The Royal British Legion

SOMERSET COUNTY & BRISTOL

NewsletterMay 2017

In this Edition

There are 6 Newsletter issues every year:January : March : May : July : September : November

The deadline for articles for the July issue is 21st June - see back page for details

***Civic Award for

Frome Chair***

Thanks for PoppyAppeal Effort

***Somerset Archives

***Festival of

RemembranceInformation &Booking Forms

***Crewkerne Says

Thank-you***

Women at War 100

***

2017 StandardBearer Training

Dates

May 2017

2

Jane Norris, Chair of Frome Branch, has been awarded the Frome Mayor's CivicAward for her outstanding work with the Royal British Legion, especially theremembrance parades and working with J W Singer of Frome to get the statue ofSgt Charlie Robbins relocated to the Frome Memorial Theatre.

The statue of Charlie Robbins, a World War One soldier, was hidden away on aSomerset trading estate for years but has now been moved to the theatre anddedicated.

The bronze of Sgt Charlie Robbins, who worked at the JW Singer foundry inFrome, has stood in the town for 13 years but little was known about him.Following an appeal for information, it was found he served in the 2/5th BattalionGloucestershire Regiment.

After thewar, the Singerworkermodelled for a statue and anumberwere castwithone put outside the factory. Sue Bucklow from Frome Museum said since theirappeal they discovered Sgt Robbinswas a "typical Tommy" who servedthroughout the war. "He survived,came back and carried on working atSinger's until he retired in 1960," shesaid. "We've come across a couple ofgreat-nieces who remember him as avery nice chap, quiet, well spoken,kind and caring."

To mark the 100th anniversary of theoutbreak of World War One, the statuehas been moved from outside the oldSinger building on theMarstonTradingEstate, to the Frome Memorial Gardenoutside the town's Memorial Theatrethat was built after the war tocommemorate those who died.

Humphrey Barnes from FromeMemorial TheatreTrust said: "JWSinger put up two lovelyplaques inside the foyerwith all the names of the fallen in that conflict. We feel that the statue nowcompletes the picture and this is where he should be."

Russ Laye - Frome Branch

Mayor's Civic Award for Chair of RBL FromeMay 2017

3

CONQUER MOUNTAINS

RETRACE HISTORY. SCALE HEIGHTS. FEEL LIBERATED.Follow the toughest Second World War escape route over the Pyrenees

and raise money for the Armed Forces community.

The Freedom Trail 18 – 24 September 2017

JOIN THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION ON A TREK OF A LIFETIME AT RBL.ORG.UK/FREEDOMTRAIL

rbl_mens_fitness_210x297mm.indd 1 03/03/2017 14:01

May 2017

4

National Memorial Arboretum VisitThe Weston-super-Mare Branch is organising a trip to theNational Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on 5th July2017. If anyone is interested in going please contact MikePharaoh (Branch Chairman) for more details at: -

mike.p24@hotmail.com or call him on 01934 248137

I wish to express my thanks to you, your Branches and Members, for the supportyou give to the Poppy Appeal. This year has been another remarkable year, withthe total today standing at £43,515,260.45! Compared to last year’s figure of£41,741,071.33 year to date, we are currently 4.25% up.

This fantastic success is down to a team effort; without your support and workingtogether with the Community Fundraising and Poppy Appeal team, we would notbe able to achieve what we have.

Year on year, the demand for the poppy increases and each year you and yourteams help us to meet that demand. I think we should be truly proud of what hasbeen achieved this year, we have been able to raise such a substantial amount offunds, ensuring that The Royal British Legion can continue to support those whoneeds us, when they needs us.

On my behalf, please will you pass my thanks on to your Branches and Members.

Here’s to another successful year!

Kind regardsClaire RowcliffeDirector of Fundraising30 March 2017

Thanks from Haig House for a Poppy Appeal Team Effort

May 2017

5

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NewAdvice&InformationSessions

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MarketHouseLane,Minehead

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daysaweekfrom8amto8pmRegistered charity nor: 219279

May 2017

6

Somerset Archives & Local Studies – An Excellent Service!Dennis Herniman, Pawlett Branch Chairman, contacted me recently about theexcellent help and service he had received from the Somerset Heritage Centre inTaunton. He has now stored there the old branch records of Pawlett Branchcovering the period from 1947 to 2009.

He thought that this information should be passed out to all branches in case theywanted to make use of the service to store their own branch archives.

There are no charges made for using this facility.

The full address of the Somerset Archives and Local Studies Service is as follows:

Somerset Heritage CentreBrunel WayNorton FitzwarrenTauntonTA2 6SFTel. 01823 278805Email somersetarchives@swheritage.org.uk

Kate Hurley - MSO Somerset

John Wilkins recently transferred to Clevedon Branch and we have sincediscovered that he is a real Action Man. He regularly takes part in sky diving,parachute jumps, bungee jumping etc., and all to raise money for Children'sCharities.

John is 87 years young and he is taking part in a tandem jump world record inSwindon on June 17th. He is looking for sponsors and we have received a letterfrom the Bristol Children's Hospital Charity Grand Appeal which lists his recordand achievements. A number of our Branch members have already signed up tosupport him and we wonder if any members of other Branches would be willingto sponsor John - more would be a great boost for his aims. We know we cannotuse Branch Funds to support him but on a personal level it is up to individuals, sohe would be delighted if other members felt they could give support.

Phyl Blackwell - Clevedon Branch

New Clevedon Member Seeks Sponsorship

May 2017

7

FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE - 2017Evening (7pm) performance tickets can be obtained through County Office anda ticket application form for your Branch is in this Newsletter. Please completethe form and return to County Office. Applications must be received in CountyOffice no later than 11th August 2017. Applications received after this date willnot receive tickets, andmust bemade throughand signedby theBranchSecretary.No more than 4 tickets will be allocated per branch, if however there are sparetickets these will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Please note thatall tickets cost £10 and cheques, made payable to TRBL, must be enclosed withapplication forms. Please also note that your seating preference very muchdepends on the availability of tickets for the seating required and preferencescannot be guaranteedPlease make clear on the application form if you require wheelchair spaces. Thisis important, as all other disabled persons must be fully ambulatory and able totake their seats without assistance.Please note that tickets for the afternoon (2pm) performance are only availablefrom the Ticket Shop of the Royal Albert Hall and must be obtained direct inaccordance with the instructions enclosed. All Legion members can purchasetheir afternoon tickets from 09:00 on the 1st July. Ticket prices start at £11 to £27.DO NOT apply for afternoon performance tickets via County Office.The RAH Box Office can be contacted on 0845 401 5045 or online atwww.royalalberthall.comStandard Bearers wishing to participate must apply to County Office. Dependingonnumbers required, nominated StandardBearers for theCountywill be, in orderand if available, John Gallop and Ben Brett-Morgan. The County CeremonialOfficer will consider others that apply. Formal letters will be sent once ourStandardBearer participationhas been confirmed. Ticket requests for any eligibleaccompanyingpartner/spouse shouldbemade through their respectiveBranches.Standard Bearer attendance must be confirmed with County Office by 30th June2017.Cenotaph Ceremony and March Past – Applications stating whether they arerequired for the Ex-Service Contingent or the Non Ex-Service Contingent must bereceived in County Office no later than 11th August 2017. Tickets and full joininginstructions will be despatched to applicants by County Office when receivedfrom Head Office during September.

Kate Hurley MSO

May 2017

8

The Royal British Legion Somerset County

Royal Albert Hall Saturday 11th November 2017 Ticket Application

Branch: Code: BR This Branch would like to apply for ……. Tickets, at £10 each, for this years Festival of Remembrance, on Saturday 11th November. The details of those attending are as follows: -

Full Name Date & Place of Birth

Legion Member Number

Address

Full Name Address

Full Name Address

Full Name Address

Please complete all details in full for each person, otherwise the form will be returned Branch Secretary’s Signature……………………….… Print name………………………………..……

I enclose a cheque for £ …….. (made payable to The Royal British Legion)

I would prefer seats in the *2ndTier/*Stalls/*Circle/*Anywhere

Please return tickets to: …………………………….

…………………………….

…………………………….

* Please delete as applicable. Please also note that your seating preference cannot be guaranteed. This correctly completed application form must be back at the County Office by 11th August 2017.

County Secretary Dunkirk Memorial House Bishops Lydeard Taunton TA4 3BT

May 2017

9

Please complete this form and return to:

County Secretary, TRBL

County Office Dunkirk Memorial House

Bishops Lydeard Somerset TA4 3BT

CENOTAPH CEREMONY SUNDAY 12th NOVEMBER 2017 Legion Branch Application for Tickets

County:

Contact Name:

Appointment:

Address:

Tickets and all future correspondence will be sent to this address

Post Code:

Telephone Number:

Email:

No of EX-SERVICE tickets requested:

No of NON EX-SERVICE tickets requested:

Signature: Date:

PLEASE NOTE: CIVILIANS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PARADE IN THE EX-SERVICE COLUMNS

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY 11 AUGUST 2017

RBL USE ONLY

Column Marker: ....................................... Date Issued: .........................................

Ticket Numbers: ....................................... Signature: .........................................

The Royal British Legion Somerset County

Royal Albert Hall Saturday 11th November 2017 Ticket Application

Branch: Code: BR This Branch would like to apply for ……. Tickets, at £10 each, for this years Festival of Remembrance, on Saturday 11th November. The details of those attending are as follows: -

Full Name Date & Place of Birth

Legion Member Number

Address

Full Name Address

Full Name Address

Full Name Address

Please complete all details in full for each person, otherwise the form will be returned Branch Secretary’s Signature……………………….… Print name………………………………..……

I enclose a cheque for £ …….. (made payable to The Royal British Legion)

I would prefer seats in the *2ndTier/*Stalls/*Circle/*Anywhere

Please return tickets to: …………………………….

…………………………….

…………………………….

* Please delete as applicable. Please also note that your seating preference cannot be guaranteed. This correctly completed application form must be back at the County Office by 11th August 2017.

County Secretary Dunkirk Memorial House Bishops Lydeard Taunton TA4 3BT

May 2017

10

The Crewkerne Branch visited the children’s organisations in Crewkerne to say a

big thank you for attending the Remembrance Parade and services. To thank the

children, Branch members presented them with a Poppy patch for their uniforms.

The attendance was most successful and it was lovely to see so many flags flying

and all the different colours of uniforms.

Alice Samuel, Crewkerne Branch Secretary

Crewkerne Branch Says Thank-youMay 2017

11

On Friday 7 July 2017, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, the

Royal British Legion will mark the centenary of the Women’s Army Auxiliary

Corps (WAAC) – the first time women were formally fully enrolled in our Armed

Forces – as well as women’s Service in the British Armed Forces ever since.

Applications to attend the ceremony and reception are open to women who have

served the Crown on military operations or in uniform.

You can apply by going to www.britishlegion.org.uk/women100 - this website

contains further information about the event and an application form.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 24 May. Places will be allocated on

a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have any queries please email women100@britishlegion.org.uk or phone

020 3053 7216.

The Commemorative Events Team

women100@britishlegion.org.uk

www.britishlegion.org.uk

The Royal British Legion

199 Borough High Street

London SE1 1AA

WOMEN AT WAR 100The Royal British Legion will mark the centenary of women’s

Service in the UK Armed Forces.

May 2017

12

Thank You!A big thank you to these Branches for their donations to the County Welfare Fund: -

Portishead Branch for their very kind donation of £209.10

Pawlett Branch for their very generous donation of £1000

Pilton Branch for their very kind donation of £500

Additionally, grateful thanks go to Crewkerne Branch which donated £250 toSomerset Legion House, £250 to the Admiral Nurses and £500 to the minibusappeal at Dunkirk Memorial House.

Kate Hurley, Membership Support Officer – Somerset

POPPY APPEALORGANISER

REQUIRED FORSEASIDE TOWN

Minehead does not have

a Poppy Appeal

Organiser at the

moment. If anyone

would like to take on

this role, or knows

someone who would be

interested, please

contact Adam Brown

(Community Fundraiser

for Somerset) on

07795611494 or email

to ADBrown@britishlegion.org.uk

Burnhom on seo Bronch iEU

Fridoy Coffee MorningslOom till 12 Noon

AtBronch HQ

Come ond pull up o sondbagfor coffee & coke

RECRUITING ADVISORS

Any branch that has anyone wishing to be aRecruiting Advisor, or that has a RecruitingAdvisor who would like some training, pleasecontact: -

Martin HealeCounty Recruiting Officerheale61@hotmail.com

May 2017

13

County Caseworkers NeededCounty Welfare Caseworkers urgently needed in the Mendip and SouthSomerset council areas. Full training will be provided.

Please call the Contact Centre on 0808 802 8080 and they will send you afull information pack.

If you need any further information what is involved in the role, pleasecontact Dennis Cruze (CCSC Chairman) at: denniscruze@btinternet.com orTel: 01934 823340

Kate Hurley, Membership Support Officer – Somerset

Holiday Accomodation in Northern FranceHistoric, former coaching inn, built in 1724, sleeping up to 10 people in 5bedrooms. Situated near St Omer, France; close to Calais, Dunkirk, Ypres andthe Somme. Ideal for visiting war graves and museums in the region.

The address of the property is: 2, Contour de L'eglise, Volckerinckhove, Nord59470, France.

Contact: Julian Gough, 12, Nash Close, Heckington, Lincolnshire, NG349UP. Tel: 01529 469082. email: juliangough68@hotmail.com

Burnhom on seo Bronch iEU

Fridoy Coffee MorningslOom till 12 Noon

AtBronch HQ

Come ond pull up o sondbagfor coffee & coke

May 2017

14

SOMERSET COUNTY STANDARD BEARER TRAINING - 2017

Month Day & Date Time Venue

February Saturday 4th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallMarch Tuesday 7th 19:00 - 21:00 East Huntspill Village Hall April Saturday 15th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallMay Tuesday 23rd 19:00 - 21:00 East Huntspill Village Hall June Saturday 10th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community Hall

September

Saturday 9th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallSaturday 16th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallSaturday 23rd 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallSaturday 30th 09:00 - 14:00 Highbridge Community Hall

(Competition)October Saturday 21st 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallNovember Saturday 25th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallDecember Saturday 16th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community Hall

Standard Bearers are expected to turn out for training in uniform that complies with the Ceremonial Handbook - see ch.6.2 for full details.

SOMERSET COUNTY STANDARD BEARERS EVENTS - 2017January Saturday 7th County Conference, Writhlington School

February Saturday 11th Regional Competition, Romsey, HampshireJune Sat/Sun 17th/18th Armed Forces Day Parades, Weston-super-Mare

June Sunday 25th Drumhead Service & Parade, ClevedonSeptember Sunday 3rd Double Hills Parade, Paulton

RBL SOMERSET TIESIf you would like a Somerset County Legion Tie

they are available from County Office for £2.00 donation.Please contact Kate Hurley – MSO.

Holiday Accommodation in Southern SpainBenalmadena Costa, Malaga

Quiet complex right by the seaContact Mr. Nick Greedy on

07958696678

May 2017

15

SOMERSET COUNTY STANDARD BEARER TRAINING - 2017

Month Day & Date Time Venue

February Saturday 4th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallMarch Tuesday 7th 19:00 - 21:00 East Huntspill Village Hall April Saturday 15th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallMay Tuesday 23rd 19:00 - 21:00 East Huntspill Village Hall June Saturday 10th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community Hall

September

Saturday 9th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallSaturday 16th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallSaturday 23rd 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallSaturday 30th 09:00 - 14:00 Highbridge Community Hall

(Competition)October Saturday 21st 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallNovember Saturday 25th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community HallDecember Saturday 16th 14:00 - 16:00 Highbridge Community Hall

Standard Bearers are expected to turn out for training in uniform that complies with the Ceremonial Handbook - see ch.6.2 for full details.

SOMERSET COUNTY STANDARD BEARERS EVENTS - 2017January Saturday 7th County Conference, Writhlington School

February Saturday 11th Regional Competition, Romsey, HampshireJune Sat/Sun 17th/18th Armed Forces Day Parades, Weston-super-Mare

June Sunday 25th Drumhead Service & Parade, ClevedonSeptember Sunday 3rd Double Hills Parade, Paulton

Please, would all Branches send any old Standard Bearer equipment toCounty Office so that it can be used for training purposes.

If your Branch has a new Standard Bearer who can't get to the training sessionslisted above it may be possible to arrange other sessions depending on the date,time and place - petrol money would be appreciated!Contact John Gallop on 01934 862621 to discuss possibilities.New Standard Bearers must attend at least three sessions to learn the basic skillsrequired. Standard Bearers are expected to turn out at events in uniform thatcomplies with the RBL Ceremonial Handbook – see Ch. 6.2. for full details. Theyshould also turn out for training dressed accordingly.

SOMERSET COUNTY & BRISTOL

EVENTS DIARY – 2017

RBL Somerset County & Bristol NewsletterMaterial for publication should be sent, by email, to the County Secretary

(KHurley@britishlegion.org.uk) at County Office, to arrive by the 21st of the preceding month.All articles must be attributable – anonymous articles will not be published.

Please send text as an attached Word document or within the body of the email. Sendimages as attached .jpg or .png files. Don't resize them - don't include them within a text file.

County reserves the right to edit, amend, defer or omit articles as necessary.The current edition of the Newsletter, together with an archive of previous editions,

can be found on-line at:-www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/somerset/newsletters/county-newsletter

To publicise on this page your Branch events for this summer and beyondcontact the MSO/County Secretary