The Royal British Legion East Riding of Yorkshire County

Newsletter Issue 2 May 2011

Welcome to the Second edition of the County Newsletter 2011

County President: Jack Ford. County Chairman: Alan Higbee. MBE. County Vice Chairman: Harold Milner. County Secretary: Kimberley Thornton. County Treasurer : Valda Eldin. Community Fundraiser : Liz Hughes County Manager: Chris Cunningham County Welfare Officer : Beverley Davies. County Welfare Officer: Ian Poole County Managers Assistant: Louise Beilby. County PA Co-ordinator: Ernie Oldfield . County Standard Bearer: Barry Moody

From the County Chairman:

As hard as we try and improve communications between County and Branches, it is still proving an uphill climb. We communicate, but very little comes back, consequently trying to find copy for the second edition of the County Newsletter has been hard work for Kimberley. Apart from a few snippets from some branches, we have had to go out to find copy. I know that there are some events in the pipeline out there, PLEASE SOMEBODY let us have details so we can publicise them.

The Membership Council has approved the plan to amalgamated North and East Yorkshire Counties. A small steering committee comprising members of the executives from both counties has been set up. Their first meeting was on Saturday 10 th April. Further meetings are to be held on 7 th May and 7th June. There will be a Special Joint General Meeting of both Counties to elect a County Chairman, Officers and Executive members, on Saturday 23 rd July 2011, at the Easingwold. Kimberley will be sending out details and nomination forms to branches. It is hoped that the new County and Youth Standards will be dedicated in time for the SGM, so they can be presented. Those elected will serve until the first County Conference, which will be held January 2012, when a Chairman and Officers will be elected for a three-year period. The Executive Committee will be elected, serving in the first instance for periods three, two and one year. The number of individual votes cast for each person will determine the respective terms.

Arrangements for 90 th Anniversary events being arranged by the County are well in advance. With regard to the 90 th Anniversary Parade & Service, on the 15 th May, at Beverley Minster, it is essential, so seating arrangements can be finalised, that branch secretaries inform us if their standard bearer is attending, also, if possible the number of branch members who will be coming along. Details are given within this newsletter of all our events and further details will be sent out to branches. Considerable work has and is still being put into these events, we are receiving considerable support from the military within the county, so please make a note of the dates and venues and turn out in force.

Best wishes to you all. Alan. J. Higbee. MBE.

Your County Committee

Russell Smith, Market Weighton ; John Forrester, (CWAC Secretary) Driffield; Jim Hansford, (Chairman CWAC) South Cave ; Ken Green, Patrington; Eddie Large, (County Parade Marshall/Youth Officer) Bilton ; David Poole, Beverley ; Jean Oldfield, Chairman Women’s Section ; WO2 Geoff Horton “B” Co Cadet Force Rep ; “A” Co Cadet Force Rep, Barry Moody Bridlington; Alex Morriss Bridlington

Several members of Hedon & District branch visited DST Leconfield at Normandy Barracks Leconfield on Monday 11th October 2010. The visit was arranged between the Branch Secretary Mr Gordon Lane an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) instructor at the camp and the Camp RSM WO1 Mr John Ford. This followed several requests from branch member who were keen to see more of Leconfield after seeing just some of their vehicles at the Armed Forces Day held in Beverley earlier this year. On arrival at the camp the members were treated to tea and toast in the WO and Sgts mess, they then went to Saint Martins on camp and were given a lecture and tour of the garrison church by the padre Maj MacGregor, the majority of the fixtures and fitting came from Longmoor Military Railway Camp in Hampshire, there are several priceless stained glass windows commissioned by the various Railway companies such as GWR, LNER and LMS. There is also a memorial to HMS Lancastria, the ship that was sunk in World War 2 with the loss of 6500 service personnel, just after the Dunkirk rescue. The visit continued with a stop at the war memorial made from parts of the old hanger no 4, the silhouettes of all the aircraft types based at RAF Leconfield were made from the blast doors from hanger 4 many had bullet holes in them from German raids during the 1939 - 1945 conflict. The site of Normandy Barracks has been part of crown property for many hundreds of years as King Henry 8th use to hunt on the grounds were the former air base was built. We moved on to a talk by WO2 Huggard (Huggy) on the new armoured wheeled vehicles that our troops are trained on prior to deployment to Afghanistan, these included the Mastiff 1 and 2, Ridgeback, Wolfhound and Husky. All are fully armoured to withstand Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) attacks as well as those fitted with bar armour to defend against Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) We were all amazed at the modern facilities in the gym, no longer do the troops throw medicine balls about and go for log runs, there are scores of state of the art fitness equipment which actively encourages the troops to stay fighting fit. We had a drive round tour of some of the 16 km training area, where the Tri Service personnel from 50 countries are trained to drive Large Goods Vehicles as well as coaches and many new MAN trucks that have replaced the old Bedford's and DAF trucks. Moving on to the junior ranks mess facilities we given an insight in to how the modern army is fed and watered in a large clean open plan "cook house". Before returning to the WO and Sgts mess were we were treated to a hot and cold buffet and the RSM bought us a drink from the bar. A thoroughly enjoyable day, all the members that went on the visit are still talking about it and are the envy of those who could not attend. Our thanks go out to the RSM and all his staff who made our visit so rewarding.

"Alderson House welcomed members of the Bridlington Branch

TRBL on Sunday 13th March 2011 to witness the unveiling of

their new bar bell. Thanks to a very generous legacy from Mr

Albert Higgins (RN), who was a member of the Bridlington

Branch and a large donation from the members of Chesterfield

Branch, Alderson House has a wonderful new bar facility for

their guests to enjoy".

As a way of showing their appreciation the new bar bell was

inscribed with their names, and hangs proudly in the Alderson House bar area.

WILLERBY KIRK ELLA & ANLABY BRANCH Holding their Annual Garden Party with Afternoon Tea to celebrate the 90th Birthday of the Royal British Legion on Saturday 11th June 2011 1pm to 4pm in the garden of 401 Beverley Road, Anlaby. Admission Price: Adults £4, Concessions £2 to include sandwiches, scone and drink. The proceeds will be shared between Branch Funds and the 90th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion. There will be Long Service awards presented by the County Chairman, Mr Alan Higbee MBE and we will be having various stalls and entertainment. We hope many Branch members and friends will be able to join us. For further information and directions please contact the Branch Secretary on 01482 652274, After 6pm please Mobile: 07951 218026 or e-mail her at [email protected]

SOUTH CAVE 90 th Anniversary Church Service, All St Church, 2:15pm. Music by TA Band and all Standard Bearers welcome.

DRIFFIELD BRANCH Now has a branch website which can be located at http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/driffield Should any other branch wish to have their own Branch Webpage, please make contact with the County Secretary for further details. Please be aware that the webpage will have to be administered locally.

BRIDLINGTON RALLY This years Rally is taking place over the weekend 2 – 4 th September 2011, with the Kings Division Band Friday Evening is Big Band Dance Weekend Tickets booked in advance £18.00 each from the Spa Booking Office 01262 678258 or from the event organiser Mr Barry Moody 01262 676622. Parties of 10 or more to book through Mr Moody, for a reduced rate .

The Royal British Legion said today, 16 March, it was "delighted" that Her Majesty the Queen has bestowed a Royal title upon the town of Wootton

Bassett in recognition of its efforts to honour the

UK war dead.

To be known as Royal Wootton Bassett, it is the first town in 100 years to receive such a distinction

“Youth Standard presented to Cadet CSM J. Egan, winner of the Youth Standard Bearers Competition for 2011/12 at an open evening held at Middleton Barracks on Thursday 24th February 2011. CSM Egan was unable to receive the Standard at the County

Conference in January, due to attending a

training session at the Driffield Cadet HQ that

weekend. He will be joining the Regular

Army this autumn. I am sure you will all join me in wishing him all the best in his chosen career".

The price of Gold Badges has risen to £168.00 per Badge due to

the increased cost of gold

A BLAST FROM THE PAST

As the County enters into a new era with the amalgamation with North Yorkshire moves forward. I thought it might be opportune to have a brief look at the Legions history within the County.

th It all started on the 9 July 1921, when following the formation of the British Legion on the 14 th /15 th May 1921, a provisional Area Council for the whole of Yorkshire was formed to draw up a Constitution for the Area. At that meeting it was decided to have, in addition to Area

Officials, an Executive Council consisting of six Area Council representatives from each Riding.

The original members for the East Riding were, Mr. George Wade, Captain Ambrose Good and

Major. C. J. Ingleby, DSO. At the first Area Conference held on the 25 th of February, 1922, the following joined them to make up the six. Capt. A. Good, Major J. A. Iverson, MC and Mr. C. F. Taylor.

With the amalgamation of the Yorkshire Area and the North-Eastern Area to form the Northern Area as from the 1 st October 1938, it was decided to delegate to Counties certain administrative duties which formerly had been undertaken by the respective Areas. This necessitated the drawing-up of amended County Bye-laws which were duly presented to and passed by a special “Summer Conference” on the 1 st July, 1939. At the close of WW11, it was found necessary to appoint a paid Staff Officer, to upkeep constant contact with branches.

We became The Royal British Legion in 1971. Many other changes have been brought about by Royal Charter and County Boundary Changes. Membership is unfortunately in decline as is the loss of branches. The Legion is endeavouring to move into the 21 st Century, which it must do to survive. The time hasPHOTO’S come for us FROMall now tTHEo look PASTforward and not backwards.

Defence School of Transport – Normandy Barracks, Leconfield

On Wednesday 6 th April 2011, David Poole from the Beverley Branch had arranged through one of the PTI’s, a four mile run around the perimeter of the camp, final part over some obstacles, to raise money for the 90 th Anniversary Fund. As you would expect, being a Military Training Unit, there were plenty of VOLUNTEERS!!. So far, £200.00, (two hundred pounds) has been raised. In attendance at the event was Liz Hughes – Community Fundraiser, David Poole and County Chairman

Alderson House Activities and Events 2011

On Tuesday 10 th May we will be holding a Cheese and Wine Charity Evening with a 60’s theme in the bar lounge at Alderson House. Starting at 7pm there will be live music from the Classic pop singers and lots of fun there will be a prize for the sixties fancy dress.

On Saturday 11 th June to celebrate the 90 th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion, and in conjunction with other celebrations across the UK we will be holding a 40’s garden party, with stalls, a chocolate raffle, a bottle tombola and the event will go with a swing - the entertainment will be provided by ‘big band’ singer Lilli de Carlo.

To continue our 90 th celebrations, we are very excited to announce our Poppy Ball to be held on Saturday 26 th November at the Revelstoke Hotel in Bridlington, for a ticket price of £30 per person this will include a three course dinner, live music and entry into out prize raffle, this takes place at 7.30pm- midnight and all proceeds will go to Alderson House and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2011.

Also ongoing is our Poppy Club at Alderson House , we meet every Tuesday between 2.30pm and 4pm , this is an informal group available to eligible service personnel past and present. The club is free to join and you do not need to be a member of the TRBL to access this service. We have various activities including film shows, keep fit, arts and crafts, discussions and quizzes, but more importantly there is always a friendly face and a cup of tea. You can drop in every week, or just occasionally when you can make it.

For further information on any of the above please contact Anna Roseby On 01262 408010.

STOP PRESS

th Poppy Appeal Total as @ 15 April 2011

£34,131,954.56

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION East Riding and North Yorkshire EVENTSAUGUST DIARY 20 11/12

MAY

1-2 Driffield Kite Fair 4 East Yorkshire County Exec Meeting – York Office 4-5 Independent Examiners Course – South Wales 6 Independent Examiners Refresher Course – South Wales 7 North Yorkshire County Exec Meeting – York Office 7 1400hrs Joint Counties Steering Group – York 10 2000hrs Wine & Cheese Alderson House. 15 East Riding 90th Anniversary Parade & Service Beverley Minster. 1300hrs 15 Kirkbymoorside 90 th Anniversary Celebrations, Memorial hall, 7:30pm. Town Brass Band and Songs of Reflection., Tickets £5.00. Tel: 01751 431471 21-22 National Conference, Telford

JUNE

1 Regional Meeting County Chairman – Leeds Office 4 90th Anniversary Driffield Branch Dance & Social Evening, Old Town Hall, Bell Hotel, Driffield Tickets £6.00 each or £12.00 to include Pea & Pie Supper, Further information from J Forrester 01377 256762 4 1100 – 1500 Fund Raising band performance Princes Quay 7 Joint Counties Steering Group – York Office 11 1100 – 1500 Fund Raising band performance – Princes Quay Hull 11 Willerby Kirk Ella & Anlaby Branch are holding their Annual Garden Party with Afternoon Tea to celebrate the 90th Birthday of the Royal British Legion on Saturday 11th June 2011 1pm to 4pm in the garden of 401 Beverley Road, Anlaby. Admission Price: Adults £4, Concessions £2 to include sandwiches, scone and drink. The proceeds will be shared between Branch Funds and the 90th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion. There will be Long Service awards presented by the County Chairman, Mr Alan Higbee MBE and we will be having various stalls and entertainment. For further info contact the Branch Secretary on 01482 652274, After 6pm please Mobile: 07951 218026 or e-mail her at [email protected] 11 Alderson House Garden Party: 2 – 5 pm. Poppy Party Weekend, with a 40’s to present day theme. Various events throughout the day. Further info Anna Roseby 01262 408010 18 90th Anniversary Dinner at Londesborough Barracks Hull. 20 Redcar branch holding a flag raising for Armed Forces week at 10,30am Monday 20th June 25 1100 – 1500 Fund raising band performance – Princes Quay Hull 25 Redcar branch holding a full day of events including march on of Standards and veterans, drill displays and competition from the three local cadets forces, adets dancing the Hornpipe, air display along the beach area by a Tiger Moth by-plane plus other things. Full details when available 25-26 National Bowls Final – Melton Mowbray 26 South Cave 90th Anniversary Church Service, All St Church, 2:15pm. Music by TA Band and all Standard Bearers welcome.

JULY

3 Armed Forces Day Beverley 3 Thirsk 90th Anniversary Parade and Church Service. Assemble in the Marage 1230hrs, Parade 1300hrs, Church Service 1330hrs followed by refreshments in Thirsk Club at approx. 1430hrs 5 Haltemprice Group Meeting Driffield. 1930hrs 8 Independent Examiners Refresher Course – York 9 1100 – 1500 Fund raising band performance – Princes Quay Hull 9-10 Independent Examiners Course - York 12-14 Great Yorkshire Show 15 90th Anniversary Concert Hull City Hall., 1930hrs 23 1100 hrs SGM Counties Amalgamation Galtres Centre Easingwold.

AUGUST 13-14 Driffield Steam Rally

SEPTEMBER 2-4 County Training Officers Course – Haigh House 2-4 Bridlington Rally Spa Bridlington 3 Northern Regional Bowls – Location TBC 6-7 Independent Examiners Course – Haigh House 8 Independent Examiners Refresher Course – Haigh House 16-18 Bridlington Rally 20 RBL Anniversary Service Westminster Abbey. 23-24 National Chairman's Seminar Staverton Park 23-25 Standard Bearers Judges Course – Hermitage 24-25 Basic Welfare Caseworker Training Course - York

OCTOBER 1 Northern Regional Games – Location TBC 4 Haltemprice Group AGM, Market Weighton 7 Qualified Panel Members Refresher Course – Haigh House 8-9 Qualified Panel Members Course – Haigh House

NOVEMBER 11 Festival of Remembrance, Hull City Hall, awaiting further info 26 Alderson House 90th Poppy Ball: The Revelstoke Hotel, Bridlington, Tickets £30 each. Three course dinner, live music & dancing, Further info Alderson House 01262 408010

IF YOU HAVE A LOCAL EVENT, PLEASE LET THE COUNTY SECRETARY KNOW IN ORDER TO INCLUDE IT IN THE EVENTS DIARY

This Diary of Events is up-dated regularly and any items of interest to the Ex-Service Community are welcome. It is circulated to all Branches within the County and to other Service Associations on request to the County Secretary. Entries are welcome and should be addressed to the County Secretary, at the address below, preferably in writing, or e-mail: [email protected]

The East Riding County Website and the North Yorkshire County Website can be accessed through www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL MEMBERSHIP, PROPERTY, DISCIPLINARY ETC. ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO-

COUNTY SECRETARY, KIMBERLEY THORNTON GROUND FLOOR, UNIT 4, TRIUNE COURT MONKS CROSS DRIVE, HUNTINGTON, YORK, YO32 9GZ TEL: 01904 550577 IFAX: 0203 2072456

COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER LIZ HUGHES

I was delighted to take the opportunity offered to me by the County Chairman, Alan Higbee, to introduce myself in the newsletter for the East Ridings of Yorkshire. I have recently taken up the post of Community Fundraiser for the East Ridings of Yorkshire, having spent a year as the Community Fundraiser for Lancashire. My role is to support any volunteer who is involved in the Poppy Appeal and further fundraising for the Royal British Legion. As this is our 90 th Anniversary year, there are more events being organised than ever before. I am constantly amazed and humbled by the time given and dedication shown by all of you, active and inspirational, RBL members. I am able to provide items to support an event, assist with publicity or can put you in touch with your local Poppy Appeal Organiser who will be able to offer help and advice.

I am very much looking forward to the 90 th Anniversary March in Beverley on 15 th May, to the 90 th Anniversary Celebration Dinner at Londesborough Barracks on 18 th June and to the celebration of 90 Years of Music at Hull City Hall on 15 th July. I am certain that through this wonderful variety of events, the East Ridings has ensured that all people across the generations will be able to commemorate our 90 th Anniversary, whilst offering us the added opportunity to raise the funds which we need to continue our welfare work in support of the serving and ex-service community and their families.

The official weekend of the 90 th Anniversary is the The Poppy Party Weekend 10 th -12 th June. Why not have a simple party to celebrate our 90th anniversary. Invite your branch, your family or friends? You could ask them all to bring food and drink that could be shared to keep costs down and cut down the work involved. You can register your party at www.thegreatpoppypartyweekend.org.uk or over the phone on 01722 714 937.

As part of The Great Poppy Party Weekend, the Royal British Legion would like to ask all of our members and supporters to stand and raise a glass at 4pm on Sunday 12th June 2011 in national 'Toast' to The Royal British Legion’s 90th Anniversary. The glass could be filled with a soft drink, wine or beer, to enable people of all ages to take part in this unique aspect of this event. This 'Toast' has the possibility of involving hundreds of thousands of people throughout the United Kingdom in a simple way of acknowledging the wonderful work undertaken by The Royal British Legion, so I do hope that you will encourage all your family and friends to take part.

The East Ridings Poppy Appeal total is now at £296,293.41 , which is nearly 10% more than the total for last year – with more money still being paid in! This is an amazing achievement in these times of national financial difficulty and due to the wonderful support and commitment of the members and volunteers in the East Ridings.

If you have any events planned or any ideas for fundraising, please do contact me at County Office on 01904 550576, on my mobile 07827 356709 or by email [email protected] I do hope to hear from you in the near future.

BRANCH ACCOUNTS

In the near future the facility will be available for those branches to submit their annual branch accounts

electronically. The Legion will be introducing a new electronic system called “Legion Arms Accounting

System”. The National Training Team is to visit our Areas and give LAAS training to all County Secretaries/Membership Administrators/County Treasurers

and any Branch Treasurers who would wish to be trained.

The National Training Team will link in with the existing training programme for Branch Treasurers, and partly they will need to offer separate courses. I have been

asked to identify which branch treasurers may be interested in attending this course. No dates have yet

been fixed yet but will start in May and carry on to September.

To register your interest in attending this course, please make contact with the County Secretary, [email protected] or 01904 550577

“FOOD FOR THOUGHT ”!!!!!!!!

Life isn't how to survive the storm but how to dance in the rain

Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for - in order to get to the job that you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it