Welcome to the International Guild of Battlefield Guides

Friday evening 13th. to Sunday 15th. March, based around the cathedral city of LICHFIELD. Time for a weekend meeting with like- minded members and guides to recce what is available in the area. (Friends and family welcome).
 
Based on a "book your own accommodation" basis either two nights or join on Saturday for one night. Meet Friday evening in the Kings Head old coaching inn where the Staffordshire Regiment was first raised. (The pub is now owned by the Staffs Regimental Association to preserve this historic connection.) Eat out at a choice of many local eateries.

Saturday morning. The Civil War in Lichfield. The fortified Cathedral Close saw siege and battle, changing hands three times, including the first use of an explosive mine in English history. 
Discover the story and history on the spot. Led by GBG guide Anthony Rich, Civil War specialist.

Saturday afternoon. Visit the National Memorial Arboretum, particularly the often missed Special Forces Grove with memorials to the SAS and its forerunners, with the latest memorial unveiled last summer to the story of Pegasus Bridge. Led by GBG guide Chris John who is also a weekly NMA volunteer.

Sunday morning. Visit the Staffordshire Regiment museum and the Coltman WW1 trench. Talk on trench fighting by one of the Guild's most experienced guides, John Cotterill.

For full details, please email Chis John - cejb75@gmail.com

To ensure viability, we need definite numbers by 28 February.

This 6 day Guild Recce visits the battlefield of Bussaco where Wellington’s strategic genius saw the demise of Massena. We walk Wellington’s early battle sites of Rolica and Vimeiro and contemplate his vision and strategy at the Lines of Torres Vedras. We examine Wellington’s decision making at Oporto where Nosey’s army routed Soult’s French into full retreat.

The intent of the reconnaissance is to visit and consider main battlefield stands, suitable hotels, restaurants, museums and relevant places of interest in order to conduct future successful tours. We will have fun and certainly fair better than our ancestors who soldiered and suffered here during the Napoleonic Wars.
‘Down

Full details can be found in the attached document.

https://www.gbg-international.com/gbg-recce-2-7-apr-20-ff-2/

Want to progress towards Accredited Membership?
Need to do a face-to-face assignment?
Couldn't get to the Guild Annual Conference?
Here's your chance!

Here's an opportunity to advance along the path towards your Badge! You'll be able to attempt Assignment 1, Assignment 5 and/or Assignment 6. Send your request to the Validation Secretary, and put the date in your diary now!

Open to all members.

Four Battles decided the fate of fledgling democracy in the Greco-Persian War of 480BC. The tour follows the route of the Persian invasion, beginning on the Island of Skiathos before crossing the Straits of Artemisium to Thermopylae. The next day's touring takes in the battles of Plataea and Salamis before returning via Athens airport.

For details and more information please contact David Harvey.

A ‘traditional’ Guild weekend with a quiz, a wide range of subject matter (not just nautical, although Portsmouth is billed as "the home of the Royal Navy"!) and sites, and plenty of opportunity to socialise. Travel during the event will be self-drive. Some walking is involved, none of it strenuous! A number of themes and topics will be outlined for possible inclusion into UK tours or preliminary to trips to France by Tim Stoneman and others.

Full details will be announced as soon as possible.

A five-day recce to the Somme, details to be advised.

Come and join us at our annual Christmas lunch. Meet old friends and make new ones. Swap tales of the year's guiding adventures and make plans for the coming campaign season at this extremely popular social gathering open to all members. For further information please contact Andy Thompson via email at andy.ewt@gmail.com.