More than 3,000 people flocked to the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone at the weekend (15-17th September 2023) as the camp threw open its gates for the first Corps Family Weekend to be held there since 2019.
The much-awaited annual event was most definitely back with a bang after a such a long break, having been twice cancelled because of the Covid pandemic and then sadly again last year following the death of her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
Organised by RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, nowhere is the strength and unity of the RM Corps family more apparent.
The many hundreds of children attending were just some of the 2,000+ in the South West that this summer have benefitted from a generous £15k donation to RMA – The Royal Marines Charity from the Advanta Foundation to fund three Unit Families’ Days, that included those in Chivenor and Plymouth. This is a charity set up by the wealth-management company, Advanta Wealth Ltd and the Corps and Charity were especially delighted to welcome five of its representatives to Lympstone.
We had a wonderful few days. It was fantastic to witness first-hand the Corps’ spirit and see the impact of our donation on serving members, veterans and their families. We look forward to exploring further ways to develop and deepen our partnership with RMA- The Royal Marines Charity.”
Gillian Piggot, Committee Chair, Advanta Foundation
The Band of the His Majesty’s Royal Marines was front and centre stage showing off their supreme musical skills with performances highlighting their awesome versatility with Concert and Marching Bands, Corps of Drums and buglers all showing off their outstanding musical talent to the delight of the audiences.
Reflecting the Charity’s commitment to offering lifelong support to the Corps Family, no matter how young or old, there were lots of fun activities to enjoy including unarmed combat displays, annua lrugby and football matches and inter-Unit tugs of war, performances by the RMA Fijian Commando Brotherhood and Military Wives’ Choirs – all topped off by a spectacular firework display.
Despite the weather, the weekend ended with all the pomp, ceremony and emotion of the Corps Family Day Parade and Service, attended also by General Gwyn Jenkins, CB OBE DC, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, Commandant General Royal Marines and President of RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, and his family.
Ben Curry, Chief Executive of RMA – The Royal Marines Charity said: “We sincerely thank everyone involved in making Corps Family Weekend such a fantastic success, and especially to Advanta for their generous support for all three Unit Families’ Days this year.
It has been particularly special to see everyone back having such a great time. Having been cancelled for the past three years, it was wonderful to see so many of the Corps Family travelling all the way to Lympstone from near and far, from all parts of all four countries of the Union, to again enjoy and share remembrances in one others’ company.
We are the Marines’ combined charity and Association and so the weekend was also a perfect time for us to personally thank all those who so generously give of their time throughout the year to support us in so many ways.”
