the royal british legionbranches.britishlegion.org.uk/media/4226092/2014_corn_legion... · page 06...

The Royal British LegionCornwall Legion News

Summer 2014

www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/cornwall

Registered Charity Number: 219279

The Royal British Legion Cornwall Legion News

� Dear Legion Colleagues,

Well, here we are already half way through this monumentous yearwhere we have already commemorated the D-Day Landings andshortly the WW1 Centenary will be upon us. This is most definitely ayear that we have been waiting for to re-engage both the Serving andEx-Service communities and highlight to the public the good work ofthe Legion - who we are, what we do and who we are here to help.

Sadly though, The Royal British Legion seems to have fallen on lethargic times;not just here in Cornwall but in general. Key events such as the proposed CountyRally, an event the Branches wanted, sadly had to be cancelled. The Cornwall of several yearsago, the County for others to take lead from, is now not quite so.

We are still fortunate to have the Lord Lieutenant as our County President, who ably supportsus, a committed core of RBL Members (amongst both the County and Branches) who keepthe voice alive, and Standard Bearers who represent us at many events. The Director Generalmentioned earlier in the year that we can revitalise ourselves and move forward towardsour own Centenary and beyond, utilising to great effect the forthcoming four years of events,or we can remain status quo where we will wither and eventually disappear.

We must act now if we are to survive. What we need is more support in Branches and morevolunteers to come forward for Branch and County Committees. Without a County Committeewe will without question succumb to closure, so it is with the utmost urgency that I make a pleato you all to consider getting on-board, having your say on how the County is run and ensuringthat we see well beyond our own Centenary.

Steve Lewis, County Chairman

County Secretary: Emma Stevensonemail: [email protected] Chairman: Steve [email protected] by: The Design Place, 23 Mitchell Hill, Truro TR1 1EDTel: 01872 271414 email: [email protected]

Front Cover (Legion Copyright): Service personnel attendingthe Plymouth Area Office launch - see feature on page 14

Cornwall Legion NewsJuly 2014

“Service - not Self”

www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/cornwall Page 03

DELABOLE

� The sun shone for Delabole Branch on 15 June when theyheld their Cream Tea and Train Day at St Teath. Footfall wasplentiful and whilst the children were able to enjoy rides onthe miniature trains, the adults got a chance to put their feetup and enjoy a cream tea.

The day gave the Branch a chance to heighten theirpresence within the community and thanks to those whoattended, also raised £591.

News from our Branches

Far left: Malcolm Nute(Branch Treasurer) withsome children experiencingthe mini train ride;

Left: Children enjoy thedelight of the cream tea!


LAUNCESTON

� The Launceston Branch was out infull force at the recent Rotary VictorianMarket held on 29 June to raise muchneeded awareness of the Branch inLaunceston and the services theLegion provides.

Following the raising of the ArmedForces Day flag over LauncestonCastle, representatives of the Branchchanged their attire to support thedays events; the Chairman to aVictorian dandy, the Secretary to aVictorian lady and the Presidentbecame a doctor from WW1!

LISKEARD

News from our Branches

All dressed the part at the Victorian Market!Pictured L to R: Adrian Bailey (Branch Chairman)Anne Gynn (Branch Secretary) and Peter Rowe(Branch President)


LOOE

� Looe Branch recently embellished the town’s WarMemorial to commemorate D-day, Armed Forces Day,and in commemoration of the centenary of WW1. It ishoped that the display will also been witnessed by aRoyal visitor due to visit the area on 14 July – that forthe next edition of the CLN!

REDRUTH

MURDOCH DAY FUN!� Redruth Branch Committee cametogether to ensure Legion presence atRedruth’s Murdoch Day celebrations onSaturday 14 June, and the sun shonebrightly again this year. The stand waslocated inside St Rumon’s Club courtyard,where the committee enjoyed meetingtheir members and the public thatdropped by. The RBL was furthersupported in the high street where Iceland- who has nominated the Poppy Appeal asits annual charity - sold cakes and knittedgoods to raise over £85.

BRANCH APPOINTMENTS� Redruth Branch is delighted toannounce that Nigel Frost will assumethe role of Remembrance Organiserto oversee the town’s Remembranceparade. The Branch also welcomesChantal Watson as Deputy StandardBearer, who has been undertakingtraining and recently representedRedruth Branch at the Armed ForcesDay parade at Heartlands on 21 June.

Redruth RBL in attendance at Murdoch Day

War Memoriallocated in Looe


ST CLEER

� In November 2013, members of St CleerYouth Club asked the Branch for somethingtangible to sponsor; around that time a largebeech tree in the Churchyard fell and theCentenary of 1914 approached. The seed ofan idea for the Youth Club to plant a new‘commemorative’ tree was born. This seedlay very dormant over the winter, butrevived and grew rapidly into a Communityevent. There was some urgency, as the idealtime for planting was before the growingseason started.

Opinion was divided between planting aBeech or an Oak, to be decided by a vote.Before the vote was completed, the RBLreceived the offer of a special little tree.Several years ago the Great Darley Oak(local to St Cleer) produced some acorns.The Darley Oak is properly ‘Great’, ofnational significance, probably the oldesttree in Cornwall, about 1000 years old and36 feet in circumference. It was writtenabout as early as 1770when people held teaparties in a hollow in the trunk. The acornswere collected and sold at a charity event inaid of ‘Save the Children’. Several wereplanted and two grew - onelittle tree was donated toLiskeard for the QDJ with theother now at St Cleer.

With the history brought bythis tree, the idea blossomed,so that by Saturday 22 Marchsome 20 organisations wereinvolved, whilst retaining theoriginal focus of involvingyoungsters. Church bells andHand ‘Belles’ opened theevent, but a heavy hailstormthreatened to spoil proceed-ings and spectators ran forcover in the Church. We hadthree Clergy present but theweather turned against us!

Then a BBC Spotlight crew arrived andrequested a short delay to set up. Whenthey were ready, out came the sun and theweather stayed fine. All part of the planof course. The tree was planted, dedicatedand then Branch President Derick Solt readout the plaque engraving which includes‘We will remember them’.

Brownies, assisted by adults from theMemorial Hall Committee, planted FlandersPoppy seeds around the periphery of theChurchyard, some of the 2 million seedsbeing planted in the Parish. Then inside thechurch there were performances by theschool choir and poems written about thetree by junior school children. Members ofLiskerret Choir led in the community singingof WW1 favourites like ‘Pack up yourtroubles’ and ‘Tipperary’, followed by animpromptu singing of ‘Trelawney’.

� Cakes and several glasses of the Vicar’spunch rounded off an event that seemed tobe enjoyed by all. Hopefully the tree willgrow with the children, their children andgrandchildren as a lasting memorial.


ST COLUMB MAJOR - STANDARD DEDICATION

� The St Columb Branch of the Royal BritishLegion has laid up its old Standard and hada new Standard dedicated. The ceremonytook place at St Columb Major Church onSunday 15 June. In addition to the StColumb Branch members, Chairmen andStandard Bearers from other local RoyalBritish Legion Branches attended. Escorts tothe Standards were provided by the Cadetsof 781 Sqn (Newquay) Air Training Corps.

At the AGM last year, Branch members werein agreement that as 2014 would be the100th anniversary of WW1, it would befitting to parade the Branch Standard atthe Cenotaph in the presence of Her Majestyon Remembrance Sunday. As the Branch’scurrent Standard was not fit for thepurpose, it was decided to raise funds topurchase a replacement. With donations

from Branch members and a grantfrom Cornwall Council, sufficient fundingbecame available to complete the purchase.The ceremony involved the laying up of theold Standard in St Columb Church for evermore, to honour the memory of thosewho paid the ultimate sacrifice in theservice of their country. The new Standardwas unveiled to the congregation and wasdedicated as a sign of our duty to our Queenand Country and a symbol of the servicewhich the Royal British Legion is called uponto render.

� In attendance at the ceremony was theLord Lieutenant, Colonel Edward BolithoOBE, the County President of the RoyalBritish Legion. Also in attendance wasCllr. Pat Harvey, representing CornwallCouncil and the Mayor of St Columb,Paul Wills, representing the Town Council.

The service was conducted by CanonEd Pruen, priest in charge of St ColumbParish, and the Reverend Andrew Turnerof St Columb RBL who performed thededication. After the service, refreshmentswere served in the Columba Centre wherea celebration cake was cut by the BranchPresident, Squadron Leader Bill StonemanRAF Rtd.

Bonaer Care HomeBonaer Care Home is a well established, family run, clean,

modern and comfortable nursing home located in the picturesqueseaside resort of Hayle, Cornwall. The home offers very high standards of care by friendly trained staff.

We aim to combine the finest professional care with luxury surroundings and excellent food.

For further information please give us a call or come and visit.

BONAER NURSING HOME, 17 Station Hill, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 4NGCONTACT: Mr or Mrs Metalle Tel: 01736 752090

Excellent 24 Hour Nursing Care��

Award WinningNursing Home

Photograph subject to copyrightwww.majorimages.co.uk


TIDEFORD & ST GERMANS

LEGION AND LOCAL SCHOOL LIAISON� An Agreement of Affiliationwas signed inJune between Tideford and St GermansRoyal British Legion Branch and St GermansPrimary School. This formalises the presentunderstanding of mutual support andencouragement between the twoorganisations within the community.Head Teacher, Mrs Sarah Marshall (seated)signed the form alongside Barry Roberts,Chairman of the Branch together with theSchool Secretary (not in picture) andMichelle Auty, Branch Secretary (standing).

Muriel Hocking, Branch President, said thatsince it was the Centenary of the start ofWorld War I it seemed an appropriate timefor this to take place and she thought itwould prove to be a long and successfulaffiliation. A school learning pack was leftwith the Head Teacher.

� In this Centenary year of the start of the First WorldWar, the Royal British Legion is running a Nationalcampaign to encourage the planting of FlandersPoppy seeds. With this in mind the Branch Chairmanof Tideford and St Germans RBL organised Poppyseed scattering in Tideford, the germination of whichwill remind us in the coming years of the sacrificesmade by so many during WWI and all wars since.Villagers and children braved the inclement weatheron 5 April to scatter Flanders Poppy seeds around theWar Memorials, along the verges and banks and inthe grounds of the Legion Club.

Top picture from L to R: Shanaugh Fleckney,Esme Shropshall, Quinn Shropshall and Ryan Mayscattering Flanders Poppy seeds around the WarMemorial in Tideford on which are recorded thenames of F. Pilling, R.C. Davies and R.C. Moyes whofell in the first World War.

Bottom picture: RBL Branch Membership Secretary,Sue Murch (left) was joined by Serving LieutenantHelen Shropshall RN who brought her two youngchildren Esme and Quinn to help scatter the seeds.


� By the time you read this,Tideford and St Germans willhave held a CommemorativeDay to mark the Centenary ofthe start of World War I.

We researched the threenames of the men inscribedon our War Memorial usingthe information as the centreof a display. Local menF Billing, R C Davies andR C Moyes were from theCornwall Light Infantry andare buried in Arras Cemetery,France.

We also had on display theWWI campaign medals; The1914 Star, British War Medaland Allied Victory Medalaffectionately known as Pip,Squeak and Wilfred after the cartoonstrip in the Daily Mirror at the time.

Photographs, stories, pictures and anumber of items from the Great Warmade an interesting and informativeexhibition set out in the Legion hallbedecked with bunting.

A delicious afternoon tea wasserved - all home made by theladies of Tideford - while the wellknown musical director Phil Taylorentertained us on the keyboard witha musical programme of the era anda sing-a-long of WWI songs. A discoby Branch members John andMichelle was held in the eveningwith great sound tracks.

� The Chairman thanks all thosewho worked so hard to make it sucha successful day.

TIDEFORD & ST GERMANS - PIP, SQUEAK and WILFRED

Pictured left: Muriel Hocking’s Uncles Albert and Les Cutts -both survived the war. Albert (on the left) was RoyalWarwickshire Regiment, Uncle Les (on the right) wasRoyal Engineers (Signals Company)

Pictured right: Malcom Hocking’s Great Uncle Herbert WoodBattery Quarter Master Sergeant (BQMS) of the Royal GarrisonArtillery. He also came back having served at the Somme.

WADEBRIDGE

� In February this year we held an event to thank all those who had collected for usduring the Poppy Appeal in November. During the course of the evening our Chairman,Barry Chalkley made several presentations. As well as the presentations guests enjoyeda quiz night followed by a buffet and some horse racing.

The Wadebridge Branch of the Royal British Legion are delighted to thank all those whoturn out and collect for the Poppy Appeal. So far, this appeal has raised over £18,600 fromWadebridge and the surrounding area. This is down to both the hard work of those collectorsand the generosity of the people in our area.

It was a real fun evening enjoyed by all who attended and we hope to encourage othersto take part in collecting for the Poppy Appeal.

� We also used the evening to announce an event we were holding in conjunction withWadebridge Town Council commemorating the 100th anniversary of the start of WW1and the 70th anniversary of D-Day. The event was held on the 5 July this year on theEgloshayle Playing Fields and incuded a town fete, military displays, military vehicles andmany other attractions.


Pictured right: Barry Chalkley presenting theMike Smith Memorial Shield to WadebridgeATC Jack Humphries who raised the mostmoney for the Poppy Appeal out of the cadetunits in Wadebridge. This shield is awardedeach year in memory of Mike Smith who was avery popular and hard working member of theBranch but who tragically died several years ago.

Pictured below right: Barry presenting Mrs CarolBray with a bar to her brooch, representing 45years of collecting on behalf of the Poppy Appeal.

Pictured below: Barry presenting Mrs MaryMargerrison with a brooch representing 25 yearsof collecting on behalf of the Poppy Appeal.

WADEBRIDGE

� Jared Ely, a former communicationsexpert in the RAF, walked the Saint’sWay across Cornwall from Fowey toPadstow on 28 June 2014. This is adistance of some 30 miles and Jaredcompleted the walk in one day which isa fantastic achievement. He raised over£600 for this year’s Poppy Appeal whichwill be sent to the Royal British Legionin due course.

Jared, who lives in Padstow, spentmuch of his RAF Service in Berlinduring the Cold War. This posting waseffectively behind the lines and Jared,a fluent Russian speaker, undertookvital defence communications work inthe city.

Jared said “I strongly believe in fundraising for the Royal British Legion who in turn supportso many Service personnel and their families both during their Service and afterwards.I have also wanted to walk across Cornwall for some considerable time. Armed Forces Daythis year provided the opportunity to undertake the walk whilst raising money for suchan important charity.”

Sqn Ldr Paul Tofi RAF(Ret’d), the RBL Wadebridge Press Officer commented “I am veryproud to count Jared as a good friend and this walk is no mean feat. I know Jared has beentraining for the walk for many weeks and I am delighted that he did it on Armed Forces Daywhen we remember those currently serving and those who have served. A superb effortand the money raised will be well spent looking after our veterans and their families.”


Jared at the end of histriumphant walk!

The War Memorialat Lanlivery


ISLES OF SCILLY - POSSIBLE BRANCH RE-FORMATION

� Having closed the Isles of Scilly Branch back in 1993, due to lack of members,there is now a glimmer of hope that it may be re-formed. One long standingRBL member, Mr Edward Smith (Cornwall Branch), is keen to reinvigorate theRBL Branch and has already begun sourcing newrecruits and spreading the word on the island.Edward, who wears many hats on the island, has alsorecently managed to secure RBL representation on theCommittee of the Armed Forces Covenant and playedan integral part of the team at the islands’ recentArmed Forces Day held on 28 June.

Edward is keen to re-educate the Islanders about thework of the Legion and indeed the benefits a Legion

Branch can bring to the community.

� Should you or someone youknow be interested in assistingEdward or indeed finding out moreabout how you can be ofassistance, then please contactEmma Stevenson at:[email protected]


� The St Breward History Group recently opened the doors of the War Memorial Hall toprovide opportunity to witness the fine display of memorabilia and historical informationat their WW1 Commemorative Exhibition.

The opening was animmense successwithattendance in plentyfrom Legion Branchesand representativeStandard Bearers.The Exhibition willremain open for 73days in total – the lastday being Monday 29September.

Since the opening,footfall to the exhibi-tion has been goodand the group areplanning a small eventfor Sunday 3 August -a Commemoration Day. This will take the form of a peal of bells at 1.45pm and a shortservice at the War Memorial on Mine Hill (near the Parish Church) at 2.00pm.

Following it will be onto the nearby Village Hall where The Living History Group fromLaunceston will have been camped in the Village Hall grounds overnight with their old belltents, bicycles and equipment from the Great War period. The men will be dressed in theuniform of the DCLI of the day and will hope to answer everyone’s questions about how thesoldiers lived. Cream Teas will be provided and donations would be welcomed in supportof the Poppy Appeal.

St Breward would like to thank all members of the Royal British Legion and other Ex-ServiceAssociations that either attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition or sent

good wishes for the event. The presenceand support led to a truly amazing dayand, it is hoped, was seen as a fittingtribute to those who went to war nearly100 years ago.

� Whilst providing a glance into historyof WW1, the group are also hoping to raisefunds for the Poppy Appeal and thanksto the kind donations from the public therunning total amounts to £234.

St Breward WW1 Commemorative Exhibition


News from County OfficeLEGION LAUNCHES ‘POP IN’ CENTRE IN PLYMOUTH

� Military personnel, civicdignitaries and local beneficiariesgathered in Plymouth for thelaunch of The Royal BritishLegion’s new public ‘Pop In’Advice and Information Centre inthe heart of the city centre.

Based on Armada Way, it is thesecond of 16 brand new centresthat the Legion will open in majorcities across the UK, as part of itsbiggest ever transformation tobring its work closer to the ArmedForces community. Each centrewill offer a welcoming space for Servicepersonnel and veterans to get practical helpand advice, and for members of the publicto find out more about the wide range ofservices and community activities providedby the Legion. The Legion has also madeoffice space available to partner charitiesCombat Stress and Regular ForcesEmployment Association. Through thiscollaborative approach the aim is to providea more seamless beneficiary service.

The Legion has also announced a newnational Freephone helpline number,0808 802 8080, which will allow people to gethelp and support from a trained adviser overthe phone, as well as the launch of a newonline information service via its website.

� The centre in Plymouth was officiallyopened by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant’sof Devon and Cornwall, Sir Eric DancerKCVO CBE JP and Colonel Edward BolithoOBE, who were invited to cut the ribbon bythe Legion’s National Vice Chairman TerryWhittles. Following the opening, guestswere invited to explore the new Advice andInformation Centre and meet with currentand former Service personnel, Legionbeneficiaries, members and volunteers.

Sir Eric Dancer, Lord Lieutenant ofDevon said “Devon and Cornwall boasta strong Service tradition and witha large veteran community, there isa clear demand for the Legion’sservices.

“The local team are already making areal impact on the lives of ArmedForces families in this area, providingsupport to nearly 1000 beneficiaries inthe last year alone. The new ‘pop in’centre in Plymouth will make theLegion yet more accessible to theService community and allow thecharity to reach out to more membersof the Armed Forces, past and present,in need.

“The range of practical advice andsupport available through this newfacility is extremely impressive and willmake a real difference to the localcommunity.”

Pictured: Steve Lewis, County ChairmanCornwall, Sir Eric Dancer LLt Devon,Col Edward Bolitho LLt Cornwall andKevin Jeffery, County Vice-Chairman Devon.


Legion Publications

� Any Branch requiring publication material(leaflets about the Legion/Membershipforms) can obtain them direct fromAylesford by emailing:[email protected]

When contacting, you should ensure thefollowing is quoted: Branch code, Branchname, name of contact, position held onBranch and the literature required.Regretfully, due to limited storage and/orstock, the County Office is unable to supplyLegion literature to Branches.

Events – Master List

� With the commemorations commencingthis year, the County would welcome detailsof events that the Branches are schedulingto hold, not only to assist with advertisingbut to also ensure there is no duplication.

From your returns the CS will collate aspreadsheet calendar that will be viewed onthe County website. Please send anydetails to [email protected]

Use of Legion Logo –external organisation/individual

� New procedures have recently beenimplemented to safeguard the Legion logowhen utilised by external agencies inparticular, when either fundraising for theLegion or wishing to embark on corporatepartnership. Branches/members are advisedthat should any external organisation and/orindividual wish to utilise the logo then theymust direct them to either the CS or CFR,who will commence the registration processand ensure the correct logo is providedi.e. ‘in support of’.

URGENT – Volunteering forThe Royal British Legion

� The Introduction to Volunteering booklethas been finalised and is available to

view at the Legion website. Individualsare actively sought to take on Legionvolunteering roles, in particular theCase Worker role which entails visitingprospective and current beneficiaries intheir own homes, conducting informalinterviews and assessments.

Should anyone wish to know more aboutvolunteering opportunities or to requestan application pack then please contactEmma Stevenson (CS) on:[email protected] Sue Archard (AITL) on:[email protected]

Festival of Remembrance – Albert HallSaturday 8 November 2014

� Members wishing to attend theevening performance of the Festival ofRemembrance to be held at the Royal AlbertHall on Saturday 8 November 2014 arekindly reminded that they should applydirect to their Branch Secretary. It mustbe emphasised that Branches have anallocation of four tickets; thereforeindividuals who have not attended theperformance before must be given priority.All applications for tickets should besubmitted to the County Secretary by30 July 2014. Please do remember thatsubmission of an application does notguarantee a ticket. Branches will becontacted during August to advise ofsuccessful applicants and call for payment.

Branch Accounts Financial Year 13/14

� Branches are reminded that the fieldfinancial year (FY) ended on 30 June 2014.Branch Treasurers are advised that BranchAccounts should be completed and sentto the County Secretary, along with anysupporting documentation following the endof the FY but prior to 30 September 2014.

News from County Office


News from County OfficeRoyal British Legion Membership Fee– 2014/15

� Members are advised that with effectfrom 1 October 2014 the RBL Membershipfee will increase from £14 to £15 (notinclusive of any additional Branch and/orClub fee). Should you have any questionsregarding Membership then please contactEmma Stevenson, County Secretary, [email protected] member wishing to join theLegion during the months of July/August/September should be signed up forthe new Membership year, which shouldresult in payment of £15 and expiration ofOctober 2015.

Branch Transfers/Amendments

� Branches are reminded that Branchtransfers and changes to individuals’ RBLmembership cannot take effect during thelatter part of July and months ofAugust/September. This is to allow therenewal process to be initiated and cards tobe printed and sent direct to individuals orBranches.

Recycle for The Royal British Legion

� The Legion has launched three newrecycling initiatives this summer to raiseessential funds through donated unwantedgoods. From those clothes that never leftyour drawer, to the phone that has beenreplaced by a newer model to thoseempty printer cartridges – all can beturned into funds to assist our ArmedForces Community.

Clothes for Charity – collects unwanted andreusable good quality clothes, and turnsthem into money for the Legion. To requesta bag or to find out more visit:www.clothesforcharity.org.uk/britishlegion

The Recycling Factory – collects emptyinkjet and toner cartridges and mobilephones. To donate visit:www.therecyclingfactory.com/britishlegion

Recycling for good causes – collects allunwanted jewellery, as well as old andnew foreign/UK bank notes. They willdonate a minimum of £3 for the contentsof every successfully recycled envelope.Should you wish to donate unwantedjewellery/bank notes then please ‘wrap,pack & send’ your items (no stamp needed)to:TRBL Recycling, Freepost, LicenceRTJA-UCXT-EKSR, Tamworth B77 4RP.

The Great Centenary Auction

� On 21 September, Auctioneers will holdthe first of four planned Great CentenaryAuctions to raise money for The RoyalBritish Legion. Members and the publicare being asked to donate unwanteditems, specifically military memorabilia orany small collectables from the 1920s tothe 1960s.If you have any items you would like todonate, email: [email protected] for a code to send your parcel.You will then receive an email reply fromthe Legion with the code. Ipostparcels.com,part of UK Mail, is offering a 90% discountto all those sending items to the auction andthe remaining 10% will be donated to theLegion. Any donations should be sent to:The Great Centenary Charity Auction,c/o Raynham Hall, Norfolk NE21 7EP.

Membership listings - Branch and Club

� Branches and Clubs are kindly remindedthat should a Membership listing berequired throughout the course of theyear then a request should be sent toEmma Stevenson (County Secretary) [email protected].

To avoid any delay NO requests should besent to Membership Services direct.


Baby Bassett Strikes Again!!

� We are delighted to be able to announce the exciting news that Vicki Bassett(AIO) is expecting her 2nd child due sometime in November. Having returnedfrom maternity leave Vicki took up her new role, which saw her working parttime and outreach. Hopefully you will all join us by wishing Vicki congratulationsand indeed sincere best wishes as she ventures into parenthood once more!

July 201412 Liskeard Agricultural Show,

Liskeard RBL19 Camborne Show,

North Cliffs Show Ground26 Roscroggan Memorial Service,

Roscroggan, Camborne31 RNAS Culdrose Air Day

August 20141 Commemoration Concert & BBQ,

Helston RBL – 7pm3 Helston RBL WW1 Commemoration

Church Service, St Michaels Church,Helston – 2.30pm

3 Liskeard RBL WW1 Centenary Event,Westbourne Gardens – 2pm

4 Padstow RBL Memorial Service,St Petrocs Church – 7.30pmCamelford Lights Out,Enfield Park – 8.15pmCamborne Lights Out,Camborne Parish Church – 10pm

9-10 Padstow WW1 Commemoration,Memorial Hall – 10am to 4pm

15 Victory in Japan Day, Camborne

September 20146 HONOUR Concert,

Commemorate Centenary of WW1,Truro Cathedral – 7pm

13 Liskeard RBL Poppy Ball,Public Hall – 7.30pm

October 20143 The Vean Autumn Fair,

Caehays Estate – 11am to 7pm(in aid of the RBL Poppy Appeal)

5 (TBC) Annual Standard Bearers Competition,TA Centre, Truro – 12noon

24 Liskeard Poppy Launch/FOR,St Martins Church – 7pm

25 Camborne Poppy Launch,Camborne Town Square

TBC County PA Launch

November 20142 Dedication of Field of Remembrance,

Webbs House, Liskeard – 2pm8 Festival of Remembrance,

Albert Hall9 Carbis Bay Festival of Remembrance

Dates for the diary(please visit www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/cornwall for current events list)

On behalf of the County Chairman and Committee please accept our sincere thanksfor the following very kind donations made to either the Welfare Fund (WF),

Poppy Appeal (PA) or General Fund (GF):

Donations Received

Looe Branch £500 WFPelynt & Lanreath £200 WF

Funeral - Mrs Weldon £119.25 WFMr I Inskip £35 WF

News from County Office


RNAS Culdrose Open Day18 June 2014

� Cornwall County was provided with theopportunity to attend the RNAS Culdrose Open Day,held annually to aid Service leavers with theirtransition to civilian life.

Representatives of the Legion, Emma Stevenson,Annie Binding and Vicki Bassettwere in attendanceto offer advice to a number of visitors focussing onthe Legion services, in particular Armed ForcesCompensation Scheme and War Pensions andinterest in joining the Legion Membership.

Further opportunities developed during the day with links being made with Cdr Seaking and theBase Warrant Officer, who wished to enquire about the Legion conducting base presentations.

Pictured: Emma Stevenson, County Secretary and Annie Binding, Community Fundraiser.

GROUP SystemBE A GROUPIE!

� The Group system works really well in EastCornwall. Exchange of information, crossBranch discussion and social interaction isthe name of the game. ECG gets together ona quarterly basis. Mandy Fleckney is ourgroup representative while the meetings arechaired by a member of the host Branch. ForEast Cornwall the venues rotate aroundLiskeard, Pelynt, Torpoint and Tideford and StGermans. Six or Seven Branches arenormally represented and those attendingbring a plate of food so everyone can enjoya grand buffet and chat afterwards.

Branches present short reports of past andfuture activities which usually attract somehumorous banter from the audience andenable a list of dates of local events to becollated so mutual support can be given.Everyone contributes with general snippetsof information and lively discussion usuallyensues with regard to current issues.

Commander Jane Allen (centre of picture)was invited to speak at the last meeting.She shared her experiences with us of hermobilisation as a Reservist to Afghanistan.She had put together an eclectic choice ofslides and her description of the difficultconditions, the problems she had toovercome and the dangers she faced werecompelling. Her professional delivery andbreadth of knowledge of the politicalbackground kept the audience of over 30enthralled and encouraged us to look at theconflict from a different angle.

� Is your Group as pro-active as EastCornwall? We have a lot of fun!


� A couple due to get marriedquestioned how they could incorporatetheir support for two specific charitiesthat were close to their heartswithin their wedding ceremony.Having thought about it they wereboth in agreement that whilst theycould support the charities by makingpurchases of merchandise, theythought they would go one better andraise awareness of their charitiesby purchasing favours for all theirguests to wear; highlighting both theRoyal British Legion and Clic Sargent.

� Becky and Oli Simpson, who married on 7 April 2014, kindly donated £60 to TRBLand became our voice in the community, even on their special day! We wish themsincere congratulations and best wishes for the future.

Fundraising ChampionsWedding Bells


Royal Cornwall Show 2014� Once again the RBL Cornwall crew took advantage of their great relations with the Armed ForcesCommunity, in particular RAF St Mawgan, and with the support of Sgt Scottmanaged to remain locatedwithin the RAF St Mawgan enclosure; it is hoped that this will now remain a permanent fixture.

This year we also saw the welcome addition of a Paint Ball Range, organised by Sgt Scott and histeam of merry men! With a £1 donation and the opportunity to win prizes, there is no doubt thatalong with the static Red Arrow Hawk, the paintball range was definitely a crowd puller and allowedthe team to do what they do best - interact and raise awareness with the great number of publicpassing by.

Additionally, we welcomed Ellie (Wild Works) who is a member of the team organising the event‘100: the day our world changed’. The Legion offered the opportunity for Ellie to advertise theevent and ask passers-by to contribute messages for the ‘Field of Loss’. Details can be found atwww.wildworks.biz/projects/one-hundred-the-day-our-world-changed.

We were also fortunate to be able to promote the paintings of Lt Col Stewart Hill (Ret’d). Stewart,who suffered a traumatic brain injury during his second tour to Afghanistan, started painting as aform of rehabilitation. In May 2013 he decided to spend more time learning his art. He recentlywon a Templer Award funded by the National Army Museum Development Trust and administeredby the Army Art Society. Amongst other things, Stewart has recently finished touring with ‘Bravo22 Company’ who recently performed at Hall for Cornwall, Truro. To witness and indeed purchaseStewart’s artwork, please visit his website www.stewarthill.co.uk

� Historically, the RCS has never been withoutproblems and this year was no different. Whilst wewere blessed with the sunshine, regretfully thewinds came with great vengeance and in the earlyhours of Friday morning the marquee was rippedfrom the ground, blown over another marquee andlanded with a crash in front of the Pirate FM stand.Thankfully, with a last minute call for help via PirateFM, Sgt Scott and his team came up trumps againand got the RBL stand up and running again withthe loan of a military tent – sadly the Legionmarquee had seen its last RCS show!

Despite the equipment issues, it was anotherresounding success providing the Legion a brilliantplatform to: raise awareness of our services,highlight volunteering opportunities, promote bothArmed Forces and Youth engagement and providean area for great camaraderie.

As always, there are people to thank; and this yearit must go to Cornwall’s Crealy Adventure Park fordonating entry tickets and Bike Chain Ricci,Redruth, for donating two children’s bike helmets;both of which were prizes for the paint ball range.


Royal Cornwall Show 2014� Finally and by no means least, thanks are expressed to theStation Commander of RAF St Mawgan for approving ourlocation within the RAF enclosure and no doubt heightening ourpresence, Sgt Scott and his team for organising the Legionattendance and running with the paintball range and to all thestaff and volunteers who gave up their valuable time to helpsupport the Legion over the three days.

Should anyone wish to volunteer for the Legion at the RCS 2015(be they a member or not) then please do contact EmmaStevenson at [email protected]

� Flaming June…? The first week of Junesaw myself and our lovely County SecretaryEmma ON FIRE!!

The saying ‘No rest for the wicked…’ certainlycame to mind for myself and the CS duringthat week and goodness me, we must havebeen very naughty somewhere along the line!!Not only did the Royal Cornwall Show, with allit’s problems and permutations come to town(which we both attended), but also the Bravo22 Theatre Company brought their fabulousshow ‘The Two Worlds of Charlie F’ to the Hallfor Cornwall for six nights and three matineeperformances.

This project was paid for by the Royal BritishLegion in partnership with the Theatre RoyalHaymarket and shows the other side ofinjury through conflict. A very touching,thought provoking and enlightening piece oftheatre. The company had toured their showwith their penultimate City being Truro. BothEmma and I attended the theatre each night to

not only ‘spread the legion gospel’, but also tosupport the company; make in-roads with theHall for Cornwall Team and fundraise for thePoppy Appeal!

During that week we both clocked up more than80 hours each – but the job needed doing andsomeone had to do it! We managed (betweenus) to make some great new contacts but alsoraised £1,072. 32 from bucket collections. On acouple of evenings we were assisted byServing Personnel and we would like toextend many thanks for their attendance whichmade all the difference to the collections.

� Whilst the hours were long and the week wastough, it has to be said that a good time washad by all. What with the funds raised at theHFC added to the £1,019.74 raised by Sgt Scottand his team at the RCS, we raised just over£2,500 in that one week!

Annie BindingCommunity Fundraiser

Bravo 22 CompanyTwo Worlds of Charlie F

Pictured opposite page: (top) RBL presence at the show, (bottom) EmmaStevenson (County Secretary) and Ian Woodhead (Poppy Calls) picturedbeside Lt Col Stewart Hill’s ‘work in progress’ painting.

Left: Ellie (Wild Works) promoting ‘100: the day our world changed’.

� This year saw Armed Forces Day hostedwithin the surroundings of Heartlands, Pool,on Saturday 21 June 2014.

Once again the RBL representation was givena prominent spot surrounded by our ArmedForces representation and close to the mainstage area, allowing us to witness the musterof Standards, Veterans and Cadets and anumber of Afghanistan campaign medalspresented to Serving personnel from RAF StMawgan and RNAS Culdrose.

Amongst the awards presented was a LegionGold Badge, awarded to Group Capt SimonCoy OBE. Simon was awarded the badge byThe Royal British Legion for his unstintingsupport to Cornwall RBL whilst holding thepost of County President, Cornwall RBL.

Throughout the day spectators (6500 innumber) were provided to a full programmeof entertainment with music performed byHMS Seahawk Volunteer Band, tunes fromthe Wartime Singers based in Redruth and the

‘CuldRoses’ (military wives choir). Those inattendance, however, were probably moregrateful that the sun shone and allowed for thespectacular finale - a fly past from a Spitfire!

� TRBL were immensely proud to have playeda part in another fun filled day for all the familybut most importantly to show our support tothe Armed Forces community and theirfamilies. Thanks are expressed to all thosewho assisted, in particular Ian Inskip for actingas liaison and the RBL Riders Branch, IanWoodhead, Amy Kemp and Jackie Stevens fortheir tremendous efforts on the day.

Armed Forces Day 2014Heartlands, Pool

Pictured top: (left) Group Capt Simon Coy and EmmaStevenson (County Secretary). Having been presentedhis Gold Badge he approached Emma to officially pinit on!; (right) Rear Admiral Sir Woodard RN andJonathan Stevens (County Parade Marshal) inspectingthe Standards;

Pictured bottom: (left) Standards on procession;(right) RBL representation – Amy Kemp (volunteer)Emma Stevenson (County Secretary) hard at work again!


� On Tuesday 10 June the Legion were invitedto attend The D-Day International Trade Event,commemorating the 70th anniversary ofD-Day at Hayle Community School.

The day was an opportunity for thestudents of Hayle Community School toboth remember and to celebrate the braveryand achievement of our Armed Forces andto understand business and enterprise andhow it works. Students were tasked withvarious challenges over the course of theday - all with a D-Day theme - includingcoming up with a team name and banner,designing their merchandise and trade standand creating dishes based on traditionalFrench and English cuisine.

After the arrival of their judges, includingthe Royal British Legion’s representative,

Mr Alan ConquestMBE, each groupof students madea final pitch tothe panel ofjudges, with bonuspoints for speakingFrench! A moving part of the day wasthe opening and reading of the students‘letters to a veteran’ praising their courageand skills, many of which were emotionaland heartfelt thanks. The winner was votedon by the judges as the team that mostembodied the D-Day and enterprise theme,with the most consistent branding, confidentpitch and best tasting food!

� Enterprise and Skills would like to thankthe Royal British Legion for their supportwith the D-Day International Trade Event.

D-Day Inernational Trade Event


It is with great sadness that the RBL Cornwall announces the deathsof the following Royal British Legion members:

We will remember them

� Mr D Smith and Mr K Lyleboth of Bodmin Branch

� Mr J Mitchell of Camborne Branch� Mr A Pooley of Delabole Branch� Mr E Wear Life Memberof Helston Branch

� Mrs R Willey of Helston Branch� Mr R Davey of Launceston Branch� Mr R Coslett and Mr R Hardingboth of Mousehole Branch

� Mr D Thirkell of St Columb Branch

� Mr R Blackwell of St Just Branch

� Mr M Langdon and Mr A Barkerboth of Tywardreath Branch

� Mr R Knight past Branch Presidentof Wadebridge Branch

Our sincere condolences go toall their families and friends.

the royal british legionbranches.britishlegion.org.uk/media/4226092/2014_corn_legion... · page 06...

Documents