Springbok Club

Forthcoming Events :-

September 2008	London Branch informal social gathering, where a special guest will give a brief talk of historical interest.
October 2008	Joint meeting to be held with the London Swinton Circle with a prominent personality as guest speaker.
November 2008	Annual UDI Day celebration buffet, where the Guest of Honour will be a famous ex-Rhodesian.
December 2008	Annual Day of the Vow commemorations, where a Victorian era military re-enactment society will give a display.
January 2009	2009 AGM.
February 2009	Trip to Gibraltar to witness the Freedom of the Rock being granted to the Royal Marines.
April 2009	Van Riebeeck’s Day celebration braai.

In August 2008 the Springbok Club/ELC held a most pleasant and successful - albeit slightly delayed - Rhodes and Founders celebration buffet, at which the guest speaker was Capt. Kevin Pope. Capt.Pope, who is currently serving with the Royal Regiment of Scotland in Belfast, is a Rhodesian born and bred, and a few years ago returned to the by then Zimbabwe in order to attempt to continue his family tradition of commercial farming in the country. Tragically, however, both his own new farm and the neighbouring farm of his father were burnt down by gangs of marauding ZANU-PF thugs, which caused him to return to active service in the British army. In a most well-received illustrated speech Capt. Pope detailed something about his family history, his service with the British army, and his own most harrowing experiences in Zimbabwe - as well as telling something of his hopes and predictions for the future. The function room was packed for this event, which bodes extremely well for the future of the Springbok Club/ELC, and all present were full of praise for the superbly delivered and most informative illustrated talk which Capt.Pope gave - as well as for the succulent array of buffet snacks which were provided at this function!

On 22^nd July 2008 the London Branch of the Springbok Club/Empire Loyalist Club made a trip to see the finish of the historic Doggett’s Coat & Badge Race on the Thames at Chelsea. The race this year was won by Paul Markley of Greenwich, who is seen crossing the finishing line (left) and receiving his victory bottle of champagne from the Mayor of Kensington and Chelsea (right).

In June 2008 the Kent Branch of the Springbok Club/Empire Loyalist Club staged a visit to the Royal Engineers’ Museum in Gillingham, where a special “Soldiers of the Queen” weekend was being held - which included a fascinating Victorian-era drill and weapons display demonstrated by The Diehards military re-enactment society. There was a very good turnout of members and supporters at this event, including several supporters from outside the county, and many good new contacts were made as a result.

In May 2008 the Springbok Club/Empire Loyalist Club celebrated Empire Day, when welcomed back Mr. Michael Brufal de Melgarejo (the 11^th Marques de Lendinez) as guest speaker. Mr. Michael Brufal de Melgarejo, who is the Director of the Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society, gave a most enthralling and illuminating talk on the current situation in Gibraltar, and about the ongoing work of both the Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society and the internally-based Gibraltar Heritage Trust.

In April 2008 the Springbok Club staged the first of what is hoped to be an annual Van Riebeeck’s Day celebration in London. This event featured a succulent South African braai, superlative musical entertainment provided by Robin Willow and Max Somerset, and the showing of an inspiring tourist video of South Africa from the days of civilised rule. The accompanying pictures shows some of those attending this event at the bar afterwards - complete with Castle Lager!

In February 2008 the Springbok Club welcomed Prof. Charles Muller as guest speaker. Prof. Muller, who was formerly professor of English at both the University of the North and at UNISA, now runs his own publishing company, Diadem Books, in the UK, where the latest book which he has published has been the biography of Sir Winston Churchill’s wartime secretary Elizabeth Nel. In his speech Prof. Muller retold some of the most interesting background to this publishing venture and read several extracts from the biography. He was then joined by some of the authors of other works which Diadem Books have published, who also read several from their books.

During January 2008 the Springbok Club welcomed Mr. John O’Brien, a former National Chairman of the Rhodesians Worldwide Assistance Fund and current Chairman of the Newbury Branch of Rhodesians Worldwide, as guest speaker. Mr. O’Brien was instrumental in organising the large memorial service in honour of the late Hon. Ian Douglas Smith in Berkshire during December, and gave an illuminating “report-back” on this event at the meeting, fully illustrated by a number of pictures of the service which he was able to display. Mr. O’Brien also told something about the work of the Rhodesians Worldwide Assistance Fund, and the Rhodesians Worldwide movement in general, as well as telling something about the work of the Mdala Trust which also assists ex-Rhodesians pensioners, and which was a charity very close to the Hon. Ian Smith’s heart.

The late and great Bill “Leahound” Binding

The 2008 AGM of the Springbok Club/ELC was held at the end of December 2007. At this meeting a new Executive Committee was elected for 2008, as well as the passing of two motions expanding the activities of the organisation for the future. At the conclusion of the business-side of the meeting Dr. John Pope-de Locksley gave a most enthralling illustrated talk about the life and times of his late uncle, Mr. Bill “Leahound” Binding, a former dedicated ExCo member of the Springbok Club/ELC, who sadly died in November.

The Springbok Club’s annual UDI Day buffet in 2007 was overshadowed by the sad news of the recent death of the Hon. Ian Douglas Smith. For this reason this event was therefore turned into a special tribute meeting in honour this titan of the twentieth century. After the singing of a special song, “Last Legion”, by Robin Willow dedicated to his memory, the Organiser/Secretary of the Springbok Club/ELC, Alan Harvey, delivered an oration in which he not only recounted Ian Smith’s brave and defiant stance to uphold the values of Western civilisation in Rhodesia during the UDI years, but also told of his own more recent meetings with the great man when he had emphasised his great pride in the glories of the British Empire and how he maintained great faith in the upcoming generation of the British people to restore Britain’s greatness. After this the guest of honour at the function, Mr. Neil Thain, the UK Managing Director of Msasa Enterprises, gave a highly informative talk about his own life and career in Rhodesia, which was followed by the screening of several clips of videos currently being marketed by Msasa Enterprises - including many involving interviews with Ian Smith himself.

In September 2007 the Springbok Club/ELC joined forces with the London Swinton Circle under the banner of the Patriotic Forum in order to welcome Mr. Dennis Delderfield as guest speaker. Mr. Delderfield, who for 18 years was a Common Councilman of the City of London, and who is now editor of The City of London & Dockland Times, is also leader of New Britain, a growing patriotic political party which is gaining increasing influence within the wider patriotic movement. Mr. Delderfield spoke on the subject of “The Commonwealth”, and outlined the history of how the British Empire developed into the Commonwealth, and how there was great potential for this free association of nations providing a viable alternative to Britain’s disastrous membership of the EU, and inter alia helping to solve Britain’s current immigration crisis.

In July 2007 the Springbok Club staged their annual Rhodes & Founders celebration buffet. The Guest of Honour at this event was Mr. Albert Weidemann, the renowned Zimbabwe human rights activist who was making a return appearance at a Springbok Club function, and who gave a thoroughly informative, albeit extremely harrowing, update on the current situation in the beleaguered land of “Zimbabwe”. The evening’s activities were further enhanced by Mr. Robin Willow, who gave two rousing musical renditions with direct relevance to the meeting’s theme.

In May 2007 the Springbok Club/Empire Loyalist Club joined forces with the London Swinton Circle under the banner of the Patriotic Forum to stage a special meeting in order to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of victory in the Falklands War, which was addressed by Mr. Peter Pepper of the Falkland Islands Association.

Later during May the Springbok Club/Empire Loyalist Club held their annual Empire Day celebration meeting, at which the guest of honour was Mr. John Clemence QPM, a former Assistant Commissioner of the Royal Hong Kong Police, who gave a highly enlightening and extremely well received talk on his experiences in Hong Kong.

In April 2007 the Springbok Club/Empire Loyalist Club paid a visit to the MOTHs England Command HQ in Hackney. Although the MOTHs are a South African-established ex-serviceman’s organisation, they even so now have a vibrant structure in the UK, where there membership comprises not only of expatriate South Africans, but also many British ex-servicemen. The Springbok Club/Empire Loyalist Club visitors were made extremely welcome at this event, and strong and hopefully long-standing contacts were made as a result. Later on during April the Springbok Club/Empire Loyalist Club joined forces with the London Swinton Circle under the banner of the Patriotic Forum in order to celebrate the 300^th anniversary of the Act of Union, at which prominent Unionists from Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland gave cameo talks in which they explained why the unity of the United Kingdom was so important to them.

During late March 2007 the Springbok Club/Empire Loyalist Club was most honoured to be addressed by Mr. Michael Shrimpton, the renowned barrister, constitutional lawyer and national security consultant. Mr. Shrimpton spoke under “Chatham House Rules”, so the exact contents of his speech cannot be quoted, but it proved to be a most riveting and eye-opening address which was greatly appreciated by all present.

In early March 2007 the Springbok Club was addressed by Mr. Brian Danes, an expert on BBC and other media bias. Mr. Danes gave a most concise and captivating talk in which he provided much interesting and informative data concerning not only media bias, but also other overlooked aspects of the Blair government, particularly regarding immigration. He also distributed copies of several of his famous “fact sheets” about these subjects at this meeting.

On 16^th December 2006 the Springbok Club commemorated the Day of the Vow with a special buffet meeting. The guest speaker was Mr. Peter King, who gave an expert overview of the events which led up to the Battle of Blood River in 1838, and the lasting importance of this date.

In November 2006 the Springbok Club were most privileged to welcome Mr. Johnny Rodrigues, Chairman of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, as guest of honour, an event which proved to be an outstanding success. Johnny Rodrigues, who was accompanied by his wife Cheryl, gave a most enlightening, although alas very disturbing, illustrated talk about the work of the ZCTF at Hwange (Wankie) National Park. He showed the horrific effects which illegal snares used by poachers had upon the wildlife in the park, and how the drying up of watering holes had caused further suffering among the animals - both factors which the ZANU-PF government were taking no steps to resolve. More encouragingly, however, Johnny showed how, with financial aid from supporters around the globe, the ZCTF had been able to install water-pumps and generators to refill the watering holes, and were also taking measures as best they could to counteract the vile activities of poachers. The evening began with a very apt brief musical interlude provided by Mr. Robin Willow, and ended with a sumptuous buffet and the sale of magnificent wildlife paintings produced by Johnny and Cheryl's children.

The Kent Branch of the Springbok Club/Empire Loyalist Club staged a visit to the Historic Dockyard Chatham in order to celebrate Trafalgar Day in October 2006. A wreath was laid at the dock where HMS Victory was built on behalf of the organisation in remembrance to all those who fought and died for the British Empire at the Battle of Trafalgar by Mr. Robert Shipley (left), after which Mr. Robin Willow gave a rousing rendition of the traditional naval song “Claudy Banks” (right). Later on during the day a contingent of Royal Naval Reserve personnel and Sea Cadets staged a march-past led by a band of the Royal Marines in order to commemorate Trafalgar Day. Among the tunes played by the Royal Marines band was Sarie Marais - at which point the Springbok Club/ELC contingent unfurled a real South African flag on the side of the bridge of HMS Cavalier from which they were viewing!

In August 2006 members of the Springbok Club/ELC participated in a special “Sherlock Holmes Walk” organized by London Horror Tours. After the conclusion of this event the party adjourned to a near-by hostelry where they had the chance to meet and discuss matters with a visiting long-standing Australian supporter of the movement, Mr. Richard “Jock” Spooner, in a convivial informal environment.

Group Captain Peter Petter-Bowyer, Chairman/Secretary of the Rhodesian Air Force Association, addresses the Springbok Club’s “Rhodes & Founders” celebration buffet in July 2006.

In July 2006 the Springbok Club was most honoured to welcome Group Captain Peter Petter-Bowyer, the Chairman/Secretary of the Rhodesian Air Force Association, as guest speaker for their annual Rhodes & Founders celebration buffet. Group Captain Petter-Bowyer gave a most enthralling and highly well-received talk in which he recounted his operational experiences within the Rhodesian Air Force, and detailed how they had been able to overcome international sanctions by developing their own weaponry which had proved extremely effective during the counter-terrorist campaign. He also emphasised how Rhodesia had never been defeated on the battlefield, and why the handover to the terrorists was not inevitable.

Mr. James Lewis, the award-winning travel-writer and leading official of the Global Association of Welsh, Irish, Scots and English (W.I.S.E.) addressed the Springbok Club and Empire Loyalist Club in June 2006, and gave a most informative account of his 25-year professional experiences of world travel, especially in relation to South Africa and Poland. In this connection he explained how Communist attempts to eradicate nation-states and national identity were being attempted far more frighteningly by the EU bureaucracy than was ever the case in Soviet-dominated eastern Europe.

The Empire Loyalist Club held an Empire Day celebration buffet in conjunction with the Springbok Club during May 2006, at which the guest speakers were Drs. Frank and Amy McGrath from Australia, who are both prominent members of the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy movement. Both gave highly informative and uplifting speeches about the constitutional position of Australia, and how attempts to turn Australia into a republic had been soundly thwarted - and in this regard it was especially encouraging to learn how young the leadership of the Australians for Constitutional Monarchy movement were, and how the youth of Australia tended to be far more pro-monarchy than the middle-age generation. There was a very good attendance at this meeting, which began with a rousing rendition of “Waltzing Matilda” led by Mr. Robin Willow.

In April 2006 the Springbok Club (in conjunction with the Empire Loyalist Club) staged a return visit to the Rhodes Centre and Museum in Bishops Stortford, which is housed in the very building where Cecil John Rhodes was born on 5^th July 1853.

The Springbok Club held two joint meetings in conjunction with the Empire Loyalist Club and the London Swinton Circle under the banner of the Patriotic Forum during March 2006. At the first of these meetings we welcomed Mrs. Paula Adamick, the Managing Editor of the London-based Canadian expatriate newspaper The Canada Post, as guest speaker. Mrs. Adamick, who was accompanied by her husband Dennis, gave a highly informative talk about the recent Canadian General Election, and her opinions of what the future holds for Canada under the new Conservative government of Stephen Harper. She emphasised that Canada faces many of the same problems which Britain presently confronts, but was optimistic that under the new administration the situation would gradually improve. In this regard she was of the opinion that closer and friendlier relations would be established with both Britain and the United States, and that Canada’s commitment to fighting the War against Terrorism would be increased. In this regard she told how one of Stephen Harper’s first actions as Prime Minister was to visit Canadian troops in Afghanistan - and how a branch of Tim Hopkin’s Donuts had recently been opened for the troops stationed there! At the second meeting we welcomed Mr. Bob Vinnicombe, a leading member of the Australian One Nation party from New South Wales as guest speaker. Mr. Vinnicombe gave a thorough overview of the immigration problems currently being faced by Australia (particularly regarding Lebanese Muslims), but then went on to tell how young Australians were standing up to be counted by physically confronting Lebanese hooligans (who had been threatening and insulting White women, and attacking White lifeguards) at Cronulla Beach. He furthermore told how the Australian flag was increasingly being used as a defiant symbol against non-European immigration by Australians, and how Prof. Andrew Fraser of MacQuarie University had not been afraid to voice open criticism of the abandonment of the White Australia policy.

In February 2006 the Springbok Club held a highly informative meeting at which the guest speaker was a prominent Ulster-born friend of Israel, who gave a most enthralling report-back on his recent trip to Israel, during which he visited most parts of the country and was able to meet with several patriotic Israeli organisations, including representatives of the beleaguered settlers from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank (Judea and Samaria). [The Durban-based Patriotic Forum (the predecessor of today’s Springbok Club) was planning to invite a representative from the Israeli Embassy in South Africa to address the movement about Israel’s similar struggle against terrorism during the early 1990’s, before the sell-out to the ANC terrorists forced leading officials of the Patriotic Forum to leave the country. In a way, therefore, this meeting enabled this expression of solidarity with the Israelis against the common threat of international terrorism eventually to take place - albeit a decade and a half later!]

In December 2005 the Springbok Club held their annual Day of the Vow commemorations, at which the guest of honour was Mr. Bernard Terry. Mr. Terry lived in Rhodesia for 20 years, and for 15 years was Chairman of the Three Counties Branch (Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire) of the Rhodesians Worldwide organisation. He is also a leading and knowledgeable member of the Victoria Cross Society, and in a most enlightening talk gave a riveting account of the history of the award, with a special emphasis on the Southern African holders.

In November 2005 the Springbok Club held their annual UDI Day Dinner at which Mr. Bob Fernandes, a leading figure in the current international legal action being taken by the dispossessed commercial farmers of Zimbabwe against the despotic ZANU/PF regime, gave an expert overview of the present state of affairs in this most important action. In spite of a few unfortunate problems encountered during the evening the event even so produced some most encouraging contacts and results.

Alan Harvey, the Organiser of the Springbok Club, lays a

wreath on behalf of the movement at the grave of Capt.

Thomas Norman of H.M.S. Mars at the Trafalgar Cemetery in Gibraltar on the occasion of the 200^th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar (21^st October 2005). The inscription on the wreath reads “To the Immortal Memory of all the brave Trafalgar Heroes from your grateful Empire Heirs of the Springbok Club.”

In October 2005 a delegation of Springbok Club members, in conjunction with the London Swinton Circle, paid a visit to Gibraltar and Cape Trafalgar in Spain in order to celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. A wreath was laid on behalf of the movement at the grave of Capt. Thomas Norman of the Royal Marines corps on board H.M.S. Mars, who fought at Trafalgar and who subsequently died of his wounds in Gibraltar, who is one of only two combatants from this battle to be buried in a marked grave at the Trafalgar Cemetery on the Rock (the other being Lieut. William Forster of H.M.S. Colossus, at whose grave a wreath was laid on behalf of the London Swinton Circle.) All the events remembering this important battle undertaken by the Springbok Club were co-ordinated by the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, and fuller accounts of all such events both in Gibraltar and at Cape Trafalgar are detailed on our Latest Empire News web-site. Also whilst in Gibraltar Springbok Club members took the opportunity to re-new contacts with leading officials from the Gibraltar Self-Determination Group and the Gibraltar Conservative Association, with whom some very useful discussions took place.

The Marques de Lendinez addressing the September 2005 meeting of the Springbok Club in central London.

In September 2005 the Springbok Club was most honoured to welcome Michael Brufal de Melgarejo, the 11^th Marques de Lendinez, as guest speaker. In a wide-ranging and highly informative speech the Marques de Lendinez – who was born in Gibraltar, and who is a director of the Friends of Gibraltar Heritage Society – outlined the recent political history of the Rock, and how an inspired campaign by the government and people of Gibraltar had prevented the attempted sell-out of the colony to Spain. More specifically he confirmed how Gibraltar had been twinned with the town of Goole in Yorkshire, and how attempts by certain elements in the Foreign Office to deny this fact had been thwarted.

Mr. Allan Robertson, a leading figure in the influential London Swinton Circle, addressed the Springbok Club in August 2005. Speaking to an encouragingly large audience he recounted some of the more significant achievements of the British Empire in the past, but more importantly emphasised the enduring legacy of the British Empire which is still present today. He then went on to illustrate why British global power should currently be re-asserted, particularly in southern Africa, where the policies of both the Mugabe and Mandela/Mbeki regimes are having devastating consequences upon the Black as well as the small remaining White populations.

The Springbok Club organised a visit to the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich in July 2005 in order to see a special exhibition being staged there entitled Nelson & Napoleon. This exhibition was being held in order to mark the 200^th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, and not surprisingly it was only the Nelson section of the displays which everyone was interested in!

In June 2005 the Springbok Club visited the Shakespeare Globe Theatre in London, where a special exhibition was being staged to mark the 400^th anniversary of the Discovery of the Gunpowder Plot. It was interesting to compare the effective actions taken 400 years ago to defeat terrorism in Britain with the appeasement of similar terrorism in southern Africa during the last few decades!

The Springbok Club celebrated Empire Day 2005 with a special meeting which was addressed by Mr. Robert Shipley, who gave a totally enthralling talk entitled “Flags of the Empire”, which was illustrated by a large collection of flags in his possession – with a particular emphasis on flags associated with southern Africa. The Northern Ireland Branch of the Springbok Club also celebrated Empire Day with a most successful meeting staged in Enniskillen which was addressed by the national Treasurer of the Springbok Club.

On 29 April 2005 a group of leading Springbok Club officials held an informal meeting with Mr. Larry Pratt, the Executive Director of the Gun Owners of America organisation, who was visiting London at the time. Some very interesting and fruitful discussions took place, and it is anticipated that the two organisations will work increasingly closely together in the days to come.

On 26 April 2005 the Springbok Club joined forces with the London Swinton Circle to stage a meeting addressed by Mr. Philip Benwell MBE, the Chairman of the Australian Monarchist League. Mr. Benwell emphasised how Australia and all the other Commonwealth realms were also effected by constitutional changes in the UK, and how it was important therefore that the UK disentangled itself from the EU and forged closer economic and cultural links with its natural and traditional partners in the core Commonwealth. Prior to the start of his talk, which was held in a historic central London church, a brief moment’s silence was observed for Sir Joh Bjelke-Peterson, the former great Premier of Queensland (and incidentally a good friend of Rhodesia and South Africa), who sadly had died a few days earlier.

On 10 April 2005 a party of Springbok Club members and supporters visited the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum in Bristol. Although there were understandably many concessions made to “political correctness” at this museum, the overall impression was still very positive, and presented an extremely accurate and vivid picture of colonial life and the great achievements of the British Empire across the globe, and indeed proved to be a greatly inspirational for all those who made the visit. Earlier during the month the Kent Branch of the Springbok Club staged a return visit to the Royal Engineers’ Museum in Gillingham, which again proved a great inspiration.

Some of the Springbok Club members who took part in the trip to see the finish of the 2005 University Boat Race at Mortlake, pictured celebrating in a near-by hostelry after the race.

On 27 March 2005 the London Branch of the Springbok Club organised a trip to see the finish of the 151^st University Boat Race at Mortlake, which was won by Oxford by 2 lengths. Afterwards the party adjourned to a near-by hostelry where a superb braai was enjoyed, and contacts were made with other visiting South Africans.

In February 2005 the Springbok Club was addressed by Mr. Brian Danes, an expert on media bias who has been monitoring the BBC for a number of years, and who is a strong advocate of the virtues of “talk radio”. In a most enlightening address Mr. Danes detailed many examples of BBC bias, and explained various means how this could be counteracted – not least by wider participation in “talk radio” debates.

A party of Springbok Club supporters attended the match between Saracens RFC and “The Cats” (a “Super 12” amalgamated side consisting of players from the Transvaal, the OFS and SE Transvaal) at Vicarage Road, Watford, in February 2005. The match finished in a 26-41 victory for “The Cats”, but more importantly several new friendships were made, not only with officials from Saracens and other South Africans in the crowd, but also with “Sarrie the Camel”!

In order to commemorate the Day of the Vow in 2004 Mr. R.D. Simpson, the Deputy Chairman of the Springbok Club and an expert on the history of the Battle of Blood River and the significance of the Day of the Vow, gave a riveting, inspiring and extremely well researched talk on this most important event in South African history, which he illustrated with pre-prepared leaflets emphasising its resonance to this day. There was a packed attendance at this function, and all appeared to be highly impressed by the insight which Mr. Simpson gave. Formalities were concluded with a sumptuous buffet meal in a most convivial atmosphere.

The Springbok Club held its annual UDI Day Dinner in November 2004 at a renowned central London restaurant, when the Guest of Honour was Mr. Peter Phillips, the Chairman of the UK Branch of the BSAP Regimental Association. Mr. Phillips gave a highly informative and very well received speech in which he recounted some of his experiences as a serving police officer with the BSAP in both the Manicaland and Fort Victoria districts, and also detailed the on-going work which the BSAP Regimental Association does for former members of the BSAP to this day. Happily, though perhaps surprisingly, he also told how in spite of the fact that it is now almost a quarter of a century since the fall of Rhodesia, the Association is still growing and constantly gaining new members. The Springbok Club were also most delighted to be able to welcome Mr. Mike Leach, the Secretary of the BSAP Regimental Association to this function as well.

Members of the Springbok Club with members of the Gibraltar Conservative Association, after completing some most interesting and fruitful discussions at the Café Solo in Casemates Square, Gibraltar during their visit to the Rock in October 2004.

In October 2004 a delegation of Springbok Club members visited Gibraltar in order to express their solidarity with the loyal Gibraltarian people upon the 300^th anniversary of the Rock becoming British. Inter alia the party met with representatives from the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, the Gibraltar Conservative Association and the Gibraltar Self-Determination Group, as well as attending a lecture given by Dr. Darren Fa entitled “300 Years of Fortress Gibraltar”. In addition the party also visited such historically significant sites as the 100 Ton Gun, the Gibraltar Museum, Rosia Parade, Europa Point, St. Michael’s Cave, the Apes Den (where more new friendships were made!), the Upper Gallery Tunnels (dug by the Royal Corps of Artificers during the Great Siege of 1779/83), the Moorish Castle and the Star Bar – the oldest pub in Gibraltar, which is also the headquarters of the Gibraltar Branch of the Leeds United Supporters Association!

The London Branch of the Springbok Club organised a river trip along the Thames from Westminster to Richmond and back in September 2004, which proved a very enjoyable and well-attended event, and which gave everyone the opportunity of viewing some of the more interesting and historical sights along the river-bank. At Richmond the party adjourned to a well-known riverside hostelry for lunch, where they were joined by several other supporters for a most convivial gathering.

In August 2004 the Springbok Club welcomed a prominent international political and economic analyst who is closely involved with the forthcoming transition of power in Zimbabwe as guest speaker. In an enlightening and highly encouraging speech he outlined the probable future course of developments in that beleaguered land, and the potential which it still possessed after the shortly anticipated transfer of power.

Dozi, the popular Afrikaans singer, who performed at the UKkasiefees in Leytonstone in July 2004 – an event which was patronised by a large contingent of Springbok Club members and supporters.

In July 2004 a big contingent of Springbok Club members patronised the UKkasiefees in Leytonstone, London. During a most enjoyable day the packed crowd were entertained by both the Anglo-Gold Mine Choir and by Dozi, the renowned Afrikaans singer, who managed to establish a good rapport with Springbok Club secretary, David Williams.

The Springbok Club has been most honoured to welcome Prof. David Marsland, the Director of Research in the Department of Health and Social Care at Brunel University, as a guest speaker. In a hard-hitting address to a packed audience under the theme “Fighting for Freedom – fighting tough”, Prof. Marsland explored the spirit and the practical measures required to defeat the enemies of freedom: Islamic terrorism, internationalist utopianism; Euro-treachery; and home-grown cowardice. He laid particular emphasis on the threat posed by those who opposed the War against Terrorism in Iraq, and emphasised why it was so vital to Western interests that this war be fought and won.

The Northern Ireland Branch of the Springbok Club held a special meeting to celebrate the achievements of the British Empire in June 2004, where the guest speaker was the Rev. Martin Smyth MP, the UUP MP for Belfast South. Quoting extensively from Niall Ferguson’s book Empire, the Rev. Smyth was able to show how, in spite of some failings, the British Empire was one of the greatest ever forces for good in the world, and ended by quoting Kipling’s famous injunction “Take Up the White Man’s Burden”.

Sir Robert Peliza addressing a packed Springbok Club meeting celebrating Empire Day in May 2004.

In order to celebrate Empire Day 2004 the Springbok Club held a highly successful and well-attended buffet, where the guest of honour was Sir Robert Peliza, the former Chief Minister of Gibraltar and Speaker of the Gibraltar Parliament. In a powerful address Sir Robert gave an overview of recent Gibraltar history, and showed how determined resistance by the Gibraltarian people had prevented plans to appease Spain by various British governments. This successful resistance should be an inspiration to the whole British family of nations in the years ahead.

In April 2004 the Springbok Club joined forces with a number of other patriotic organisations, including the London Swinton Circle, to support a meeting addressed by Mr. Philip Benwell MBE of the Australian Constitutional Monarchy League at the House of Lords. Mr. Benwell gave an excellent and in-depth analysis of the grave constitutional implications posed not only to the United Kingdom itself, but also to Australia and the rest of the Commonwealth, if the proposed new European Constitution were to be adopted. He also demonstrated how all the Commonwealth realms (i.e. those Commonwealth countries which still recognise H.M. the Queen as head of state) would be severely affected by this frightening development, which should therefore be most vigorously opposed.

Dr. Philip du Toit, author of The Great South African Land Scandal, addressing the Springbok Club in March 2004.

The Springbok Club was most pleased to be able to welcome Dr. Philip du Toit, the author of the highly-acclaimed book The Great South African Land Scandal as guest speaker in March. In a polished and sometimes emotional address Dr. du Toit told of the illegal Zimbabwe-style land claims which were being made in South Africa with the connivance of the ANC-regime, and the horrific farm murders which were now taking place on an almost daily basis. He also told of the great effect which the book has had in alerting people to what is really taking place in South Africa at present, both in the country itself and around the Western world. [Copies of The Great South African Land Scandal are now available from the Springbok Club, BCM SAPAT, London WC1N 3XX, U.K., price £9.95 + 15% p&p].

Mr. Frank Maloney (right), the famous Boxing manager and official UKIP candidate for Mayor of London, addresses the Springbok Club in February 2004.

In February 2004 the Springbok Club welcomed Mr. Frank Maloney, the famous boxing manager and official UKIP candidate at the forthcoming London mayoral elections, as their guest speaker. In a powerful speech Mr. Maloney explained his plans for London if he were to be elected Mayor, and also told something of his boxing experiences, which included a number of tournaments in South Africa. Before the meeting began a brief moment's silence was observed for Maurice Owen, the Durban-based boxing promoter who was a strong supporter of the Springbok Club and a friend of Frank Maloney, who sadly died at the end of 2003.

Andrew Hunter MP [left] addressing the Springbok Club's 2003 Day of the Vow commemoration meeting.

To commemorate the Day of the Vow in 2003 the Springbok Club were most honoured and privileged to welcome Mr. Andrew Hunter MP as their guest of honour. Andrew Hunter represents Basingstoke in Parliament as a Independent Conservative, and recently contested the Northern Ireland Assembly elections for the DUP, only narrowly being defeated in the Lagan Valley constituency. In a masterful speech Mr. Hunter recounted his own personal experiences of South Africa from his many visits to the country, and described in vivid details the impact which the Voortrekker Memorial and the history of the Day of the Vow had had on him.

For their UDI Day Dinner in November 2003 the Springbok Club was highly honoured to be able to welcome former Rhodesian cabinet minister the Hon. W. Denis Walker as their Guest of Honour. In his well-received after-dinner speech to a packed hall Mr. Walker told how he first became involved in Rhodesian politics and his experiences as a cabinet minister, particularly as Minister of Education. He then went on to give details about his ongoing work for the Rhodesian cause, especially through such much respected organisations as the Rhodesian Christian Group and the Zimbabwe-Rhodesia Relief Fund.