Mr Steve McManus Chairman Royal Military Police Association (South Wales Branch) email:  trustee.wales@rmpa.org.uk Tel: 01656 716955 21 Clos Onnen Margam Village Port Talbot, SA13 2TZ

 

1^st October 2025

 

80^th ROYAL MILITARY POLICE ASSOCIATION

 ANNUAL REUNION WEEKEND & DRUMHEAD SERVICE

24-26 APRIL 2026 – CARDIFF

GENERAL

2. The 80^th Royal Military Police Association Annual Reunion Weekend will be held over the period of 24-26 April 2026 in Cardiff, the Welsh capital. The weekend will be hosted by South Wales (SW) Branch RMPA, led by the President Lt Col (Retd) Kay Roberts MBE, the Chairman, Mr Steve McManus, and members of the SW Branch.
3. The Angel Hotel, Cardiff, is situated in the bustling city centre, opposite Cardiff Castle (see Annex D). Just a short walk from the Principality Stadium, the hotel is surrounded by cafes, bars and Victorian arcades, as well as the green gardens of Bute Park that border the castle.

OUTLINE OF EVENTS

All organised Reunion activities over the weekend, with the exception of the drumhead service, will be held at the Angel Hotel, Castle Street, Cardiff, CF10 1SZ.  The drumhead service will be held at Cardiff Castle, located opposite the Angel Hotel.  Planned activities for each day are as follows:

Friday 24 April 2026.

 Members of SW Branch will be present in the hotel reception area from 1100hrs to 1600hrs to welcome those attending and assist with any event admin queries. The hotel is the focus for all activities throughout the weekend and has secured 102 available accommodation rooms.  Limited availability RMP memorabilia will be available for sale, in aid of the charity, on a first come, first served basis at the reception station, during the afternoon and evening.

• We will have access to a dedicated bar at the hotel for the weekend. The RMPA reception area will also be staffed periodically on the Saturday and Sunday morning, prior to the Drumhead Service, to provide assistance to anyone as needed.
• No group meal or organised event is planned for the Friday evening, although the bar will be open and available as an RV and for attendee get-togethers. Those attending can eat in the Hotel restaurant (tables can be booked on arrival), or one of the many restaurants in and around the city centre.

Saturday 25 April 2026.

• Excursion to Cardiff Bay by Aquabus – 1100hrs. Hosted by the Branch ladies, further details will be available from the information desk on arrival.  The embarkation point is a 10-minute walk from the Hotel.  Cardiff Bay offers a variety of attractions including cultural sites, entertainment venues, and scenic spaces.  Key highlights include: the Wales Millennium Centre, a stunning arts venue, the Bute Town History and Arts Centre, and the Senedd (the Welsh Parliament building with its distinctive architecture), along with the vibrant atmosphere of Mermaid Quay.
• Trustees Meeting. This will be held in the Foxhunter Suite in the Angel Hotel at 1100hrs.
• Standard Bearers. It is hoped to have a walk through at Cardiff Castle for key ‘players’ from 1400hrs -1445hrs.
• Annual General Meeting. This will be held in Foxhunter Suite at 1500 hrs.
• Annual Reunion Dinner. The Reunion Dinner will be held in the Angel Hotel Dragon Banqueting Suite at 1900hrs for 1950hrs.  A pre-dinner drinks service will be provided from the Prince of Wales Suite, which is adjacent to the Banqueting Suite.  Musical accompaniment will be provided by the Cardiff Military Wives Choir.  Dress will be civilian clothes (dark suit or blazers for gentlemen; ladies as appropriate).  The application for tickets is at Annex A.  The menu for the dinner night can be found at Annex B.   Attendees are encouraged to bring along some cash on the night, as a grand reunion raffle will be held during the evening.

Sunday 26 April 2025.

• • Drumhead Service – Cardiff Castle. The all-denominational service will be held, in the grounds of Cardiff Castle.  Music will be provided by the band of the South Wales Police.  The service will be conducted by the Association Padre, Reverend David Roche.  Those attending should RV by 1030hrs inside the Cardiff Castle main gate entrance (see Annex D). A member of SW Branch will be present with Cardiff Castle security staff to issue further direction.  Dress for the Drumhead Service should be suit or blazer, with regimental ties, with the equivalent for ladies, although those not in possession are still encouraged to attend and participate.  Berets and medals are encouraged.
• Parade of Standards/March Past.  Following the Service there will be a March Past and Parade of Standards.  The Parade Marshal will be Mr Eddie Evans.  It is hoped that we will have as many Branch Standards as possible on parade.  The salute will be taken by the President of the RMPA, Brigadier S Pringle-Smith accompanied by other VIP(s) (tbc).

ACCOMMODATION PACKAGES

Angel Hotel accommodation at a B&B rate has been reserved for the RMPA weekend for those attending. 64 double rooms, 28 twin rooms and 10 single rooms are available to members and have been negotiated at reduced rates:

Friday/Saturday nights.

• Double/Twin Room.  £155.00 per room per night B&B.
• Single Room. £145.00 per room per night B&B.
• Additional Days. The days prior to (Thursday) or the day after (Sunday) the Reunion Weekend can be booked at £145.00 per room for a double/twin room or £135.00 for a single room; all B&B.
• Booking. It is emphasised that the booking of accommodation is the responsibility of individual members.  Members should contact The Angel Hotel on: Tel No. 029 2064 9200 (Reception and ask for bookings).  The following hotel booking reference should be used: ROYA040426.  Bank card details will be required to secure the booking – the card will not be charged until the completion of the weekend.  In the event of any difficulty when booking, contact Mr Steve McManus, the SW Branch Chairman (Tel No. 01656 716955).  Accommodation must be booked by Monday 6 April 2026.

Angel Hotel – Checkout. Checkout at the Angel Hotel is by 1100hrs. For those participating in the Drumhead Service, a secure room will be set aside for the storage of any baggage.

Alternative Accommodation. The Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre by IHG, Castle Street, Cardiff, CF10, 1XD (see Annex D) is located across the road from the Angel Hotel.  Rates can vary depending on anticipated booking numbers received for the multitude of other high attendance events that are regularly held within Cardiff, coupled with how far ahead the booking is made.  Enquires can be made via the com website (Reservations: 0800 8080 0800, Front Desk: 0371 942 9240, Email: reservations@hicardiffcitycentre.co.uk.  Controlled access to parking is available at this site (controlled by Parking Eye solutions), currently at a cost of £16 per day on a first come, first served basis (for other parking see para 8.d. below).

Other Alternative Accommodation.  Attendees are obviously free to arrange alternative accommodation for the weekend at their own discretion.  There are many other hotels and guesthouses within Cardiff City Centre and surrounding area, which attendees may wish to consider.   For those seeking alternative accommodation, by not utilising the Angel Hotel accommodation, they are encouraged to book early to achieve the cheapest rates.

DINNER/REUNION BAR

A Gala Dinner will be held in the Dragon Banqueting Suite at 1950hrs. A maximum of 220 persons can be seated.  Tickets can be obtained from the RMPA South Wales Branch using the proforma at Annex A and forwarded to the undersigned as indicated by e-mail, or post.  Again, you are advised to book early.

Dinner will be four courses plus tea/coffee and Welsh cakes, and will be inclusive of a glass of port for toasts. The menu is attached at Annex B.

The cost of the dinner is £50.00 per person. Payment by cheque, made payable to RMPA South Wales Branch, or by BACS transfer should be made as detailed at Annex A.   Closing date for applications will be Monday 6 April 2026, after which no further applications will be accepted and no refunds given.  Each person attending the gala dinner is also required to complete the Dietary Requirements – Food Allergies and Intolerances proforma at Annex C (including nil returns for those without allergies and/or intolerances) and forward to the undersigned (who will collectively forward to the Angel Hotel).  This is a mandatory requirement by the hotel for all diners attending the dinner.

TRAVEL

Travel options to Cardiff are outlined below:

By Air. Cardiff is served by Wales International Airport located in Rhoose, near Barry and is 30-40 minutes from central Cardiff.  It has integrated bus and train services into Cardiff and taxi availability.  It is recommended that those travelling by air to Cardiff Airport view Cardiff Airport travel via Google.  This outlines all modes of onward transport from the airport into Cardiff together with timings and costs.

By Rail. The city is served by rail, which terminates at Cardiff Central Station and is only a 5-10 minute walk from the Angel Hotel.

By Road. The two main approaches to the city are by the M5/M4 from the North and the Midlands, whilst the M4 approach to the city serves the southern areas of the UK. 

Car Parking. As with most cities these days, parking can be a challenge.  Due to ongoing works, there is currently no parking available at the Angel Hotel (this may change).  However, there will  be a drop off point with disabled access.  There are three parking options all within a short walking distance from the hotel, which are marked at Annex D (pages D1 & D2.

• Cardiff Arms Park (1). For those arriving on Saturday 25^th April, overnight parking is available within Cardiff Arms Park opposite the hotel entrance.  Payment of £24.00 is to be made on arrival.
• NCP Car Park Westgate Street (2). Just along from the Angel Hotel opposite the Principality Stadium, this offers discounted rates for those staying at the Angel Hotel.  Payment must be made via the NCP app on arrival.  The discount code will be available from the Hotel Reception.  Additional discounted.

• NCP Car parking at Branksome House, Westgate Street (3), has been requested, however, we are still waiting to hear back from NCP.  Full parking instructions, including App details and passwords will be distributed to all attendees well in advance of the event.

 SUMMARY

Cardiff’s rich culture has a diverse range of influences from the Romans and Normans of antiquity through to the industrial revolution and the coal industry. The castle was originally built of wood in 1081, but in the 12th Century was rebuilt in stone.  The docks and city centre have been regenerated and together with the castle are a stone’s throw from the Angel Hotel.

The President, Chairman, and Branch members of the RMPA SW Branch look forward to your attendance and support in making the 80^th RMPA Anniversary weekend a truly memorable event.

Steve McManus

Chairman

South Wales Branch

Annexes:

1. Application for 2026 RMPA Reunion Dinner Tickets.
2. 2026 Menu – RMPA Reunion Dinner.
3. Dietary Requirements – Food Allergies and Intolerances.
4. Map of Angel Hotel and Car Parking locations.
5. Summary of Useful Telephone Numbers.

 

Annex A to

RMPA 80^th Anniversary Instruction
Dated 1 October 2025

 

80^th ANNUAL REUNION WEEKEND

 

Application for Dinner Tickets for Saturday 25 April 2026

The Angel Hotel, Cardiff

Return completed proforma to:

By Post:	By email:
Steve McManus 21 Clos Onnen Margam Village Port Talbot SA132TZ	trustee.wales@rmpa.org.uk

 

Payment

 

Cheques (made payable to) RMPA South Wales Branch	BACS
Send to: Mr Gareth Laugharne 12 Penygarreg Rd, Tonyrefail, Rhondda Cynon Taff, CF398AS	RMPA South Wales Branch Account No: 41036568 Sort Code: 30-96-72 Ref: Dine26-(Surname)

 

Please forward to me _____ ticket(s) at £50.00 each for the 80^th Annual Reunion Dinner.

 

Full Name	Branch	Menu Choice	£

 

Allergies / Dietary Requirements
In addition to completing this section, please complete and forward Annex C

 

 

 

Contact Details

 

Name:
Address:

 

Telephone Number:
Email:

 

 

Sign:

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annex B to

RMPA 80^th Anniversary Instruction
Dated 1 October 2025

 

2026 Menu

 

Menu A	Menu B (v)
Homemade Tomato and Red Pepper Soup
Lemon Sorbet with lime syrup
Roast Lamb, fondant potato, creamed leeks, fresh vegetables and red wine / Port jus	Baked Pant – ys – Gawn goats cheese tart, black olive & tomato salsa, courgette ragu (v)
Welsh Whisky and honey bavarois, rhubarb compote bramble sauce
Port
Freshly brewed tea & coffee, Welsh cakes

 

 

 

Annex C to

RMPA 80^th Anniversary Instruction
Dated 1 October 2025

 

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS – FOOD ALLERGIES AND INTOLERANCES

 

 

Hotel email	events@angelhotelcardiffcity.co.uk
Date attending	24-26 April 2026
Party Name	80TH Royal Military Police Association Annual Reunion
Booking Ref No.	ROYA240426
Guest’s Name
Phone number
Email
D.O.B		Age

 

FOOD ALLERGY

Cereals (gluten)		Peanuts		Celery		Lupin
Crustaceans		Soybeans		Mustard		molluscs
Eggs		Milk & Lactose		Sesame
Fish		Nuts		Sulphur
Other (s) please list all
Details of specific food (i.e. wheat, almonds, strawberries, red wine etc.)

 

FOOD INTOLERANCE

Cereals (gluten)		Peanuts		Celery		Lupin
Crustaceans		Soybeans		Mustard		molluscs
Eggs		Milk & Lactose		Sesame
Fish		Nuts		Sulphur
Other(s) please list
Details of specific food (i.e. wheat, almonds, strawberries, red wine etc.)

Please answer the following questions to better help us with your needs:

What types of contact will cause a reaction?
Airborne		Trace Cross Contact		Ingestion of food		Other
Other(s) please list
Please explain your reaction and the severity (swelling, itchiness, breathing difficulties, abdominal cramps etc.)
How do you treat a reaction (e.g. EpiPen, antihistamines, hospitalisation etc.)
Is there any other information you would like to share to help us meet your needs?
What are your preferred food substitutions, if any? (soy butter for peanut butter, gf breads, soy milk etc.):

 

GENERAL DISCLAIMER

Guests and visitors that have food related medical conditions, food intolerances or food allergies should be aware that while we can provide certain meals that cater to your needs when requested, we are not an ‘allergen free’ kitchen.  

While we meet UK legislation by identifying ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction for those with food allergies and we implement a strict cross contamination policy, we cannot guarantee a total absence of these products in our dishes due to airborne particles, lack of control over supplier manufacture etc.

Return form to events@angelhotelcardiffcity.co.uk

 

Annex D to

RMPA 80^th Anniversary Instruction

Dated 1October 2025

 

MAP OF ANGEL HOTEL, CARDIFF & LOCAL PROXIMITY

 

Cardiff Arms Park (1) (Saturday Only)

NCP Car Park Westgate Street (2)

NCP Car Park Branksome House (3)

 

 

NCP Car Park Branksome House (3)

NCP Car Park Westgate Street (2)

Cardiff Arms Park (1) (Saturday Only)

 

 

 

Annex E to

RMPA 80^th Anniversary Instruction
Dated 1 October 2025

 

Useful Telephone Numbers Summary

 

The Angel Hotel Reception and Bookings	029 2064 9200
Steve McManus – SW Branch Chair	01656 716955
The Holiday Inn Reservations	0800 8080 0800
The Holiday Inn Front Desk	0371 942 9240