“Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve”

Registered Charity No 219279

Published and produced by Paul Boston Views and opinions which may appear in the “Grapevine" are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Royal British Legion.

May 2012

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Issue No 13

GNOSALL & DISTRICT BRANCH THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

BRANCH INTERACTIVE eNEWSLETTER MAY 2012 Many parts of our newsletter are interactive and link to various websites. Please use your cursor to find them!

“Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve”

Registered Charity No 219279

Published and produced by Paul Boston Views and opinions which may appear in the “Grapevine" are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Royal British Legion.

May 2012

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Exhortation for the Fallen

“They shall grow not old as

we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor

the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun

and in the morning

We will remember them”.

“Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve”

Registered Charity No 219279

Published and produced by Paul Boston Views and opinions which may appear in the “Grapevine" are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Royal British Legion.

May 2012

Pag

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The Royal British Legion

Gnosall & District Branch 75th Anniversary 1936-2011

“Caring and Campaigning for the Serving and ex-Service Community”

About The Royal British Legion The Royal British Legion is the nation's leading Armed Forces charity providing care and

support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It is

also the national Custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between

the nation and its Armed Forces. It is best known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its

emblem the red poppy. Please visit the Legion website for details of our national initiatives

and how we can help you or other serving and ex serving members of Her Majesty’s Armed

Forces.

Our Branch Our next Branch/ Committee meeting will be held in the Gnosall Memorial Village Hall at

20.00hrs on Tuesday the 1st of May 2012, any supporters or members are invited to attend.

Membership is open to all serving and ex-service personnel and to any other person over 17

years of age with an interest in the work of the Legion. Prospective members should contact

the Chairman, Mr Bob Lacey on 01785 823438 or email Branch Information and Publications

News in brief A member of our Branch, Philip Fulloway and his daughter Frances Fulloway have completed

their tandem parachute jumps. Please can you pay your sponsorship money to Stella

Thornett the Honorary Secretary or phone 01785 822275

This year is set to be busy year for a lot of people. With the Olympics and the Jubilee as well

as some military anniversaries there will be lots for people to visit and take part in.

Our County and Borough Councils are scheduled to sign up to the Community Covenant. For

more information about Community Covenants please go to-

www.britishlegion.org.uk/campaigning/community-covenant

30th Anniversary of the Falklands War 1982 - 2012

Please give some time to remember those who died in the Falklands War 2nd of April 1982 to

the 14th of June 1982. This year is the 30th Anniversary of that War. Like all conflicts there

were many casualties as a consequence of this war. The Royal British Legion is continuing to

pick up the pieces even this long after the end of this war.

“Lest We Forget”

“The Grapevine”

“Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve”

Registered Charity No 219279

Published and produced by Paul Boston Views and opinions which may appear in the “Grapevine" are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Royal British Legion.

May 2012

Pag

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Our Branch is seeking a professional or semi professional photographer to work voluntarily

for our Branch. If you can help or know someone who can help please email us soon, thank

you. If you are aware of a serving or ex serving member of the forces who may require

support from the Legion please contact the Chairman Mr Bob Lacey.

New Standard Bearer and the need for a possible further two reserves.

Mr Neil James will take over as our Branch Standard bearer. Neil has been used as a stand

in standard bearer by many branches including the Riders Branch. He is not an ex

serviceman, but we must observe the very real commitment that Neil has given to the

Legion. Neil comes from a military background and we must thank him for the service he

has given so far. However, we are still looking for two deputy standard bearers to assist the

Branch. If you know of any person who can help us please let us know. All prospective adult

standard bearers must be 17 years of age or older and a member of the Legion. All serving

and ex serving standard bearers of the Legion are entitled to wear the standard bearer’s

blazer badge with respect and honour. We hope Neil will become our permanent standard

bearer when invited. Thank you Neil for your commitment so far.

“Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve”

Registered Charity No 219279

Published and produced by Paul Boston Views and opinions which may appear in the “Grapevine" are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Royal British Legion.

May 2012

Pag

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This video was produced for our Branch by a young girl. For other media links please visit

here.

This year is another momentous occasion. The Olympic Torch passes through the village of

Gnosall on the 30th of May at about 16.30hrs. Between the 2nd and 5th of June the Nation

celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second and as most of

you are aware the Queen is our Patron. Below there is an image of three posters which can

be clicked to download a Gnosall poster.

“Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve”

Registered Charity No 219279

Published and produced by Paul Boston Views and opinions which may appear in the “Grapevine" are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Royal British Legion.

May 2012

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Anzac Day 2012

Despite being a very wet and windy day there were still some representatives from the local

council’s, Australian High Commission and the New Zealand Embassy. There was of course

the North Staffordshire County and the South Staffordshire County, The Royal British Legion

Officers and representatives. Unfortunately, the parade was called of and there was only a

brief wreath laying ceremony. The pictures above are not brilliant because of the weather

and there were not any good opportunities to gain any good photos. This is a shame, but at

least respect was given to the sacrifice of the Anzac Forces.

Branch Powerpoint Presentation

Our Branch powerpoint presentation can be delivered by our Branch Chairman free of

charge at your group events or meetings. This month we will be delivering presentations

to the NHS trust in Cheddleton and the Phoenix Club in Gnosall. This presentation

features the work and roles of the Royal British Legion. For more information please

contact the Branch Chairman Mr Bob Lacey on 01785 823438 or you can email the

Chairman by clicking here Thank you.

“Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve”

Registered Charity No 219279

Published and produced by Paul Boston Views and opinions which may appear in the “Grapevine" are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Royal British Legion.

May 2012

Pag

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Diamond Jubilee Pageant 10 May 2012 - 13 May 2012

The Royal British Legion are thrilled to have been given the opportunity to involve some of

our supporters in the Diamond Jubilee Pageant taking place at Windsor Castle, in

celebration of Her Majesty The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The performance will take

attendees on a journey that follows the State and Commonwealth visits The Queen has

made during her reign. Over 500 horses and 800 international performers will come

together in a spectacular programme of horsemanship, military displays, music and

dancing.

Corporate Box Tickets……………………..

Corporate Boxes for this unique event have been sold out for some time - but the Legion

has managed to obtain two boxes of 20 seats for each night and one box of 20 for

Saturday. This deal includes catering, VIP parking, a specially commissioned book and

commemorative gift, together with ringside seats for the performance. Cost per person is

£750.

Royal Box tickets……………………….

In addition, the Legion has four tickets per night for Thursday 10 May and Friday 11 May in

the Royal Box, in which The Princess Royal (Thursday) and HRH The Duke of Wessex

(Friday) will be present. If you're interested in these tickets, the cost will be £1,000 each.

To be a part of this truly one-in-a-lifetime experience, please contact Teresa Greener

urgently as seats are selling fast.

Contact: Teresa Greener T: 020 3207 2275 E: tgreener@britishlegion.org.uk

More information about the Pageant is available on their website www.diamond-jubilee-

pageant.com

Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant 3rd June 2012

A day you will remember - join The Royal British Legion in an once-in-a-lifetime

experience……

On the afternoon of Sunday 3 June 2012, special guests on The Royal British Legion's boat

will join one of the largest flotillas ever assembled on the river, in preparation for Her

Majesty The Queen, to take part in the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant.

“Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve”

Registered Charity No 219279

Published and produced by Paul Boston Views and opinions which may appear in the “Grapevine" are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Royal British Legion.

May 2012

Pag

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Over one thousand boats will take part in the Pageant with 30,000 flag-waving passengers

showing their support in celebration of Her Majesty's 60 year reign. The spectacle will be

further enhanced with music barges, boats spouting geysers and specially constructed

elements such as a floating belfry, its chiming bells answered by those from riverbank

churches.

Join the Flotilla……………………………

The Legion has a limited number of tickets available to be part of the flotilla and fully

experience this once-in-a-lifetime event. Tickets on The Legion's vessel, 'The Hollywood',

are priced at £1,000 per person. If you would like to be our guest on Sunday 3 June please

contact Sue Brodie at sue.brodie@zebrasponsorship.com or on 07767 847 276 for further

details. For more information about the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant visit

www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org

Recovery through performance

The Legion, Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass

Trust and the Ministry of Defence recently brought together 30 wounded, injured and sick

Service personnel to write, produce and perform their own play on the West End stage in

January 2012.

Members of the newly formed Bravo 22 Company, aged between 20 and 52, presented

two performances of a new play based on their experiences in conflict and in recovery,

entitled, “The Two Worlds of Charlie F" under the artistic auspices of Trevor Nunn CBE.

The company received standing ovations for their performances from packed houses.

Members of the company were involved in creating, performing, producing, directing,

designing, constructing and lighting the play.

The aim of the project is to improve confidence, self-awareness

and motivation to support individual recovery, and in particular help those who are

transitioning into civilian life. Some of the company will now undertake work experience

in the theatrical industry.

“Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve”

Registered Charity No 219279

Published and produced by Paul Boston Views and opinions which may appear in the “Grapevine" are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Royal British Legion.

May 2012

Pag

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The performances were attended by stars of the stage and screen including Ray Winstone

with daughters Lois and Jaime, Michael Sheen, Rachel McAdams, Andrew Lincoln, Joanna

Lumley, Robert Lindsay and Barbara Windsor (pictured congratulating a member of Bravo

22 Company).

See below a video filmed on the opening night of the performance found at this link.

Legion online magazine

Below is the link for the online flip version of the Royal British Legion magazine. I wonder

where the Royal British Legion got the idea for a flip version magazine from? I know

members get a hard copy of the magazine, but it is easier to save copies to your pc

rather than have loads of paper copies gathering dust. Our Branch of the Legion is

looking at ways to produce more information electronically rather than in paper format

which is not only environmentally friendly, but also it saves money!

March/ April 2012

Gnosall Parish News

Keep up to date with your local parish news by purchasing the GPN at you nearest outlet.

Calling all serving and ex serving navy personnel including the Royal Marines

The Stafford Branch of the Royal Navy Association needs you.

Gnosall Best Kept Village Poster Winners

Click the title above for the link to the poster winners.

“Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve”

Registered Charity No 219279

Published and produced by Paul Boston Views and opinions which may appear in the “Grapevine" are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Royal British Legion.

May 2012

Pag

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Gnosall Annual Parish Assembly

For more information about the annual assembly and what your Parish Council has been

doing please attend. Our Chairman will be delivering a brief speech regarding where the

small donation we received went to.

Olympic Torch through Gnosall

A once in a life time occasion to view the Olympic Torch going through Gnosall. The editor of

this newsletter is one of the Marshalls.

2012 Celebrations

A time table of the events can be viewed by clicking the title above.

Norbury Canal Festival 5th to the 7th of May 2012

Please support this event at Norbury which is in the Branch area.

Moreton Stuff

This title above affords you a vast array of information from the Moreton area. The editor of

this newsletter has some competition! This website has a lot of news and events including

the Jubilee celebrations scheduled to take place in Moreton this year.

Write a letter to our Patron

If you wish to write a letter to Her Majesty the Queen with regard to her service to our

country and Commonwealth please abide by the courtesy and protocol regulations. Any

member of the public can write to the Queen!

Committee/ Branch Timetable for 2012

ALL COMMITTEE/ BRANCH MEETINGS WILL BE HELD IN THE MEMORIAL VILLAGE HALL,

LOWFIELD LANE, GNOSALL UNLESS SPECIFIED OTHERWISE.

ALL MEETINGS BELOW WILL START AT 20.00HRS.

1. Tuesday the 1st of May 2012.

2. Tuesday the 5th of June 2012.

3. Tuesday the 3rd of July 2012.

4. Tuesday the 7th of August 2012.

5. Tuesday the 4th of September 2012.

6. Tuesday the 2nd of October 2012.

7. Tuesday the 6th of November 2012 (Annual General Meeting).

8. Tuesday the 4th of December 2012.

The timetable can be downloaded HERE

“Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve”

Registered Charity No 219279

Published and produced by Paul Boston Views and opinions which may appear in the “Grapevine" are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Royal British Legion.

May 2012

Pag

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What’s on- Click on the blue links below to go to the relevant web page for more information.

2 May 2012 A Soldier's Charity Concert

3 May 2012 Windsor Castle concert including a Diamond Jubilee for HM the Queen in St

Georges Chapel

10 May 2012 - 13 May 2012 Diamond Jubilee Pageant

11 May 2012 - 13 May 2012 The Berliner - 21st anniversary of the last British military

train

12 May 2012 "All Around The Coast" Albion Adventure begins

12 May 2012 York Cathedral 90th Anniversary Concert

18 May 2012 - 21 May 2012 Falklands War Memorial and Reunion, Stafford,

Staffordshire. For more information please go to this link

19 May 2012 National Memorial Arboretum Walk to the Wall 2012

Do you know of a person who does not have internet access?

Staffordshire Libraries have free internet access for up to an hour, but I think you can

pay for longer. The staff in our local libraries are very friendly and supportive. So if you

know of anyone who would like access to the internet, but does not know what they are

doing please direct them to their local library who may be able to help. Below are some

links to web locations where you can find a few brain teasers if you have time. If you

think you have a high IQ you can follow the link to the British Mensa site who also have

links to a few brain teasers.

Crosswords and Games

British MENSA

“Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve”

Registered Charity No 219279

Published and produced by Paul Boston Views and opinions which may appear in the “Grapevine" are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Royal British Legion.

May 2012

Pag

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Events List from the National Memorial Arboretum

In Association with Our Local Community If you wish to support the Gnosall & District Branch, The Royal British Legion by

arranging a function or charity event we would be interested to hear from you,

please email us, thank you.

“SERVICE NOT SELF”

Please check our website for more information about the work of the Royal British Legion and its Members. If you think you know of a serving or ex serving member of HM Forces who may need support from the Legion please contact our Chairman, thank you.

“Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve”

Registered Charity No 219279

Published and produced by Paul Boston Views and opinions which may appear in the “Grapevine" are not necessarily the views and opinions of the Royal British Legion.

May 2012

Pag

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Kohima Epitaph

“When you go home

Tell them of us and

say

For your tomorrow

We gave our today”.