Pilgrim Bandits East of England

09/05/2026

Sutherland Pipes and Drums leading international members from the Red Knights M/C club onto the Red Plaque Fire Fighter National Memorial in Rettendon.

09/05/2026

Privileged to attend the Red Plaque Fire service Memorial second anniversary event today along with the unveiling of the new K9 statue in Rettendon.
Well done to the Red knights M/C club for their dedication in creating, maintaining and expanding this fantastic National memorial.
Great turn out,
all the best from PB EoE

08/05/2026

VE Day May 8th 2026- On this day in 1945, the Allied forces formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the Axis forces in Germany.
After nearly six years of devastating conflict, the guns finally fell silent across Europe, marking the official end of a dark chapter and the beginning of a hard-won peace.
Today, on the 81st anniversary of VE Day, we pause to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all those who gave so much during the Second World War.
Today, we pay tribute to the Armed Forces, the veterans, and the generation on the home front who stood strong for our freedom.

We will remember them. Lest we forget.

08/05/2026

Nice to spend some time with the Maldon AFVBC today, starting with a short wreath laying service for VE Day at the war memorial, then off to the Maldon Combined Military Services Museum for a cuppa and read some original 1945 VE Day newspapers, then finally to the Veteran owned Datum Attitude brewery for a VE Day pint!
Few of the veterans helped on the RBL stand through the day, we had great weather and some lovely interaction with the public.

08/05/2026

Today is VE Day, the celebration of Victory in Europe in WW2.
In 1945 it was a time to appreciate the sacrifice, rebuild shattered nations and work together to return our countries back to some form of normality.
Many families suffered loses of loved ones not coming home from the War, they were described as the ‘few’ who fought for democracy and freedom, the actual UK figure was almost 6 million men and women in the war time military, of them almost 900,000 died.
Today in many towns and villages their sacrifice will be remembered.
Maldon Veterans will be laying a wreath in their honour at 11.00 on the High St War memorial, we ask you to just spare a thought for what these people died for and how we can all try to make the World a better place as the legacy of those who fought for our freedom.

06/05/2026

Maldon AFVBC and Maldon RBL will be holding a wreath laying for VE Day at the High st War Memorial this Friday.
Royal British Legion stall will be there from 10.00 with the wreath laying for 11.00.
All Public, serving Military and Veterans welcome to attend.

06/05/2026

Our friends at the National Red Plaque Fire Service Memorial are holding their 2nd Anniversary event for the opening at the Rettendon memorial garden (CM3 8DL) on Saturday 9th May from 12.30.
Pilgrim Bandits also support injured Blue light workers, so please pop down and show your support for the team !

https://www.fireservicememorial.org/

03/05/2026

30/04/2026

Local veteran events for May 2026, we hope to see you at some of them ;

Saturday 2nd May 10.30
Essex REME breakfast club
Dog and Pheasant
24 Nayland Road, Mile End, CO4 5EG Colchester

Monday 4th May 10.00
RBL Witham
Veterans Coffee and Bacon morning
Memorial Hall, Newland St, Witham CM8 2AZ

Friday 8th May 10.00
VE Day veterans parade at Maldon War memorial (CM9 5 PE)

Saturday 9th May 09.00
Basildon AVFBC
Campanile Hotel
Miles Grey Rd
Pips Hill
Basildon
SS14 3AE

Saturday 9th May 12.30
National Red Plaque Fire Service Memorial 2nd Anniversary.
Main Rd, Rettendon, CM3 8DL

Saturday 9th May 13.30
Bombers Cafe Veterans Day
Brentwood Rd, Orsett, Grays
RM16 3BD
www.bomberscafe.co.uk

Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th
10.00 opening both days
Temple at war show
Creasing Temple
Witham road, Cressing, Braintree CM77 8PD
Tickets and info : www.templeatwar.co.uk

Saturday 16th May 10.00
Maldon AFVBC
Maldon Constitution Club,
17 Fambridge Rd,
Maldon CM9 6AA

Sunday 17th May 10.00
Colchester AFVBC
Berechurch Arms
177 Shrub End Road
Colchester CO3 4RG

Wednesday 27th May 09.30
Chelmsford AFVBC
Anglia Ruskin University
Lord Ashcroft Building
Bishop Hall Lane
Chelmsford
Essex CM1 1SQ

Friday 29th May 10.15
Maldon Combined Services Museum monthly Tea & Talk
Maldon CMSM
Station Rd
Maldon
CM9 4LQ
www.cmsm.co.uk

Also Battlegroup Raydon is open every Saturday (10.00) for veterans to join in restoring old military vehicles or simply have a cuppa and a chat :
Notley Enterprise Park
CO7 6QD

And Combined Military Services Musem is open Wednesday to Sunday offering discount entry for Veterans
Maldon CMSM
Station Rd
Maldon
CM9 4LQ