Hello to the GH family, Jim Westhead here ex Band, now resident and living in Ukraine. I would like to pass on to all interested and concerned over this topic, that the people I live with and meet and chat with everyday are, very grateful to the English people as a whole, for what they have done and continue to do. There is a Great Love for Boris Johnson. I have now lost count of the many times I have been thanked, by people from here and other cities, passing through here. The many young and English speaking people here, are wonderful, hard working, and aspire to the what we take for granted in the west. A better lifestyle, and all it's attributes. I would like to point out that quite a lot of BLAME is zeroed in on the Russians, what you have to understand is that oin Russia there are people who disagree with the war, but face a 15 year plus gaol sentence, should they defend their opinions. Another factor to note is that many of what we call Russians here in Ukraine, are in fact descendants of the Soviets occupation, their parents being part of the Soviet military, who stayed and remained here after the collapse of the Soviet union. I have not seen any dis-respect to these people here at all, and are just classed as normal Ukranianian citizens which, technically they are, by law, having been born here. My own ex wife being one of them. Most of what you see takes place in the so called breakaway counties (Oblasts) of Donetsk and Lughansk. some 1000km from myself in Western Ukraine. I am not a Political person, Military stategist, and who knows what Mr Putin has in mind? Yes there will be sympathisers on both sides, and there will be tradgedy on both sides, the sad outcome of war situations. I should also like to mention that we did/have a lot of foreign students here, Pakistan/Africa/India. I heard on English news that these people at the outbreak were being segrated at the borders, plus all the other racists comments as well? I will point out that since I have been here, over 80 plus of these students, after their first term suddenly dis apeared, having taken holidays in the West? never to return here? in fact my first year as I was at the immigration office, 10 students had been caught in the night trying to cross the Polish border some 15km from the actual crossing. Free Rail travel was granted here and in the Eu for Ukrainians wishing to flee the war zone areas, a very good idea. It is a sad point that I know a few from my own area took advantage of this, and now live in better circumstances in the EU, something they could not have done, even without the War? On my visit to the Capitol last week, there was a group celebrating the return of family and friends to Kiev, I enquired through an English speaker what, was it all about, The person said, they have returned to Ukraine, having visited all of Europe for FREE. There are lots of Facets to tragic situations, do not let the opinions of the press and others not of the press guide your inteligence and logic. The Picture is always bigger than it seems. Thank you for reading James.

Well back online again, that is the website GH of course. Are there any band current or ex out there? or any one that was associated with or an admirer of the Regimental Band/Corps of Drums, that recognise my name. Would like to hear from any members and or regimental members of my day !969 to !976. If you fancy a chat or email get in touch. I would have thought the lock down et al the Covid 19 situation would have brought communications closer. Yes I know about other websites etc. So let me know how things are with you all. send photos passed and or present although the old grey matter may be dimming LOL. what do the regimental people say "Once and Howard always and Howard". here,s hoping best wishes James

I was wondering if members of the fraternity X!X could be more communicative on the new site. Most may think that it is boring or un relevant, but to old stagers like myself, names on photos, and any other snippets of info, at my time of life make all the difference when I come to log in to the site. Especially for the ones that no longer live on England's green and pleasant land. In the Regiment we were all interactive, i.e members from the regiment formed the cricket team, hockey team etc not to mention our individual depts. As the world is smaller and we are getting older communications getting swifter, surely there should be more info on members passed present and future, that have something to say, no matter how trivial. Who knows we may be able to help someone, put someone in touch, or simply just remenice. Life is a linear track, so maybe we should all be supportive of each other, after we all once were. .