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Sergeants' Mess Farewell Dinner to WO1 & Mrs NJ Hicks
Saturday 30th August 2008
Fresh back from Summer Leave, the Sergeants’ Mess
said farewell in true Coldstream Style to WO1 Nigel
Hicks and his good lady, Elaine.
Considering that there is only a few free weekends
before the Battalion depart on numerous training
exercises with a very busy time table ahead, the turn
out of the Sergeants’ Mess was outstanding. Pre drinks
were served before dinner, and most stood outside the
Sergeants’ Mess taking advantage of the excellent
evening outside. The traditional dinner call was sounded
and all took their places in the bar, waiting for the
top table guests to arrive. Rumours then circulated that
the nominee to say the traditional grace before dinner
had not been chosen and someone would probably be ‘wallied’.
Fortunately the ‘Sarnt Major had spoken to LSgt Micky
Colborne a few minutes before the dinner call and Micky
managed to pull it out the bag – well done that man.
The starters were then served which was an excellent
‘Aromatic Salmon Mousse with Citrus King Prawns & Wild
Roquette’. The mess staff were buzzing around the mess
professionally clearing each course with such speed and
etiquette that would normally be found in top class
restaurants, from an outside view it would be hard to
believe that most were Guardsmen from the Battalion that
were chosen to wait on only a few days previous and most
(if not all) had never done this work before. The main
course was ‘Char grilled Prime Fillet of Beef Steak with
Wood Mushroom Mousseline’, served with ‘Chateaux and
Savoury Potatoes with Gruyere Cheese, a Collage of
Aromatic Sauté Vegetables and a Brandy & Shallot
Jus-Lie’. The food I must add was outstanding and the
chefs again proved their worth (and skills) in providing
an excellent banquet.
The ‘Sarnt Major banged his gavel after sweet, a Divine
Dark Chocolate & Raspberry Torte with White Chocolate
Marsh Mellows, giving everyone the opportunity to
‘powder their noses’ before the speeches took place. It
was then that I was made aware that the Corps of Drums
had something special for the evening, throughout the
dinner there had been something covered in a white sheet
that generally no one paid any attention to ……………… was
that anything to do with it?
After everyone had returned back to their seats, cheese,
coffee and port was served. It was then that the sound
of the Corps of Drums was heard as they marched into the
Mess in full Ceremonial Dress. The Corps of Drums
provided an excellent display of music with the Drum
Major joining his Corps playing Flute, with even one
Drummer splitting from the ranks to get everyone
clapping and in the spirit. As all seemed to be enjoying
the display, a few wrong notes were played and then the
Corps abruptly stopped. The whole Mess fell silent and
everyone starred open mouthed at the Corps and the Drum
Major who didn’t flinch. Then from behind a curtain,
what looked like an old man with a flat cap appeared and
walked over to the Corps, in particular the drummer that
had played a few notes out of key. “What do you call
this, it’s absolutely rubbish” the mess heard the
gentleman say. It was now that mouths were starting to
close and most started to realise that this was planned,
shame on you all – the Corps playing wrong notes, how
very dare you! Anyway, the old geezer (who was a drummer
in disguise) turned to the Mess and said “Do you want me
to show you how it’s done?” The Drummer then whipped off
the sheet revealing a complete set of drums. The whole
Mess were then treated to an amazing display of a drums
flourish with old man drummer on drums, and the Corps of
Drums. An outstanding display of ingenuity, skill and
imagination – well done the Corps. The last treat was
for the Corps of Drums to split ranks with two drummers
standing each side of their number one fan, Elaine
Hicks, who found it very hard to hold back her tears.
WO1 (Regimental Sergeant Major) A Johnson started his
speech with the traditional thank you to everyone
involved who made the night such a success it was. Sgt
Ben Price (the Mess Manager) did an outstanding job ably
helped by his 2ic LCpl Anderson Kobs (AK). The ‘Sarnt
Major paid particular thanks to AK as this was to be his
last function as he is soon to be posted to Shape
(Belgium) in a few days – good luck for the future AK.
Thanks were also given to all the guests that had come
to the function, to mention a few, the brother of WO1
Hicks (Pete and good lady wife Alison), the Academy
Sergeant Major and his good lady wife Sue Carr and WO1
and Mrs Downes. Flowers were presented to Elaine and the
traditional leaving gift for WO1 Hicks, then WO1 Hicks
stood to thank everyone for coming and their support
whist he served with the Battalion, a very sincere and
emotional speech.
All in all, a fantastic event which was only made a
success from the hard work of those involved in setting
up and running it and also for those that attended –
well done all.
As WO1 Hicks is a very keen sailor the table menu was
themed around this topic. There were also a few
images that were in the centre of the menu, for those
that missed them and to preserve the work that was put
into the event, please find them below.
click on the images to enlarge it.
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