Circular 427:Circular summer 2008 - The Royal British Legion · Circular 427:Circular summer 2008...

CircularTHE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOMEN’S SECTION Spring 2010 Number 427

Inside this issue

• Pilgrimages

• Branch and County News

• Correspondence

CircularCircular 427:Circular summer 2008 2/2/10 10:08 Page 2

ContentsBranch and County News

Welfare

Annual Conference 2010

FeaturesPilgrimages

Correspondence

RBL Manifesto

EnclosuresConference Agenda 2010

Annual Report

Pink Financial Booklet

Donations 2008/2009

2010 Stick Pin Pre-order Form

From Head Office

CircularTHE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOMEN’S

SECTION

2

The Royal British Legion Women’s Section Circular

Spring 2010

Haig House,

199 Borough High Street,

London SE1 1AA

Tel: 020 3207 2181

Fax: 020 3207 2358

Email: [email protected]

www.britishlegion.org.uk

www.womensbritishlegion.co.uk

Editor

Sarah Thomas

Tel: 020 3207 2188

Email: [email protected]

Circular production by

Bluepoint Cambridge 01223 472400

Charity No.219279

Spring 2010 Number 427

Disciplinary Suspension

Mrs J Blackburn has been expelled from LegionMembership, barred from holding office at anylevel within the legion and from voluntaryappointments and duties as a non member.

Val’s Tombola Stall

Due to the success of the tombola stall at lastyear’s Annual Conference, there will be one atthe Conference this year. Any donations ofunwanted new items will be gratefully receivedfrom Tuesday, 20 April onwards.Thank you all very much.

Message from The National ParadeMarshall Mrs Helen Richardson

A Standard Bearershould be speciallyappointed by thebranch committee forthis important post of

honour, and it is essential that the person selectedshould be physically strong and well able to handlethe Standard under all conditions. Standard Bearersshould be supplied with a copy of the up to dateCeremonial Handbook (2007) and encouraged toattend training sessions.

Women’s Section Dress Beret: Black or dark navy in colour (to match suit).‘Stiffened (blocked to height of cap badge) withWomen’s Section cap badge (obtainable from HeadOffice) worn centrally between the eyes; no beretribbon; bottom of beret not more than one inchabove eyebrows; beret worn straight – not pulledover to side. Only the current pattern RBLWS officialberet badge should be worn by RBLWS StandardBearers.Shaped hats are not permittedHair: Clean, neat, tidy and not resting on collar.Facial Jewellery: (i.e. earrings, nose rings etc) –None.Suit: Neatly pressed plain black or dark navy suit(skirt, of regulation length, i.e. approximately oneand half inches below the knee, not trousers).Tie: Official Women’s Section tie; neat and pressed;motif to be prominently displayed, no tie-pin visible.Shirt: Freshly laundered, pressed plain white shirt.Not button down collar.Lapel Badge: Not worn.Medals: Officially issued campaign and servicemedals only may be worn when in uniform.Tights/Stockings: Black.

Shoes: Plain black, low heeled lace up shoes; wellpolished all over; not patent.Competition Bars: Awarded to the Winner andRunner Up at County/District, Regional and Nationalcompetitions. These are worn on the left lapel byStandard Bearers but are NOT worn in competitions.Once attaining five individual bars at the same level,not necessarily consecutively, these should beremoved and replaced with a five- year bar. The five-year bar must be worn in lieu of single-year bars. Five-year bars may be purchased from Head Office.Bearing: Generally smart military bearing.Sling: Only current equipment supplied by RoyalBritish Legion Industries, should be worn. The leathersling and socket used for carrying the Standard shouldbe worn over the right shoulder with the socket in thecentre front of the body.The Women’s Section sling badge is worn 4 inchesfrom the top of the shoulder.Gauntlets: White, leather gauntlets. Clean and in goodrepair.Dress for Marshals: Turnout for marshals shouldconform to the dress regulations for Standard Bearers.In addition, suitable white cotton gloves are to beworn. Canes: Various styles are available although it isimportant that the size of cane is matched to themarshal. Canes should not be carried by marshals atStandard Bearer Competitions.

Please note: There is an amendment to theCeremonial Handbook 2007.CHAPTER 6 – The Standard Bearer – page 6-2 6.2.3. Women’s Section Dress 6.2.3.5. Tie: Official Women’s Section tie; neat andpressed; motif to be prominently displayed; no tie-pinvisible.

Amendments to theCeremonial Handbook

Three amendments have been published onthe advice of the Ceremonial Working Group,they are:Paragraph 5.7.1.1 – Branch 50th anniversarypennant The colours have changed, it nowstates “in royal blue with figures in gold”. Paragraph 5.7.1.2 – Branch 75th anniversarypennant The colours have changed, it nowstates “in gold with figures in royal blue”. Paragraph 6.2.3.5 – The dress code for WSStandard Bearers has been amended: WS tienow includes “motif prominently displayed”.Please do pass on this information to StandardBearers and Judges in your area if they do nothave access to a copy of this Circular.

Circular 427:Circular summer 2008 2/2/10 10:09 Page 3

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Annual Conferenceto be held in

THE WINTERGARDENS, BLACKPOOLWednesday 21 & Thursday 22 APRIL 2010

SESSIONS:Wednesday 10.00am - 12.30pm and 2.00pm - 3.30pm

Thursday 9.30am - Close of Conference (approx. 12.30pm)

DISPLAY STALLS – THE HORSESHOE,WINTERGARDENSCome and visit the stalls from the Women’s Sectionincluding our stationery stall, and of course theBlackpool Raffle. There will also be outsideorganisations on display.

CIVIC ENTERTAINMENTWe look forward to seeing you all in the Opera Housefrom 8.00pm on Wednesday 21 April 2010 to enjoy aGala Variety Evening by invitation of the Mayor ofBlackpool. There will be a nominal charge of £1.00.

RBLWS STICK PINS FORANNUAL CONFERENCE 2010The 2010 Women’s Section Stick Pin willbe available at the conference inBlackpool, for just £1.

STANDARD BEARERS PARADE &WREATH-LAYING CEREMONYled by ‘The Band of the King’s Division’ 21 April2010, 4pm prompt

Form-up: St Johns Church, St Johns Square (directlyopposite the Wintergardens) Parade: Church St/Abingdon St//Clifton St/TalbotRd//PromenadeSaluting Dais: The Town Hall Wreath-Laying and Inspection The CenotaphNational Parade Marshal: Mrs Helen Richardson

National Standard Bearers CompetitionTuesday 20 April 2010 - 10.00am Spanish HallThere are no restrictions on seats for the competition,which will take place in the Spanish Hall. The doorsopen at 9.am and the competition will commence at10.00am at which point the doors will be closed. After that time admission will be allowed only at thediscretion of the Marshal.Remember please, use of camcorders, tape recordersor stop watches is not permitted during thecompetition.

Muster of Standard BearersDetailed instructions will be issued to StandardBearers with their Conference papers. It is proposedto parade Standards into the Empress Ballroom at thebeginning of Conference on the first day and outof the Hall to close the Conference on the secondday. There will be a parade of Standards, a Wreath-Laying Ceremony and Inspection at the end of the firstday, Wednesday 21 April. The Salute will be taken atthe Town Hall. All Standard Bearers attendingConference and taking part in the Muster shouldcomply with the rule of dress as laid down in theCeremonial Handbook 2007.

Orders Marshal: Mrs Helen RichardsonNational Judges: Mrs Angela Logue

Mrs Alison TindaleMrs Maureen Witherspoon

March-in-Marshal: Mrs Deborah StevensonReserve Judge: Miss Carole Hoban


4

Thailand and Singapore Pilgrimage

To have been asked toaccompany the FEPOWveterans, their wives, andcarers, the widows, and closefriends or family members ofthe Servicemen and Womenwho are buried in the FarEast, to the British WarCemeteries in both Thailandand Singapore, for me, an exservicewoman, was a greathonour, and an unknownjourney.I had never been to the Far East, during my militaryservice. Even during my school years, knowing ofmainly the European side of the war, I knew little ofwhat actually happened during those Second WorldWar years in this part of the world. The tour leaderwas a seasoned Far East, Travel Guide, Mr NeilWhitaker and Mrs Mo Campbell was the tourStandard Bearer from the North West.

The tour was set out on a day to day basis; it lookedpacked with interesting visits .Some of the tour partymet at the Union Jack Club in London while othersjoined us at Heathrow Airport. The Tour was in twoparts some returning to the UK, after one week inThailand, another group joining us in Singapore. Inthe main, the journey was being taken by thePilgrims for the two week period.

Joining us on this Pilgrimage was Dr Marcus Philpott,of the Royal Navy. He was a young Surgeon, whoassured all of us, by virtually carrying on his back (in

case of any emergencies) everything ‘medical’. Onour arrival at Bangkok we were met by our Tourrepresentative for Thailand, Krit. Thailand is anintriguing country, where the old and new worldsintertwine beautifully. The polite culture of its people,is delightful, everyone greets each other formally, nomatter where you are.

On the first day, we made visits to see as much aswe could of the ancient Thai history around the city ofBangkok. We all wondered at their buildingregulations, and the fact that some people, lived incrowded flats, and even lived in the middle of theroads, under the flyovers. To see little children playingthere scared us rigid.

The following day we moved on to the tranquillity ofthe British War Graves. We visited Kanchanaburi andChungai War Cemeteries. We started to get to knowthe ladies and gentlemen with us, and their stories.One lady was visiting the grave of her father, whohad last seen her at three months old, when herfather was stationed in Singapore. She had been bornIn October 1941 one of five children. Early in 1942her mother and the children had all been put on aboat bound for the UK. After a difficult ‘passage’ thefamily all returned to England safely. The Mother andChildren arrived back with nothing. Her father hadbeen fighting in Singapore; he was captured andeventually sent to work in the slave conditions, withother Allied servicemen on the Railway. He is buriedin Kanchanaburi Cemetery. The journey for this ladywas to see where her father was buried in Thailand,and later to see where she had been born inSingapore. To bring her peace before she left theCemetery. She laid a wreath, and a picture of herMother, and siblings on his grave.

The next day we moved to the River Kwai Villagewhere we made visits to what must have stirredhaunting memories for some of the gentlemen withthe party, to Hell Fire Pass and the Museum thatgraphically showed us of the horrors that took placethere. We made a visit to the Thailand-Burma RailwayCentre; again some memories for the Veteran’s weredifficult. Feelings of grief for the relatives and friendswho lost loved ones in this now tranquil part ofThailand. To see where the ‘Bridge’ that had beenbuilt was located really made those pilgrims havemixed feelings of both anger, and love.

We undertook Remembrance Services and laidwreaths at British War Graves, wherever we could.The visits were always greatly supported by theBritish Ambassador, HE Mr Qinton Quayle. OnRemembrance Sunday, the British Ambassador andthe Defence Attaché hosted a Parade, and WreathLaying Ceremony in the Embassy Grounds. OurStandard Bearer Mrs Mo Campbell led the Paradeand was a credit to us all.

The attendance was enormous: the RBL Branches ofBangkok, their officers and members, and StandardBearer, together with their own Pipe Band. Ambassa -dors, from different countries, and various Allied,

Defence Attaché, laid wreaths. Just before the Cere -mony took place, the rain had poured and then thesun came out, and everywhere dried within minutes.

The next part of this Pilgrimage took us to Singapore.What a place, buildings everywhere, all modern. Forthe Pilgrims and those joining us there from the UK, atotal surprise. We all met up at the Merchant CourtHotel. Our object was to visit the Museums, WarMemorials and War Graves, in Singapore and hold aRemembrance Service. The Defence Attaché inSingapore looked after all of us wonderfully andinvited us for afternoon tea.

Our visit to the Kranji War Memorial followed by thevisits to the Battle Box, and to Changi Prison, to seethe wonderful murals painted by one of the prisonersthere with the faces of fellow prisoners, as thedisciples of Jesus, was saddening and breathtaking.This is where, the Alexandra Hospital was.

In this hospital, the Japanese Army, had on onefateful day, when there were so many injured AlliedTroops and Medical staff crunched into two smallrooms, decided to go in and bayonet to death over200 men. On this Pilgrimage one of the very fewsurvivors told us he had been badly injured; his handand arm practically severed. He had been waiting forthe Doctor

(Who had little, or no proper medical instruments, ormedicine) to amputate. The Japs had burst in, killingas many as possible. He survived because he wasbleeding so badly from his wound that they musthave thought he was already dead. He said “I justclosed my eyes. The whole previous 24 hours hadbeen dreadful”. The wonderful part of this lovelygentleman’s story, (Gus) is that after many years oftreatment he now has the use of that arm and hand.In fact he is now the eldest member of the MagicCircle. After talking to the Ladies and Gentlemen oftheir war time experiences together with the familiesvisiting both countries for the first, and in some casestheir last visits, for me to stand there and watch theirvery moving tributes to their loved ones, I consider Ihave been very privileged.

Mrs Wendy BromwichNational Vice-Chairman


5

Keeping safe and warmHealth advice and tips forcoping with wintry weatherWith temperatures so low, to keep safe and warmthe Department of Health recommends you:• keep curtains drawn and doors closed to block

out draughts• have regular hot drinks and at least one hot

meal a day if possible – eating regularly helpskeep energy levels up during winter

• wear several light layers of warm clothes(rather than one chunky layer)

• keep as active as possible• Don’t venture out if you don’t need to but

remember that icy pavements and roads can bevery slippery. Take extra care if you go out.Wrap up warm and wear boots or shoes withgood grip on the soles.

• If you need to go outside the Met Office advisesputting grit or cat litter on paths and drivewaysto lessen the risk of slipping.

• You should also keep your home at therecommended temperature of 18 to 21 degreesCelsius (64 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit).

If you can’t heat all the rooms you use, heat theliving room during the day and the bedroom justbefore you go to bed.

Give your loved ones a callTry to check up on friends, relatives, andneighbours who may be more vulnerable to coldweather. Cold weather is especially dangerous forolder people or people with serious illnesses,so check up on them if you can.

Help with paying heating costsIf you’re on a low income, a Cold WeatherPayment may be available to help you for eachweek of very cold weather in your area. ThePension Service sends out Cold Weather paymentsautomatically but should you have any queriesplease contact: Winter Fuel Payments Helpline – 0845 915 1515Opening Hours – Monday to Friday 8.30 am to4.30 pm

Since its launch in July 1998, the President’s AwardScholarship has provided financial support to ex-Service personnel and their dependants to achievetheir scholastic goals. In it’s time the Scholarshipsand grants have paid for courses which range fromelectrical engineering to the ECDL, from medicalschool to training to become a manicurist. All ofwhich are honourable professions. The President’sAward continues to provide much needed supportand will continue to do so. Applications are reviewed in January, May andAugust of each year. However, in order to preparethe applications for review, Women’s SectionWelfare ask that all applications be submitted inearly December, late March and late June of eachyear. For more information on the President’sAward, please contact the Welfare Advisor on: 0203207 2182 or at www.womensbritishlegion.org.uk

Here are some of thetestimonials we have receivedI am writing to inform you that I have successfullycompleted my degree in Construction Engineering &Management. I was delighted to be awarded aFirst Class Honours Degree with a diploma withcommendation in Industrial Studies. I would liketo take this opportunity to thank the President’sAward Committee for the financial support Ireceived during my time at University. I have juststarted full-time employment as a Graduate SiteEngineer. Once again, thank you for all thesupport, it was much appreciated.

Miss A Thompson

Do you know anyone who

you feel may benefit from

receiving assistance from

the Women’s Section.

If so, please contact

women’s Section Welfare

for more information on:

020 3207 2182

President’s Award Committee

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all avery Happy New Year. Once again, thank you forcontinuing funding for my scholarship. How pleasedand privileged I am to be able to study BuildingEngineering. I have passed all of my exams and Ihave applied for a work placement for next year in aconstruction company as a Quantity Surveyor. Onceagain, thanks for everything, this is muchappreciated.

Mr L Parker

I would like to thank you all regarding thePresident’s Award Scheme of the Royal BritishLegion Women’s Section for the help I have receivedin the past two years with funding for publictransportation for my Higher Education Diploma inMental Health Nursing.

Miss J Thompson

Calling all Women’sSection Caseworkers!If you haven’t already, pleaseensure you receive yourupdated Caseworker training,CRB and new photo ID.

Welfare


6

It’s Time to Do Your Bit: A Manifesto for the Whole Armed Forces Family

Manifesto

JOURNEYS OF REMEMBRANCEWITH POPPY TRAVEL

Poppy Travel is the official travel arm of The RoyalBritish Legion. We offer a worldwide programme ofunique, personalised and memorable escorted tours,plus a specialist tailor made service.

For a FREE brochure call 01622 716 729 email [email protected] visit us at www.poppytravel.org.uk

Photography courtesy of imagewise

In memory of

We regret to inform you that

sadly these ladies have

passed away:

Mrs Daisy Kelly

from Hartland Branch,

Devon.

Mrs Ivy Woolston

Gretton Branch who was 101.

The Legion has launched its own manifesto for thenext general election, and needs the Women’sSection to help ensure the political parties take it onboard.

During other recent campaigns, such as Honour theCovenant and Return to Rationing the Women’sSection support proved invaluable. “We’reparticularly keen to get the Women’s Sectioninvolved with the manifesto campaign, becauseduring Return to Rationing and Honour theCovenant, we found that Women’s Section brancheswere amongst the most proactive campaigners,”says Kevin Shinkwin, the Legion’s Head of PublicAffairs, who runs the parliamentary campaigns fromHQ. “Important changes which Legion campaignshave helped secure include the doubling ofcompensation for injured soldiers and improvedaccess to veterans’ mental health services. There isno reason why the manifesto can’t have even moreof an impact.”

The manifesto is split into three sections. ‘ServicePersonnel and their families’ includes calls on theArmed Forces Compensation Scheme andaccommodation. The section on ‘Bereaved ArmedForces families’ calls for more support for families

through the inquest process, training for coronersand the provision of specialist bereavementcounselling services for Armed Forces families.And the final section on ‘Veterans andtheir families’ includes calls on theNHS priority treatment system,tackling poverty among veterans andtheir families, Disabled FacilitiesGrants and mental health.

Women’s Section branches can do theirbit in several ways. Non partisan hustingsmeetings, where candidates from all of themain parties answer questions about howthey would honour the military covenant, canbe organised by branches. Legion supporters arealso being encouraged to write to their MP or signour online petition (for the parties to adopt ourmanifesto calls) and email their electioncandidates at www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk.

A copy of the manifesto has been sent to everyWomen’s Section branch. To find out how you can do yourbit, visit the website at www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk ororder a campaigns pack on 01304 205 900 or at [email protected] . You can find out who your MP is byringing 020 7219 4272 and giving your postcode or by going to www.theyworkforyou.com.

Thank you for doing your bit!

Mrs Heather

Lloyd

Lostock Hall

Branch

(pictured left).


7

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The Royal British Legion Riders Branch ‘Dambuster’ Motorcycle Tours

In August 2009 my husband Brian and I met up inMaidstone with 12 other motorcyclists and fourpillions (making a total of 6 females and 11males)to visit the beautiful Ruhr Valley in Germany to tourand visit the Dams which were made famous by thebombing raids during WW11. It was a hard ride thefirst day clocking up 400miles to get to the hotels inSoest where we were based for the four days. Theweather was so hot and as you could imaginewearing leathers it was like being in a permanentsauna!!! I even wore cycling shorts to see if thespecial padded bottom would provide me with morecomfort alas NO. Over the few days we had aguided tour to the Mohne and Sorpe Dams with avisit to Diemelsee, one of the secondary targets andthe Eder Dam. It was an unbelievable feeling tostand on the dams that I had watched in the blackand white film of the Dambusters when I was ayoung girl. It may be of interest to know about theother riders on the tour as we had plenty of time tochat when enjoying our get together in the eveningfor a meal. There was a paramedic, a police officer,a prison officer, a stonemason and a serving lady inthe Royal Navy, all with the common interest andlove of riding motorbikes. The age range was 19-73

years!! One of the men was on the ‘GenerationGame’ a TV show years ago when he was a pastrychef and contestants on that show had to copy hiswork of art to win. Also one of his daughter’sbecame a ‘Junior Masterchef’ in a TV competition.So there was plenty to chat about and discoverabout the group. It was a fantastic experience andone I shall remember as my husband didn’t stop

smiling all the time we were away (he just loves hisbike!) and I did score some ’Brownie points as itwas a trip covering 1400 miles and I was the oldestfemale at 64years who went along as a pillion.

Written by: Pat Ayres MBEGloucestershire County Chairman/Kemble and

District Secretary/Standard Bearer


8

Correspondence

County OfficersSeminarOn behalf of the National Chairman, MrsCecilia Harper, may I inform you that we willbe holding our County Officers’ Seminar onTuesday 23 March 2010.

The venue will be in the Earl Haig/ListerRoom, Haig House, 199 Borough High Street,London, SE1 1AA therefore numbers will belimited. We are urging NEW Officers in postand those about to take up office to attend:these will take priority. Otherwise, attendancewill be on a first come/first served basis up tothe capacity that can be accommodated.

The Seminar is scheduled to begin at11.00am with registration from 10.30 am andan approximate closure of 3.30 pm.

The National Chairman wishes to discuss anumber of issues raised by Counties, andwould also appreciate any subjects you wouldparticularly wish to be covered to be sent in toHead Office in advance.

The Garden Party at Whitby

“My mother asks if she can have a half this timeplease”?“Beer or Lager” I asked?“Brandy” came the reply!Just one of the many fun requests I’ve had servingbehind the bar at our annual garden party in aid ofthe RBL Women’s Section organised by mywonderful wife Alison Tindale. We’ve been holdingthese, now famous, garden parties annually sincethe year 2000 with the exception on 2001 whichwas cancelled due to foot and mouth (that’slivestock and not because of a member puttingtheir first into the second). So this coming year willbe the 10th Anniversary, where’s the time gone?

A question I was asked this year was, “when doesAlison start preparing for next years event”? Myanswer, much to the surprise of the lady thatasked me, “tomorrow”! The next day, each year, allof the remaining Tombola/Raffle prizes are neatlypacked away for the year ahead. We sit andanalyse all the good points and how we canimprove upon anything for the following year. In2000 we had approximately 25 ladies enjoying teaand cakes, (and stronger stuff in the bar for themore adventurous), and this year we were pleasedto entertain approximately 70. we’ve progressed tooptional ‘fancy dress’ for the less inhibited, withthis years theme being ‘Pirates’ chosen by my dearwife Alison, which she assures me had nothing todo with her fascination for heartthrob Johnny Deppappearing in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’.

Alison begins collecting prizes for the Tombola,Raffles, various games & quizzes immediately aftereach event ready for the next. We can be outshopping anywhere, at any time, and we’ll get tothe checkout and ill find a stuffed teddy bear or abox of bath salts or the like, buried deep in theshopping trolley. “What’s this for” I’ll stupidly ask?“Garden party” will come the reply! “But it’s notuntil August” ill plead, “and we’re only in January”!

Then it really starts – my mother & father in law(Joan and Tom Murray), will upon each visit to ourhome, bestow armfuls of various items of bric-a-brac upon us for the big event. John and Garryfrom the RBL do the same. Many of the ladies willsend other various items ranging from glow in thedark soap to the inevitable mug tree. I watch ourspare bedroom slowly becoming an Aladdin’s caveof wondrous things. Around July time I invariablyfind myself unable to find the bed in there. Aroundthe same time in July we begin to write thequizzes and organise the games. Back by populardemand this year was throwing the stuffed froginto the bucket, not to be outdone of course by theall time favourite, tossing 20 pence pieces at thewhisky bottle which goes down a treat, (as I’msure does the whisky for the eventual winner).From approximately June onwards I will arrivehome from work to find Alison elbow deep in somesort of Jam or Lemon Curd mix to sell on the cakestall. Many a time I’ve had to sit in the garden formy dinner ousted by the poignant aroma of somenew, freshly made, exotic chutney. A fortnightbefore kick off the inevitable ‘list’ is written and

Dear Women’s Section

I am a active member of the Spenborough Branch, WestYorkshire, of the TBRL and feel strongly that TRBL needsto have input from the younger generation. I am thedaughter of two retired soldiers who gave years ofdedicated service. I am 36 years old and feel that TRBLhave lost touch with my generation and generations tocome. I feel that when young people look at TRBL theyfeel that the only help veterans on the First and SecondWorld wars. I know that everyone knows about the PoppyAppeal that is made every year but if we could lobbyparlament to get a bank holiday on the monday afterRemembrance Sunday it would have more of an inpact.My own personal memories of war and battle are fromIreland, Falklands, Gulf, Iraq and Afganistan. I know thatthe public are behind Help the Heroes, but they areunaware that TRBL has hospitals and rehab units forinjured soldiers and their families. They are unaware ofthe very good work that is being done on a daily basis tohelp the families of deceased solders. This is informationthat the public needs to know, Help the Heros are goodat publicity and we needs to be as active.

I feel that this needs to be done as a priority as fewyounger people are joining TRBL and it would be atravisty if this wonderful organisation died out before itturned 100 years old. Thank you for reading this and Ihope that you take on board my feeling

Yours faithfullyS Dixon

Dear Mrs Dixon,

Thank you very much indeed for your email and mysincere apologies for taking a little time to come back toyou. Your sentiments echo mine entirely, but I amdelighted to receive such a note from a Branch ratherthan the message being one which is going out fromHead Office.

One problem we have of course is that the Nation as awhole is probably too accustomed to the presence andexistence of TRBL and we have become in many minds likethe well loved ornament that sits on the mantelpiece but isnever really noticed because it's always been there. Hencethe immediate success and effect of Help for Heroes whichbrought a new and young vision to the game. You are quiteright that many are unaware of what TRBL and RBLWS do,but I assure you this is not for want of major PRcampaigns.

If you are not a member of the RBLWS, you will possiblynot have seen a letter I wrote earlier this year to everymember in which I express the very real concern I haveabout our declining membership, which is falling at therate of about 3000 a year, and the fact that our existingmembership is getting ever older. The point I have madeis that the greatest gift a member can give the Women'sSection is a successor to carry on the good work in thenext generations. We have recently launched a websitewhich is achieving a good response, particularly with theability for women to apply online. If you have not seen it,I commend it to you. It iswww.womensbritishlegion.co.uk. Please do let as manypeople as you can know about it.

Thank you again for writing. I will pass on your messagewhere it should be read.

Yours sincerely,Anthony Beattie National Secretary RBLWS

pinned to the kitchen wall – things to do! I watchwith interest, and admiration, as what appears to bean impossible task slowly dwindles to minor itemssuch as, buy milk, wash cups, pray for sunshine etc.

The day of the big event – all hands on deck –Joan, Tom, John, Gary and myself running aroundlike headless chickens laying out tables, putting upbunting, trying to locate where we put the quizzesfor safe keeping etc. Alison barking orders at us all,(I can see how she became a Parade Marshal)!Garden party to start at 1pm, sharp. First arrivalsusually appear around 11am. Then the cars, bussesand vans start to appear from county branchesNorth Yorkshire, South and West Yorkshire, Durhamand Northumbria RBL. Where will we fit them all in?Tea is served in huge quantities, cakes andsandwiches are eaten by the barrow load, gamesare played, quizzes are filled in, (eventually located)and copious amounts of alcohol are consumed.Inevitably at some point “we’ll meet again” and “rollout the barrel” will be sung by all in the bar. Theneventually there will be a sum-up of how much hasbeen made and donated over the day – this yearswas £675, (all time record) £4,394 total since webegan. Everyone cheers and applauds. Well done toeveryone for participating.

Am I looking forward to the total mayhem, stress,hard work, sitting in the garden for my dinner againthis next year? Of course I am. I love it, as I love allthe ladies that come and brighten my day and makeit all worthwhile with their boundless enthusiasm forsuch a good cause. Roll on 2010.

With my very best regards to you all.

Alison’s none suffering husband, Shaun.


9

PoemsWhat a lot of thingsat Christmas!What a lot of things at Christmas;

People are singing,

Bells are ringing,

Snow is falling from the sky.

Why oh why it's up to my knee,

I bet it's from that Robin on the Sycamore tree,

For the snow is falling from the sky.

By Rebecca Hicks Aged 10

Daddy’s PoemHer hair was up in a pony tail,

Her favourite dress tied with a bow.

Today was Daddy's Day at school,

And she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,

That she probably should stay home.

Why the kids might not understand,

If she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;

She knew just what to say.

What to tell her classmates

Of why he wasn’t there today.

But still her mother worried,

For her to face this day alone.

And that was why once again,

She tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school

Eager to tell them all.

About a dad she never sees

A dad who never calls. There were daddies

along the wall in back,

For everyone to meet.

Children squirming impatiently,

Anxious in their seats

One by one the teacher called

A student from the class.

To introduce their daddy,

As seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,

Every child turned to stare.

Each of them was searching,

A man who wasn’t there.

‘Where's her daddy at?’

She heard a boy call out.

‘She probably doesn’t have one,’

Another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,

She heard a daddy say,

‘Looks like another deadbeat dad,

Too busy to waste his day.’

The words did not offend her,

As she smiled up at her Mom.

And looked back at her teacher,

Who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back,

Slowly she began to speak.

And out from the mouth of a child,

Came words incredibly unique.

‘My Daddy couldn’t be here,

Because he lives so far away.

But I know he wishes he could be,

Since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,

I wanted you to know.

All about my daddy,

And how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories

He taught me to ride my bike.

He surprised me with pink roses,

And taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,

And ice cream in a cone.

And though you cannot see him.

I’m not standing here alone.

‘Cause my daddy’s always with me,

Even though we are apart

I know because he told me,

He'll forever be in my heart'

With that, her little hand reached up,

And lay across her chest.

Feeling her own heartbeat,

Beneath her favourite dress. And from

somewhere here in the crowd of dads,

Her mother stood in tears.

Proudly watching her daughter,

Who was wise beyond her years.

In the trenchesLife in the trenches wasn’t very nice,

There were rats as big as cats and pesky lice,

Soldiers fight, die and then they fall,

But those who survived stood proud and tall,

The soldiers in the trenches will carry on the war.

Showers of bullets flew over head,

As quick as a flash, you’re dead.

The enemy calls come out and fight,

Every soldier gets scared at night.


Casualties happened every day,

The trenches were not a nice place to stay.

I hear someone shout ready, aim, fire,

Just to go home is my only desire.


This poem was written by 9 year old Lauren King who is grand daughter to Women’s Section member Mrs J Beale from Offenham Branch

For she stood up for the love

Of a man not in her life.

Doing what was best for her,

Doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down,

Staring straight into the crowd.

She finished with a voice so soft,

But its message clear and loud.

'I love my daddy very much,

he's my shining star.

And if he could, he'd be here,

But heaven’s just too far.

You see he is a British soldier

And died just this past year

When a roadside bomb hit his convoy

And taught Britains to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,

it’s like he never went away.’

And then she closed her eyes,

And saw him there that day.

And to her mothers amazement,

She witnessed with surprise.

A room full of daddies and children,

All starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them,

Who knows what they felt inside.

Perhaps for merely a second,

They saw him at her side.

‘I know you're with me Daddy,’

To the silence she called out.

And what happened next made believers,

Of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,

For each of their eyes had been closed.

But there on the desk beside her,

Was a fragrant long-stemmed rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,

By the love of her shining star.

And given the gift of believing,

That heaven is never too far.

The PoppyI walked by a field

The first thing I saw was a poppy

Not just one, but two

One for me and one for you

I know I’ve still got that poppy

As I’ve grew and grew

Until I lay still in my burial

Old not new

By Rebecca Hicks age 10


10

Branch and County News

Spring time for Oundle Branch MembersThis photo was taken of members from Oundle Branch enjoying a walk amongst the lovely spring flowersaround the grounds of Apethorpe Manor, which is home to their President the Lady Brassey.

85th AnniversaryGretton Branch members are picturedhere at the celebration of their 85thAnniversary, pictured in the front rowfrom left to right are: Mavis Workman,Branch President, Lady Luke, NationalVice-Chairman and Shirley Fursdon,Branch Chairman all holding their Branchcertificate.

Happy 90th BirthdayThis photo was taken of Mrs Margaret Jarvis,Branch President and Mrs Ivy Ransome who areboth long serving members of Eye Branch inSuffolk cutting their 90th Birthday cake at theBranch’s AGM. They both celebrated their birthdayswithin days of each other.

81st Anniversary and 90th BirthdaycelebrationsMembers of Gateshead Branch have been verybusy having celebrations for two very specialevents. The photo above was taken of EvelynMcClure, Branch President and Mrs Doris InghamOBE, Branch Chairman cutting the Anniversarycake. The photo below was taken of Mrs InghamOBE presenting their second oldest member MaryBowes with a bottle of Sherry and flowers for her90th Birthday.

70th Anniversary.This picture was taken of Mrs M Syril,Worcestershire County Vice-Presidentpresenting the Bretforton BranchChairman Mrs M Burdett with the BranchAnniversary Certificate.

All wrapped upWomen from the Handforth Branch launched their firstshoebox appeal for Christmas. Pauline Garnett, BranchChairman and her team held an open day inviting people tobring their shoeboxes full of toiletries and goodies to be sentto the troops in Afghanistan. This picture was taken of themwhile they were hard at work making Christmas special forthe serving soldiers who were not able to be with theirfamilies.

Poppy Coffee MorningMembers from the Eastbourne Branch held a Poppy CoffeeMorning at Duke Bernard Court in Eastbourne and raised£343 in only two hours. Pictured here from left to right are:Janet Walsham, Branch Secretary, Gill Davies, DavinaMayes, Councillor Greg Szanto, Mayor, Shirley Bland, DeputyStandard Bearer and Teresa Crofts, Branch Treasurer. Welldone ladies.


11

Branch and County News

Making a splashMrs Doreen Baker from Tadley Branch took part in a Swimathon thatshe organised earlier this year, her aim was to swim ‘A length forevery year of her life’ EIGHTY TWO, to raise money for the Women’sSection Benevolent Fund. She was ably supported by her friends andmembers of the Branch, some who swam whilst others collectedsponsorship, she managed to raise over £1,150. This was not the firsttime Doreen has organised a Swimathon to raise money; she usuallyraises money for the Poppy Appeal. After all that swimming Doreenalso raised money by raffling a 'Tartan Teddy' at the local 'Switchingon of the Lights' event. Congratulations and well done Mrs Baker.

School childrenlend a helpinghandThis picture wastaken of a handmade poppy whichwas made bychildren from EnglishMartyrs Primary School in Southwick,Sunderland. Every year they collect poppies anda collection box from Castletown Branch and sellthem, this year they did such a good job that theyran out so made their own poppies to sell for 20peach. They managed to raise £98 for the PoppyAppeal, thank you very much for your help andhard work. The hand made poppy and article wassent in from Maureen Witherspoon from theBranch.

80th AnniversaryGreat Wakering Branch recently celebrated their 80thAnniversary; this picture was taken of the committee membersalong with Mrs Wall, President and Mrs Artis, Chairman. Theycelebrated the event with food and entertainment with 100people in attendance.

70th AnniversaryThorney Branch celebrated their 70th Anniversary with a service held at Thorney Abbey, this photo wastaken of the Standard Bearers at the event.

70th year Poppy Appeal ServiceawardAt the RBL Berkshire Poppy Appeal launch atNewbury Racecourse Mr Tim Brook-Taylorpresented Mrs Freda Keel from Tadley branchwith her 70th Year RBL Poppy Appeal ServiceAward for her help with the local Poppy Appealincluding helping to organise the eventespecially with ordering the wreaths andcollecting.

Memorial unveilingThis photograph was taken of Cora Elliott, Eye Branch Secretary in Suffolk and her husbandat the unveiling of the British Cyprus Memorial on Remembrance Day. The memorial issituated in Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus and is in memory of the 371 servicemen who died inCyprus from 1955-1959, one of whom was John’s 20 year old brother who was killed therein 1956.

Shoeboxes for soldiersThis photo was taken of Mrs Haddrell, Mrs Kerr andMrs Matthews from Weston-Super-Mare Branch whohad donated shoeboxes filled with sweets andtoiletries to be sent to the soldiers serving on thefrontline in Afghanistan. These boxes were collectedby Mr Peter Bond, Save our Soldiers area coordinator,who is also in the picture with these hard workingladies.


COn June 23rd 2009 Mrs. Pat Ayres along withother Members of the Kemble Women’s Section ofthe RBL, met pupils from Haydonleigh PrimarySchool, Swindon, who were accompanied bynumerous teachers as they arrived by train atKemble Railway Station, which had been pre-decorated for their arrival.

Many of the children were dressed in World War 2attire, some with imitation gas masks, as they

re-enacted the evacuation of children fromthe major cities of the United Kingdom to

the countryside to avoid the Germanbombing campaign.

The children walked from the stationto the local school where

refreshments were taken followedby an explanatory talk from a RBLmember.

The whole day was part of a schoolproject designed to enlighten thepupils to the historical events of

the Second World War.

This successful event was a repeat of thosepreviously undertaken by the Kemble Women’sSection.

Re-enactment of the evacuation of schoolchildren

C

Three members of the Peterborough branch,Margaret Wilson, Shani Morton and MarieSkells accepted an invitation from the HeadTeacher at Dogsthorpe Junior School to talkto the pupils in years 5 and 6 aboutRemembrance, the Royal British Legion andthe Women’s Sections part in that, and thework done by the two charities on behalf ofex service people and their families.

The children had been working on the historyof the Second World War throughout theautumn term and their knowledge of thesubject was very impressive.

After the talk we went back on twoafternoons and worked with six pupils fromeach class to make their version of a Poppywreath.

Margaret and Shani had made someexamples and the children quickly got to workmaking some very impressive wreaths. As wehad been given the go ahead for one of thewreaths to be laid during the Civic service on11/11 it was decided to have them judged,the winner to lay the wreath on the Town Hallsteps accompanied by the runner up.

On the 11/11 all of the children who hadtaken part attended the service. Oleta laidher wreath with Chloe as her escort andthey were made very welcome by everyone.They really enjoyed speaking to the veteransabout their war experiences and the medalsthey were wearing. They were afterwardsinvited to the Mayors reception.

The wreath was displayed in the Town Hallfor the rest of the week. The Mayor Cllr. MrsIrene Walsh was very impressed with thework we had done and is now arranging ameeting with the education department tosee if they can get more schools involved in2010.

We have already had an invitation to returnto the Dogsthorpe Junior School in 2010which we have accepted.

Members from Peterborough Branch alsorecently held a carol service in St MarysChurch which was led by Rev. SharonWalker and supported by the local voyagerSchool band and choir.

By Marie Skells, Peterborough Branch

Peterborough Branch working with local junior school


Circular 427:Circular summer 2008 - The Royal British Legion · Circular 427:Circular summer 2008...

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