NOTTINGHAM PRA Branch meetings cancelled until further notice.
Due to the current World wide Covid 19 pandemic the Nottingham Branch meeting nights which fall on the 3rd Wednesday of the month will be closed for the next few months. This is to help stop the spread of the virus to Branch members who mainly come into the vulnerable classification of being over 70 or have conditions which maybe made worse if they catch the virus.
Branch members will be kept upto date via Email and phone and branch minutes and treasurers reports will be sent via Email for members to see, and members will be updated on branch and Regimental related subjects.
If you need to contact Secretary; Brian Williams, Chairman; Kevin Key, or Treasurer; Mark Holding please contact us via phone or Email.
Many thanks for your understanding.
Mark Holding (Treasurer) 16th March 2020
Early 1960s
Home of the branch was originally at the Meadow Inn, a
pub on Arkwright Street, Nottingham; near to the Midland Railway
Station.
The Nottingham Branch of the Parachute Regimental Association was
formed in 1963 by the elected Chairman Tom (Busty) Bentley MBE,
DCM, MSM. Tom was ex-10 PARA and he won his DCM at Oosterbeek
during the battle of Arnhem. Later he was awarded the MBE and
finally the MSM for his 37 years service.
The original Branch Standard was received in 1964.
The Standard bearer at this time was Stan Hopkins a former member of 2 PARA and later 16 Independant Company Pathfinders (Lincoln).
Above: Tom "Buster" Bentley DCM MBE
Late 1960s
During the late 1960s Nottingham Branch moved to the Queens Hotel at the junction of Queens Road, Arkwright Street (North) and Sheriffs Way.
The President was Bill Whitlock MP. (1st Airborne Div. Arnhem)
The Chairman was Tom (Busty) Bentley MBE, DCM, MSM., ex-2 Para.
The Secretary was Jock Stewart Parachute Regiment
The Treasurer was Charles Dumbar Parachute Regiment
The Standard Bearers were Stan Hopkins ex-2 Para, Alan Bates Parachute Regiment, and Alan Horner ex-2 Para.
1980
In 1980 the Nottingham Branch moved to the Royal Navy Club on Arkwright Street, Nottingham.
The Chairman was Alan Horner ex-2 PARA
The Secretary was Bob Bossart Parachute Regiment
The Treasurer was Charles Dunbar Parachute Regiment
The Standard bearer was Alan Horner ex-2 PARA
1980-1983
At some stage between 1980-1983 the Nottingham Branch moved to Wigman Road in Bilborough, Home of 144 Parachute Field Ambulance (Volunteers).
The President was Bill Whitlock MP (1st Airborne Div. Arnhem)
The Chairman was John Needham ex-2 PARA
The Secretary was John Leek ex-2 PARA
The Treasurer was Bob Bossart Parachute Regiment
The Standard bearer was Ken Sellars ex-2 PARA and 16 Independant Company Pathfinders (Lincoln)
The Branch remained at Wigman Road through the 1980s and through to the late 1990s, moving to Triumph Road with 144 Parachute Field Ambulance. They moved here after (16 Detachment) 4 PARA were absorbed into 4 PARA, thus moving out of the Triumph Road establishment, due to cut backs to the Parachute Regiment in 1999. Since the 1990s the branch has also used the Rose pub in Radford. This was when the TA Centre was closed, either for annual camp, or annual leave.
1990s
During the 1990s comity members included:
The President was Col. Chris Kernan (Unit not known)
The Chairman was Mick Wardle followed by John Needham ex-2 Para
The Secretary's were Bryn Cullis followed by John Leek ex-2 Para
The Treasurers were Leslie Clarkstone ex-3 Para and then Maurice Hanley Parachute Regiment / SAS.
The Standard bearer was Don Bales ex-3 Para.
1999 - 2009
Triumph Road
The President was John Needham ex-2 Para.
The Chairman was Mick O'Connor ex-2 Para and SRY/RE/RLC.
The Secretary's have included John Leek, followed by Terry Duke, in 2005, and then Bill Cumming in 2006. All three of these members are ex-2 PARA.
The Treasurer's have included Leslie Clarkston ex 3 Para; Maurice Hanley Parachute Regiment / SAS followed by Patrick Riley ex-3 PARA
The Standard Bearers have included Don Bales (ex-3 Para), followed by Ken Sellars ex-2 Para and then George Worthington, ex-33 Regt RA.
2009 to present day
During 2009 the branch moved once again. This time to its current location at the Royal British Legion in Beeston.
The President is John Needham ex-2 Para.
The Chairman included Mick O'Connor ex-2 Para and SRY/RE/RLC.
John Needham, Pat Riley, Kevin Key.
The Secretaries included; Bill Cumming ex-2 Para and RAOC/RLC
Mark Holding / Mick O'Connor, Chris Harper, Brian Williams.
The Treasurer's Patrick Riley ex-3 Para and, since November 2009, Mark Holding, ex-144 PFA / 23 SAS /16 Det 4 PARA.
The Standard Bearer is George Worthington, ex-33rd Parachute Light Regiment Royal Artillery; Bill Marshall 3 Para.
The New position of "Charities and Events co-ordinator" is held by Ken Sellars ex-2 Para and 16 Independant Company (Lincoln). Ken is also the back up Standard Bearer when needed.
(Nottingham-paras) Branch - Web-Site - Mark Holding & Bill
Cumming.
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