COUNTY NEWS

TRBL South East Area Office (Kent) Royal British Legion Village Aylesford, Kent ME20 7NL

Membership Support Officer Mobile - 07554 553263

e-mail - [email protected] Registered Charity 219279 Welfare & Fundraising via Contact Centre - 0808 802 8080

General e-mail: [email protected]

County website: www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/kent

February 2015

BRANCH SECRETARIES: PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ITEMS IN THIS MONTHLY CIRCULAR SHOULD FORM PART OF THE REPORT TO YOUR BRANCH COMMITTEE

COUNTY CHAIRMAN`S REMARKS I would like to extend my personal thanks to the Branches that sent delegates and Standard Bearers and who also attended as visitors to the County Conference. Those who attended heard a good talk from our Guest Speaker, Sue Freeth Director of Operations, and also a very informative update from Debbie Kimpton on the changes that will be happening to the way our annual membership payments will be organised in future, including how branches will be able to check up on their current membership throughout the year. The new system, which means that each member is responsible for paying their own membership direct to the Legion and not the branch, will ease the burden of the Branch Membership Secretary. However, I expect some of them will still collect the money each year and go and pay the membership at the post office for your housebound members. New members will join on an anniversary basis meaning they renew exactly one year later. This should help with recruiting because they will no longer have to pay twice in their first year but will get a full 12 months membership. I recently attended the Kent and Medway Civilian, Military Partnership 2nd Annual Conference held at the Duke of York’s Military School. This is the main group in Kent that administers the Military Covenant. I was surprised at the number of organisations there that support the military, their families and also the veterans. During the time that the Covenant has been operational a staggering £717,251 has been allocated from Central Government Funds to support projects and events in Kent. If you have a project or event that needs support why not try them. Our Staple Branch received the sum of £5,000 for their project of ‘Honouring the Lost Sons of Staple’. In the County we have a full committee this year with the exception of a Vice Chairman. Nomination sheets will shortly be sent to branches and we hope the process will this time take only three months from start to finish. The process will of course be the same as the recent one for Chairman in that should there be more than one nomination there will be a ballot. The role is vital to the county and I would urge you to find a suitable, and willing, member to nominate. County Committee needs to appoint a Public Relations Officer whose role will be to obtain publicity and media coverage for our events and also to seek out events that we could be involved in under our role as the keepers of Remembrance. Let’s look forward to another good year for Kent County. Richard Cast DONATIONS TO COUNTY FUNDS The following donations have been gratefully received: £110 Cheriton & Morehall Branch £200 Halstead Branch £2,000 Orpington Branch £500 Shoreham Branch £500 South Darenth Branch £50 Sutton Valence Branch £25 Challock Village Hall

IN MEMORIAM Donations have been gratefully received in memory of: £30 Mr Richard Augustin £40 Mr Kenneth Sears

BRANCH MS1 RETURNS Out of the 68 branches required to submit their MS1 Branch Information Form by 31st December, as at today’s date (2nd February) I’m pleased to say that 61 have done so. Thank you to all those Secretaries that have worked hard to get this important return in on time. If any Secretary needs a new form then please contact the County Secretary without delay. The seven branches outstanding are: Cranbrook Southborough & Edenbridge St Margarets at Cliffe Tonbridge Headcorn

CHEQUES TO COUNTY OFFICE Can I please remind Branch Treasurers that all cheques coming to County Office should be made payable to “Royal British Legion” with nothing after it - no Kent County, no Welfare, no Membership, no nothing. Cheques are still coming through with the wrong payee, and I’m afraid that any made out to anything other than the correct payee will be returned to the branch concerned.

WELFARE NEWS A new Pop In is being launched at St Mary’s The Virgin Parish Church, Churchyard, Ashford TN23 1QG on Tuesday 3rd February and will be there on the 1st Wednesday of each month thereafter from 10am until 1pm. The Pop In provides information, advice and guidance for serving members of the Armed Forces, reservists, veterans and their families. A full list of the Kent Pop In centres is attached. Alternatively call the Legion Contact Centre on 0808 802 8080 or visit www.britishlegion.org.uk.

COUNTY CEREMONIAL PARTY Branches requesting the County Ceremonial Party to attend a parade or ceremony should be aware that the Party in full consists of the County Chairman, the Women’s Section County Chairman, the County Parade Marshal, the County Standard Bearer and the Women’s Section County Standard Bearer or their deputies. The latest version of the form is attached. Any Branch holding a parade may ask for the County Standard, always accompanied by the County Chairman or Vice Chairman, and other Branch Standards to join them on parade but there is no requirement to request the full County Ceremonial Party.

BRANCH STANDARDS OVERSEAS Branch Chairmen and Standard Bearers should be aware that you must have permission from the Legion to take a Standard overseas and they need to know exactly when and where it is going (paragraph 5.2 of the Ceremonial Handbook refers). Once authority has been given the Standard is then covered by Legion insurance. Application, by letter or e-mail, should be sent to the County Secretary. All must remember that it is the Chairman’s Standard not the Standard Bearer’s so whenever a Standard is taken on parade in this country or overseas a suitable entry should be entered in the minutes of a meeting of the Branch Committee. This is so everyone knows where the Standard will be at any given time.

MEMBERSHIP FORMS Please ensure this information is passed to the Branch Membership Secretary MS4 - Can I please remind you that the only acceptable Membership Application is MS4/13. No other form will be accepted at County Office and any received here will be returned to the Branch so that the new form can be completed. MS4/13 can be ordered from the Poppy Appeal on 01622 795801 or at [email protected]. MS2 - Hard copies of these forms are no longer available from the Poppy Appeal and I can therefore send photocopies on request. Changes to personal particulars, e.g. death, change of address or name, will be accepted by e-mail but I must have the member’s name and membership number. MS7 - Hard copies of these forms are also no longer available from the Poppy Appeal and I can send photocopies on request. Transfers must be initiated by the receiving branch, not the losing branch, and the MS7 must be accompanied by a membership card for the current year. MS13 - In the past branches could request a replacement card be send for those lost by theft, damage etc, and the sum of £2.50 would be added to your membership fee invoice. This has now ceased and members have the option of paying the fee for a new card or accepting a proof of membership letter which is free of charge. A new form, MS13, has been introduced which is a Request for a Replacement Membership Card or Proof of Membership and this can be photocopied when needed. Please note that the application, and the fee, is to be sent to Head Office not to County Office.

ANNUAL COUNTY CONFERENCE Headcorn Village Hall provided the venue for another excellent Conference on 17th January with around 125 in the hall including 34 delegates from 32 branches. Amongst the guests were His Worship the Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Richard Thick, and the Chairman of Headcorn Parish Council, Mrs Lynn Selby. The Guest Speaker this year was Sue Freeth, the Legion’s Director of Operations and a copy of her speech will be sent to branches as soon as it’s available. As you are aware following the recent election Richard Cast has succeeded Aussie Walker as County Chairman and Aussie was made a Life Vice President in recognition of all he has done for the County. Three members of the County Committee were re-elected and two new members were elected who replace Mrs V B Dunger and Mrs P A Butcher who did not seek re-election. The County Officers and Committee for this year are: County President Cllr L B Ridings MBE JP County Chairman Mr R C Cast County Vice Chairman Vacant County Treasurer Mr R M Mann County Secretary Mr A J West BEM

Committee Mr G L Haisell Orpington Mr A E Clarke MBE Orpington Mr R M Mann Sutton Valence Mrs A J Austen Chartham Mr M K Britton Herne Bay Mrs C A Austen Chartham Mr N E Williams Sittingbourne & Milton Regis Mrs S J Foster Elham Valley Mrs R E Walls Cheriton & Morehall Mr D Flood Staple Mrs F A Halifax Orpington The Awards presented at Conference were: Newport Cup Fordcombe Branch (Branch showing largest percentage membership increase) Moore Trophy Sheerness Branch (Branch Efficiency) Penfold Salver Tonbridge Area Group (Branch showing largest percentage membership increase) Skinner Rose Bowl Mr Neil Carley (Person doing most in the interest of Welfare) Brian Lyons Shield Mr Jim & Mrs Rosemary Butcher (Caseworker of the year) Mungeam Cup Mr Geoff Lees (Standard Bearers Competition Winner) - Swanley, Crockenhill & Hextable Branch 1945-1995 Anniversary Shield Mr Julian De Zille (Standard Bearers Competition Runner Up) - Downs Branch Charles Stevens Trophy Mr Andrew Heatlie (Person raising most on the Poppy Walk) - Branch Tom Asprey Cup Canterbury Branch (Branch raising most on the Poppy Walk) Tom Styles Shield Whitstable Branch (Branch with a Club raising most on the Poppy Walk)

DOOR-TO-DOOR FUNDRAISING Information concerning the door-to-door fundraising campaign is included on a separate fact-sheet which should be read by all members of the branch committee and disseminated to as many members and PAOs as possible. The main query the Legion receives is whether the fundraisers are genuine. Please can I ask you all not to speak to the press regarding this campaign without contacting either the MSO or the Legion’s PR Department. If you can pass this onto your members it would be extremely helpful. Please pass this information onto your committees, PAOs etc. who may receive calls from the public - we find that branch support makes a big difference in the success of these in terms of local PR because they field many of the calls and feedback from the public. I’d like to reiterate my above point about the press – inaccurate reporting to the press can cost the Legion significant amounts of money and potentially damage our reputation. During the month of February the campaign team will be operating in the Tonbridge Wells area covering the following postcodes:

TN1 1 London Road, Tunbridge Wells TN12 6 , TN1 2 Upper Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells TN12 7 , TN2 3 Sandhurst Road, Tunbridge Wells TN12 8 TN2 4 TN17 1 Cranbrook (incl. Sissinghurst, TN2 5 Broadwater Down, Tunbridge Wells TN17 2 Frittenden) TN3 0 , TN17 3 Cranbrook (incl. Golford) TN3 8 , Hook Green TN17 4 , Tunbridge Wells (incl. Southborough, TN4 0 TN18 4 ) TN4 8 Tunbridge Wells (incl. ) TN18 5 Sandhurst, Hawkhurst TN4 9 St Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells

FUNDRAISING - THE GIVING TREE I would like to publicise an event that took place here in Kent just before Christmas. It was called the Giving Tree and as one of the beneficiary charities we organised distribution of approximately 1.25k high quality new Christmas Gifts to children of serving families across the county. The gifts ranged from Frozen Dolls to large Hornby Train sets and included designer perfume, clothes, toiletries and expensive toys all of which came in the original packing unwrapped.  The project was organised and promoted by Heart Radio FM  The gifts were bought by shoppers and left under a Tree in Bluewater Shopping Centre  The gifts were distributed from Kent to NI and Preston FOC by APC Couriers via Steve Belding  The gifts were sent to Melanie Truss and Kay Naidoo of Bennett House NI and Byng House Preston respectively who organised distribution to local recipients  The gifts were received by Capt C T Phillimore MBE, PSAO C Coy, 3rd Battalion Princess of Wales Royal Regiment in Rochester, WO Steve Mawer of 42nd Infantry Brigade in Preston and welfare workers from 38 (Irish) Brigade and the UDR (Ulster Defence Regiment). The whole project was a resounding success with over 1000 children countrywide receiving gifts from TRBL before Christmas at no cost to us at all. I am still waiting for photos children receiving the gifts and I will be meeting with the Captain of 3 PWRR soon for an update. The opportunity came from a relationship that I and fellow CFR Julie Roper (East Kent) have forged over the last year with Bluewater for fundraising opportunities. The activity wasn’t strictly fundraising and it took some organising, but I am so proud to have been part of such a worthwhile event that brought the commercial sector, together with us, to benefit the families we serve and without those named it would not have been possible. Jane Ayers Community Fundraiser (West Kent)

Regards to you all Tony West Membership Support Officer Email: [email protected]

LEST WE FORGET

Notification has been received that the following members have passed on:

Mrs Vera Slaughter Birchington Mrs Kathleen Glasspole Downs Mr John Hood “ Mr Bevan Sheppard Elham Valley Mrs Sheila Gow Fordcombe Mr Peter Scott Goudhurst Mr Jim Sear Greenhithe & Swanscombe - Branch Vice Chairman Mr Roy Brunsden Hythe & - former Branch Secretary Mr Charles Leverington “ Mr George Smith Kemsing - Branch President Mrs Mary Gidley-Kitchen “ Rev Norman Dabbs Leeds, Hollingbourne & District - Branch Secretary Mr Peter Parvin “ Mr William Barker Lenham, Harrietsham & District Mr Oliver Jones “ Mr Arthur Kemsley “ Mr Deric King Ramsgate Mr Ernest Hardcastle Sheerness Mr Ronald Payne “ Mr Bernard Rushworth Sittingbourne & Milton Regis Mr John Bray Smarden Mr Michael Roberts “ Mr Colin Beaven Mr Robert Cavender “

Our deepest sympathies go to their families and friends

KENT COUNTY DIARY OF EVENTS - 2015

JANUARY Sun 17th County Conference - Headcorn Village Hall (1 pm) FEBRUARY Sun 22nd South East Regional Standard Bearer Competition - Cobham, Surrey MARCH Sat 28th Branch Officers Workshop - location tbc APRIL Sun 5th - 6th Medway Steam & Transport Rally - Chatham Historic Dockyard * Wed 15th - 16th WS Annual Conference - Bournemouth Sat 25th 100th Anniversary of Gallipoli Campaign - the Cenotaph MAY Sat 9th WS Rally - Seasalter Sun 10th VE Day Celebrations Sun 10th Poppy Walk - Whitstable Castle (10 am) Sat 16th - 17th Annual Conference - Southport Wed 24th - 26th 75th Anniversary of Dunkirk Evacuation (Op Dynamo) - Ramsgate * JUNE

Sat 13th - 14th & Ashford Military Show - Show Ground * Sat 20th - 21st Hellfire Corner Weekend - Pencester Gardens, Dover * Sat 27th Armed Forces Day * JULY Sat 11th Leeds Castle Open Air Concert * Sat 11th - 12th Thanet at War - Ramsgate Sun 12th (tbc) County Parade Wed 22nd - 26th War & Peace Revival - , Westenhanger * AUGUST Sat 15th - 16th Headcorn Combined Ops Mlitary Vehicle & Air Show * Sat 29th - 31st Military Odyssey - County Showground, Detling * SEPTEMBER Sat 19th - 20th Salute to the ‘40s - Chatham Historic Dockyard * OCTOBER Sun * County Standard Bearer Competition - Ditton Wed 21st Poppy Launch - County Hall, Maidstone Fri 23rd Thanet Festival of Remembrance - Winter Gardens, Margate Sat 24th County Poppy Lunch - Brompton Barracks Sun 25th Public Poppy Launch - Bluewater

NOVEMBER Sat 7th Festival of Remembrance - Royal Albert Hall Sat 8th Remembrance Sunday DECEMBER Sat 12th Carol Service - Capel Morris Centre (3pm) JANUARY 2016 Sun 16th County Conference - Headcorn Village Hall (12 noon)

* County Recruiting Stall Updated: 31st January 2015

VE DAY CELEBRATIONS MAY Fri 8th 40's/50's themed charity night with live band, disco, buffet and raffle in aid of TRBL - Kennington Carvery, Ashford

DOOR-TO-DOOR FUNDRAISING Some of you may recall that in 2013-14 the Legion undertook door-to-door fundraising through a professional agency for the first time. This was highly successful and over 5,000 new regular givers were recruited with forecast income expected to be £2,000,000+ over a five year period. The current campaign started on 1st August - pausing during October and November to honour Remembrance - and restarted in December. Throughout the whole year the aim is to recruit 15,000 new donors with a five year income forecast of over £6,500,000. This income contributes greatly to the Legion’s ability to plan, develop and implement our services as effectively as possible for the whole Armed Forces family, whether serving, veteran or their families and loved ones. Door-to-door fundraising is an essential part of how the Legion plans to engage with new supporters, providing an opportunity for people to speak with someone about our work at any time of year, and consider a valuable regular gift to support our work. Regular gifts/Direct Debits mean the Legion saves on bank charges and has a predictable income so we ensure we have the funds to deliver vital services to beneficiaries.  The door-to-door teams are professional fundraisers who wear branded RBL clothing and have official identification.  All fundraisers have been fully trained and have a good understanding of the Legion’s work.  The fundraisers have registered with the Police in each county and this information should have been cascaded to the local stations.  All data is handled securely and in accordance with the Direct Debit Guarantee and other financial regulations. Fundraisers will not ask for a cash donation.  All fundraisers comply with appropriate codes of practise and legal regulations.  Any complaints we receive from residents are investigated and acted upon. The main query we receive is whether the fundraisers are genuine, which is where positive communications from Branches can allay these concerns. Up to date information (including FAQs) is available on the Legion’s website. Working areas change on a monthly basis so internal briefing emails are sent to regional operation and fundraising staff to cascade down through their areas when a campaign is live in an area. Email [email protected] for more information. Please can I ask you all not to speak to the press regarding this campaign without contacting either the MSO or the Legion’s PR Department. If you can pass this onto your members it would be extremely helpful. Please pass this information onto your committees, PAOs etc. who may receive calls from the public - we find that branch support makes a big difference in the success of these in terms of local PR because they field many of the calls and feedback from the public. I’d like to reiterate my above point about the press – inaccurate reporting to the press can cost the Legion significant amounts of money and potentially damage our reputation.

DOOR-TO-DOOR FAQs Door-to-door fundraising is an essential part of how the Royal British Legion plans to engage with new supporters, providing an opportunity for people to speak with someone about our work at any time of year, and consider a valuable regular gift to support our work. Door-to-door fundraising is cost effective and an efficient means of fundraising, as well as a proactive way to talk to people about the breadth and success of the Legion’s services. Our door-to door fundraisers work on our behalf through Appco Group Support (AGS). This agency is one of the largest and most trusted in the UK, and has coordinated door-to-door campaigns for some of the country's most respected and successful charities. Appco is a member of the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA) and all fundraisers work to these best practice guidelines. Our door-to-door fundraisers will never ask for cash, and our campaigns are designed to provide the Legion with much needed year-round income by obtaining Direct Debit donations or weekly Poppy Lottery subscriptions. Please be assured that agreeing to give a gift to us by Direct Debit is very secure and safe. Only legitimate, registered groups like us are able to use your information, and you will be fully protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee. Our door-to-door fundraisers will:  Wear a tabard with The Royal British Legion corporate logo.  Display an 'Appco Group Support' or 'Magnum' identification badge with their name, photo and employee number.  Carry up-to-date Royal British Legion literature, including information booklets, 'Thank you for Listening' cards or numbered direct debit forms. We monitor this activity very carefully, so if you have been unhappy with the conduct of a door-to- door fundraiser, or believe you have reason to doubt their authenticity, please email us at [email protected] for a regular giving fundraise or [email protected] for a Poppy Lottery fundraiser.

What is door-to-door fundraising? Professional fundraisers visit designated areas around the UK to ask people to consider supporting the Legion by Direct Debit. All campaigns are licensed – police constabularies and local authorities are aware of campaigns in the area and official, nationally registered “No Cold Calling” zones are observed. Door-to-door fundraisers outside of Poppy Appeal season will not ask for cash donations and are restricted from doing so by PFRA guidelines.

Why do you use door-to-door fundraising? We use this method of fundraising because it increases public awareness of the success of The Royal British Legion’s work as the biggest Armed Forces charity, providing support to the whole Services community for both Serving and ex-Serving personnel and their families. This form of fundraising is extremely cost effective in the long term both in terms of income generated, and savings in administration and bank fees. The reliability of income generated also helps the Legion plan effectively meaning we can be sure that we are able to deliver services to those who need them.

What will your fundraisers look like? All the door to door fundraisers who will sign people up to Direct Debits will be wearing a branded Royal British Legion tabard and have official identification. They will also be carrying branded literature including “What happens next cards” and Direct Debit forms. They will only ask for Direct Debits and will never ask for cash, and they will be working between the hours of Noon - 8.30 pm. These fundraisers are not to be confused with volunteer Poppy Appeal Collectors. Poppy Appeal Collectors will operate between mid October and mid November, and during this period there will not be any fundraisers seeking Direct Debit sign ups.

What time do the fundraisers work? All our fundraisers observe PFRA guidelines which state no fundraising past 9pm. In practice, our fundraisers primarily work between the hours of Noon - 8.30pm.

Are your fundraisers trained? Yes, our fundraisers are trained continuously throughout the year in order to maintain the high standards anyone who represents the Royal British Legion is expected to demonstrate.

How do you ensure the security of my personal data? We take the security of your personal information very seriously and have specific procedures in place to protect it. If you have chosen to support us via Direct Debit, our fundraisers will give you a “What happens next” card which explains the process. You will receive a welcome telephone call and a Direct Debit letter in the post confirming your Direct Debit amount, date and other details. You can find out more about Direct Debits on the Direct Debit Website. If you wish to change or cancel your Direct Debit please contact your bank or building society, or contact The Royal British Legion’s Supporter Care Team at [email protected] or call 0845 845 1945.

Is door to door fundraising regulated? Our campaigns are implemented by an expert provider which has provider membership of The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association (PFRA). The PFRA is a charity-led self-regulating membership body for all types of face-to-face fundraising. As an organisation, it has a dual role as a regulator in the bridge between councils, professional fundraising organisations, the police and charities undertaking this type of fundraising as well as ensuring professional standards are maintained, complaints are resolved, and a fair allocation of fundraising on the ground is undertaken. All fundraisers carry a copy of the PFRA regulations. For more information visit pfra.org.uk or contact them on 020 7401 8452.

pop in

Visit The Royal British Legion at:

ASHFORD St Mary the Virgin Church – 1st Wednesday of the month (10am – 1pm) St Mary the Virgin Parish Church, Churchyard, Ashford TN23 1QG

BLUEWATER Bluewater Safety Shop – 2nd (1pm – 4pm) and 4th (10am – 1pm) Wednesday of the month Bluewater Shopping Centre, Greenhithe DA9 9ST

BROMPTON Lampard Centre – 1st (10am – 1pm) and 3rd (1pm – 4pm) Thursdays of the month Sally Port, Brompton, Gillingham ME7 5BU

DOVER Dover Gateway – 1st Tuesday of the month (10am – 1pm) 71 Castle Street, Dover CT16 1PD

GRAVESEND Gravesham Gateway – 1st Fridays of the month (10am – 1pm) Windmill Street, Gravesend DA12 1AU

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION VILLAGE Aylesford Pop In (Multi Agency) – 3rd Wednesday of the month (1pm – 5pm) Capel Morris Centre, RBL Village, Hall Road, Aylesford ME20 7NL

TUNBRIDGE WELLS Tunbridge Wells Gateway – 4th Friday of the month (10am – 1pm) 8 Grosvenor Road, TN1 2AB

(These details may change so look out for future up-to-date versions)

1 Feb 2015 REQUEST FOR COUNTY CEREMONIAL PARTY

Before completing the proforma below, branches/organisations are advised to contact the County Secretary to determine that the proposed date of their parade or ceremony does not clash with a previously arranged event.

Branches requesting that the County Ceremonial Party attend a parade or ceremony should be aware that the Party in full consists of the County Chairman, the Women’s Section County Chairman, the County Parade Marshal, the County Standard Bearer and the Women’s Section County Standard Bearer or their deputies.

Early in the planning stage of any ceremonial event it is advisable for the organisers to invite the County Parade Marshal or his representative to attend a planning meeting so that his advice can be sought, thereby preventing any embarrassing situations arising on the day.

-o0o-

Branch: ……………………..………………………………………….

Event: ……………………..………………………………………….

Day, date and time: ……………………..………………………………………….

Time parade forms up: ……………………..…………………………………………. & Location: ……………………..………………………………………….

Names of additional ……………………..…………………………………………. County Officers required to attend parade: ……………………..…………………………………………. (see paragraph above) ……………………..………………………………………….

Name of branch contact: ……………………..………………………………………….

Appointment: .….………………..………….… Tel: ……….……………...…………….

Approved County Chairman: ………….…………………………………………….. Date: ……………………

Approved Parade Marshal: …………….…………………………………………… Date: ……………………

Approved W/S County Chairman: …………………………………………………… Date: ………………..…..

Please return form to: Membership Support Officer The Royal British Legion South East Area Office (Kent) Royal British Legion Village Aylesford Kent ME20 7NL

A copy of the completed form will be sent to the Women’s Section County Secretary.