birmingham Hippodrome.
If you would like to take part or find out more, please contact Sue at The Drive Project via: sue@thedriveproject.co.uk
An excellent opportunity so make sure you don’t miss out!

RAF at What Career Live, Birmingham
2019-02-01 09:30 - 16:30 | Birmingham NEC, North Avenue, Marston Green, B40 1NT
If you are heading to What Career Live, Birmingham, check out Op. VR: the RAF’s first fully-immersive VR experience. Feel the heart-leaping, adrenaline-pumping emotions of an operation, as you face impossible situations. See your future take flight!
They’ve got some of the UK’s most exciting companies looking for people just like you offering apprenticeships and jobs with ongoing training.

1046 (Fordhouses) Squadron RAF Air Cadets Open Day
2019-01-20 16:00 - 18:00
1046 (Fordhouses) Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets are holding a Recruitment Open Day on 20th January in Wolverhampton.
If you are aged 12 (and in year 8) and over head along and find out more about joining this friendly organisation.
With the Air Cadets you can learn skills such as flying, take part in adventurous training camps, competitive sports, music and gain new qualifications. You’ll also make some great new friends along the way!
Make sure you email 1046@aircadets for more information and to book your place. Times TBC – please contact the squadron for more details.

Royal Marines Reserve Experience
2019-01-16 19:30 - 22:00 | HMS Forward, Birmingham
Experience Life as a Royal Marines Reservist by visiting our unit on Tue 16 Jan. The event is open to all aged between 14-32. Parents & Guardians welcome.
Activities include:
Handling the latest Operational Weapons.
A Royal Marines Physical Training Demonstration utilising specific techniques taught in Recruit Training.
Experience a ‘Recruit Under Training’ kit muster.
A presentation on the Royal Marines Reserves including a tour of the facilities.
To find out more or book your place click here.

Meet the Marines
2019-01-08 19:30 - 22:00 | HMS Forward, Birmingham

Staffordshire Regiments Museum - A Wartime Christmas
2018-12-15 10:00 - 18:00
Come along and join the soldiers and civilians from WWI and WWII as they celebrate Christmas on the front lines and at home too. Will there be a truce in the trenches?
‘Peggy Skivvy’ will be on hand, demonstrating what life was like on the Home Front.
Beware… If the Luftwaffe decide to drop some unwanted Christmas presents, you may have to take cover in our public air raid shelter !

Royal Naval Reserve Experience
2018-12-04 19:00 - 21:30
Want to keep fit, make new friends and travel the world in your spare time? Get a taste of life as a reservist at our free Royal Naval Reserve Experience on 4 December 2018. Spaces are limited, so make sure you register your interest in plenty of time.
As well as learning about the different branches and specialisms of the Naval Reserve, you’ll get the chance to:
– Handle the latest operational weapons
– Hone your skills with some challenging leadership tasks
– Introduction to the communications branch
– Presentation on the Royal Naval reserve including tour of the facilities

Ex-Forces Employability Day
2018-11-22 09:30 - 12:30 | Suited For Succes, 55 Springhill, Hockley, Birmingham, B18 7BH
Are you a member of the Ex-Forces who is looking for employment?
Suited For Success are hosting an employability day for veterans to get support into work, including one-on-one interview coaching sessions with Managers from the National Grid, employment advice from Pertemps HM Forces Liaison Team and a free interview suit. The event will take place at their office in Hockley, Birmingham.
Appointments are available but booking is essential.
For more information or to register to attend, please contact:
info@suitedforsuccess.co.uk or call 0121 237 7770

'Journey's End' film screening
2018-11-09 18:30 - 22:00 | Old Market Hall Theatre Shrewsbury
This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War 1. To commemorate this the Shropshire ABF along with Old Market Hall Theatre Shrewsbury, and 11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade, will be showing the moving film “ Journeys End ” on Friday the 9th November.
The tickets will be £25 each and are available now from the Old Market Hall Shrewsbury Box office (01743 281281).
Guests are encouraged to join them at 18:30 for Prosecco and some WW1 Trench themed canapés.
There will be a presentation from Lieutenant Colonel Jones explaining the last 100 days of the War and giving accounts from troops who served in the Campaign before the film is screened at 20:00.
Military Guests are invited to wear mess kit and civilian guests can either wear smart dress or casual.

Birmingham Poppy Day
2018-11-06 08:00 - 17:00 | Birmingham, Birmingham
This year will be the 5th Annual Birmingham Poppy Day and will see Service personnel from all three services collecting on the streets in Birmingham city centre, New Street train station and the Queens Elizabeth Hospital. There will also be military bands entertaining the crowds within the city centre. Visit the link below to find out more about what is happening and how your business can get involved and support the event.

Staffordshire Regiment Museum Coffee Morning
2018-11-02 10:00 - 12:00 | The Staffordshire Regiment Museum
11th Signal and West Midlands Brigade would like to invite you to join them at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum for a special coffee morning, to raise funds for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
You will get the chance to view the spectacular ‘Deborah II’, as featured on Channel 4’s documentary ‘Guy Martin’s WWI Tank’. Please join them from 10am – midday for refreshments and an exclusive look around this unique exhibit.
Stephen MacHaye from the Norfolk Tank Museum will be on hand to answer any questions you may have on the tank and its use, whilst museum guides will then happily guide you down the trenches to look at what life was like for the British Tommies on the front line.
Please RSVP to the Museum Curator Danielle Crozier on curator@staffordshireregimentmuseum.com

War and Peace: A concert in aid of the Royal British Legion
2018-10-28 20:00 - 22:00 | Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick
St James’s Singers are presenting music and readings to commemorate the end of World War One on Sunday October 28th in the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick starting at 8.00pm.
The concert is aiming to raise funds to support the Royal British Legion and the invaluable work they do. The choir will perform a varied programme of music, supported by Fine Arts Brass, complemented by readings from actor Kim Durham which will reflect on the serious and sombre side of war as well as celebrating the comradeship, heroism and humour which saw the troops through their ordeals.
The concert both opens and closes with a focus on peace. In between will be some words from the war poets, who so powerfully captured the horrors of war, accounts from soldiers and extracts from the Wipers Times. There will be music to suit all tastes, including a jazzy ‘1918 Suite’ from the Fine Arts Brass, an opportunity to join the choir with a medley of classic war songs, together with pieces by Bach and Purcell, John Ireland’s anthem ‘Greater love hath no man’ and the fanfare Sunset.
Tickets are available now from the St James’s Singers box office on 07502 939498 at £17.50 and £12.50 with advance booking recommended to secure your seat. Children’s tickets are all £5.
Tickets will be available on the door, but those will be unreserved seats.
Doors open at 7.20pm. The concert will finish by 10.00pm.

Staffordshire Networking Breakfast
2018-10-15 08:00 - 10:00 | Commerce House, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5BE
Join Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and West Midland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for an insightful networking breakfast event in October.
The event will host presentations from members of the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force to highlight the benefits and unique talents you can bring to your workplace by hiring veterans, Reservists and other members of the Armed Forces community. You’ll have a fantastic opportunity to network with guests, enjoy breakfast and hear employers speak from experience.
To register your interest please visit the Chamber’s website here.

Shropshire Regimental Museum Talks | How the Allies won WW1
2018-10-12 19:00 - 22:00 | Copthorne Barracks, Shrewsbury
Professor Gary Sheffield will be introducing his lecture “How the Allies won the First World War in 1918” at an inspiring talk held at the Copthorne Barracks Army Reserve Centre.
There will be drinks from 19:00 with the lecture starting at 19:30. You can find out more about the event and how to book tickets here.

Unspoken
2018-10-08 19:45 - 2018-10-09 22:30 | Birmingham Hippodrome
“Unspoken”, a production based on the real-life stories of the Bravo 22 Company, will be performed at Birmingham Hippodrome on the 8th and 9th October.
The play, performed by ex-Service personnel, brings to light the lives interrupted and changed forever by war, in a heart-wrenching and hilarious story of love, loss, loneliness and hope.
Alongside the performances, Bravo 22 Company is also running a theatre workshop on 9th October for up to 30 local participants from the wounded, injured and sick (WIS) and veteran communities, including family members. The workshop provides an opportunity for participants to meet and talk with Unspoken cast members, chat with the Production Team about how using their own story can help benefit their recovery and wellbeing, watch some cast members perform short monologues from the play, and take part in some games and exercises straight from the professional rehearsal room, to help with confidence and to have a bit of fun.
Bravo 22 Company is recruiting now for the workshop, so if you are a wounded, injured or sick Service man or woman, a veteran or family member living in Birmingham or the West Midlands, and would like to get involved in the Birmingham Bravo 22 Company Theatre Project in 2019 – then come along to a FREE taster workshop and receive 1 free ticket to the Unspoken Performance at 7:45pm that evening!
More details about the production can be found on the Hippodrome’s website here.
For more information or to confirm attendance with the workshop, please email info@thedriveproject.co.uk

Gaydon Military Show
2018-09-30 10:00 - 16:00 | British Motor Museum, CV35 0BJ
The British Motor Museum is hosting a special military show to explore military history through the decades.
There will be a huge range of activities to enjoy including military vehicle displays, Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities for children, live music and classic wartime hits, re-enactment history displays and a performance by the Warwickshire and West Midlands Army Cadet Force Corps of Drums – and much more!
You can find out more about the event via the Museum’s website here.

Mancetter Big Day Out
2018-09-23 11:00 - 15:00 | Mancetter Recreation Ground
North Warwickshire Borough Council is holding a World War I themed celebration event to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of the war. The event will take place at Mancetter Recreation Ground off Brook Walk on Sunday 23 September from 11:00 to 15:00.
The family event is being organised by the Council in partnership with Veterans Contact Point and is supported by various charities and organisations including Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion, local cadet forces and 30th Signal Regiment from Gamecock Barracks. It is hoped that the event will highlight the experiences of some of the 7,500 North Warwickshire veterans and raise awareness of the support services available should they need them.
The military theme will be present throughout the event with interactive activities, displays, music, food, stalls, clothing, equipment and vehicles. A military themed dog show will take place alongside free camouflage face painting, bouncy castles, and an inflatable assault course. For further information, and for anyone wishing to register to have a free stall, please visit www.northwarks.gov.uk/bdo and select Mancetter Big Day Out.

Gheluvelt Park Drumhead Service
2018-09-15 12:00 - 15:00 | Gheluvelt Park
Join the Worcestershire Lord Lieutenant at Gheluvelt Park for an outdoor service of remembrance, music, parade of standards and an Act of Commemoration.
The final part of the ceremony will be to create a spectacle of ceramic poppies, purchased by people across the county after the Tower of London art installation in 2014, and brought to Ghleuvelt Park for this day. Everyone who has a poppy is encouraged to bring it with them and hold it aloft at the given signal.
Find out more about the event here.

Concert by the Band of the Grenadier Guards
2018-09-14 19:30 - 22:30 | Worcester Cathedral
The Band of the Grenadier Guards will be performing at Worcester Cathedral on September 14th 2018 at 7.30pm.

This year marks 100 years since the end of World War One. To commemorate this occasion the world acclaimed Band of the Grenadier Guards will be performing a concert on Friday 14th September at 7.30pm, followed by a Drumhead service at Gheluvelt Park, Worcester on Saturday 15th September at 12.30pm.
More details about the event can be found here.

Exercise Reserve Challenge
2018-09-13 - 2018-09-15 | RAF Cosford, Albrighton, Wolverhampton, WV7 3EX, United Kingdom
Running in partnership with the Army, Royal Air Force, local businesses and employers from the West Midlands, the exercise focuses on leadership development and confidence training.
Participants will also gain valuable insight into the Reserve Forces and see how the skills you can learn as a Reservist can be utilised in your civilian workplace.
Why not get together a team from your business or organisation and take on this fantastic challenge? A great team-building experience and chance to test your skills in a different environment.
Please contact Lieutenant Colonel Richard Jones on richard.jones492@mod.gov.uk for more details.

485 Harborne & Quinton Air Training Corps Open Evening
2018-09-11 19:30 - 21:00 | Tennal Grange, Tennal Road, Harborne, B32 2HX
An excellent opportunity for youngsters around the Quinton, Harborne and surrounding areas of Birmingham to find out more about their local Air Cadets 485 Harborne & Quinton Air Training Corps.
Pop along to their open evening on the 11th September to find out more about the brilliant activities they offer, what new skills you could learn and meet their friendly cadets and staff.
Examples of the types of activities they currently offer are:
– Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at all levels
– Adventurous Training
– Flying and Gliding
– BTEC qualifications
– First Aid
– Camps in the UK and abroad

Their open evening evening will start at 19:30/19:45 and finish at 21:00.
Please contact the squadron on 0121 428 4848 or email oc.485@aircadets.org for more information.

Meet the Marines
2018-08-07 19:30 - 22:00 | HMS Forward, Birmingham
The Royal Marines Reserve Birmingham are hosting a ‘Meet the Marines’ event on the first Tuesday of every month.
The events are an ideal opportunity to find out more about the Royal Marines Reserve, meet members of the detachment and have a look at the excellent training facilities on offer to you. The next event takes place on the 7th August – please visit their Facebook page for more information here.

Birmingham Troop Insight Night
2018-07-31 20:00 - 21:00 | Army Reserve Centre, Golden Hillock Road
Are you interested in finding out more about the Army Reserve and the opportunities with 48 Signal Squadron?
Visit them during their drill night on Tuesday 31st July at Golden Hillock Road Army Reserve Centre.
This evening is for applicants and potential applicants to find out more about the Army Reserve and in particular 48 Signal Squadron. It will cover the opportunities available to Reservists, training, commitment, pay, adventure training etc as well as the chance to meet serving Army Reserve soldiers.
If you wish to attend please email Sergeant Shaw to book a place: David.shaw713@mod.gov.uk
More details can be found via their Facebook page here.

"Be inspired" Service awareness day
2018-07-07 09:30 - 16:00 | Villa Park, Trinity Road, Birmingham, B6 6HE
West Midland RFCA are working with the Association of Jamaican Nations (Birmingham) UK, the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force to highlight the benefits of being part of the Uniformed Services.
If you are 15 – 35 and looking for an exciting and rewarding career the Services Awareness Day has been designed to highlight the range of excellent and diverse career opportunities in your Uniformed Services.
The event will bring together members of the Armed Forces and local Emergency Services – Police, Fire and Ambulance.
The day will provide interesting and life changing career information for your future and will include presentations, workshops and practical activities as well as the opportunity to speak with Service personnel and find out what life is like in the different services.
West Midlands Metro Mayor, Dr Andy Street will be in attendance along with motivational speaker Barrington Patterson and ex-Aston Villa football player Mark Walters.
Don’t miss out – places are limited to this free event which includes a buffet lunch. So, take control of your future and register your place today. More details and how to register can be found here.

Tile Cross Academy Armed Forces Day Fete
2018-07-04 15:30 - 18:00 | Tile Cross Academy, Gressel Lane, Birmingham, B33 9UF
An afternoon of displays and activities with a military theme including TS Stirling Sea Cadets.

Military Business Breakfast with Aston University Engineering Academy
2018-07-03 08:00 - 09:30 | B7 4AG, Aston University Engineering Academy, 1 Lister Street, Birmingham, B7 4AG, United Kingdom
You are warmly invited to join your local Military team for a Business Breakfast with Aston University Engineering Academy.
As part of the event you will be treated to a Free Full English or Continental Breakfast. The address for the Breakfast is Aston University Engineering Academy, 1 Lister Street, Birmingham, B7 4AG
Breakfast will be followed by a short talk by Major Sandy Hennis, who was part of the inspiration Exercise Ice Maiden team who recently returned from their epic Antarctic challenge.
The event will provide a brilliant opportunity to:

Meet an Ice Maiden!
Network with other local employers
Gain a better understanding of your Armed Forces in your Community
Talk to serving Military personnel
Find out how your organisation can benefit from the skills and personal attributes brought by Service leavers and Reservists.

For full details and to book your place please contact Lieutenant Colonel Richard Jones at richard.jones492@mod.gov.uk
Event finish time TBC.

Veterans Job Fayre, Birmingham
2018-07-02 10:00 - 14:00 | The RBL Pop-in Centre, New Street, Birmingham, B2 4BA
Working together with the West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association, The Royal British Legion will be hosting a unique event for Veterans of all ages. A large number of regional and local employers from the West Midlands will be in attendance and offering active jobs on the day to Veterans who are seeking new employment.
The Pop-in Centre in Birmingham is the Legion’s flagship centre in the West Midlands and the event is being hosted in partnership with our Association. The Pop-in Centre is the ‘go to’ place for all Veterans seeking support in the region.
There will be free refreshments for attendees and employers on the day. There will also be access to 4 confidential meeting rooms should employers wish to interview or have a quiet chat with job-seeking Veterans on the day. All Veterans are being asked to bring CV’s to the event and support will be provided on the day for any Veterans who may need support back in to employment, either through access to free training grants, or one to one support from our charitable partners.
We’re hoping to be joined by local and regional press who are keen to see what is being done locally to support Armed Forces Veterans back in to employment.
We look forward to welcoming you!

For employers wanting to be part of the event please contact dfairclough@britishlegion.org.uk
For Veterans wishing to attend the event, you can turn up on the day, or please feel free to email westmidlands@britishlegion.org.uk for further information.

Dudley Armed Forces Day
2018-07-01 11:00 - 17:00 | Himley Hall & Park, Himley, Dudley, DY3 4DF
This free event offers fun for all the family, including an archery range, paint ball gallery, ex-military vehicle display and vintage children’s rides.
To mark the centenary of the end of WW1 and RAF 100 the event will include a variety of performances from youth marching bands as well as the RAF Cosford Voluntary Band. Highlights include a veterans badge presentation and an opportunity to meet regiments from across the region.
There will also be a vintage fair provided by Halfpenny Green antique and vintage centre, World War history talks and military exhibitions.
