- please note that the items in this newsletter should...
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August 2015 BRANCH SECRETARIES - PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ITEMS IN THIS
NEWSLETTER SHOULD FORM PART OF YOUR REPORT
LEGION LIFE MEMBERSHIP AWARDED
On Wednesday 8th July, Ray Gibson,
Chairman of East Cowes RBL Branch, was
surprised when Lt. Col David Langford,
Deputy Lord Lieutenant, arrived.
Unbeknown to Ray, the Branch had arranged
for him to be presented with his Legion
National Life Membership.
Ray joined the Legion in 1964 when he
became a member of Bittern Branch,
Southampton and has been involved in
Legion life and collecting for the Poppy
Appeal from the very beginning.
In 1976 Ray moved to the Isle of Wight, and
transferred his membership to East Cowes
Branch where he was very soon involved, becoming Branch Treasurer as well as a member of the Service Committee.
Having moved to Sandown Ray joined Shanklin Branch and then, following a further move, joined Newport & Carisbooke
Branch. Over the years Ray has been a Standard Bearer, welfare visitor, case worker and a Poppy Appeal organiser (a
role he still undertakes for the Godshill, Rookley and Newchurch District).
In 1991 Ray was elected onto the County Committee and later went on to become County Vice-Chairman and County
Chairman. Ray also undertook the role of County Poppy Co-ordinator from 1995 to 2004. As a member of the County
Committee, Ray was instrumental in forming a working party to develop the County Plan and worked tirelessly to bring
the County in line with current working practices.
Whilst County Chairman, Ray re-joined East Cowes
Branch in 1997 taking on the role of Branch Chairman to
help the Branch recruit following the loss of several
longstanding members. Despite ill health, Ray has
continued to work hard to keep the branch going.
In addition to the branch members, also attending the
presentation were Karen Gibson (County Vice-Chairman)
Ernie Howard and Helen Howard (County Committee
Members).
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Membership Matters ……..
Information received from Stephanie Harris, our Membership Support Officer - Telephone Joining
Becoming a member via telephone is now live. Anyone wishing to join via this method should phone the Legion’s main contact number: 0808 802 8080, the call will then be transferred to Novacroft to process the membership application. Telephone joining will enable new joiners to pay for their membership by direct debit or debit/credit card and they will be able to join any branch. Please note new joiners will not be able to join a club via the telephone but if they are interested in joining a club they will be provided with the applicable contact information for the club.
On line joining
Online joining is also now available. Anyone wishing to become a member via this method should go to the Legion website at: http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/membership/join-us. When someone joins online, and they put in their contact address, it then identifies the 5 closest local branches as well as all the National branches so the individual can then choose whether they want to join a local or National branch. Online joining will enable new joiners to pay for their membership by direct debit or debit/credit card. Please note new joiners will not be able to join a club via online joining but they will be provided with the contact information for the club they would like to join during the online joining process.
Appointed Trustees
Please see attached letter from the National Chairman regarding appointed trustees.
Volunteers Wanted I am always looking for ways to support our beneficiaries, members and the general public as much and as quickly as possible. Over the past year I have seen a huge increase in requests for buglers for events (mainly funerals), speakers for schools and other organisations and befriending services. I am also asked for veterans to attend events or give talks. To enable me to deal with these requests quickly and efficiently I am seeking your help to build a local database that holds a list of volunteers that are able to assist with these queries. This will enable me to contact the volunteer directly rather than via the branch secretary who may be on holiday, unable to assist etc. The funeral cases are usually quite short notice so anything to speed up the process would help me immensely.
If you feel able to assist with any of the above roles, please e-mail me at [email protected] giving your contact details and brief outline of how you can help.
Following the Board of Trustees meeting on 18th June in regard to the Charter Motions and Motions carried at Annual Conference 2015 the “Resolutions – Action Taken” booklet has been produced which conveys the decisions of the Board of Trustees. Please find copy enclosed with this newsletter.
Steph Harris, MSO
NATIONAL and
AREA NEWS AND
EVENTS
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Marking the 70th
Anniversary of VJ Day.
There are a number of events taking place on the Island this month to mark the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day.
VENTNOR CARNIVAL - VJ DAY ANNIVERSARY - Wednesday 12th August, 2015
Standard Bearers and veterans are invited to take part in Ventnor carnival on Wednesday 12 August. This
parade will commemorate the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day. Form up is at the bottom of Dudley Road/Albert
Street at 6.30pm for March off at 7pm.
The parade will march behind the Mayor's car at the front of the procession and a couple of veterans have
already been invited to ride in his car. The parade will march round the town twice, although anyone is able to
drop out after one circuit.
For more information contact Danny McMeechan on 854869 or "[email protected]".
SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION – St. George’s Church, Arreton – 15th August, 2015
The above invitation has been received for a service to be held at St. George’s Church, Arreton on Saturday 15th August 2015 at 11am. Because St. George’s Church is small, please contact Reverend Janice O'Shaughnessy, Vicar of St George's Church, Arreton to let her know you will be going. Email: [email protected]
OTHER ISLAND
NEWS AND
EVENTS
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VJ 70 DRUMHEAD SERVICE - Warnes Lane Field, Brighstone – 23rd August, 2015
The Isle of Wight RBL County Committee assisted by Brighstone & District Branch are holding a Drumhead
Service to mark the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day on Sunday 23rd August. The event is being held in Warnes
Lane Field, Brighstone and will commence at 2pm.
In addition to the drumhead service, there will be a grand display from the Medina Marching Band with
RBL and other Association Standards also giving a display.
Brighstone Branch are aiming to serve up tasters of the food eaten in the 1940’s
and anyone wishing to come along in 1940’s style dress are very welcome to do
so.
Any Branch who wishes to is welcome to have a stall at the event. Please
contact Reg Hunt IW 740107 for more details.
Plans are also in progress for a surprise event.
Please come along and support us.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- National Events for VJ Day70 On June 21, the government announced that The Royal British Legion, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, will lead the national commemorations this summer to mark the 70th Anniversary of Victory over Japan Day, known as ‘VJ Day 70’, taking place on Saturday 15 August 2015 in central London. Let VJ Day stories live on
The Legion is seeking stories from people who either served in the Pacific or who were civilian FEPOWs (Far East Prisoners of War) during the Second World War. If you have a story to share, or know of a family member, friend or beneficiary who may like to share their experiences, please encourage them to email their story to [email protected] with subject header ‘VJ Day 70 stories’.
Keeping you informed
As new information becomes available the VJ Day 70 Events Team will keep you informed via regular email updates. Further information will also be posted on the MAP. In addition, further information and updates will be posted on the Legion’s VJ Day page and the Government’s VJ Day website.
For all enquiries regarding the upcoming VJ Day commemorations please email [email protected] or call 020 3053 7015.
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WW1 Anniversary Events
GREAT WAR MEMORIAL DEDICATION – Wednesday, 12th August
On Wednesday, 12th August 2015 Newport Parish Council are dedicating their “Great War Memorial”. This will take place at 2pm on the riverbank opposite the Maplins/Cineworld complex. The sculpture is a commemoration to those that fought and died during the Great War (1914-1918) and the date marks the 100th anniversary of an action against enemy positions in Gallipoli by the 8th Hants (Isle of Wight Rifles) where many local men lost their lives.
GALLIPOLI COMMEMORATION CEREMONY – Sunday, 16th August A Gallipoli commemoration ceremony has been organised by the Ventnor WWI Commemoration Committee and this will take place on Sunday 16 August in Ventnor Park, Park Avenue, Ventnor. All veterans, standard bearers, ex-service associations, youth organisations, police, fire and prison service are being invited. From 1pm there will be music by Quintisle and the Sandown & Shanklin Military Band. Static displays have been organised and will include a display of WWI weaponry and artefacts. There will also be a raffle with some great prizes including tea for two at The Royal Hotel, Ventnor. Form up for a short march is at 2.30pm followed by a church service at 3pm. The ceremony will end at 3.30pm and everyone is invited to Ventnor RBL social club for a buffet. Parking is available 300 metres past the War Memorial towards the Botanic Gardens. It is in Flowersbrook House, the first entrance on the left. The IW Lord Lieutenant will be in attendance along with local and Island dignitaries. If you would like to attend or require more information, please contact Danny McMeechan on 854869 or "[email protected]". Danny McMeechan Major (Retd) Chairman, Ventnor WWI Commemoration Committee
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News from the Women’s Section on the Isle of Wight ……
The Women’s Section will be having a Tombola stall at Calbourne Mill 1940’s event over the weekend of 8th/9th August 2015. We are pleased to hear that Jenny Dyer, our County President, is making good progress following her recent surgery. Women’s Section Handicraft Compeition will be taking place at Whippingham Village Hall on Monday 28th September. The Women’s Section county conference will be held on Monday 23rd November 2015
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
COWES RBL BAND
In July this year the Cowes Royal British Legion Band completed their twenty seventh visit
to Deauville, the Normandy twin town of Cowes, for the annual Bastille Day Parade. The
Drum Major, Roy Jackson, has attended all twenty –seven times.
Our many thanks go out to the other Island marching bands who are RBL affiliates, Vectis Corps Of Drums, Wight
Diamonds, & Medina Marching Band, for whom their goodwill allows us pull this off
Les Gladdis
Cowes RBL Band
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HAPPY RETIREMENT ROY!!
Roy Thomas was presented with a silver photo frame and a clock on Sunday 28th June by the
Club Chairman, Tony Coleman, to mark his retirement after 26 years working behind the bar
at Shanklin RBL Club.
Many members signed a card for him to mark the occasion and were there to wish him well.
As there was music being played that afternoon for a members birthday the DJ announced as Roy left the
club “Roy is leaving the building” and this was met by a round of applause from those present. Many
members have remarked how much he will be missed after so many years of service to members both past
and present during such a long period of service.
Mrs. Rita Newsham
Shanklin Branch is sad to announce the sudden passing of Mrs Rita Newsham on 30th June aged just 60.
Rita was one of the founder members of Shanklin Royal British Legion Ladies Darts League which was
formed just over thirty years ago.
For the last 15 years she has been Chairperson for the Darts League and her vibrant and cheery personality
made the annual presentation night in Shanklin RBL Club a lively and enjoyable evening for all present. She
will be sorely missed not just by her own team, of which she was Captain, but also the many lady darts
team players in the league, both past and present.
Although team numbers have dwindled over the last few years Rita was determined to keep the league
going and to that end her fellow players will do their best to keep it as a memorial to her. Her popularity
was obvious by the number of friends and fellow dart team members who attended her funeral and there
were around 200 people in attendance to support her family.
She leaves her husband Steve, brother Brian, Daughter Kerry and son Lee along with two young
grandchildren.
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Calling all Standard Bearers and
prospective Standard Bearers …….
A Standard bearers open day event will be held on Saturday 22nd
August at the Community Centre in St Martins Road Wroxall
between 1:00pm and 4:00pm. The idea of the event is for anyone
who might be interested in carrying a standard to come along and
find out more about standard bearing. Have a chat with the
standard bearers, have a try at carrying a standard and find out
about the standard bearer training evenings.
To that end I would be very grateful if you display the
enclosed poster or make its contents known to anyone
you think may be interested.
If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact
me on [email protected]
Terry Clarkson,
IW RBL County Parade Marshal
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We have three RBL Clubs on the Isle of Wight.
Club membership is open to all Legion
members.
Please contact the club direct for more
information.
NEWS FROM
THE
CLUBS
RYDE RBL CLUB
Can be found at -
1 St. James Street,
Ryde, IW. PO33 2NF
For more information visit their
website at:
www.ryderbl.co.uk
OR telephone 01983 613302
VENTNOR RBL CLUB
Can be found at –
35 High Street,
Ventnor, IW, PO38 1LZ
For more information visit their website at:
www.rblsc-ventnor.co.uk
OR telephone 01983 853905
The Club is currently undergoing some
refurbishment but remains open for business as
usual.
Live Entertainment on Saturdays - 9pm to Midnight
1st
Aug Patsy’s Cabaret
8th
Aug Beats Working
15th
Aug Darren’s Disco
22nd
Aug Stevie B
28th
Aug Simon Howard
SHANKLIN RBL CLUB
Can be found at –
2 Collingwood Road,
Shanklin, IW, PO37 7LN
Lunches available most days. Sunday roast
available but must be booked in advance.
Live entertainment most Saturdays.
For more information please contact the
club direct on 01983 862234
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DIARY DATES ……. 9th August – Gallipoli Commemorative Church Service, Newport Minster 2.45pm. For more information contact Garath Sprack IW 566156 e-mail [email protected]
12th August – Newport Parish Council - Dedication of Great War Memorial 2pm 12th August – Ventnor Carnival 6.30pm 15th August – VJ70 Service, St. George’s Church, Arreton 11am
16th August – WW1 event Ventnor Park. For more information contact Danny McMeechan e-mail [email protected] 22nd August – Standard Bearer Open Day. Wroxall Community Hall 1pm 23rd August – VJ70. Drumhead Service at Brighstone. For more information contact Reg Hunt IW 740107 or Terry Clarkson [email protected] 4th September - Meeting of Branch Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen. Ventnor RBL Club 6.30pm 6th September -Earl Mountbatten Memorial Service, Romsey Abbey Further details: [email protected]
24th October – County Poppy Launch, St. Thomas Square, Newport
8th November -Remembrance Sunday 26th November – IW County Standard Bearer Competition. Church Centre, Newport at 6.45pm
The next meeting for all Branch
Chairmen and Vice-Chairman will take
place at Ventnor RBL Club on Friday
4th September at 6.30pm
Some Car parking may be available in
the immediate vicinity of the Club,
alternatively the Central car park in is
only about 300 metres away.
We will remember them ……
M. Channing – Ventnor
R. Jacobs – Ventnor
Mrs. R. Newsham – Shanklin
Les Skinner – East Cowes
Our sincere condolences go to their family
and friends.
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30th June 2015 was the financial year end for Branches. For several of you, this year
will be the first time you have had to complete the year end return. This should be a
straight forward process but if you have any problems or queries please contact either
Steph Harris, our MSO [email protected] or Karen Gibson
[email protected] . Karen can also be contacted by phone on 07791 065709
By now you should have -
The appropriate Receipts & Payments or Branch Account Form for the Branch
The “Guide to Completing the Branch Annual Return”
If you have not received your pack please let Steph Harris know immediately.
Please remember that the form needs to be approved by the Branch Committee
before it is sent for Independent Examination and once the examination has been
completed the form should be sent to Steph. This needs to be done by 30th
September. Please DO NOT wait for your branch AGM before sending off the form to
Steph.
Contact details for the Independent Examiners on the Isle of Wight were included in
last month’s newsletter but if you missed this their details are repeated below.
Karen Gibson
01983 865664
07791 065709 [email protected]
David Ramsay 01983 524849 [email protected]
Claire Kay
01983 811652
07927 112600 (text only) [email protected]
If the branch does not submit the completed form by 30th September (as well as the
MS1 form in December), it will not be eligible for voting representation at Conference
nor will the branch be able to participate in the nomination and election via postal
ballot for elected officers so it is important for the branch not miss the deadline.
The Branch should also be aware that if it has failed to submit its year end returns for
two consecutive years as at 1st October 2015 automatic closure procedures will be
commenced by HQ. The County does not wish to see this happen to any of our
branches on the IW so please, please, if you think you are going to have a problem let
Steph Harris, our MSO, know immediately.
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ALL LEGION ENQUIRIES
(including Welfare Requests)
SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE CONTACT CENTRE
ON
0808 8028080
________________________
Membership Support Officer – Mrs Stephanie
Harris
104 Above Bar Street, Southampton,
Hampshire, SO14 7DT
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.britishlegion.org.uk
Registered Charity number 219279
Newsletter Enclosures:-
Resolutions – Action Taken
Appointed Trustees letter
Standard Bearer Open Day poster
Hampshire South & IW Poppy Appeal
Newsletter
IT’S YOUR
NEWSLETTER !!!
If anyone has any articles they would
like to submit for publication in the
monthly newsletter please e -mail the
newsletter editor at
Or send to:
2 Hope Mead, Langbridge, Newchurch, IW, PO36 0NP
by the 20th of each month.
Anything from jokes and poems, or
hints and tips to remarkable personal
achievements and Branch events. Or
even adverts!
Everything will be considered.