THE CORPORAL’S AND MENS MESS, AN OVERVIEW.

This being the first edition of the Tourri for a while, it seems appropriate to reflect on the years past and to look into the future of the Cpl’s Mess. We hope you will enjoy the trip with us.

The beginning of 2003 saw myself being elected Mess President after Sgt. Paul Fouche had successfully held the post for four years and during which time his rank of Sergeant became substantive.

Congratulations on a job well done during those four years and for your continued support. The task ahead seemed reasonably simple for the Cpl’s Mess. Increase the number of members, ensure that current members continue to support the Mess, course qualify as many Junior NCO’s as possible (which in turn would lead to promotions within the Mess), continue decorating and improving the Mess facilities, improve our financial status and most importantly to ensure that the Cpl’s Mess remained “alive” within the Regiment. Seemed simple enough at the time, I thought.

Our campaign began by introducing the CTH Castle Guards into the Mess even though many were there for a short term only. I am pleased to report, however, that some have remained and are currently still serving the Regiment and the Mess.

Unfortunately, the Mess has also “lost” members, three of whom were promoted into the Sgt’s Mess (Sgt’s Dovey and Evans have subsequently become Candidate Officers). Others have been lost due to various reasons such as work and transport problems, but we hope that these members are not lost forever and they will always be welcome in the Mess.

The second battle of our campaign was far more rewarding seeing several members of the Mess doing extremely well on courses throughout the year and I believe they deserve a special mention, not only for their achievements but for holding the name and traditions of the Cpls’ Mess high.

Firstly, to Cpl S.Jewell for finishing 3rd in his class on the Ratel drivers course, 2nd on the Platoon Sgt’s/Platoon Commander’s course and 1st on the Gunner’s/ Signals course. An achievement to be proud of. Next to be congratulated is Cpl J.De Lange who finished 2nd in his class on the “A” Vehicle Driver Instructor’s course and finally to Rfn Mafentile on becoming the first female from the Cape Town Highlanders to qualify as a Ratel driver. Well done to everyone who attended and qualified on these courses and we hope that in the not too distant future the Regiment will have a few more Cpl’s and Sgt’s.

One of the more enjoyable tasks has been the ongoing process of making the Cpl’s Mess not only look good, but trying to ensure that members feel comfortable and enjoy coming to the Mess. We have only achieved this through numerous donations from within the Regiment as well as from the public. We cannot thank everybody but one person who deserves a special thank you is Candidate Officer Christian Evans who continues to support the Mess and it is appropriate that we have The Christian Evans Bar to provide support for our weary bodies and cold beers. The Mess can also boast a pool table, Hi-Fi system, TV and video machine along with some fancy lighting and speakers. Cpl Johan De Lange, as Mess Manager, must be thanked for working tirelessly arranging, rearranging, stocktaking and keeping our inventory up to date etc. In a relatively short time we have, with a lot of help, managed to create a Cpl’s Mess to be proud of. Thank you to everyone involved.

Not quite “Four Weddings and a Funeral” but three weddings, a renewal of wedding vows, a 40th birthday, a 50th birthday, a 50th wedding anniversary. A Halloween dance and several other functions have assisted the Cpl’s Mess financially and ensured that we have been able to remain liquid (pun definitely intended). These functions were held using the Cpl’s Mess bar facilities and the attached Lecture Room for which RSM Snowball is responsible and we thank him for allowing us the use of this room.

We have not yet reviewed our bar prices for 2004 but to ensure that enough money is spent at the bar, my customary toast of “May no-one drink more than me” at Mess meetings now seems to be a permanent Tuesday night tradition as well. Thanks to all who do support the bar including several members of the Sgt’s Mess who sneak in every now and then. Sgt’s Mess wallets will always be welcome. We are, on a more serious note, doing okay but I appeal to Mess members to pay their Mess fee’s as even the smallest income is of assistance in maintaining the Mess.

To the future and our year ahead will again be busy beginning with the second intake preparing for basic training.

There will be our birthday dinner and parade, El Alamein and Dellville Wood parades, several church parades and another Castle Tattoo. The Castle guards will carry on and we will continue to send members on course as well as training them within the Regiment. The Cpl’s Mess has not been without problems during the last year but we will strive to improve and build on what we have achieved in order to have a successful 2004. Our goals, as they were at the beginning of last year, remain the same but we are already looking further forward. This is because 2005 will see the 10th Anniversary of the Cpl’s Mess and I personally believe this should be an occasion to look forward to. We are the longest running Cpl’s Mess the Highlanders have had and we are one of the few remaining Cpl’s Messes within the SANDF and so we shall celebrate as only Highlanders do. We hope that not only will this be an occasion for current members to enjoy but also for all ex-members and friends of the Mess.

In closing, a thank you to all who have supported, assisted and have been part of the Cpl’s Mess during the past year and we look forward to the year ahead.

I have enjoyed my year as President of the Cpl’s Mess and I am sure that this year will be enjoyable, challenging and rewarding.

Bob Dylan wrote “For the times, they are a changing” and for us “they are a changing,” means for the good of the Mess and the Regiment.

Cpl C.P.Evans

Mess President.