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Special Notice
SPECIAL NOTICE
COMBINED OPERATIONS HEADQUARTERS
Commanding Officer; Lt. Col. C.A. Roberts
83 Westminster Crescent, Lodge Moor, Sheffield, S10 4EU
(0114)2307531
A.D.C.: Major Paul Watson (4 Commando)
paul@combinedops.demon.co.uk
UNIFORMED PERSONNEL
We, Combined Operations Headquarters, and YOU have come under sincere but
SEVERE critism for carrying weapons in opposing forces areas.
NOTE:
Axis Forces WILL NOT carry arms in Allied Territory i.e.
Loughborough/Quorn. THIS ALSO MEANS THE MILITARY FAIR.
Allied Forces WILL NOT take weapons into Axis territory i.e.
Rothley and Leicester North.
I know that this order is not as easy to follow as it seems BUT the
carrying of arms in wrong areas is ruining the `ethos' of the event. I
do not want this particular item to be raised again by GCR management.
We DO have to follow GCR Management requests.
This is not unreasonable - the observation of this regulation in 2003
will avoid subsequent restrictions from the Railway Management - an all
too frequent occurrence at other events across the country.
NOTE:
A dispensation is permitted for troops moving into the battling
area at Rothley. Please help by staying in obvious, close groups while
travelling on the train and please avoid movement, with arms, in public
areas and groups e.g. Allied forces milling about on Rothley stations.
Get briefed, get into your positions and when you have finished the job in
hand get back as quickly as possible to Allied territory.
Similarly this applies in reverse to Axis forces at Quorn and Loughborough
- especially while at the militaria fair.
I do not want to be a `heavy hand' but this IS an order, not a request.
C.A.Roberts C.O. Comb. Ops. HQ
"OPERATION ANVIL"
EVENT UPDATE 2003
"Despite serious problems on the Great Central Railway PLC
- the GCR is safe and operating normally. Operation ANVIL
will go ahead as planned and you are assured of the railways'
complete enthusiasm and support for this event."
Cedars Hotel
(GCR Management) In view of this good news, the 2003 update is as follows:
As in 2002, the Cedars Hotel in Loughborough has negotiated very
preferential rates for us for the weekend (in additition to the mess
dinner). They have, therefore, become the official accomodation in
Loughborough.
Rates are as follows (please quote COMBINED OPS when booking):
1 night 2 nights 3 nights
Double/Twin £ 56.00 £ 50.00 £ 48.00 Price includes
Single £ 36.00 £ 32.00 £ 30.00 ensuite & B+B
Reservations on (01509) 214459
Please note: These prices are considerably reduced from the normal tariff
for this top quality hotel which has a large, secure car park.
Events that are currently at the planning stage:-
Military Fair to be held at Quorn and Woodhouse station.
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to appear in some form, on both days.
The music of a Highland Drum and Pipe Band to appear on both days.
The Church Parade on Sunday
Various enhanced dioramas
Some Axis military presence at Leicester North.
Beer tent at Quorn and 
Bier Keller at Rothley.
A special VIP visit to stations on both days.
A 1940's Dance at Quorn Village Hall (TICKETS ONLY) £6.00 per person.
A 1940's JIVE Dance at the Monor Pub on FRIDAY NIGHT (13th June). Admission
£3:00 on the door.
Food will be available (we understand) - including breakfast - at the Manor Pub
(Quorn Station) probably from Friday.
Camping on the Manor Pub site is a privilege and will carry a small fee per person
for the weekend. This will be collected by a Combined Operations or GCR representative.
The GCR has had to pay to reserve the whole site for our event and the charge is a token
return on that expenditure.
We are, once again, delighted to welcome Chris Amery to the staff of Comb. Ops. Chris
is a member of the MVT and has kindly offered to fill a large hole in our organisation any
assisting in the planning of the site operation, the military vehicles and dioramas on Quorn
site and general coordination over the weekend.
Please note:
The more we can get in place by 1600 on the Friday - including camping - the better.
The Military Fair is to be coordinated by Maxine and Leon of Just Jane. They can be contacted at
Just Military in Sheffield on 0114 2550536 preferably between 1000-1200 hrs.
The Axis Forces and in particular the reenactment battles and their respective forces will be overseen
and coordinated, without exception by AFRA. Paul Dalby can be contacted on 01226 230914.
Alternatively you can call Combined Operations HQ for any further information on (0114) 2307531.
From bitter experience over the last four events, please help me by remembering these guidelines:-
HQ at Quorn site will NOT issue passes on Saturday or Sunday. Get your applications in early
as we may have to limit these for 2003.
No 'Mickey Mouse' uniforms please.
Arrive on site, as far as possible, when you say you are coming. Priority will have to work on a
first come, first placed basis and it will help if we can get the basis of Quorn site established between
1100-1600 Friday.
With the increasing numbers of exhibitors at Quorn, modern civilian vehicles need careful placing to
avoid unnecessary congestion. Please ask where to place your modern vehicles. There WILL be
somewhere on site for your vehicle.
Please note that the issue of passes is a small thank you for fully taking part in Operation Anvil.
It is issued in recognition of the work you do to set the ambience for the fare paying public. It is
NOT a passport for you to have a cheap day out. We want you to all enjoy the weekend by feeling
that you have contributed in some way to the overall, huge, diorama that Operation Anvil is all about.
LUXURY DINING TRAINS
A limited number of places are available to us at very special rates on the luxury dining trains for Saturday
and Sunday Lunch at £10 per head. There are also VERY limited places for the Saturday Night 'Orient Express'
diner (for want of a better description) at £21.00 per head. These are virtually half the regular price to 'Joe Public'
and must be booked through the C.O. - on a first come, first
served basis - and paid for a full 4 weeks in advance. Further details from H.Q. You will be billed for these options.
Cheques and details need to be made out to the Great Central Railway PLC.
Do come and join us to make this our best 'Operation' yet.
Your country needs you!