The Royal British Legion

SOMERSET COUNTY & BRISTOL

NewsletterJanuary 2016

In this Edition

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

The deadline for articles for the March issue is 20th February - see back page for details

Ilminster PoppyCollector Retires

***Hutton PoppyAppeal Launch

***E & W CokerBranch Report

***Elliot Helps Out

***Admiral Nurse

Service in Somerset***

YTFC SupportsPoppy Appeal

***Williton

Remembers***

Thanks to StandardBearers ...

and to BranchesYeovil Town FC Supports TRBL Poppy Day Appeal

See article on page 7Yeovil Town FC

January 2016

2

AN ILMINSTER POPPY COLLECTOR RETIRES

A gathering of house-to-house Poppy Collectors from Ilminster and thesurrounding villages provided an ideal opportunity to thank Mrs Eileen Hector ofHorton for the sixty-five years that she has dedicated to the Poppy Appeal. Shehasdecided it is time to retire but a family traditionwill continuewhen, in aweek’stime, her daughter,MrsNicolaDawe,will takeover hermother’s collection route.

As a thank you for all her hard work Mrs Hector was presented with a bouquet offlowers and a Poppy Brooch.

Nicola Dawe, CarolGoodall PAO, EileenHector and Don Hector

John GoodallChairman

Ilminster Branch

Auction of PromisesDunkirk Memorial House

Sunday, 25th June 2016On the 25th June 2016, Dunkirk Memorial House will be holding an auctionof promises to raise funds. Please could any branches or members offer‘promises’ that could be auctioned. Please contact Sue (Activities Dept, DMH)or let me know and I will pass on the information.

Everyone is also very welcome to attend on the day.

Kate Hurley – MSO Somerset

January 2016

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POPPY APPEAL LAUNCH IN HUTTON

Waves of Harmony, a ladies' choir from Weston-super-Mare, thrilled theaudience at the launch in Hutton of the 2015 Poppy Appeal. Local Legionmembers accepted the challenge to beat last year's £14,000 total and PoppyOrganiser Norman Poole sent them on their way for a two-week collecting stint.

Themorning startedwith aparadeof the Standards ledby theUnion standard. Thiswas also Andrew Monkman's first public appearance as the Royal British Legionstandard bearer in Hutton.

Main attraction was theexcellent performance byWaves of Harmony,conducted by their musicdirector Mike Peters, whowas unfortunately con-fined to a wheelchair tonurse a broken ankle.

B.Cooper, Hutton Branch

NEW COUNTY APPOINTMENTS

The new County Recruiting Officer is Martin Heale. We wish Martin well inhis new role.

A big thank you to Peter Critchard of Wellington Branch for coming forward asMinute Secretary at County meetings.

TRAINING COURSES

If any branches would like to attend a Branch Management Course, or any newTreasurers would like to attend Branch Treasurer training, then please can youlet me know. I will try to arrange some courses locally in Somerset if there arelarge enough numbers.

Kate Hurley – MSO

January 2016

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EAST & WEST COKER BRANCH REPORT

For the first time the Branch Coffee Morning in aid of the 2015 Poppy Appeal washeld in West Coker Commemoration Hall. The event was very well attendedwith a total of £372.43 going to the Appeal with a further £152.67 for itemspurchased direct from the Poppy Shop, which had to be paid for up front and thensold on the day, making a grand total of £525.10 for RBL funds. To date the EastCoker District 2015 Poppy Appeal has reached £7801.25 with a little Gift Aid tobe added.

At the event a presentation was made to the two daughtersof the late David Reid MBE for his long standing dedicationand support to the Poppy Appeal, County, Branch and theRBLas awhole. SadlyDavidhadnotbeenwell for some timeand had been unable to accept the award. He passed awayaged 93 earlier this year. David Frederick Reid MBE was aLife Member of East Coker Branch. He had receivednumerousCertificates ofAppreciation fromHQ,County andBranch and was a holder of Gold and Meritorious badges. In1990 was awarded the MBE for services to the Royal BritishLegion. Davidwas a staunch supporter of the EarlHaig Fundas it was previously known.

In 1946 he began delivering andselling poppies and continued to doso each year until he was almost 91years old, a total of 67 years. As aregular collector, members of hisfamily joined him and together theycollected annually on the streets ofYeovil in weather both fair and foul.Over those many years he and hiswife Pat would have raised literallythousands of pounds in support ofthe Poppy Appeal and also SomersetLegion House. David was also a"beacon of light" for the Legion andsome of you may remember his slideshows. He gave over 600 shows to

David Reid MBE

David Reid's daughters, Sue & Peggy receiveDavid's Poppy Appeal Certificate from BranchTreasurer Clifford Humphreys

January 2016

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local branches, otherorganisations andgroups, all to raise awarenessof theLegionand to encourage support for the Poppy Appeal.

Right to the end, David maintained his keen interest in the way the Legion wasprogressing to ensure its long-term future. It is indeed rare to know of someonewho has devoted so many years of dedicated service to a charity he so muchadmired. Peggy Wyatt, David and Pat's daughter recently wrote and I quote:-

"He may be my father, my Legion activities now, have been as a direct result ofmy parents' belief in the ethos of the Legion and its caring attitude to others, butI consider that his and my Mother's years of support for the Poppy Appeal havebeen an inspiration for a number of people over the years"

Peggy and husband Chris (Wyatt) live in Spain and are members of the Hondonbranch. They are also on the District Committee of the RBL in Northern Spain.Chris has also been awarded the RBL Gold Award. This must be a record to havetwo Gold Award holders in the same family and for David’s legacy to be carriedon. Chris is also a member of our branch.

David Holland, Chairman, East & West Coker Branch

Elliot, aged 3¾, the grandson of Rosanne Crowther, Martock Branch has beenplaying his part for the Poppy Appeal. This is the second year he has been amagnificent help with carrying the poppy box thenswiftly changing to the goblet to ensure payment beforereleasing the exact amount of poppies to the customer!

Rosanne said "We have great aspirations of him joiningone of the Services when he is older with such a diversebackground of family members having served in theFleetAirArm,RoyalAir Force,Women’sRoyalAir Forceand Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service(although he will not be eligible for either of these), theRoyal Engineers (Topographical), the Army Air Corpsand the Merchant Navy, to name but a few!"

ELLIOT HELPS OUT WITH MARTOCK'S POPPY APPEAL

January 2016

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A diagnosis of dementia brings with it a sense of loss, confusion and helplessness,unless someone is there to offer advice and support. The Royal British LegionAdmiral Nurse Service has been developed in partnership with Dementia UK toprovide this support to the carers and families of those with dementia.

The team of specialist nurses led by Rachael Clarke based in Somerset, with aother teams in Lancashire, West Midlands and Hampshire. The Legion hasdeveloped the service because the number of ageing ex-Service personnel andtheir dependents is increasing significantly and with it the demands for care andsupport.

Some Legion care homes can provide 24-hour dementia care and the Legion iscurrently expanding that capability, but there was no community service untilnow. “We are looking at enabling and empowering families, and working withthem to care for the person with dementia,” says Rachael. “Most families want tobe able to keep the person with dementia living at home.

“We are going into people’s homes and providing an assessment of the families’needs in caring for the person with dementia, and supporting the carers inmanaging the changes that they are seeing in their loved one. Statutory servicesmay have been to see them, but their focus is on the person with dementia andnotonhow it affects thecarer and family.Weworkwith the family toenhance theirskills and improve the quality of life of the person with dementia.”

Rachael adds: “It is about living positively with the disease following diagnosis.Evenwhen things becomemoredifficult as the disease advances it is about findingsolutions to the problems as they arise.”

A typical day may include several home visits giving specialist advice such as daycare, social services or other legion services such as handy men services orfinancial assistance.

Rachael explained that Admiral Nurses began 20 years ago, started by a familywhose father was diagnosed with dementia. They set up a charity where nursesassumed a pivotal role, guiding and supporting carers and helping them come toterms with the life facing them.

“I feel I’m making a difference,” Rachael says. “The most rewarding part of the jobis visiting the families and getting positive feedback, and seeing the families’positive attitudes following my intervention.

TRBL ADMIRAL NURSE SERVICE IN SOMERSET

January 2016

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“Weare able to build up a relationshipwith the familywhich leads to us becominga trusted and reliable professional who they feel is like an extension to their familyunit.”

For more information on our service in Somerset, or to refer into us, please call

us on 01823 218443.

On the 14th November 2015, The County Chairman Robert McDonald, alongwith the MSO Kate Hurley, members of the 1 Regiment Army Air Corps fromYeovilton and Standard Bearers from Somerton, East and West Coker (along withtheir Chairman David Holland) and Tintinhull RBL branches, attended a specialRemembrance fixture at Yeovil Town FC. A minutes silence took place inremembrance of the fallen, and also to show solidarity with the people of France,following the attacks in Paris the night before. Local cadets collected money forthe Poppy Appeal at half time, and all the players wore embroidered poppies ontheir shirts.

Again thanks go to everyone who came and helped on the day, and also to DaveLinney and Yeovil Town FC for hosting us.

Standard Bearers:

Bob Shadbolt

Tony Cox

Paul Taylor and

Dave Rogers

YEOVIL TOWN FC - SUPPORTING THE POPPY APPEAL

Yeovil Town FC

January 2016

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Williton Branch held theirannual Remembrance DayService at the villageMemorial Ground on 11thNovember. The service wasled by Jane Sefton of WillitonMethodist Church and wasattended by over 100villagers, including acontingent from the twovillage schools, CountyChairman, Bob MacDonaldand Dr Glynn Court, BurmaStar Association. StandardBearers were Williton’s CliveBrooks and Christine Watersfrom Quantock Branch.

After the service members of theBranch Committee proceeded toBicknoller Church to place a wreathat the grave of our past-president,Frank Morgan MBE who passedaway earlier this year.

Alan CoomberWilliton Branch

REMEMBRANCE DAY MARKED AT WILLITON

January 2016

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Queen’s Birthday 2016HMTheQueen’s 90thbirthday celebrationswill beingheldnationally on12thJune 2016. Branches may wish to start planning now events that they wish tohold next June.

Burnhom on seo Bronch iEU

Fridoy Coffee MorningslOom till 12 Noon

AtBronch HQ

Come ond pull up o sondbagfor coffee & coke

EXTENSION OF MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS DEADLINE

An extension to the membership renewals deadline from 31st December 2015to31stMarch2016hasbeenagreed, on thepremise that it is easier to get peopleto renew than re-join once lapsed.

A letter from the National Chairman is due to be sent to all Branches whichshould cover this point by the end of December 2015.

January 2016

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

Thank You!A big thank you to Milborne Port and District Branch which gave £500 toSomerset House, £500 to the Dunkirk Memorial Home, £1050 to the PoppyAppeal and £100 to the Gurkha Welfare Trust during 2015.

Thank you to Wells Branch for their donation of £150 to County Welfare

Wellington Branch for their donation of £250 to County Welfare and £250 toDunkirk House.

Thank you to Tintinhull Branch for their donation of £3000 to the CountyWelfare Fund.

My thanks to all the Standard Bearers who put themselves out to travel toWellington Concert, Wells Concert, Bristol Poppy Launch, Dedication ofBristol Garden of Remembrance, Bath Rugby Ground and Yeovil A.F.C.

Thank-you all for going the 'Extra Mile' ---- and some did do many extra miles!

If any Standard Bearer reading this would like to attend any of these events in2016, just contact me. Also, if any of you would like to carry a Standard at theFestival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall next November, please comealong to training so you are not the Corporal Jones of the Parade.

John GallopSenior Standard Bearer, Somerset County

Standard Bearer training dates for 2016 are on the next page

THANK-YOU TO STANDARD BEARERS

January 2016

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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.

Standard Bearers are expected to turn out at events in uniform that complies withthe RBL Ceremonial Handbook – see Ch. 6.2. for full details. They should alsoturn out for training dressed accordingly.

WANTED!FOR THE COUNTY COMMITTEE

County Training Officer

Calling all teachers, trainers etc.,If you are interested in taking on this important role, please contact

Kate Hurley - MSO - Somerset

STANDARD BEARER TRAINING - 2016Tuesdays 9th February 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

8th March 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

12th April 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

24th May 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

7th June 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

Saturdays 10th September 14:00 - 17:00 hrs Highbridge Community Hall

17th September 14:00 - 17:00 hrs Highbridge Community Hall

24th September 14:00 - 17:00 hrs Highbridge Community Hall

1st October 09:00 Competition Highbridge Community Hall

Tuesdays 18th October 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

22nd November 19:00 - 21:00 hrs East Huntspill Hall

Saturday 17th December 14:00 - 17:00 hrs Highbridge Community Hall

SOMERSET COUNTY & BRISTOL

EVENTS DIARY – 2016

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 20th 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

JanuarySaturday 16th - County Conference - Writhlington School - Radstock

Commences at 09:00 hrs

February

Saturday 13th - Regional Standard Bearers' CompetitionBovington Memorial HallDetails from John Gallop - 01934 862621

To publicise your Branch events here contact the County Secretary

.... and Finally ...

A Very Happy New Year to all our readers and contributors!